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I will most likely be awarded a Regents Scholarship at UCLA. This scholarship is a full ride. However, I am also giving Berkeley consideration. Would I be foolish to pass a full ride to UCLA in favor of attending Berkeley? Is Berkeley so much more prestigious that it would be worth it? Any thoughts?

Thanks,

LordBirk

By Mark Y on Thursday, April 25, 2002 - 01:26 pm: Edit

I don't live in California so I am not that familiar, but I would gather that UCLA is an excellent school...and is definitely one of the more prestigious state schools in the country. Berkeley might be a bit more "elite", but the difference is probably minimal. If it's the difference between graduating scot-free or graduating with a huge debt load on the order of tens of thousands of dollars, which could burden you immensely after graduation no matter what your starting salary is, I think it's fairly clear that UCLA is the better choice. But it's your decision...

By LordBirk on Thursday, April 25, 2002 - 09:59 pm: Edit

Mark Y,

I think at this point I agree with you. I would really love to attend at Berkeley, but I am not convinced that it is so much more prestigious that I would want to pass a free ride. Does anyone disagree with this line of thinking?

LordBirk

By Dadster on Thursday, April 25, 2002 - 11:39 pm: Edit

I'd cast my vote with Mark Y on this one... both are great schools, and it's hard to beat a full ride!

By LordBirk on Friday, April 26, 2002 - 12:39 am: Edit

Dadster,

Thanks. I pretty much knew what the right answer was, but it helps to hear it from other people.



LordBirk

By Mark Y on Sunday, April 28, 2002 - 01:37 pm: Edit

Well, good luck LordBirk....and I think you're making the right move. Now, you can go through your college years carefree, without worrying about an enormous burden that you would have had to face six months after graduation. I don't think you'll be disappointed...UCLA, from what I have heard, is an excellent school...California, in my opinion, probably has the best state school system overall.

By Roger (Roger) on Sunday, April 28, 2002 - 11:45 pm: Edit

Lots of students wish they could get into UCLA - even at full price! Good luck, LB!

By linda port on Sunday, September 01, 2002 - 01:00 am: Edit

Lordbirk...Speaking of students who wish they could get into UCLA ......how did you get a Regents Scholarship? Can you give me a quick overview of your applicatioin? GPA, SAt's , activities, etc.?
Would very much appreciate if you have the time.

By LordBirk on Monday, September 09, 2002 - 03:03 pm: Edit

Well, as it turns out I ended up turning down both UCLA and UC Berkeley in favor of Cornell. At the time that I posted the original message about the Regent's Scholarship I did not think that I was going to be accepted. Anyhow, my GPA is 4.0, I've never taken my SATs, I was active in the student government and as the student member of my district's Board of Trustees. I am in a bunch of honor societies, have taken lots of honors classes, and have recieved lots of scholarships. Before returning to school I also served an enlistment in the military.

It is impossible to apply for a Regent's Scholarship. The schools have to look at your application and invite you to apply (which typically involves more letters of rec). In the end I was offered free rides at both UCLA and UC Berkeley, but Cornell made me a financial aid offer I just couldn't refuse.

I'm actually at Cornell now and am happy with my choice.

By Californio on Wednesday, September 11, 2002 - 09:03 pm: Edit

How did u not take SAT's and still get into those competitive schools

By LordBirk on Friday, September 13, 2002 - 03:09 pm: Edit

There is more than one way to get into competitive schools. However, the way I did it takes quite a bit longer than normal. I went into the military after high school for four years and attended a community college for two years after leaving the service. UC schools do not require SAT scores from transfers and neither does Cornell. Going to these schools directly out of high school changes things. Of course you would need to take the SAT in that case.

I did consider taking the SAT before I applied to Cornell because I thought that it would make me more competitive; however when they contacted me they told me that taking it would be a waste of my time.

By Cath on Tuesday, October 01, 2002 - 02:25 am: Edit

You sounds like a very bright person and it's not
a stretch to see why Cornell wasn't going to
let you get away! Good luck at CU. Good choice
all of them but this school is the creme de la
creme.

By Roshni Thomas on Wednesday, January 29, 2003 - 04:29 pm: Edit

Hi, I have been invited to apply for the Regent's scholarship and was wondering if you had any advice about what point you empahasized n your background/experience that might have put you into the "basket". I have not been in the military, so I cannot compare with that!!
Thanks in advance,
3Rs

By wqe on Wednesday, January 29, 2003 - 08:27 pm: Edit

Thomas, which UC?

By Fss8221985 (Fss8221985) on Thursday, January 30, 2003 - 01:07 am: Edit

Hi, I have also been invited to apply for Regents' Scholarship at UCLA and I'm wondering if anyone has any advice. Also, does anyone know where to find out what this scholarship is? I can't seem to find anything on their website

Thanks
Tan

By Soph on Friday, January 31, 2003 - 06:31 pm: Edit

I've also been invited to apply, and I think it sounds good. My question is whether or not they want the essay to be on a class within in an intended major, or can you write about a class that is off-the-wall? And also, if anybody knows of a website about the scholarship, that would help a lot.

By helpme on Saturday, February 01, 2003 - 02:37 am: Edit

hi. I am a junior, and i got straight A's in all of the honors classes available until this semester, when i got a B in one of my classes. is it still possible to receive a Regent's Scholarship? Please let me know ASAP; I need as much financial aid as possible.

By Fss8221985 (Fss8221985) on Monday, February 03, 2003 - 12:22 am: Edit

My name is Tan. I actually got one B in high school in AP European History during my sophomore year. Other than that, its all A's, so its not that big of a deal. In response to your question, my GPA is 4.67, SAT 740 verbal and 800 math, AP Biology 5, AP Chemistry 4, AP EuroHist 4, AP US History 4, AP Spanish Language 4. I'm ranked #1 at Mater Dei High School in Santa Ana, CA out of 491 seniors, and like you, I've also been playing piano for a long time, since 1st grade for me. O, and SAT2 scores, Math IIC 800, Math IC 740 (i know, its odd), Biology 750, Chemistry 710, US History 670 (i'm not too strong in history as you can see).

I am involved in my church as pianist/accompanist for the Vietnamese choir, and I also teach piano lessons in my neighborhood. In the past, I have also participated in Academic Decathlon and a Swim Team.

I hope I've answered your questions. I don't think Regents Scholars necessarily have to be perfect. However, other people in my school who have my profile and perhaps even possibly better didn't get an invitation like me. So I'm not sure exactly what they based it on...perhaps my personal statement affected their decision??

Anyway, if you could, I'd also like to know about your profile. I am also posting this on the messageboard, so if anyone has any comments, please reply or email me at fss8221985@yahoo.com

Tan

By wer on Monday, February 03, 2003 - 12:41 am: Edit

i had 5 B's, and my rank was ••••, but i still got offered to apply for Regent's.

By Gore Aegi on Tuesday, February 04, 2003 - 10:54 am: Edit

well aren't you special

By BWB on Friday, February 07, 2003 - 11:29 pm: Edit

If you are invited to apply for regent's schoalrship at UCLA does it means you are already accepted at that school?

Did any of you also got invited to apply for alumin scholarship?

Thanks

BWB

By phoenix96 on Sunday, February 09, 2003 - 06:51 pm: Edit

I got invited to apply. I'm ranked 20/320 in my class. My testing scores were:
SATI Verbal - 800
SATI Math - 750
SATII Writing - 800
SATII Math IIC - 800
SATII Chemistry - 630

By Bruin78 on Sunday, February 23, 2003 - 07:00 pm: Edit

When/How were you invited to apply for the Regent's Scholarship?

Also, are you all undergraduate applicants?

Thanks.

By Berwd (Berwd) on Sunday, February 23, 2003 - 07:42 pm: Edit

were those invites in the form of an email or letter?

By x on Sunday, February 23, 2003 - 07:50 pm: Edit

Everyone can apply for the UCLA alumni scholarship. (you don't need an invite)

UCLA regents came in the form of letter. It was due on the 7th and required two letters of rec and one 250 word essay.

Berkeley alumni was due early feb too... I think. That was open to everyone too.

Berkeley's regents/chancellors came in the form of a letter about 1-2 weeks ago. That's just the opportunity to interview on campus with a professor.

Hope this helps.

By Bruinhopeful (Bruinhopeful) on Tuesday, February 25, 2003 - 05:56 pm: Edit

-4.61 GPA
-Ranked #3/600
-1400 SAT
-740 Writing, 720 Literature, 660 Math IC (SATII)
-Decent ECs
-Current schedule includes 5 AP classes and 1 Honors class
-Took 4 AP test and passed them all

My SAT scores aren't super ... but why the hec wasn't I even considered?

By Bruinalumni (Bruinalumni) on Friday, February 28, 2003 - 01:08 pm: Edit

I'm not sure if things have changed since I applied back in 1994 but I received the Regent's Scholarship without applying whatsoever. In fact, a few of my fellow Regent's Scholars did submit an application (after they were invited to apply). Hence, I do not believe that there is a formulaic approach.

Also, please keep in mind that this scholarship is not necessarily a "full ride." Again, unless things have changed, the Regent's Scholarship provides for "full financial need". Translation: full cost of attendance minus their calculated contribution from your parents. Unless your family's income is less than $40,000 and you have several siblings in college, then you will not get a free ride. My parents made less than $50,000 a year and I had other siblings in college. With this profile, they still required my parents to contributed at least $4000 a year. Also, don't even think about working during the summer, this only cuts into your financial aid. Oh, outside scholarships will reduced your award as well.

On the brighter side, Regent's Scholarships are freely transferable to any UC school. Therefore, if you want to attend UCLA for a year and then transfer to Berkeley then feel free to. That's what I had planned to do but enjoyed UCLA so much that I didn't think about it again. Berkeley's Regent's Scholar program is a more onerous award process. They require you to write an essay and come in for interviews. Needless to say, I passed on those.

As for me, I had mediocre SATS, was ranked #3 in my class with a 4.67 GPA. Not stellar but passable.

UCLA is a great school but it will only be a spectacular experience if you put a lot of work into it. This is no place to be coddled; it is a fairly large university where the bureaucracy can overwhelm you. If you need your hand held and want adminstrators who really care and know your name, this is not the school for you. But if you want a diverse experience where everyone is not being supported by a trust fund and you have the tenacity to survive, then UCLA is a good choice.

I had a memorable experience at UCLA and I got into the Ivy League law school of my choice. I now work on Wall Street and savor attending a public university while being surrounded by Ivy Leaguers. Moreover, I have no debt from my undergraduate education, thanks to the Regent's Scholarship and some careful financial planning.

By Nocalguy (Nocalguy) on Friday, March 14, 2003 - 11:30 pm: Edit

I was invited to apply for the Regents Scholarship for UCLA, but was still rejected by the school. I thought an invitation meant that you were accepted?!? BTW: How did I get rejected with a 1550 SAT I score and 800,800,780 on SATII's?

By Militarygrade (Militarygrade) on Saturday, March 15, 2003 - 03:06 am: Edit

Nocalguy - The Regents Scholarship is, i believe, a scholarship offered by the President of the University of California, and it is not subject scrutiny by any specific campus.

If UCLA turned you down, it does not mean that the other UC's will, too.

Did you apply to other UCs?

By Phoenix96 (Phoenix96) on Sunday, March 16, 2003 - 07:04 pm: Edit

Well I haven't heard anything back about the Regents Scholarship at UCLA (though I was notified that I won the scholarship at UCSB) but I did find out that I was accepted to the UCLA School of Engineering last week. You can see my stats above.

By Karmabeans (Karmabeans) on Saturday, March 22, 2003 - 03:01 am: Edit

I was awarded UCLA's Regent's Scholarship today, and I'm stoked. For posterity, I have 1 "B" in high school, 1560 SAT(800V/760M), SAT IIs: 800 writing, 790 Math IIC, 770 Chem, 5's in AP Chemistry, Physics B, EuroHist, 4 in AP USHist. Anyone else get awarded? Anyone know how many people actually got it?

By Germandude (Germandude) on Saturday, March 22, 2003 - 04:43 am: Edit

hello all. well, turns out i also received the "you are being considered for the regents scholarship" letter from ucla today, but unfortunately, i had to withdraw my application two months ago because i can't get all my units together by fall (i am currently attending a community college). now my big question is: how much money am i missing out on??? does anybody know? none of the previous postings mention any dollar amounts. any info is appreciated.
thanks

By Karmabeans (Karmabeans) on Saturday, March 22, 2003 - 02:11 pm: Edit

Regent's Scholarship is $5500/year plus a need-based award ranging from $500-$5500.

By Dontknow (Dontknow) on Saturday, March 22, 2003 - 09:04 pm: Edit

congratulations, karmabeans

By Germandude (Germandude) on Sunday, March 23, 2003 - 03:01 pm: Edit

thanks karma.

By Sharonaz (Sharonaz) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 05:43 pm: Edit

Does anyone know the amount of UC Davis Regent's?

By Brown_Man (Brown_Man) on Saturday, April 05, 2003 - 09:22 pm: Edit

UC Davis Regent's is about 5000 a year....

By Ephnayllie (Ephnayllie) on Sunday, April 06, 2003 - 05:38 pm: Edit

Has anyone been notified to apply yet?

By Mmsunrise (Mmsunrise) on Thursday, April 17, 2003 - 12:31 pm: Edit

Hi everyone,
Im new to the site. I was just browsing for scholarship information and came across this. Unfortunately I wasn't offered any Regent scholarships so Im kinda in a financial dilema. I was accepted to all of the UC's I applied to, however I am torn between two: Berkeley and Davis. Both are close to home. My parents want me to go to Davis because my brother went. I wouldnt mind going to either one. Its just that I know it will be much more expensive to live in Berkeley than in Davis. So my only concern is, is it worth going through a possible financial burden just for the "name." Or could I get basically the same education and opportunities going to Davis, where at least I know I'll be able to live a little more comfortably money wise?
I've got 2 more weeks to decide...

By Kayekyu (Kayekyu) on Friday, October 17, 2003 - 12:26 pm: Edit

hi. how will you be notified that you got a regent scholarship? will the administration tell you in the acceptance letter that you did or did not qualify for the scholarship?

By Jenlai1345 (Jenlai1345) on Saturday, March 06, 2004 - 01:18 pm: Edit

Kayekyu,
you get a letter from the school, saying that they're interested in considering you for a Regents Scholarship. However, you still need to compete with other excellent students. After submitting two letters of recommendation and an official transcript, they'll probably notify you on whether you get it or not.

By Jenlai1345 (Jenlai1345) on Saturday, March 06, 2004 - 01:19 pm: Edit

Hi guys,
so.........

Invitation for a Regents Scholarship !=(not equal) acceptance ?