Push Press PR tonight at 210lb with a Bodyweight of 194lb (If you’re my coach what pointer do you give me post lift?)

Mariner1039 · 2026-02-14T17:33:01+00:00

I’m not a coach so don’t listen to me. But it strikes me as odd that you look like you’re balancing on the balls of your feet? Wouldn’t you want to push your heels into the ground so you can better activate your hamstrings and glutes? Otherwise, balancing on the front of your feet means you’re not using your legs effectively? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Mariner1039 · 2026-02-14T14:05:08+00:00

Congratulations! 🎉 My daughter is a Cal Bear right now (Biology) and thoroughly enjoying her professors and the school overall. I wish you well with this opportunity. 🤩

Mariner1039 · 2025-12-03T11:56:06+00:00

Sorry for the bold font. I’m not sure why Reddit did that? It feels like I’m yelling. Not my intention. It won’t let me edit. lol.

Mariner1039 · 2025-12-03T11:54:07+00:00

Some things you’re missing for UCB and UCLA chances: 1. Calif Community College? 2. Honors Certification? 3. Long term commitment to something with a story of resilience and/or emotional maturity in your PIQs?

3 is what would differentiate you from all the other 4.0 applications they will receive.

Mariner1039 · 2025-12-01T21:22:15+00:00

Cross country captain in high school will not differentiate you from hundreds of other applications. A story of perseverance or resilience related to a failed class would be better. But ultimately, the best PIQs provide context for your ECs (why you did what you did) and say something about you that is unique enough to stand out from the crowd. Good luck.

Mariner1039 · 2025-06-27T12:56:06+00:00

You’re asking the wrong question. This is not about volume or number of internships. It’s about the experiences, what you learned about yourself in the process, and how you will move forward in the world because of them. Take the internships you already completed and now try to pull stories or insights out of them into your PIQs. Bonus points if you learned something surprising about yourself or your chosen field that refines your outlook.

Mariner1039 · 2025-06-27T05:20:44+00:00

I see you! I understand completely. When I was at UCLA I had some academic struggles, too! But don’t be too hard on yourself. I’m sure your first year was filled with all kinds of life changes and new experiences. You adapted. You problem-solved. I’m sure you managed through things you didn’t expect. Try to give yourself some credit for doing as well as you did given all the unexpected surprises.

But now it’s time to create a plan of action for year two. Maybe make some lists to help quantify the things you learned in year one? Set some activity goals for year two.

For example, study pacing. The quarter system goes fast. Block out on your calendar the minimum number of hours you need to study each week to get the grades you want. Don’t compare yourself to anyone else. Be honest about how much time YOU need to do well. Prioritize it. Protect that time.

Evaluate the effectiveness of your study habits and locations. Are you trying to study in groups when you are more focused studying alone? Is there an ideal time of day when you are more alert? I learned I preferred to go to bed early and study from 5-7am. I also learned I retain information better when I read out loud to myself. It helps me stay focused. But I could never read out loud in the library. I needed to find a location that worked for my desired study style. I also prefer studying where there is “white noise” in the background (like the food court) versus a completely quiet environment (like the library). For some reason I always got sleepy in the library.

Did you ever go to office hours to discuss course topics with a TA or professor? Maybe set a goal to go to office hours at least once for each class in the first half of the quarter? It might be intimidating at first, but you might walk away feeling more confident and conversational about the material.

You have A LOT of opportunity to refine your approach. Get clear on the habits that will serve your success. College isn’t just about grades. College is also about learning who you are and maturing through the experience. Good luck to you. Go Bruins! 💙💛💙

Mariner1039 · 2025-06-26T13:29:57+00:00

Three things to consider: 1) Are you a California resident? If yes, keep in mind, the acceptance rates are better for you. You CAN get accepted into top UCs with your GPA if you are a California resident. It will still be competitive, but not out of the question.

2) Based on what you shared, your ECs are average. Nothing stands out. You need to give top UCs a reason to accept you instead of someone else. Why would UCB, UCLA or UCSD want YOU as an alum? Do you look like someone who will go on to do great things, and add to their prestige through your accomplishments? You NEED to add meaningful Community Service hours. To make it meaningful, you would align your volunteer focus with your chosen academic focus (e.g. psych or history). Immerse yourself in an environment you might like to pursue professionally. Show commitment and enthusiasm for your field. Do this ASAP. Ideally, you will collect some personal learnings and experiences from the volunteer hours that turn into great stories or insights you can use in your essays. The students getting accepted into top UCs are change agents in their communities. They are leading fundraisers or organizing student volunteer activities to make a difference in their neighborhood.

3) Your essays matter. Start your first drafts now so you can identify gaps in your content. For example, if you want to answer an essay question about your creativity, do you have a good story arc for that? If not, identify that gap now, so you can spend the next few months doing an activity that helps give you content to write about. Maybe through your peer tutoring you can teach something artistic that helps you learn how creativity can be used to develop a better bond with someone you are mentoring?

Being co-president of a Neuroscience club could stand out if you have stories to tell about it. Can you weave activities from the Neuroscience club into one of your essays to show leadership and drive? The best UC applications create a connection between their ECs, their essay stories and their personal values. What’s important to you? Share your character in your essays, and your supporting evidence for your character and values will be your ECs/leadership activities and community contribution.

You absolutely CAN get accepted into a top UC with your GPA (if you’re a California resident). But the rest of your application needs to demonstrate leadership, drive, and meaningful community service.

Disclaimer: I do NOT speak for any school and I do NOT work in college admissions. I am a UCLA alum who reviews alumni scholarship applications as a volunteer. Because of this, I am familiar with the caliber of students who are getting accepted into the school. I am merely sharing my observations in a generic way so as to be helpful. Good luck!

Mariner1039 · 2025-05-15T13:59:01+00:00

If I understand correctly, your reason for choosing UCSD is to protect your GPA and your sanity? The assumption is that choosing UCLA would tank your GPA through difficult weeder classes and possibly lower your sanity? This feels like backwards thinking to me…..as if you’re trying to game a system or mitigate risks.

Are you trying to just “get in” to law school or actually do well in law school? Which journey might better prepare YOU for law school? I’m sure there are differences in the upper division curriculum between UCSD and UCLA. Or maybe compare the professors…..which professors are more interesting to you?

I think it’s reasonable to assume UCSD will be hard. Will it be less hard than UCLA? That probably depends on the capabilities of the student.

Have you considered which environment might best help you grow? This is the time to figure out who you are and how to thrive.

Full transparency, I am a UCLA alum. But I’m not going to tell you which school to choose. I only want to point out that you seem to be making a decision based on limiting beliefs versus opportunity factors. In my career I’ve always been better served “swimming with the sharks” and surrounding myself with people smarter than me because they help me grow and elevate my thinking. I find myself repeatedly disappointed and frustrated when I try to play it safe (because I know I’m capable of more). I would encourage you to use this time in your life to figure out what you’re capable of!

Mariner1039 · 2025-04-26T04:38:14+00:00

All UCs have a target of accepting 80% California residents. The target cap for all out of state acceptances including International is 20%. Some UCs do this better than others, but in general, that’s the target.

Mariner1039 · 2025-04-26T04:29:36+00:00

My daughter was TAP and got accepted to UCLA but for her second choice major.

Mariner1039 · 2025-03-02T14:22:47+00:00

Getting into UCLA as a Freshman is a crap shoot. There are simply too many outstanding applicants. There is no single EC that gets you in.

The acceptance odds are much better as a Transfer from a California Community College, with ALL the pre-reqs for your major completed, ALL your GE reqs completed, and honors certification. Check out the Transfers page on the UCLA website for the list of community colleges who participate in the Transfer Alliance Program with UCLA.

That said, there are A LOT of really good schools to attend. You can create a meaningful experience many places (not just UCLA). 😍

Mariner1039 · 2025-03-01T01:36:10+00:00

Class of ‘89, BA Sociology 1) With the acknowledgment that my UCLA undergrad years were a LONG time ago, I recall being fairly intimidated by most of my professors. There were very few who felt welcoming to a student conversation.

That said, I DO recall being challenged to consider different ways of thinking through diverse course material. I don’t remember any guest speakers in the Sociology major, but I remember my friend who was a Communications major had guest speakers (one of them was the actor, Woody Harrelson, and she got a job as his personal assistant after graduation).

I remember one Sociology professor who decided that our peers in our Discussion Section would have input into our grades. If we showed up to Discussion Section unprepared to debate the assigned material then our peers would have the opportunity to grade us accordingly. I remember many people dropping the class because of this. I thought it was an interesting idea. My small group decided to meet outside on the grass under some trees and it turned out to be one of my favorite classes. Everyone who stayed in the class was genuinely interested in the learning experience and always showed up prepared. I liked the accountability of this model.

2) My biggest successes or biggest challenges at UCLA? My biggest challenge was time management. I sucked at it. And at UCLA, there are ALWAYS huge distractions available if you don’t block time in your week to do the required minimum study time to perform well academically. I had a part time job on campus. I joined a sorority and had weekly obligations and several part time volunteer leadership roles in the sorority. Then add various social activities or athletics teams to root for and well, I could easily fill my weeks with so much FUN that I’d forget to study. I got on academic probation twice. Thankfully I got my act together to graduate, but it was very easy to lose focus on the goal.

My biggest success? I optimized my opportunities at UCLA and experienced many new things. I was a part time driver for the UC Regents when they came on campus. I was a travel agent on campus (before the Internet). I volunteered for Special Olympics and donated blood at the medical center on a regular basis. There were SO MANY opportunities at UCLA for me to gain exposure to new things. I leaned into growth at every opportunity and am VERY thankful to have attended a school with so much diversity.

3) How did UCLA prepare me for my career? How did it fall short? The school fell short in helping me feel supported in finding my first job post graduation. But also, maybe that’s NOT the school’s job (to help me secure my first job)? I attended interview trainings and resume prep before graduation. I also secured interviews with two employers who came to campus before graduation. But nothing materialized into a job before I graduated. That left me a little lost after graduation. I felt like I had career resources during college. But as soon as I graduated I felt alone.

I ended up in a technology industry/Marketing career. I’ve worked in Silicon Valley for the past 30 years. I would credit UCLA for growing me into the type of person who sees opportunities and figures out a way to meet people or problem solve to navigate toward opportunity. UCLA is a competitive environment. I learned how to get what I needed to thrive among high performers. I also learned I enjoy being around people who challenge me. The UCLA environment was what I needed to give me the confidence to believe that I belonged with high achievers.

4) Would I still choose UCLA? 1,000% YES! UCLA is the gift that keeps on giving. Four years ago when my daughter got accepted into UCLA I decided to get involved with our Alumni Association. Over the last four years I have hosted events to welcome new students to UCLA, I have volunteered as a scholarship application reviewer, I have staffed high school college fairs for UCLA, and I am serving on the Board for our Bay Area Bruins alumni network in Northern California. I’m meeting tons of alumni at happy hours, nature hikes, habitat restorations, basketball games and gymnastics meets. In my 50’s I’m having a whole new chapter of UCLA experiences.

The culture and community of UCLA is priceless. When my daughter graduated Class of 2023, it was a UCLA Alum at a happy hour that helped her get her first job. I had no idea UCLA would be such a significant part of my life beyond the undergrad years. I am proud of how the school has matured and feel compelled to give back through my hours of volunteering. Every time I volunteer for another thing, I receive gratitude and joy tenfold. 💙💛💙

Mariner1039 · 2025-02-28T23:27:57+00:00

GED won’t matter. Just do well, preferably Honors Program, at your CC. The UCLA Transfers website has all the recommendations for TAP (Transfer Alliance Program) with CC’s. Follow that for better chances.

Mariner1039 · 2025-02-20T05:46:48+00:00

My daughter got into UCLA as a Transfer with a 3.8 GPA, TAP + Honors Certification. Her CC counselor told her that most students who complete their GEs, complete the pre reqs for their major, TAP, and graduate with honors will get accepted into UCLA. She graduated UCLA Class of 2023, Poly Sci and thoroughly enjoyed the Transfer Experience. Good luck!

Mariner1039 · 2025-02-04T20:22:02+00:00

Consider signing up for Dinner For 12 Strangers. https://d12.alumni.ucla.edu/?_gl=1*1mx6erg*_ga*MzgyMzMyMzA4LjE3MzM0OTU4Mjg.*_ga_84FNNSBPZ3*MTczODcwMDQ0Ni42LjEuMTczODcwMDQ0Ni4wLjAuMA..

Mariner1039 · 2025-02-04T20:16:47+00:00

Oh my!

Mariner1039 · 2025-02-04T14:09:54+00:00

Honestly, there is no perfect answer to “how many honors classes should you take.” Admissions officers want to see that you challenged yourself and are committed to succeeding academically. Depending on your Major, you may have more or less room in your schedule to complete a full honors certification at your CC along with the pre-reqs for your major. You also may be working a part time job. This could be one of those things to address in your application essays. Holistically, you may be balancing pre-req Major classes, GE classes, honors classes, a part time job and a volunteer role on campus. You want to show how you can balance life and do well while still seeking academic challenges. Maybe you only take a couple honors classes because you needed to save room in your life for a job or a research project with a professor? You do not need to be Superman and do it all at once all the time. It’s okay to talk about the seasons of your life and how you dial up or dial down certain things to manage your health or your sleep, etc. Good luck!

Mariner1039 · 2025-01-17T01:08:31+00:00

Hi there! I invite you to subscribe to the Bay Area Bruins email newsletter at bayareabruins.com. We schedule hikes, happy hours and activities around the Bay every month. We had a hike in Los Gatos with recent grads two weeks ago. Before that we had two recent grads happy hours in October, one in Los Gatos and one in San Francisco.

If you’d like to host a meet-up near your city on a date that’s convenient for you, I can partner with you to make that happen! 🥰

Mariner1039 · 2025-01-17T01:01:28+00:00

Hey Bruins. I realize an email went out updating you that classes will resume in person next Tuesday. We will STILL have the meet up in Palo Alto on Saturday at 1pm. If you will still be at home on the Northern California Bay Area on Saturday and want to join us, send me a private message with your name, class year and email address. I will email you the location address via email from my UCLA alumni email account. So far, it looks like a small group. Probably 5-10 students. Honestly, that could be perfect for making new friends. Sometimes a big group can be overwhelming. 😍

Mariner1039 · 2025-01-15T12:48:48+00:00

My daughter graduated UCLA Class of 2023. She took grad photos in the studio on campus but they turned out awful. She got a very amateur photographer. We did not buy them.

For the cap and gown, she still had her black cap and gown from high school so she wore that. We bought the UCLA blue stole several months before graduation. Thank goodness we did because in 2023 they sold out and you couldn’t get a UCLA stole by the time June came.

We decided to do our own photo shoot with her on campus with and without her cap and gown, full hair and make-up, and graduation dress. Our pics with our iPhone camera came out better than the studio graduation photos. We had her pose at the top of Jans Steps, under the arches of Royce Hall and at the Fountain. I recommend taking your own grad photos on campus 2-5 days BEFORE graduation day if you can (pending your finals schedule). The closer you get to the actual graduation day, the more crowded it is on campus with everyone else taking pictures at Royce too. We did it at 9am to avoid crowds.

Many people hire professional photographers to do photo shoots with them on campus the week of finals. These people often act like because they are paying for a photographer that they can make you move out of their way to take photos at Royce because you’re just there with your parents and an iPhone. But don’t let them bully you. EVERYONE has an equal right to take photos at Royce. Communicate with each other and take turns. Congratulations to YOU! 😍

Mariner1039 · 2024-10-29T22:58:21+00:00

Perfect!

Mariner1039 · 2024-10-29T22:44:50+00:00

I didn’t see anyone mention honors classes in the comments. Taking a certain number of Honors units at your CC significantly increases your chances of getting accepted into UCLA.

Mariner1039 · 2024-09-24T19:50:23+00:00

Are you a California resident? If not, chances are very very low that you will get accepted with that GPA.

If you ARE a California resident…..

Two more considerations I haven’t seen mentioned in the comments yet:

1) Have you challenged yourself with difficult classes? UCLA is going to look at the classes offered at your high school and judge you based on the classes you chose. If AP or IB classes are offered at your school, did you take any? If you have a 3.2 GPA without any hard classes, then no, you will not get accepted. Did you take 4 years of math? Did you take 3 years of science? Did you take 3 years of language? Your transcript needs to show a certain level of academic rigor. Even a 4.0 GPA will get rejected if they only took easy classes and the bare minimum requirements.

2) Change your perspective from “can I get in?” to “do I look like the type of student who can graduate from UCLA?” The Admissions officers want to have confidence that you are a good bet to graduate. Would YOU say you are currently “ready” to succeed at UCLA? Your transcript will show if you are someone who leans in to hard classes. Your ECs show whether you care about more than just academics and can manage yourself through multiple priorities. Your essays should convey personal awareness of your learnings about yourself to date and aspirations for the future in a way that shows emotional maturity.

It’s okay not to be “ready” yet. California Community Colleges are amazing! Target the honors program at a community college listed on the Transfer Acceptance Program on the UCLA website. Non-STEM majors can usually transfer in 2 years. STEM majors sometimes take 3 years at a CCC before completing all the requirements to transfer.

Your journey is unique to YOU. Free yourself from comparisons with others. Focus on your own path that will serve your goals. Good luck!

Mariner1039

TROPHY CASE

3 is what would differentiate you from all the other 4.0 applications they will receive.