My daughter's wish is attending UCLA, but her score SAT only 1500..?

Question

She has 4.0 GPA, extracuricurlumn, class president from 9-11 grades, ASB President her senior year. She is so dedicated for her school, she is in vasity swimming team. She always has been busy with school activities.
Because She wants to make a different for her school, a school where students can enjoy their school, and she is working part time. In summer, she volunteer work at hospital. JUST ONE THING SHE IS MISSING, SAT SCORE ONLY 1500 TOO LOW.
Please help my daughter how to make her wish come true.
All your helps is greatly appreciated.

Answer 1

She has an excellent chance of getting into UCLA, especially since UCLA changed their admission criteria starting this year. I recommend:

1) Take the ACT, it is a completely different kind of exam and she may do very well (plus, no penalty for guessing answers); feel free to retake the SAT and ACT as many times as she needs to boost her scores, the UC System will not "look down" on multiple test scores and will only take the highest combined score (not average of all scores). For test info, see: http://www.actstudent.org/testprep/

2) Write an excellent personal statement; since the change in admission criteria, personal statements are likely to weigh more in the decision process. Her passion for making a difference for her school is good a point to stress. For a guideline on how to write your personal statement for the UC System (published by Berkeley but applicable to all UCs), see: http://students.berkeley.edu/files/Admissions/Personal_State_07.pdf

Don't stress out over the SAT score, try the ACT and see how she does. To get detailed info on the new UCLA admission criteria, see: http://dailybruin.com/news/articles.asp?id=38794

Answer 2

She has some some good credentials. The real question is, why did she fall down in the SATs. I think she should be planning on taking them again and doing a better job. The main reason for even having SATs is just as a confirmation that the GPA is real, not just something she got by taking easy classes at a high school where the teachers give easy grades. The 1500 (we assume we're talking about the new SAT, right?) is just average.

I think she will get in anyway, but she can make her case certain by getting a higher score on the SAT.

Answer 3

Her ECs look pretty good. So does her GPA, which plays a big part when it comes to acceptance. However, a 1500 in the new SAT is very VERY average. To give her a better chance, retake the SATs, push the score up to at least 1700 to put her into a better position.

Answer 4

1500 is a very competitive SAT . . .

With a 4.0 GPA, and her record of activities, she should have a very good chance of admission.

She could look closer at the admissions requirements to see what else is required - letters of recommendation and personal statement. There are several books on writing personal statements, they might be very helpful.

She should probably apply to 4 or 5 other schools also - maybe Berkeley, UC San Diego, Stanford, and UC Santa Barbara.

Also, make sure this is her wish and not just yours.

Answer 5

I imagine that there are alot of people with SAT scores below 1500 at UCLA... but maybe the scoring is changed since i took it. (the max was 1800 then). Have her apply early and let them make the decision. If you don't try, then you will never know.

Answer 6

Make her go to SAT prep classes and have her re-take it, because 1500 is way too low.

Answer 7

I would've suggested taking the ACT, but seeing as you have already applied, then I just say wait and see what happens.

Answer 8

I know you are proud of your kid and want to brag about her accomplisments... but your question is just plain dumb... if she has such a good record, that will have a lot of weight, and don´t act like 1500 is too low, because it is not.