UC Admissions Statistics for Fall 2014

Author: Miriam Schaffer

Gaining admissions to most UCs is very competitive. Recently UC announced its admission statistics for fall 2014.

There are 86,865 students who have been offered admission to the 2014 freshman class. That's system- wide across the entire UC system. 

Four of the UCs nine campuses made fewer offers to non-resident students this year, but the overall number of such offers increased from a systemwide total of 22,761 in 2013 to 25,745 in 2014. Those students who reside outside of California traditionally decline UC admission offers at a higher rate than do California residents. It's anticipated that systemwide, about 13 percent of enrolled UC undergraduates in 2014-15 will be out-of-state and international students. 

UC admission information for fall 2014 also shows that admittance of Latinos increased as a proportion of the total California admits from 27.6 percent in 2013 to 28.8 percent in 2014, making them the second largest ethnic grouop of admitted Californians behind Asian Americans. White sutdents made up 26.8 percent of those admitted for 2014, followed by African Americans at 4.2 percent. 

More information about admission statistics is available at: www.ucop.edu/news/studstaff.html

Admitted students have until May 1 to return their statement of intent to register. Also high school juniors should note that UC will open its 2015-16 application for undergraduate admissions on August 1, two months earlier than in previous years. Completed applications must still be submitted between Nov. 1-30, as in prior years. 

• Written By: Miriam Schaffer
• April 20, 2014

Plan Ahead to Gain Admission to Top Tier Colleges

Author: Miriam Schaffer

The University of California, Berkeley received 73, 711 applications for freshman admission for Fall 2014. That's an increase of approximately 8 percent of applications received last year. 

For this current academic year, (2013-'14), there were 14,103 students offered a place in the freshman class. The school admitted about 20 percent of applicants.

Because the competition is so stiff, high school students need to plan in advance to be competitive for top schools such as UC Berkeley. They also need to be aware that even with stellar grades, test scores and extracurricular activities, they are not an easy shoo-in for schools such as UC Berkeley, UCLA, and other highly sought after colleges and universities. 

UC Berkeley Admisssion Statistics
For the current freshman class, the average weighted GPA was 4.37 and an average SAT score of 2077. However, UC Berkeley emphasizes that it admits students from a wide cross-section of experience and backgrounds. Click here for details on UC Berkeley admission statistics for Fall 2013. 

Gaining Admission to Top-Tier Schools
There is no secret formula for gaining admission to top universities, but getting high grades, high test scores and writing an excellent essay that provides admission directors with a good understanding of who you are, can certainly help. You need to be able to stand out from the crowd and that can be done with a high school "resume" that shows one or two areas that you were passionate about and that you devoted yourself to and in which you had a leading role. If you have one or two awards or accolades that adds to your list of accomplishments. Don't wait unti late in your junior year to start building your resume. It's more effective to become involved in activities, a sport, a cause, or volunteer work early in your sophmore year so you can show a track record when it comes time to fill out a college application. 

For those needing advice or help on planning a path to college admissions, contact us for an initial consultation. There is a college for you and we can help you get there. 

• Written By: Miriam Schaffer
• January 18, 2014

Colleges With February 1, 2014 Deadlines

Author: Miriam Schaffer

Many colleges and universities are still accepting applications for Fall 2014. If you have not yet applied to college as an enterting freshman for Fall 2014, or were denied admission under early action or early decision plans and are still looking for places to apply, here are some schools from various regions of the U.S. that have Feb. 1 application deadlines.

Hobart and William Smith Colleges (Geneva, NY)

From the school's website: "Under the mentorship of faculty and guided by a curriculum grounded in exploration and rigor, Hobart and William Smith students are transformed. Through leadership and study abroad programs and an extensive array of internships, HWS students hone their skills and gain the necessary clarity to be competitive when seeking employment. They win prestigious fellowships like the Rhodes, Fulbright and Gates. They gain admittance to the best graduate programs in the world. They go on to lead lives of consequence."

Class of 2017 Profile

• High school GPA (unweighted) --3.38
• SAT Mid 50% (Critical Reading & Math)  1140-1290

Test scores are optional except for those applying for the William Scandling Trustee Scholarship or Elizabeth Blackwell Scholarship, and those who attend schools that do not supply a traditionally graded transcript. Interviews are encouraged.

Williamette University (Salem, Oregon)

From the school's website: "Williamette provides a rigorous education in the liberal arts and selected professional fields. Teaching and learning, strengthened by scholarship and service, flourish in a vibrant campus community. A Willamette education prepares graduates to transform knowledge into action and lead lives of achievement, contribution and meaning."

Profile of Class entering in 2012

• High school median GPA--3.79
• Median SAT (Reading + Math + Writing)  1800

DePaul University (Chicago, IL)

A Catholic university with a diverse student body.  From the school's website: "Academic excellence that translates beyond the classroom.DePaul has nearly 300 undergraduate  majors and graduate programs, and is known for its high-caliber graduates. Many professors are working in Chicago as consultants, researchers, lawyers and entrepreneurs, and their teaching style incorporates real-world experience. The world is brought into the classroom, and the classroom is taken out to engage the world, where students are considered partners in research and community action."

Statistics of the past four admitted and enrolling freshman class:

• The average GPA for admitted and enrolling Test-Optional applicants was 3.7.

Test scores are optional. Applications of those not submitting test scores are required to respond to several short essay questions, and will be reviewed separately from those applying with SAT or ACT scores. 

Sweet Briar College (Sweet Briar, VA)

Small women's college. From the school's website: "Empowers and educates young women to build and reshape their world however their passions lead them. It's what we've done since 1901. We focus on personal and professional achievement through a customized educational program that combines the liberal arts, preparation for careers and individual development."

The 2010 Princeton Review ranked Sweet Briar in six of the top-20 category lists: No. 3 for "Most Accessible Professors," No. 6 for "Most Beautiful Campus," No. 8 for "Best Career/Job Placement Services," No. 4 for "Professors Get High Marks," No. 8 for “Best Classroom Experience,” and No. 11 for "Class Discussions Encouraged"

Fall 2011 class profile:

• Average High School GPA--3.51
• Median SAT (critical reading and math)  1100

If you are planning to apply to these or any colleges or universities with February or later deadlines, be sure to get started right away so that your high school teachers have time to write recommendations and your school's counselors have adequate time to fill out any forms. For help with college applications, including assistance with your college application essay, please contact us. We work with students in Walnut Creek, Lafayette, Orinda, Danville, San Ramon, Concord, Oakland, California and all east bay cities and throughout the San Francisco Bay Area. 

• Written By: Miriam Schaffer
• January 05, 2014

Cal State Long Beach Receives Most Applications in CSU System

Author: Miriam Schaffer

According to Gazettes.com, the California State University that leads the way in the number of applications received for Fall 2014 admission is California State University, Long Beach (CSULB).

Statistic released by the California State University (CSU) system, CSLUB leads the way in the number of applicants for first-time freshmen and transfer students applying for Fall 2014.  

The initial electronic filing persion for undergrads for any CSU campus for Fall 2014 was November 30, 2013. The CSULB campus reportedly received 56, 281 applications for first-time freshmen, and 25, 910 transfer applications. These numbers show an increase of 667 more freshman applications than last year, and 902 more transfer applications. 

With those figures and applications from international students and other applications sent directly, there will be 83, 594 students vying for a spot for Fall 2014 admission.

CSULB nterim President, Donald Para is quoted as saying that the school will likely not admit more than 30,000 qualified students, and there will be fewer than 8,000 new students enrolled when school begins in Fall 2014. 

• Written By: Miriam Schaffer
• January 01, 2014

Problems with Common Application Result in Pushing Back Early Decision Deadlines

Author: Miriam Schaffer

The new version of the Common Application has reportedly had numerous problems including getting on the site, inputting information, requests for recommendations from teachers, and submitting payment. 

There have also been problems with essays being entered ino the writing section not showing paragraph breaks.

Last week, the Common Application acknowledged on its website that it was aware that "some users" were experiencing problems and that the causes were being investigated. The statement said that "as frustrating as this problem is for those who encounter it, please know that it is not systemic and does not impact all users." 

As a result of the Common Application problems, some colleges and universities announced that they would push back their early decision deadlines. 

Princeton is telling students to use the Universal College Application. It is used by several dozen schools, and it's possible that more may sign on. 

If you are having problems with the Common Application, check to see if the college to which you are applying has its own application on its website. Also, if a college you are applying to, sends you a Priority Application, then use that to apply. 

For help with your college application and college essay or personal statement, contact us to guide you through the college application process. 

• Written By: Miriam Schaffer
• October 20, 2013