Underrepresented student applications up 16 percent

The number of underrepresented students applying to UCLA are up more than 16 percent compared to last year, according to preliminary data on applications for the fall 2008 freshman class. UCLA has received 13,331 applications from underrepresented students, compared to 11,483 last year. This year's applications include 2,798 from African Americans, 299 from Native Americans and 10,234 from Chicano/Latinos.

Overall, applications for freshman enrollment jumped by more than 9 percent with a record 55,369 applications received, making UCLA once again the most popular university in the country among new high school graduates.

"It is gratifying that so many prospective students share our view of UCLA as one of the finest universities in the country," Chancellor Gene D. Block said. "We are particularly pleased that a growing number of applicants from all underrepresented groups have indicated that they want to join the UCLA family. Achieving diversity in admissions is one of our highest priorities."

As with last year, the fall 2008 freshman class will be admitted to UCLA using the holistic approach, in which each application is read and considered in its entirety by two readers. The holistic approach emphasizes students' achievements in the context of opportunities available to them in the schools and in the community and how they have maximized these opportunities, noted Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs Janina Montero.

Montero added that UCLA has strengthened its various outreach activities as a way of bolstering its mission of educating young people in all segments of society. This mission has the strong backing of students, alumni, community groups and organizations that support UCLA's commitment to diversity.

"We are pleased that our additional outreach efforts and the support of others who share our commitment to a diverse student body have resulted in more applicants to UCLA," Montero said.

Even with the increased volume of applications, the percentage of freshmen applicants with a grade-point average of 4.0 or better was 44.6 percent, slightly higher than the year before.

Transfer student applications also grow

UCLA received 14,991 transfer applications, up from 13,451 the previous year — an 11.5 percent increase in the number of applicants for fall 2008. A greater number of these applicants were underrepresented minorities: 2,832 (about 21.6 percent of the total) compared to 2,698 (22.5 percent) last year.

Among transfer applicants who reside in the United States, there were 545 African Americans (4.1 percent), compared with 548 (4.6 percent) in 2007. Applications from Chicanos and Latinos totaled 2,178 (16.6 percent), compared with 2,056 (17.1 percent) last year. For Native Americans, there were 109 applications, or 0.8 percent, the same percentage as 2007, when 94 applications were received.

As with freshman applicants, transfer applicants showed strong academics, with an average GPA of 3.3, about the same as last year. The average number of units transfer students had acquired prior to application was 116.7, up sharply from the previous four years, when the average ranged between 101 and 103.

Freshman admissions decisions will be available online toward the end of March. Admitted freshmen have until May 1 to submit a Statement of Intent to Register (SIR). Transfer admissions decisions will be available online toward the end of April. Admitted transfer students have until June 1 to submit their SIRs.

The total number of freshman applications at all University of California campuses increased this year from 87,213 to 95,201, and transfer applications increased from 23,781 to 25,804.

Note: All figures are preliminary and may change slightly as applications continue to be processed.)