I'm researching UCLA and I stumbled upon something called the 'Common Data Set'. Unfortunately, I'm not quite sure what it entails. Can someone help me understand this? Be really grateful for some clarity!
The Common Data Set (CDS) is a detailed report containing a wealth of information about a college or university. It's a standard format used by most institutions to provide information about their enrollment, admission statistics, financial aid, class sizes, and much more. This way, each institution provides similar information, which makes comparing schools much easier.
For example, within UCLA's CDS, you can find information on freshman admission rates, acceptance rates by SAT/ACT score range, demographics of the student body, percentage of classes by size, and much more. This resource is a goldmine for prospective students because it offers such a detailed snapshot of the university that goes beyond what they typically publish in promotional materials or even on their official website.
If you're researching UCLA or any other school, I would recommend taking a look at their latest Common Data Set. It's usually hosted on the institutional research webpage for the college or university. Remember, there can sometimes be a delay in updating this data, so the most recent available set might be from a year or two ago. Still, it should give a fairly accurate picture of UCLA's current state. You can find an archive of the last few Common Data Sets from UCLA here: https://apb.ucla.edu/campus-statistics/common-data-set
For UCLA specific data, look for factors important to you. For instance, if diversity is critical, check out the student demographics section. If you're curious about your chances of acceptance, look at the admission statistics. And remember, as valuable as this information is, it's also only part of the picture. I'd recommend also reaching out to current students, alumni, or admissions representatives to get a fuller understanding of the UCLA experience.
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