Hi y'all! I've been dreaming of applying to University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), but not sure where to start. Could anyone clue me in on what their application process is like? Additionally, any tips on how to stand out would be deeply appreciated!
Sure, happy to help guide you through UCLA's application process!
First up, UCLA uses the University of California (UC) application, and the filing period is from October 1st through November 30th. You won't be using the Common App or the Coalition App here—it's a different platform specifically for the UC system.
In the UC application, you'll fill out basic information about your academic history, extracurriculars, and fill out a section known as "Personal Insight Questions". You'll choose 4 out of 8 prompts to respond to and each response is limited to 350 words. These questions are a great opportunity to showcase who you are beyond just your academics.
As for how to stand out in your application, here are a few tips:
1. Showcase your "spike": Colleges, including UCLA, want students who have excelled in a particular area or demonstrated significant accomplishment. So if you're a talented musician, an exceptional debater, or a budding biomedical researcher, try to convey your commitment and passion for your chosen interest through your application.
2. Craft memorable essays: Avoid cliché topics and focus on personal stories that reveal your character, values, and motivations. Ideally, these should add to the picture of you that UCLA can gather from the rest of your application.
3. Stand out with extracurriculars: UCLA looks for students who are involved in their community and have taken leadership roles. Try to engage in Tier 1 and Tier 2 extracurricular activities, which show a higher level of achievement or leadership.
Lastly, keep in mind that UCLA, like all UC schools, is test-blind for the 2024-2025 application cycle, so they will not consider SAT or ACT scores at all.
The UCLA admissions process is competitive, but demonstrating your passion, commitment, and unique perspective can definitely help you stand out. Good luck with your application!
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