On this episode of the UCI Podcast, we’re going to dive into the functions course of with an perception into undergraduate admissions. Becoming a member of Sheri Ledbetter is Dale Leaman, the chief director of the Workplace of Undergraduate Admissions. Leaman brings an intensive background to larger schooling with 27 complete years with the College of California and the final 10 with UCI. He’s been the chief director of undergraduate admissions for the previous 4 years.
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TRANSCRIPT
Sheri Ledbetter:
So, the applying knowledge for the UC system was simply launched for fall of 2023, and UCI is experiencing a 3rd consecutive 12 months of report breaking numbers of functions with greater than 143,000 aspiring first 12 months and switch college students in search of to change into Anteaters this fall. UCI can also be within the high 4 universities within the nation by way of variety of functions obtained for the previous seven years. Now, what do you attribute this progress to? I imply, that is actually phenomenal.
Dale Leaman:
It’s fairly wonderful. It’s fairly wonderful, however there’s nobody reply to any of that. Sheri. Like most issues in college admissions, there are quite a lot of elements that play without delay. First, we’re in one of the very important and dynamic metropolitan areas of the nation by way of economics and inhabitants. Added to that, the fame and prominence of the campus has been steadily rising, and in some methods it is a case of the numbers simply catching as much as the fact. Apart from that, our outreach group on our employees has performed an incredible job connecting to college students all through your complete size of California, throughout the nation and around the globe. And albeit, if anybody visits our campus and our metropolis, they actually do promote themselves.
Sheri Ledbetter:
I couldn’t agree extra. It’s a fantastic campus. When you don’t thoughts, I’d like to begin with the fundamentals. There’s been quite a lot of questioning about how the admissions course of works. Individuals don’t all the time perceive it. So, in the event you may speak about, perhaps give us a one two primer on the admissions course of. For instance, what occurs between November thirtieth, which is the deadline to submit an software within the UC system, and Could 1st when college students should submit their intent to register, or as we are saying SIR.
Dale Leaman:
Positive. The very first thing that occurs on our finish is each software is learn and assessed by a minimum of two skilled readers who’re all UCI staff. Some functions are learn three or 4 occasions even, relying on the key or the applying itself. Whereas all that’s occurring, we’re additionally evaluating all the switch functions to verify that candidates are finishing all the switch and grade necessities. That is to make sure that incoming switch college students are totally ready to begin their higher division after they get right here.
Sheri Ledbetter:
Proper, proper.
Dale Leaman:
Someday in January we’ll get our campus enrollment targets from the state and the UC system workplace and discuss to our campus companions about their capacities and any wishes to develop their departments. That’s once we begin what number of college students we are able to admit and what number of to every main. Figuring out that these are all implausible college students who’re more likely to get a number of presents from many different universities, we sometimes launch our selections in mid-March for first 12 months candidates and early April for transfers. Then, as you talked about, first 12 months candidates have till Could one and transfers till June one to submit their assertion of intent to register.
Sheri Ledbetter:
Okay. In order that’s mainly the method in a nutshell. That’s useful. I’d, I additionally need to ask too, and you recognize, up to now a number of years particularly, there’s been what I think about a major improve within the curiosity within the admissions course of. And never solely from potential college students and their dad and mom, but in addition from the media and different publics. And I believe it’s largely because of the more and more selective nature that comes with receiving extra functions. And it looks like many individuals are on the lookout for that silver bullet. For instance, if I simply do that, then I’ll have a very good likelihood of getting accepted. But it surely’s extra nuanced, I believe, than that with, such as you stated, completely different calls for for various majors and different elements at play. And I’m questioning in the event you can discuss a bit bit extra about that.
Dale Leaman:
So, positive. First UC makes use of what’s referred to as holistic admissions. Meaning for the selective campuses like UCI, there isn’t a single numeric issue like a GPA or an AP rating that’s going to ensure admission. We think about each side of the applying, together with the responses to the private perception questions, and the key you’re making use of to could make an enormous distinction in your probabilities of being admitted. Nearly 60% of our first 12 months candidates apply to solely 10 majors, and none of these majors have wherever near the capability wanted to confess all the distinctive candidates who apply.
Sheri Ledbetter:
So, what can be an instance of a aggressive main, for instance, at UCI?
Dale Leaman:
Oh, all those you’ll suppose: organic sciences, laptop science, mechanical engineering, and undeclared even is selective. It truly is the majors that most individuals take into consideration when they give thought to excessive demand majors. Nursing could be very selective, for instance.
Sheri Ledbetter:
Proper.
Dale Leaman:
Okay. Somebody’s going to be offended after they hear this and suppose although I didn’t point out their main, however …
Sheri Ledbetter:
However these are those which are most, are typically most in demand.
Dale Leaman:
Enterprise administration, for instance, very a lot in demand.
Sheri Ledbetter:
So, and that has an impression into the functions course of by way of demand and capability, and so it’s not essentially a stage enjoying subject, if you’ll, throughout all of the majors. Is that truthful assertion?
Dale Leaman:
Nicely, I don’t know if I’d say it’s an unlevel enjoying subject. As a result of we’re attempting to establish implausible college students and exceptionally proficient college students, it doesn’t matter what their space of curiosity. We ask college students to use to particular majors, however we additionally ask college students to enter an alternate main. So, in the event that they’re not in a position to be admitted to their first alternative main, we’re all the time going to attempt to discover a strategy to admit distinctive college students.
Sheri Ledbetter:
Okay. That’s useful. I additionally need to ask you, up to now few years we’ve had some exterior forces impacting admissions; the pandemic clearly and the UC system going check blind. So, are you able to discuss a bit bit about how these impacted functions and the admissions course of?
Dale Leaman:
Positive. So simply in case anybody’s questioning, we completely don’t even see exams scores.
Sheri Ledbetter:
You imply SAT and ACT scores?
Dale Leaman:
Sure.
Sheri Ledbetter:
Versus AP?
Dale Leaman:
Proper, versus AP or a stage or any of the opposite examination scores.
We use the phrase “examination free” once we speak about this. We’re examination free in terms of SAT or ACT. Not one of the campuses used standardized exams in the way in which that there was some worry about. In different phrases, it was by no means a single issue figuring out admissions. However the exams did present some long-term knowledge for us – particularly in math – about how doubtless a pupil was to achieve success as soon as they had been right here on the college. So shedding that bit of knowledge made choice difficult for them. Nevertheless you concentrate on the exams, whether or not you suppose we should always have saved them otherwise you’re pleased that we don’t have them, shedding that knowledge was a problem for us. And I believe the information reveals this, that extra college students in these first two years after we dropped the examination requirement, extra college students utilized who thought that they might have an opportunity to get admitted to the exceptionally selective universities. And extra college students utilized to the selective campuses as a result of they felt that with out that examination rating, that they had an opportunity to be admitted. And I believe that’s why you noticed these upticks, particularly at Berkeley, LA, San Diego, Santa Barbara and us.
Sheri Ledbetter:
Proper. As a result of they felt with out submitting a check rating, they’d have a greater likelihood at being admitted. Fascinating. So, what would you say to college students who need to apply to and attend UCI?
Dale Leaman:
Nicely, first be sure to’re doing effectively in school. Let’s, begin with that. Research on your calculus examination, research on your historical past examination. But additionally search for methods in your personal state of affairs to be engaged in your neighborhood, to organize on your main in the event you’ve chosen one, and to reap the benefits of the alternatives that you’ve. I do know that college students typically suppose that they should have some outstanding story about overcoming some excessive hardship or some actually dramatic contribution, however that’s actually not what we’re on the lookout for. It’s not the one factor we’re on the lookout for. We would like college students to be, to show their engagement, and we wish college students to be energetic of their communities, and we wish college students who’re demonstrating that they will achieve success right here and managing a number of tasks.
I do know that typically we speak about actions, co-curricular and captain of the soccer group, all these sorts of issues. Once we learn information, it doesn’t matter actually. I’m not going to say it doesn’t matter, however college students could be profitable who’re enjoying cello of their orchestra, who’re captain of their volleyball group, who’re the lead of their faculty play. However college students are also profitable who’re doing issues in the neighborhood or with their household, like taking good care of their siblings, like working of their dad and mom’ dry cleansing store at night time. These are all examples that make a distinction to us once we’re studying the file. These are college students who’re demonstrating that they are often profitable in tough conditions.
Sheri Ledbetter:
So, once you, once you see an software from a pupil, what do you see and what do you not see?
Dale Leaman:
Good query. So, we see every little thing that they entered into the applying, the UC software. All 9 undergraduate campuses share the identical software.
Sheri Ledbetter:
Proper.
Dale Leaman:
We don’t see their title, we don’t see their ethnicity, we don’t see their age, we don’t see race, we don’t see any of these issues.
Sheri Ledbetter:
Do you see their gender?
Dale Leaman:
We don’t see their gender except the coed mentions it in considered one of their private perception questions or one of many responses. We make no selections or have any knowledge round these issues for the reader to see. We finally have that knowledge in a while for evaluation, however none of these elements play any half into our learn elements. Simply to say one thing concerning the PIQs although, the private perception questions, I believe that college students typically suppose that they should inform some form of elaborate essay right here. And I’ve been to many classes about college, you recognize, the school essay man or this individual or that one that’s doing a presentation about writing their school essay. And I’ve seen these elaborate demonstrations, however that’s actually fairly good writing, however doesn’t really tackle the questions that we’re asking on the UC software.
Sheri Ledbetter:
Oh, fascinating.
Dale Leaman:
So I believe once you speak about what would I recommend for college kids to do once you’re writing your private in perception query responses, once you’re writing your responses to the private perception questions, reply the query. Be sincere, be direct and be clear. Consider it as a job interview. And most significantly, and that is widespread for each UC, focus by yourself experiences. We learn many, many shifting and touching essays and responses which are speaking concerning the pupil’s household or the coed’s grandfather or how their household got here to be on this nation. And all that’s actually fascinating and actually shifting, however it doesn’t inform us a lot concerning the pupil themselves. So, once you’re penning this response, concentrate on your self and your personal experiences.
Sheri Ledbetter:
Ah, fascinating. That’s form of a very good professional tip I’d say. Dale, you and I’ve performed a lot of press media interviews collectively due to this elevated curiosity in functions and the method behind it. And one thing I’ve heard you say many occasions is “the holistic evaluate.” Are you able to discuss a bit bit about what, what you imply once you say we we do a holistic evaluate?
Dale Leaman:
Positive. So there are 13 elements which were accredited by UC school. UC admissions is school pushed, school managed. We, each campus has a college committee that works on a college admissions coverage. And there’s a system-wide group of the chairs of these committees who works on admissions insurance policies. Insurance policies are all set at that stage, not within the particular person campus stage. These 13 elements have been accredited and have been used for many years so far as I can recall …
Sheri Ledbetter:
For a very long time…
Dale Leaman:
For a very long time. And naturally, grades are a kind of elements. Success in honors lessons or AP lessons, that’s an element to contemplate. However there are additionally many different elements like neighborhood engagement, like actions like, curricular co-curricular actions, just like the context of the coed in their very own faculty and the context of the coed in their very own particular person experiences. So, we perceive that college students in numerous locations have completely different alternatives. We perceive that not all people could be an intern at a biotech firm. And perhaps 4H is essentially the most fascinating factor at your faculty. We perceive that these are the issues that we take into accounts, the coed’s context, not simply of their faculty, however their very own private state of affairs.
Sheri Ledbetter:
Proper. Their atmosphere.
Dale Leaman:
Their atmosphere.
Sheri Ledbetter:
Proper. I believe that’s tremendous vital. In order that’s a part of what you imply once you discuss concerning the holistic evaluate.
Dale Leaman:
Proper. We’re contemplating the whole lot of the applying.
Sheri Ledbetter:
You recognize, you touched on AP, superior placement lessons and grades. How are these used within the admissions course of?
Dale Leaman:
So, for an AP course and another honors programs or school stage programs, you get a bump in your GPA calculation for that. We cap that so it’s not kind of an infinite variety of bumps for an infinite variety of AP programs. That’s capped at eight semesters. And so there’s a kind of most to the GPA a pupil can earn. We additionally think about, for sure majors, we additionally think about the success in these programs to be acceptable preparation for the key at UCI. So, AP calculus, and, you recognize, calculus demonstrates {that a} pupil is able to be a math main, for instance, relying on the scores, after all, on their examination. It additionally demonstrates that they’ve some skills within the form of considering that goes into laptop science. So, I don’t need to give the impression although, that these are ensures or necessities, however it’s a sign of a pupil’s potential or preparation or readiness for the key at UCI.
Sheri Ledbetter:
So what you see is the impression to the coed’s, to the applicant’s reasonably GPA, after which relying on the course, a possible for fulfillment in a selected self-discipline.
Dale Leaman:
Positive. And that would even be one thing like environmental science. I imply, I simply use calculus for instance. It may very well be AP music, AP Music Concept may very well be an instance of a pupil’s preparation to be a music main.
Sheri Ledbetter:
Okay. I wished to ask too, so that is taking it out of UCI into the UC system, which was designed actually to serve the entire state, the entire state of California, after which carry it again to us and ask you ways has UCI delivered on that? When it comes to, for instance, range or first era school college students, college students who establish as low revenue, simply the sheer geography of our state, nevertheless you need to method that. How has UCI delivered on that?
Dale Leaman:
Nicely, this is without doubt one of the elements that we’ve talked about in almost each media interview that we’ve performed. We’re severe about our obligation to the residents of your complete state of California. We all know that that is the College of California first. The regent’s coverage is fairly easy, and I’m going to paraphrase from reminiscence right here: “recruit, admit and enroll exceptionally proficient college students who replicate the broad range, each geographic and social financial of the state of California.” So, we have now a duty to be related to colleges and communities all through your complete state. I inform my employees, and I apologize for the alliteration, that we must be recruiting from Calexico to Crescent Metropolis. I’m pleased to say that we have now candidates this 12 months from 57 of the 58 California counties, which suggests I suppose we have to make a visit to Alpine County right here fairly quickly. I believe the inhabitants there may be 1200 complete. However we’re severe about that. And I believe that that’s not solely serving to us attain communities in additional rural and distant areas, however I additionally suppose it’s serving to us attain a wide range of communities in several sorts of socioeconomic conditions.
Sheri Ledbetter:
Positive. Nicely, good. Is there something I didn’t perhaps particularly ask you that you just’d like to the touch on on the subject of the admissions course of? One thing that comes up?
Dale Leaman:
Nothing that I can actually take into consideration. I do know that there’s all the time an curiosity in kind of seeing behind the curtains. And I’d similar to to say that we don’t actually have curtains,
Sheri Ledbetter:
Proper.
Dale Leaman:
We’re a public college and we’re going to speak about our course of. Not all people likes the solutions. They need to know if I get a 4.0 GPA and I’ve taken this course and this course, can I be assured admission? However we use the holistic method. And I believe that it’s, it’s nice to have a dialog like this the place extra individuals can hear concerning the kind of behind the scenes, if you wish to say or simply the form of processes that we undergo and the considering that we undergo. We don’t take any of this blithely. We’re not cavalier about any of our selections. We’re very considerate about what we’re attempting to do right here. And, and I believe that that’s vital for individuals to know.
Sheri Ledbetter:
Proper. As a result of it’s gotten extra aggressive. These are actually spectacular college students and we are able to’t take all of them.
Dale Leaman:
That’s proper. And, I’ve been requested, “don’t you simply want there have been fewer functions?”
Sheri Ledbetter:
Oh, actually?
Dale Leaman:
No, we don’t need fewer functions, however it simply means you say no to extra college students. However the college students we are saying sure to are phenomenal and that’s what we’re on the lookout for. And I believe that every one of my colleagues on the different UCs can be saying the identical factor.
Sheri Ledbetter:
Positive. And, and I’m sure that there’s college students when we have now, need to say no to which are equally as phenomenal in their very own approach, and it’s simply the character of the beast of the functions persevering with to develop.
Dale Leaman:
That’s precisely proper.
Sheri Ledbetter:
You may study extra concerning the Workplace of Undergraduate admissions@admissions.uci.edu for the most recent information. Remember to try @UCIrvine Information on Twitter or on-line at information.uci.edu. The UCI podcast is a manufacturing of Strategic Communications and Public Affairs on the College of California Irvine. I’m Sheri Ledbetter. Thanks for listening.
