'In a relatively rare window into University of California admissions, a process that students, parents and even some UC leaders have called opaque and confusing, UCLA granted a reporter permission to sit in on two training sessions for admissions readers in December.</p>
<p>Because much of the process was new this year, all UCLA readers, including veterans, underwent 12 hours of training, divided into a full-day session and an afternoon follow-up. After the training, readers were asked to rate several sets of sample applications, which were then checked against pre-scored controls. Officials said 156 readers were certified.</p>
<p>Admissions Director Vu Tran told readers they would be ranking applications on a 6-point scale, from those that would merit 1 ? “emphatically recommend for admission” ? to 5 ? “recommend deny.” There is also a score of 2.5, because the distinction between 2 and 3 is often the toughest for readers to make.</p>
<p>Each application would be scored by two readers. If the scores were more than a point apart, the application would be assessed again, this time by a senior staff member…</p>
<p>Applicants would be admitted in rank order, 1s, then 2s and so on, up to UCLA’s admissions target of 11,800, which officials say will ultimately yield a class of about 4,700…</p>
<p>Readers would be balancing many more factors than before, however. Grades, test scores and other academic measures should still be given the greatest weight, but reviewers also were asked to keep in mind the overall picture of the student’s background, using information from all parts of the file.</p>
<p>For instance, if there were a stretch of poor grades in an otherwise stellar record, was there an explanation? Maybe it’s because of a family crisis or even “senioritis”? Or were there circumstances, such as a need to work or baby-sit younger siblings, that could have kept an applicant from achieving the grades and extracurricular activities that impress admissions officers?</p>
<p>Or maybe a student was very focused on a single area ? music or sports, for example ? and although terrific at that, the student might not have the variety of activities typical of most who apply.</p>
<p>Any of these applicants, at least in theory, might be worthy of admission. “We’re looking for all kinds of students at UCLA,” Pimentel said. “We really want students who are likely to contribute to the intellectual and cultural vitality of the campus.”</p>
<p>What about diversity, a reader asked?</p>
<p>Pimentel answered without hesitation. UCLA, like other top schools, was looking for a range of personal backgrounds and experiences in each freshman class, she said. Socioeconomic diversity was a plus. But, she cautioned, race could not be part of the equation.</p>
<p>In addition, she said, readers should never make up their minds about a student until they had read the entire file. "You can say, ‘I don’t see the spark. I don’t see the spunk,’ and then you get to the essay and you say, ‘Wow!’ " she said…</p>
<p>As the session wore on, thorny questions arose. What about a student who had a competitive, though not extraordinary, academic and leadership record but had multiple disadvantages compared with most kids? One parent was dead, the other was unemployed and the family lived far from his school, making it tough for him to take part in many extracurricular activities.</p>
<p>Given his record and his family circumstances ? and under the holistic approach ? he was a 2, most agreed. He would also be a candidate for a new procedure this year called supplemental review, the admissions officials said. This extra step is for students on the edge of admission, but whose applications are missing some key information or show very challenging circumstances.</p>
<p>In such cases, the applicant would be sent a questionnaire that requests more information…</p>
<p>There were more cases and more tips. Be wary of sob stories, but try to recognize when a student has genuine difficulties. Look for “passion” in an applicant’s file, as well as evidence of values and ethics. Look for leadership, but know that not every student could be first in everything.</p>
<p>Overall, the trainers said, readers should search for those students who could succeed at UCLA and would bring something special, perhaps indefinable, to the campus.</p>
<p>By the end of the sessions, that seemed easier to spot.</p>
<p>UCLA officials say they can’t yet predict what effect the admissions changes are likely to have on the fall freshman class but believe the process will be fairer for all concerned. Many in the community and on campus will be scrutinizing and dissecting the outcome…