What's better? Good GPA and test scores and GREAT EC activities or vice-versa?

Colleges & Universities University of California - Los Angeles
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  1. Good GPA and test scores and GREAT EC activities. Example: 3.7 to 3.8 unweighted GPA and 33 ACT. Many AP and Honors classes. Examples of GREAT ECs: Internships and Scholarships outside school activities based on merit.
  2. GREAT GPA and test scores and DECENT EC activities. Example: Near 4.0 unweighted GPA and 35 ACT. Many AP and Honors classes. Examples of DECENT ECs: School activities such as band and club President.

Question: Which route is better to get admitted to UCLA in Humanities major? Thanks in advance.

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I would say a 33 ACT is more than just good.

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I agree. But from the perspective of UCLA admission 33 ACT is better than average admitted student, not top 25% of admitted students. That’s what I meant. I am trying to get a sense of how much GREAT ECs will make a difference for someone who has “good” academic records vs someone with GREAT academic records and just “decent” ECs (nothing that stands out). I mean being a member of school band for 4 years is all good, but I am talking about a scenario if you were a member of a school band which won the best high school band competition nationally as a comparison.