Is it possible to get into UCLA with an approximately 3.66 GPA?

Question

As of lately, I've been worried about getting into a good college. Is it possible to get into UCLA (my #1 choice at the moment) with a 3.66 unweighted GPA (my school doesn't use weighted GPAs). My first two years of highschool were on the contrary of my current experience. For some reason, I didn't have the desire to try, so I only got around 3.4/3.5 GPAs. Now, I'm getting 3.85+. Will colleges take into account this change in work ethic?

Answer 1

Grade improvements are viewed favorably by admissions officers at most UC campuses. Your freshman year grades are not included in the GPA calculation, so that should soften the blow a bit as well. Courses at your school designated as honors or AP should carry weighted GPA whether your school choose to calculate it or not. Check the UC Doorway site to see which courses at your school are designated as honors/AP and calculate the weighted GPA yourself (which you'll have to do for the application): http://www.ucop.edu/doorways/ If your high school does not have any honors or AP courses, I highly recommend you start taking courses during the summer at your local community college (up to 12 units, select "UC-Transferable" courses). You can earn college credits, boost your GPA, and show your motivation to learn; a win-win situation.

Besides grades, be sure to complete the a-g requirements (ask your counselor for the approved courses at your high school or check the UC Doorway site, see above), study and do well on standard tests (SAT and/or ACT, and SAT II), and commit to one or two extracurricular activities in which you develop leadership skills (more is not better, quality is better than quantity).

UCs (including UCLA) will weigh the following components of your application (in the order of importance): 1) your essay (the UC System publishes a guideline on how to write your personal statement at: https://uccp.collegepath.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=content.publicItem&NavID=238&ID=4 ) about your academic achievement, talent or extracurricular activities that highlight your motivation, dedication, and/or initiative to achieve, your potential to contribute to the university, and any special circumstances like hardship; 2) your grades (like I said, improvements are better than just maintaining a high GPA); 3) your test scores, including SAT and/or ACT, SAT II; and 4) number of AP courses completed compared to the number of AP courses offered at your high school (if none, then you're off the hook, but take some community college courses just to show the UCs you're special). Other factors are taken into consideration, but to a lesser extent.

Answer 2

They definitely will consider your work ethic. You improvement just makes you application stronger. Just remember that freshmen year is not calculated into your UC gpa. Also, your gpa and the courses you took- honors (if offered), ap classes, and your community service or lack of and other extracurriculars too such as sports will be the deciding factors. There is no gurantee to being accepted too. Just to let you know many of my friends with 4.0 didn't get accepted here even with great SAT scores, however I didn't get accepted either- 3.7 HS gpa 1250 Sat Score (of 1600) so I attended a community college, did well 3.6 Gpa there and graduated with honors and I WAS accepted to UCLA. Best of luck with your endeavors.

Answer 3

I'm in the same situation! I'm transferring to Santa Monica College next year from Arizona State University and I'm worried that I won't get into the film school either. From what I've read Santa Monica is easier to transfer and it helps if your a resident. Although I have also read that most of those that they accept have a GPA of 3.6 or higher. Make sure your material really stands out as well.

Answer 4

You will have a higher chance if you do really well on the SATs. Many UCLA applicants have a higher GPA. I dont know if the colleges will take into account the change in work ethics, but I think they might. If you have to submit a personal essay, you could mention this improvement in it.

Answer 5

Yes, it's possible. Especially since that's your unweighted GPA. Who knows what your weighted one is (did you take any AP or IB classes?).

Get a high SAT score and do some good extra currics and you can have a good shot at getting in.

Answer 6

UCLA is a state school. Pay the tuition and you're in.

Answer 7

every time I ask a question, even if it is the easiest one, they cannot offer me a good informed answer here. Wtf happened to people who actually take the time to answer?