What's with UCLA not being on the Common App?

Okay, this might be a silly question, but I'm working on my college list and noticed that UCLA is not on the Common App. Is this true for all the UC schools, or just UCLA? How do you manage the additional applications without getting totally swamped, given that they don't use the Common App system that I'm becoming way too familiar with?

Hello there! No question is a silly question when it comes to college applications, so you’re right to clarify. Indeed, all University of California (UC) schools, including UCLA, do not participate in the Common Application system. They use their own application platform known as the UC Application. One upside to this is that you can apply to multiple UC schools with a single application, which ensures you won't have to duplicate efforts for each UC campus you’re interested in. To manage your workload efficiently, I recommend starting early and setting up a timeline for yourself. Break down the application requirements into smaller tasks and tackle them one by one. Good organization is key; you can use spreadsheets or checklists to track your progress. Pay close attention to the UC application personal insight questions as they differ from the Common App prompts. You'll want to reserve time specifically for these essays to tailor your responses effectively. Lastly, take advantage of the resources provided by the UC system itself as well as any workshops your school or local community might offer – they can be especially helpful with navigating this unique system. Best of luck with your applications!