Speaks Out

What are the most important factors the University of
California should consider for admissions applications?
Why? Anthony Pena Second-year Undeclared
“I think we need a more comprehensive review than just grades
and SATs. I think they should still be there, but they
shouldn’t be so highly weighted. They should consider more
outside activities, hardships, their personal statement and their
environment. Though some students probably haven’t maintained
a high SAT score or high GPA, the best thing is to look at what
they’ve been through ““ and many have been through hard
times.” Dave Tofig Fourth-year Communication
studies “Instead of looking at just grades and SAT scores,
look at the all-around application and what it has to offer, like
extracurricular activities, community service and sports. It
shouldn’t be based on racial or economic quotas. An
all-around application should consist more of what you’ve
done and not who you are.” Lindsay Gehman
Fourth-year Business economics “I think it’s really
hard to define merit. You can’t define merit based on how
many times you can take an SAT class to get a high score, or how
many tutors your parents can hire for you to get a higher GPA. I
think merit has a lot to do with how much hardship you’ve
gone through in your life, and if you had to support your family, I
think that shows you’re much more capable of handling the
real world than most people.” Niyati Shah
Third-year Psychology “I think in considering a person for
admission, one should look at the person and not just their scores
because everyone has different capabilities. The university’s
main purpose and goal should be to make (the applicant) a better
person and make the best out of them instead of just taking the
best people. If a university makes a person better, that’s
where they succeed.” Speaks Out compiled by Edward Chiao,
Daily Bruin Senior Staff. Photos by Bridget O’Brien, Daily
Bruin Senior Staff.