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Should I apply ED to UCLA? (AA Male, 3.2, 160). I’ve heard of AA males getting into the top-14 with similar numbers, but I also heard of many not breaking the top-20. Coming from another top UC school, I’m thinking applying ED to UCLA would be most strategic, especially since I want to practice in Southern Cali. Does anyone have any useful information or advice on this? It would be much appreciated.

You should ED to UVA.


/UVA trolling


Okay, let me be serious. I think you would really benefit from an ED. If I could get into my spot with numbers similar to yours, I think you can get into UCLA with an ED. However, I just have to ask this - you really sure you're willing to go to UCLA for sticker price? Recognize that this could very well happen - in fact, it's most likely to happen. Check out LSN and see what other AA's got in scholarship money first if that's a concern.

billyez wrote:You should ED to UVA.


/UVA trolling


Okay, let me be serious. I think you would really benefit from an ED. If I could get into my spot with numbers similar to yours, I think you can get into UCLA with an ED. However, I just have to ask this - you really sure you're willing to go to UCLA for sticker price?

Congrats on UVA!

Thanks. Good luck to both your cycles, btw.

billyez wrote:You should ED to UVA.


/UVA trolling


Okay, let me be serious. I think you would really benefit from an ED. If I could get into my spot with numbers similar to yours, I think you can get into UCLA with an ED. However, I just have to ask this - you really sure you're willing to go to UCLA for sticker price? Recognize that this could very well happen - and fact, it's most likely to happen. Check out LSN and see what other AA's got in scholarship money first if that's a concern.

Congrats on UVA! How strong were your softs? I have great LORs and I know I could put together a good PS, but my work experience isn't all that great. I've been working with youth in a few gang-injunction zones and interned on a couple of local campaigns, but other than that really nothing. As far as sticker price, I'm assuming I should be alright since I would def qualify for need-based aid. Do you know how ED affects this type of aid?

I've worked since high school and throughout UG. I had Student Government stuff and Mock Trial involvement as well. Nothing really outstanding, even if I found the experiences rewarding and enjoyable.

But honestly, just work with what you have - and heck, you seem to have a few interesting stories to tell. I used the internships and other stuff I did and weaved it into my PS to add some extra depth to it. I think you could do the same in your case. Just make sure you focus more on what you gained from the experience, if you do so.

It's a general rule that you should only apply ED if you don't care about receiving aid. I don't know how it'll effect need-based aid, but in regards to merit-based aid, expect very little.

I don't mind answering questions, but I hope you get more people responding to your question. It's nice to get accolades, but I hope I didn't suck the air out of the room, here.

ED @ UCLA is probably not a good idea. While conventional wisdom would suggest that a lower ranked school would be easier to get into, UCLA is the one school that has a legitimate claim to being AA-less. A lot of evidence suggests that whatever bump they apply for URMs in admissions is almost non-existent. Hopefully you are comfortable with the possibility that you may end up outside of California. If you are, ED @ UVa is a fine suggestion. I would say that the chances you get in there are much better than UCLA (as strange as that may sound). Sticker for UCLA should not really be all that appealing of an idea. T14 is doable with your numbers; Cornell would be the strongest shot in the pack. If you are dead set on not leaving California for law school (again, I hope you aren't), then your best options may be somewhat less attractive, but should aim at cost control. Good luck either way; just don't pay sticker for somewhere where you would not be happy landing at median--by that I mean don't ED unless it is just that attractive.

Hope all that made sense...

I don't know how expensive UCLA is in comparison to UVA (all I know is from folks saying that UC schools in general are expensive) but you're going to be in the same position if you're accepted into UVA - depending on need-based rather than merit aid. I never did this, but is it possible that you can contact a school and find out how they formulate need-based aid? You know, make it clear that you want to work in California, emphasize that you're from California, been to California schools, etc and state that need-based aid is the only thing that's bothering you about ED'ing? Now is the time to contact admission offices about this if you wanted to before the app. cycle goes into full swing...

Rand M. wrote:ED @ UCLA is probably not a good idea. While conventional wisdom would suggest that a lower ranked school would be easier to get into, UCLA is the one school that has a legitimate claim to being AA-less. A lot of evidence suggests that whatever bump they apply for URMs in admissions is almost non-existent. Hopefully you are comfortable with the possibility that you may end up outside of California. If you are, ED @ UVa is a fine suggestion. I would say that the chances you get in there are much better than UCLA (as strange as that may sound). Sticker for UCLA should not really be all that appealing of an idea. T14 is doable with your numbers; Cornell would be the strongest shot in the pack. If you are dead set on not leaving California for law school (again, I hope you aren't), then your best options may be somewhat less attractive, but should aim at cost control. Good luck either way; just don't pay sticker for somewhere where you would not be happy landing at median--by that I mean don't ED unless it is just that attractive.

Hope all that made sense...

I agree with this. UC schools, which are all are public, are under Proposition 209 which means they're not allowed to give any form of affirmative action to their applicants. I think your chances with a 3.2/160 are slim at UCLA to be honest. Similar to Berkeley, UCLA is very GPA heavy.

Rand M. wrote:ED @ UCLA is probably not a good idea. While conventional wisdom would suggest that a lower ranked school would be easier to get into, UCLA is the one school that has a legitimate claim to being AA-less. A lot of evidence suggests that whatever bump they apply for URMs in admissions is almost non-existent. Hopefully you are comfortable with the possibility that you may end up outside of California. If you are, ED @ UVa is a fine suggestion. I would say that the chances you get in there are much better than UCLA (as strange as that may sound). Sticker for UCLA should not really be all that appealing of an idea. T14 is doable with your numbers; Cornell would be the strongest shot in the pack. If you are dead set on not leaving California for law school (again, I hope you aren't), then your best options may be somewhat less attractive, but should aim at cost control. Good luck either way; just don't pay sticker for somewhere where you would not be happy landing at median--by that I mean don't ED unless it is just that attractive.

Hope all that made sense...

I hear you; makes perfect sense. You bring up a pretty legitimate point about UCLA being AA-less. Hopefully, other diversity factors based on socio-economic status and personal experience could still give me a pretty good bump.

And yeah, as much as I love Cali, I am willing to leave for a great school. If I get into a top-14, I guess I can always come back and still have great job prospects out here. My whole thing with ED’ing to UCLA was to maximize my chances of getting into a top school, but if most of you think my chances are better elsewhere then it’s probably not a good idea.

billyez wrote:I don't know how expensive UCLA is in comparison to UVA (all I know is from folks saying that UC schools in general are expensive) but you're going to be in the same position if you're accepted into UVA - depending on need-based rather than merit aid. I never did this, but is it possible that you can contact a school and find out how they formulate need-based aid? You know, make it clear that you want to work in California, emphasize that you're from California, been to California schools, etc and state that need-based aid is the only thing that's bothering you about ED'ing? Now is the time to contact admission offices about this if you wanted to before the app. cycle goes into full swing...

I hope ED doesn’t affect need-based aid. But you’re right; it would be smart to find out beforehand.

Thanks btw, you guys are always helpful on here.

Rand M. wrote:ED @ UCLA is probably not a good idea. While conventional wisdom would suggest that a lower ranked school would be easier to get into, UCLA is the one school that has a legitimate claim to being AA-less. A lot of evidence suggests that whatever bump they apply for URMs in admissions is almost non-existent. Hopefully you are comfortable with the possibility that you may end up outside of California. If you are, ED @ UVa is a fine suggestion. I would say that the chances you get in there are much better than UCLA (as strange as that may sound). Sticker for UCLA should not really be all that appealing of an idea. T14 is doable with your numbers; Cornell would be the strongest shot in the pack. If you are dead set on not leaving California for law school (again, I hope you aren't), then your best options may be somewhat less attractive, but should aim at cost control. Good luck either way; just don't pay sticker for somewhere where you would not be happy landing at median--by that I mean don't ED unless it is just that attractive.

Hope all that made sense...

This is the second time I've read that a URM 3.2/160 is great for Cornell-- is that only for AA males? I'm an AA, queer female with the same scores (well, I expect a 160 by the Dec LSAT). I won't be able to ED, and I'm willing to wait a year if it means Cornell or another national school.

And, I'd be interested to know where OP ended up.

Thanks in advance!