Within the augmented review, would it be worth taking the risk of weaving standardized test score results into one of the essays? Does the UC test blind policy prohibit (or even just discourage) using this opportunity to mention a 1600 or 36 score if it can be referenced against the topic of one of the prompts?
This is what the UC Augmented review policy states:
Campuses may request an additional review for a select pool of applicants whose initial application yields an incomplete picture of their qualifications, or presents extraordinary circumstances that invite further comment. Applicants, for example, might demonstrate special talents, potential, or accomplishments in specific areas that promise to contribute to the educational environment of the campus, but may require further explication. Or, the information provided on an application may fail to adequately explain the impact of what appear to be major disadvantages that the applicant has encountered.
Since the UC’s are test blind, I do not see how an SAT or an ACT score will be considered if mentioned in this review to be beneficial for you in the eyes of admissions but I do not work admissions. In my opinion since you are aware of the Need Blind policy, then listing the test scores, would be a negative not a positive if I was a reviewer. If you are willing to risk it, I would love to know your outcome.
That sounds sensible. Do you have any accumulated sense over the years re: this augmented process, i.e., does it signal that the prospects for an offer of admission are upgraded, or is there minimal advantage in any event. FWIW, the request here was for the two essays, along with grade update for the senior year / 1st semester grades. No request for LOR.
2021 Data from the BOARS report shows that 4751 applicants were asked to submit a supplemental review questionnaire. 2967 responded to the request and 1121 (38%) were offered admission. This is the most current data that I have been able to find so there is an advantage to submitting the information and have a favorable admission outcome.
Page 30 https://senate.universityofcalifornia.edu/_files/committees/boars/boars-cr-report-may-2022.pdf
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Thank you very much! Great insights!
My daughter received the request for supplemental/ augmented information. She can write 2 additional essays up to 600 words each. I figure she must be in consideration because they wouldn’t ask a student to write that much if they were seriously considering the student.
My question, should she elaborate on one of her PIQ’s or pick something new? My daughter has some very impressive statewide leadership experience that she wrote about in her leadership PIQ. I don’t think she should be redundant but she can go into greater depth. What do you all think?
Normally they ask for the augmented review due to the mention of something specific in the PIQ’s or EC’s so she should go into more detail about her leadership activities unless she has other leadership activities not mentioned in the original application.
I recieved a request for augmented review as well, and I really want to use the essay spaces to explain more on my PIQs, talents, and interests, and other situations. Only thing is I did poorer in my first semester of senior year with more Bs (no Cs or below). I am apprehensive to even filling out this form even through I want to write more essays because I will have to input my grades for first semester which might hinder my application. Is it possible to not report the grades or mark them as In Progress? If not, how much will this hinder my application, and is there any way I could frame my essays to show I will improve academcially and that this wouldn’t be an accurate representation of my academics?
Thanks so much for sharing this, @Gumbymom. I’m not sure if I’ve missed a detail but I realized that the Boars report doesn’t explicitly say whether the 1121 accepted were out of the pool of 2967 respondents or just from the 4751 recipients of augmented review, which would change the admission rate from 38% to 24%. I received the augmented form too and am just anxious to know how it affects my chance at admission. Would you mind confirming if I’m missing something?
The way I read the report is that of the 2967 respondents, 1121 were admitted but you are correct since not submitting was not held against the applicants. Unfortunately this data was only 1 data point year, so difficult to determine any historical trends.
Yes she needs to go into depth whichever core strength/area has lesser information.
I can’t provide that outcome because S24 wasn’t willing to risk it.
But he was accepted yesterday, so thank you for advising against standardized testing disclosure in the augmented review. I suppose we’ll never know the exact reason(s) for his particular admissions decision, but I can’t help wondering if the ACT score information that was added to the UC app account minutes after the application was submitted (and which then appeared on the downloaded PDF of the app) was a factor in his offer of acceptance (i.e., perhaps as an offset to a slightly lower-than-average UC weighted, capped GPA).
Nevertheless, we’re very happy with the overall outcome! Thank you very much for all of the wisdom you generously share in this community!
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I agree with you.
We wasn’t offered arguments review however we added SAT score in additional section and test report section. We had reasons. So i think writing SAT score doesn’t hurt our application, definitely
. My child is accepted all UCs except ucb and a few private colleges so far.
SAT scores are only used for course placement at the UC’s. Admissions will not see the scores during the application review. They will only be looked at when the student is admitted, enrolled and submits an official score report.
Delated