How hard is it to get into UCLA? (Los Angeles, Berkeley: schools, university)

[Anders15]

I hear it is hard from out of state? Is it worth it (over other colleges on the west coast) because I like Earth Sciences...

[Charles]

What does "hard" mean? What units does it have? How is it measured?

Profile of Admitted Freshmen, Fall 2009 - UCLA Undergraduate Admissions

[Anders15]

wow... i guess that is not as bad compared to in state lol.

[BRinSM]

ucla is the most applied to public university in the country last i heard. everyone i know who went there had well over a 4.0 gpa and a very good sat score. i would say that ucla is a very difficult school to get into.

[osuzana]

Originally Posted by Anders15

I hear it is hard from out of state? Is it worth it (over other colleges on the west coast) because I like Earth Sciences...

You have fantastic colleges in Virginia.

[yamota]

It's easier if your'e asian. In some circles UCLA stands for "University of California with Lots of Asians"! :lol:

[LexusNexus]

This is exactly what I was going to say. If you're asian, it's easier to get into any UC school. Out of staters seem to be preferred over in staters as well. UCLA, like many of the UC schools, very overrated IMO.

Hard to figure out the backwards UC admissions criteria. If I were you, I'd stay east. Eastern schools appear to be more fair in their admission decisions and just generally far better schools.

[Anders15]

Oh.. well thanks everyone i had no idea :\

[FrostyThe2nd]

I had a very good time as an undergrad in UCLA. The school is beautiful and is located in one of the best areas of Los Angeles. Nice weather year round and always things to do outside of class.

I don't know if being asian will increase your chance of getting in though. Yes, UCLA is Univ of Cali w/ lotsa asians or Univ of caucasian lost among asian, but you'll find that's the case in many US colleges... like MIT being "Made In Taiwan" and I don't think these schools prefer asians because they are asians.

I majored in biochem and minored in atmospheric and oceanic sciences and from my experiences, UCLA works very closely with Cal Tech when it comes to Earth/Space/Atmosphere/Oceanic Sciences. They even have what used to be the largest telescope in the world in Hawaii in addition to other really nice research tools. You'll definitely be surrounded by the leading researchers in this field. As a chemist I was excited to work with machines more powerful than those found in Harvard or Princeton. (If you're curious, it's an NMR machine that I have to admit is slightly beaten by MIT's) To me, this machine isn't taken lightly as it may be the most advanced, powerful, and expensive piece of technology in chemistry. Anyway, if you get the chance to go to UCLA, most likely you'll have a good time aside from the stressful studies.

[hsw]

Judge any college by jobs won by recent grads in one's intended major; desirable employers are best judges of how relevant are any college's grads

Suspect engineering has a vastly different skills/career-oriented dynamic than lib arts at any college...esp Berkeley or Stanford...or even UCLA

Colleges may prefer kids who may not need fin aid..and/or out of state kids who will pay more tuition...often unspoken financial bias amidst the usual "diversity" nonsense

Suspect for earth sciences will want to know what leading oil&gas cos. (likely employers) seek in new hires and which colleges they favor for recruiting

For all its alleged glamour, LA's most valuable co. in its decidedly blue-collar, low-tech, low-income industrial/distribution economy is OccidentalPetroleum...