Admissions Blog

Applications Available November 1

Well it's the end of October, and while your mind may be on costumes and candy, I want to remind you that the UC Online application can be submitted any time during the month of November, beginning this Thursday, November 1. UC applications can be accessed at: www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply. Whether you've already completed your application and are just waiting to click "submit" or you haven't even thought about filling it out yet, it's important to keep November 30 in mind. This is the VERY LAST DAY you will be able to submit an application to UCLA (or any UC campus) for Fall 2008. While November 30 is the absolute cut-off date, please let me suggest that you submit your application sooner if at all possible. As Andrea mentioned last week, the server tends to get a bit overloaded right before any important deadline, and you wouldn't want any computer problems (on our end or yours) to keep you from applying to UCLA and/or our sister campuses.

Some tips for filling out your application:

1. Take your time. The process is long, and can be a bit tedious, but is absolutely crucial that the information you submit is completely accurate. Which leads us to #2.

2. Revise your entire application before sending it. Like I said, it's imperative that this information is accurate. We will be using your self-reported application information to make admissions decisions, so it needs to accurately reflect your academic and personal history.

3. Take advantage of the Personal Statement. This is your opportunity to tell us something about yourself that we wouldn't know by just looking at your GPA and test scores. We want to understand who you are and what you want from life, so give your Personal Statement the time and attention it deserves. For more tips about writing a stellar Personal Statement, check out Andrea's post from last week.

Good luck to everyone applying to college, like I've said before, this is an incredibly exciting time in your lives and I hope you enjoy every minute of it!

New Personal Statement Prompts

We know you early birds are out there. You're the ones who logged on to the UC application website when it first became available a few weeks ago. You've already completed the application; drafted, edited and re-edited your Personal Statement; and are just waiting to finally submit it when November 1 rolls around. We commend you for staying on top of things!

As for the rest of you (and believe me, I was one of you eight years ago), you might not have even thought about your application, much less the Personal Statement. But did you know that the UC application features new Personal Statement prompts for freshman and transfer applicants this year? I know, we just threw a wrench in your operations, didn't we? Well, have no fear. We're essentially looking for the same information as in previous years, but the new prompts guide you better than before.

Just to refresh your memory, this is what you're working with this year:

Prompt #1 (freshman applicants)

Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.

Prompt #1 (transfer applicants)   

What is your intended major? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had in the field — such as volunteer work, internships and employment, participation in student organizations and activities — and what you have gained from your involvement.

Prompt #2 (all applicants)   

Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?

Yes, we've done away with the open ended prompt. Yes, you must answer both prompts listed for your applicant class. No, you may not answer previous years' prompts. You'll be comforted to know that you may split your 1,000 words between both prompts however you wish (although we ask that they be no shorter than 250 words), and if you exceed the word limit by a dozen words or so, it's not the end of the world.

So what are we looking for? Quite simply, we want to see what makes you tick. Who are you? Where do you come from? What don't we already know about you by reading the rest of the application? Don't merely list your classes and extracurricular activities. We want you to show us why they are important and how they connect with your intended course of study.

It is equally important to you give yourself plenty of time to draft and edit your Personal Statement. While the holistic review process ensures that no single section of the application is more important that the other, think of the Personal Statement as your one opportunity to speak to us in a way the rest of your application doesn't.

Now get to work! I've given you tips, now it's your turn to put them into practice. Remember: the application deadline for fall 2008 admissions is November 30. Don't wait until the last minute or else you might find yourself frustrated with a slow and overloaded server.

Good luck, and we look forward to reading your apps!

Korea Summer 2007

Hey guys this is Eric Kim, UARS techie and official photographer. I’m really glad to be back here at UCLA after spending about a month and a half at Korea. There was nothing better than seeing the gleaming faces of all my fellow coworkers when I returned to the office after my three month summer break.

I have to admit going to Korea was one of my best summer experiences ever. Meeting extended family, sightseeing, and checking out the local nightlife were a few of the many things I was able to do in my home country. Although the culture and heritage of Korea is radically different to that of the United States, I found out that in both nations the people are more similar than different. When it comes down to the wire, both peoples are friendly and know how to have a good time. 

Being a photographer, I was overjoyed to see all of the photo opportunities in Korea. The complex architecture in Seoul, the smiling faces of children in Busan, and the untouched nature in the countryside were just a few of my photo subjects.

Anyways hope you enjoy my pictures and check out http://www.erickimphotography.com for more
pictures!

Keep up the Great Work!

The academic year has just begun here at UCLA, but those of you who are attending high schools and/or community colleges have probably been in class for over a month now. If you are applying to UCLA (or any university) for fall 2008, I have a couple pieces of advice for you:

1) Be aware of all deadlines! UC applications are accepted during the month of November every year, which means that you can submit your application to UCLA online in exactly a month. Sound too soon? Not to worry, you have until November 30 to submit your application, but it's a good idea to start preparing early!

2) Don't neglect your current studies!

High school students: continue taking challenging courses, make sure you take your all your exams on time, and beware the dangers of "senioritis."

Community college students: make sure you maintain a competitive GPA and check with your counselor to make sure you've taken all the appropriate courses to be eligible to transfer.

We evaluate applications and make admissions decisions based on your self-reported information about courses currently in progress and courses you plan to take. If you are admitted and we learn that your academic performance has declined, or you did not complete all of the courses you reported on your application, your offer of admission is subject to withdrawl.

3) Keep checking back here for more helpful tips!

Okay, switching gears from that little lecture, here's a fun fact for the day: "Bruin" is actually the Dutch word for "brown." A brown bear in a Dutch folk tale was named "Bruin" because of his color, and now us English-speakers often use the word Bruin to refer to any brown bear, and two especially awesome brown bears  in particular.