UCLA c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013) Forum

[Dman]

What are people's thoughts on UCLA not ranking its students? In one way, if you're hanging around median it helps you out, but if you manage to kick butt and make it into the top 10%, my concern is that you're not going to get the same opportunities you would at a school that ranks its students. Seems like it lowers your risks, but puts everyone (even those who may not deserve it) at more equal footing. Thoughts?

If you get good enough grades to be top 10%, the employers will be able to tell just from looking at your transcript and seeing all the A's. Maybe a current Bruin can answer, but I doubt it hurts students at all. Most top schools don't rank right?

Bruin alum here. Not ranking has no effect on hiring by firms in California. Firms are pretty clear what GPAs approximate requisite rank cutoffs. There might be some confusion if you were applying outside of Cali markets but as other said if you were in top 10% range employers will know. And if you are medium, a UCLA degree is not going to help you much against local schools regardless of rank.

[LittleTree]

The dean told me they rank the top 10 students numerically and give rankings every 5% up to the top 25%

[boblawlob]

What are people's thoughts on UCLA not ranking its students? In one way, if you're hanging around median it helps you out, but if you manage to kick butt and make it into the top 10%, my concern is that you're not going to get the same opportunities you would at a school that ranks its students. Seems like it lowers your risks, but puts everyone (even those who may not deserve it) at more equal footing. Thoughts?

If you get good enough grades to be top 10%, the employers will be able to tell just from looking at your transcript and seeing all the A's. Maybe a current Bruin can answer, but I doubt it hurts students at all. Most top schools don't rank right?

Bruin alum here. Not ranking has no effect on hiring by firms in California. Firms are pretty clear what GPAs approximate requisite rank cutoffs. There might be some confusion if you were applying outside of Cali markets but as other said if you were in top 10% range employers will know. And if you are medium, a UCLA degree is not going to help you much against local schools regardless of rank.

So even top 50% at UCLA won't be remotely any good?

[Dman]

The dean told me they rank the top 10 students numerically and give rankings every 5% up to the top 25%

The top 10 students ranked part has always been the case. I did not mention it because it is best to not fantasize about such things. Of course you can get your rank if you apply for clerkships but you are required to sign a non-disclosure so, that rank cannot be given to employers outside of that context. The 5% up to 25% thing, I have never heard of, it is also not listed on the schools website in ranking https://www.law.ucla.edu/career-service ... rting.aspx

[Dman]

What are people's thoughts on UCLA not ranking its students? In one way, if you're hanging around median it helps you out, but if you manage to kick butt and make it into the top 10%, my concern is that you're not going to get the same opportunities you would at a school that ranks its students. Seems like it lowers your risks, but puts everyone (even those who may not deserve it) at more equal footing. Thoughts?

If you get good enough grades to be top 10%, the employers will be able to tell just from looking at your transcript and seeing all the A's. Maybe a current Bruin can answer, but I doubt it hurts students at all. Most top schools don't rank right?

Bruin alum here. Not ranking has no effect on hiring by firms in California. Firms are pretty clear what GPAs approximate requisite rank cutoffs. There might be some confusion if you were applying outside of Cali markets but as other said if you were in top 10% range employers will know. And if you are medium, a UCLA degree is not going to help you much against local schools regardless of rank.

So even top 50% at UCLA won't be remotely any good?

Outside of Socal, no.

[LittleTree]

The dean told me they rank the top 10 students numerically and give rankings every 5% up to the top 25%

The top 10 students ranked part has always been the case. I did not mention it because it is best to not fantasize about such things. Of course you can get your rank if you apply for clerkships but you are required to sign a non-disclosure so, that rank cannot be given to employers outside of that context. The 5% up to 25% thing, I have never heard of, it is also not listed on the schools website in ranking https://www.law.ucla.edu/career-service ... rting.aspx

The conversation was in the context of clerking so thats probably what they were talking about. My bad. Thanks for the clarification.

[Hrun]

Any acceptances today? I'm starting to loose hope.

[yodamiked]

Anyone know what most UCLA law students do for work during their first summer? I know other schools I'm considering have summer externships that count for credit, but it doesn't look like UCLA offers anything during the summer. From what I can glean from the internet, doesn't look like many students get firm employment their first summer either.

[SisyphusHappy]

Anyone know what most UCLA law students do for work during their first summer? I know other schools I'm considering have summer externships that count for credit, but it doesn't look like UCLA offers anything during the summer. From what I can glean from the internet, doesn't look like many students get firm employment their first summer either.

Mostly PI/government/judicial work. They have funding for the first two. The library also hires RAs. It's not the most exciting thing in the world, but it pays and the hours are great.

[fallingup]

Just withdrew. $75K back in the pot. Good luck to all.

[uconjak]

Going to send in the Deposit, next week. They up'ed my Scholly to 90K 30 days ago. Does anyone think that I could go back to the well for another 15K? to even up the COA to USC? I think it is bad form but that is 15K less to borrow.

[AKsnow]

Going to send in the Deposit, next week. They up'ed my Scholly to 90K 30 days ago. Does anyone think that I could go back to the well for another 15K? to even up the COA to USC? I think it is bad form but that is 15K less to borrow.

Yes. You have better numbers than me and I just got upped to 105k. That was my second request to them.

[md22]

Still no word from UCLA. What is going on?

[Melo723]

Still no word from UCLA. What is going on?

Yeah, I'm getting super anxious. Would it be a bad idea for me to call the admissions office for an update? I don't want to annoy them..

[kckool7]

Waitlisted from UCLA, applied in late January. Still thinking about if I'll ride it out.

[violettre]

Boo. Rejected via email.

[md22]

Finally heard from UCLA. Waitlisted. I think I'll ride it out. What's the consensus on our chances of getting in off of the waitlist?

[luxurylawyer]

Waitlisted as well. That's seven thus far, Shooter.

[AndiDail]

Also waitlisted via e-mail. I'm already in L.A., so I plan to ride it out!

[bruin91]

Looks like I'm going to be a Bruin for life!!

[Cali_App_333]

Just committed to UCLA Law School. Bruin for life!!

[JohnMarshall17]

Committed 2 days ago. Go Bruins!!!

[jbagelboy]

Withdrew from UCLA via SIR website.

I hope it lets one of you recent waitlists get admitted.

UCLA was my first law school acceptance ever. It felt very bizarre withdrawing. I remember getting Dean Schwartz's call like it was yesterday and thinking, wow, I'm actually going to law school.

TBH, if it weren't for TLS and all the debt/employment hype here, I may have even attended because I'm from SoCal and UCLA was my original goal when I was studying for the LSAT. Hopefully I won't regret this!

[thatgumyoulike]

So for the May 1st seat deposit deadline, it seems we have to sign a SIR. Does anyone know if it is binding? I still have some negotiating to do. Also, is it too late to ask for an extension?

[bruin91]

So for the May 1st seat deposit deadline, it seems we have to sign a SIR. Does anyone know if it is binding? I still have some negotiating to do. Also, is it too late to ask for an extension?

No, not binding. As for the extension, I think it would depend on the reason(s) you cite.