I’m an international student from Nigeria hoping to get into UCLA which has been my dream school since forever…
I noticed there aren’t threads that are helpful for international students and I am hoping this would help as I also have unanswered questions
What are my son chances for the UC Berkeley, UCLA?
A Passion for Mathematics
He is Ukrainian
Both parents have a master’s degree
Do not qualify for financial aid
SAT I (breakdown): 2350
SAT II: 800 (Math 2), 800 (Physics)
School Type: Public, ranked 1st nationally, best mathematics school in Ukraine ( Each year we have more two students participate in IMO,the 2015 IMO contest my friends won one gold the other is silver)
Won different prizes on national and international levels in Math and Physics.
Have worked as a Math tutor for young students
A team member of school volleyball and football
Spent all his summer holidays at Math camp
Wants to learn to play the guitar
Loves jazz music
How he can do to bolster his application
Any advice or guidance would be greatly appreciated!!!
@Anna2014 I’m not an expert as I’m also looking for guidance as this is my dream school, but from what I’ve observed, there’s no particular formula for getting into UCLA and even Berkeley. My only advice is to be well rounded and have a mind blowing personal statement. I’ve seen people with 3.0 GPA’s and low SAT scores get in and people with high SAT scores and GPA rejected and even wait-listed. If it’s meant to be, no one can stop it if not, there’s a better option out there. I hope this helped you. I wish your son all the luck!
sorry I forgot to tag you @Anna2014
My school runs on the trimester system but the transcript is annual so how do input my scores on the application, annual or trimester? I tried emailing ucinfo but they haven’t replied, any ideas?
^^
Pick up the phone and call someone in admissions. They are helpful and you can ask specific questions. But for what it’s worth, the app allows you to put in your trimester grades and current classes, if I remember correctly.
@uclapack I would if I could, I’m in a boarding school and we aren’t allowed to have phones.
@Anna2014 If he hasn’t completed the A-G courses, it’s 0% no matter how good his stats are. I initially applied as an international with stats like those. I didn’t even get into Riverside. I later went to USC.
@bruingirl1001 I have completed the a-g course but in my curriculum and the UC application doesn’t allow me add those that aren’t on the list e.g social studies, economics, civic education, etc What do I do?
@bruingirl1001 He completed the A-G courses, thank you for the information !!!
California residents get priority because the school is a California public school funded by state taxpayers. Most spots are reserved for California residents. Because of this, OOS and international get limited to no financial aid.. It is assumed you will pay $55k per year for 4 years.
Yes some students get in with lower stats because they are recruited athletes or come from resident schools that have low SES concerns and have contracted with the university to meet certain admission requirements.
Decision: Accepted.
Good luck to future classes!!
A correction for the statement made by @bruingirl1001. It is not exactly true that only those who completed the UC-approved A-G courses get accepted. Many applicants attend schools without the A-G courses. Many international schools don’t have AP level or IB level courses, and some schools in the United States - such as the one I attend - offer neither AP, IB, nor UC- approved courses. Besides, homeschooled kids get in.
So, how are students who didn’t meet UC - approved course requirements qualified to be considered for admissions? They get high enough scores from SAT or ACT, and from 2 SAT Subject tests. What I mean by “high score” is that the university sets a minimum calculated value. That value is determined by SAT or ACT and SAT Subject test score. You can find the specifics of this test score calculated value on UC Admission website: http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/freshman/requirements/examination/index.html
Even if you are not qualified according to the calculated value, don’t lose hope. Click on the “Admission by Exception” tab and “Home-schooled students” tab on the left of the UC website (link provided above).
That being said, test scores are important. (But of course other things like extracurricular, GPA, and especially personal statements are important!!!)
@Anna2014 your son is highly, highly qualified and deserves to have a spot in Berkeley and UCLA. But beware that, like many well-qualified applicants, your son may not get the spot. Now that is not at all your fault. That is just the nature of the admission process, that they have very limited spots available each year.
If your son gets in, congrats, he may even be my roommate next academic year. But even if he doesn’t get in, remember that colleges don’t determine his life forever. Make UCLA or Berkeley regret for not having accepted him when they had their chance! There are many Nobel prize winners, Fields medalists, and many admirable people who attended provincial colleges, and some didn’t even finish college (like Steve Jobs). If he believes in himself, that he can do anything he sets his mind to, he will have a bright future.
Accepted!! ~from Taiwan. Good luck, future prospective Bruins. 