Is the UCLA Transfer Profile by Major list an accurate predictor of my chances of admission? My GPA is slightly above the 75th percentile for my major, however, I fear that my extracurriculars are lacking.
The admissions profile is really useful, and GPA matters a lot, but it shouldn’t be relied on too much to predict your admission odds are based on GPA. (FiveThirtyEight, the data journalism site, has written extensively on how to interpret these things correctly.) Not only is it the wrong way to look at it, but because it’s a range of percentiles, it means people are admitted with higher (and lower) GPAs. Thinking statistically, sample size matters: the data is less robust the fewer applicants (and admittees) there are for a specific major. Also consider trends: with few exceptions, GPA medians will increase as more (competitive) applicants apply to top UCs. The usual advice applies here: strive for the best GPA possible, drop or withdraw (Ws are not viewed negatively) classes if you are in a jam, especially look to maximize major GPA, and you will do well. Do extracurriculars that are interesting and relevant, not to check off boxes. (If you work, the admissions office will be more understanding of a scant extracurric section.)
