@Mont2LA Yeah, I mean in regards to how difficult it is to get into the Psych major at UCLA I’ve already done my preliminary research. In fact, a large chunk of the tips given here are of no surprise to me, like assist.org and IGETC. I’ve taken a few fend-for-yourself AP classes. Obviously they’re not the real deal, but they’ve given me an idea of what’s to be expected. My AP Psych class is especially like this, and I’m doing very well in it (98% as of this afternoon). In fact, I do way better in classes that require me to put in the extra effort to do well. I know that in order to achieve a 3.7 GPA (although I’m actually aiming for something between 3.86-3.9) I’m going to have to step up my game.
The thing is that I’ve already mapped out my EC’s, and considering my backstory (low-income; first-generation Nigerian-American citizen; woman), I have a lot more to showcase to the admissions officers than just my GPA. While grade point average is definitively given more weight than essays and EC’s at UCLA compared to Berkeley, which is supposed to have a more holistic approach to applicant selection, I know that with a solid academic and extracurricular file, I’m absolutely going to be a competitive applicant. How I’ll get there? Jeez, who knows? But it’d be pointless to go to UCLA if I’m not going for a program that I respect and that would make me really happy. I honestly think I can do it. I just need a little help getting there, you know? 