Many Gabrielino High School seniors entered the fall semester carrying a sense of anticipation, pressure , and uncertainty as they began their college applications. Recent trends in college admission cycle data at Gabrielino reveal how, for many students, the process has become not only a search for the right campus but a reflection on affordability, family expectations , and how competitive admissions have become.
Recent application patterns from Naviance reveal that Gabrielino students are applying more frequently to nearby universities. Although the University of California, Los Angeles remains one of the most applied-to schools in the nation, it is not the most applied to at Gabrielino.
The University of California, Irvine receives nearly 100 applications from Gabrielino seniors each year. In the 2024-25 admissions cycle, 97 students applied, 15 were admitted , and 10 enrolled.
By comparison, 92 students applied to UCLA, 13 were admitted , and 12 enrolled. Current acceptance rates for Gabrielino students remain between 13 and 20 percent for both campuses.
Proximity appears to be a major factor. Students also apply at higher rates to other nearby campuses such as the University of California, Riverside , and the University of California, Santa Barbara. The least applied-to UC campus is the University of California, Merced, which received nine applications last year.
Patterns are also shifting within the California State University system. At California State University, Los Angeles, application numbers have fallen sharply: from 111 in 2020 to only 67 in 2025. Other campuses, such as California State University, Long Beach , and California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo, continue to receive dozens of applicants.
Many students, however, choose an entirely different path. In the past five years, between 140 and 150 Gabrielino graduates enrolled at Pasadena City College, making it the most common destination. Factors such as cost, commuting distance , and transfer opportunities influence this decision.
Senior Jennifer Quach, who is applying to several out-of-state schools, said affordability and school spirit were the main factors when deciding which colleges to apply to. One of the schools she is applying to is the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. From 2020 to 2024, the school received one application from Gabrielino and none in 2025.
Quach explained she is applying to the school because “it is less expensive, I have family in Minnesota, and when I visited I really liked the campus.”
Quach shared that certain aspects of the process have been overwhelming. “It’s so much work,” she said. “I’m scared but excited to find out where I end up.”
Senior Brooklyn Nguyen said staying in California is her priority. “Location is the biggest factor for me,” she said. “If the school has architecture, I’ll apply. I want to stay close to home.”
She added that organizing her list was unexpectedly challenging. “It took a long time to sort out which schools I was actually applying to,” she said. “The essays were stressful too.”
Counselor Maribel Arreola-Gonzalez has observed major changes in admissions expectations. She noted that strong academics are not enough for many applicants. “Students feel they have done everything academically, and often they have,” she said. “But the process is so competitive that extracurricular activities make the biggest difference now.”
She also emphasized the importance of honest personal storytelling. “Being vulnerable in your writing matters,” she said. “Sharing challenges can separate a student from thousands of others with similar grades.”
As Gabrielino seniors finalize applications and wait for decisions, many are balancing excitement with fear of the unknown. Their choices reflect shifting admissions trends, evolving expectations , and the realities of applying to college in an increasingly competitive time.
