I'm curious about UCLA's acceptance rate. I've heard different numbers and I'm not sure what's accurate for incoming freshmen. Is it super competitive? If I'm applying with a 3.8 GPA and some really good extracurriculars, what are my chances of getting in?
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UCLA's acceptance rate is approximately 8.6% for first-year students, making it one of the most selective public universities in the United States. For the Fall 2023 entering class, UCLA received over 149,700 applications and admitted about 12,900 students. This highly competitive acceptance rate reflects UCLA's position as a top-ranked public university.
A 3.8 GPA is within UCLA's academic profile, but admission depends on multiple factors beyond just grades. The middle 50% of admitted students typically have weighted GPAs between 4.18 and 4.31, considering honors and AP courses. Strong extracurricular activities can significantly strengthen your application, especially when they demonstrate leadership, long-term commitment, and meaningful impact.
UCLA uses comprehensive review to evaluate applications, considering academic achievement, personal achievements, and life challenges. Your chances of admission depend on how your complete profile compares to the entire applicant pool. The university looks at factors including coursework rigor, standardized test scores (if submitted), personal insight questions, extracurricular activities, and special talents or achievements.
For the best chance of admission, focus on maintaining your strong GPA through challenging courses, crafting compelling personal insight responses, and continuing to develop your extracurricular achievements. Consider also applying to multiple UC campuses, as each has distinct admission rates and student profiles. Remember that admission statistics represent overall trends and individual applications are evaluated holistically.
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