How should I compare my admissions chances at UIUC and UCLA?

Treat UCLA as a high-reach application for almost every applicant, even with an excellent academic record, because its applicant pool is exceptionally deep and admission is highly unpredictable. UCLA uses the University of California comprehensive review process and does not use SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions. At UIUC, your odds can be more meaningfully tied to the specific college or major you select, since demand differs substantially across programs.

For UCLA, focus less on trying to find a precise “chance” and more on whether your transcript shows sustained rigor and strong performance relative to what your high school offers. The quality of your UC application responses, activities, accomplishments, and personal context matter because many applicants will also have top-level grades and coursework. Apply only if you would be genuinely excited to attend, but do not build a college list that depends on a UCLA admission.

For UIUC, start by looking at the requirements and applicant profile information published for your intended major or college, rather than relying on university-wide information. Some UIUC programs receive far more interest than others, so an applicant who is plausible for one major may be a reach for another. Make sure your coursework, activities, and stated academic interests actually support the program you choose; selecting a less competitive major solely for admissions reasons can create problems if it does not reflect your goals.