UCLA acceptance rate: How competitive is it?

I'm considering applying to UCLA, and I'd like to know how competitive their acceptance rate is. I know it's a top university, so I'm curious about how difficult it can be to get in and if there's any advice on how to improve my chances. Thanks in advance!

UCLA is an extremely competitive university, which consistently ranks as one of the top public universities in the United States. In recent admissions cycles, UCLA's acceptance rate has fallen under 10%, making it one of the most selective public institutions in the country.

To improve your chances of admission, ensure that your application showcases a strong academic record, including high grades and challenging coursework (consider honors, AP, or IB classes, if available). Additionally, prioritize quality over quantity when it comes to extracurricular activities. Engage in a few activities that demonstrate genuine passion, commitment, and leadership. Aim for activities that align with your future academic or career goals, or those that showcase meaningful involvement in your community, rather than simply trying to check as many boxes as possible.

As for the University of California (UC) application, you'll need to submit four out of eight available personal insight questions (PIQs). Each PIQ allows you to share different aspects of your life, experiences, and interests, so choose questions that best highlight your strengths and uniqueness. Take advantage of these responses to demonstrate your potential contribution to the UCLA community by showcasing your personality, values, and motivations in a variety of ways - don't choose questions that will lead to repetitive responses. If you want more detailed guidance on how to tackle the PIQs, check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-university-of-california-essays.

Finally, do be aware that UCLA, like all the UCs, is test-blind, which means they will not consider your SAT or ACT score even if you submit it. So, if you were counting on your test score boosting your chances, you'll want to instead invest energy into polishing the other areas of your application that will be factored in by UCLA admissions officers.

Good luck with your application to UCLA!