Getting into UCLA requires patience, dedication, and initiative. If you want to maximize your chances of acceptance, continue reading for everything you need to know.
UCLA is a public land-grant research university that was founded in 1892 as the southern branch of the California State Normal School. It is one of the US's most respected and competitive universities, informally known as a public Ivy.
The school promotes a community spirit and looks for academically outstanding candidates with a drive to make a positive change in the world. If you want to learn how to gain admission to UCLA, our guide will provide everything you need to know to become a competitive candidate.
The acceptance rate at UCLA is a low 9%. That means students must position themselves as competitive applicants to be one of the few students to gain admission.
UCLA does not have an early decision option. Applicants must submit a stellar regular decision application to be admitted.
With a mere 9.3% acceptance rate, it is extremely difficult to get into UCLA. That means out of 100 applicants, only nine students receive admission. The admission committee needs an accurate idea of who you are as a person, not just who you are in the classroom.
Take our interactive quiz below to find out how likely you are to get into UCLA.
Since UCLA’s admission process is competitive, it’s important to understand the average test scores to improve your chances of acceptance. As a competitive applicant, you must not just match these average scores, but exceed them to stand out.
The average GPA students have at UCLA is 4.0. Though this might seem difficult to achieve, focusing on your studies and preparing for tests properly will help you achieve an above-average GPA.
The average SAT score at UCLA is 1550. This score reflects both the Evidence-Based Reading & Writing and Mathematics section.
UCLA students have an average composite score of 32. To stand out, applicants must meet this minimum score.
UCLA looks for candidates with a broad set of qualities, such as intellectual independence, responsibility, maturity, insight, leadership skills, motivation, initiative, and concern for others and the community.
However, it's not enough to possess them; you have to show them in the best way possible. The application gives you several opportunities to showcase your strengths through the information you provide in the section "activities and awards," and through personal essays.
If you want to hear what else Sarah had to say about UC schools’ expectations, take a look at this video:
Though it can be challenging to meet up to UCLA’s expectations, it’s not impossible. The application gives you several opportunities, like your extracurriculars and essays, to showcase your strengths.
Knowing what UCLA values most can help you focus your efforts where they'll have the biggest impact. The following tables outline the academic and non-academic factors that UCLA considers, ranked by their importance in the application process:
Source: UCLA
UCLA's freshman admission decisions emphasize both academic and non-academic factors. While the rigor of the secondary school record, GPA, application essay, and recommendations are very important, class rank and standardized test scores are optional. UCLA also values first-generation status, racial/ethnic background, volunteer work, and work experience, over geographic and state residency.
The UCLA admissions committee considers many elements when making decisions about prospective students. They seek good grades, students with rich experience, and solid personal stories demonstrating positive characteristics.
The full list of requirements is as follows:
The admissions committee uses a holistic review method. They carefully balance many factors and gain a complete sense of every candidate; they are a person, not just a student or a mere number.
To apply to UCLA, you'll need to use the University of California's online application. This is a standard application system for all nine UC system universities, allowing you to apply to several of them without redoing the whole application. However, you'll need to pay a separate application fee for every institution you decide to apply to.
Applying to UCLA is not as complicated as it may seem, but you'll need to be prepared and gather some documents before you start your application. You'll need the following:
Once you have these materials, you'll be ready to get started on your application. You'll need to create an account in the UC application system if you don't have one already.
The completed application can be submitted no earlier than Nov. 1 and no later than Nov. 30. After that date, the application portal will be closed, and you won't be able to edit or submit your application anymore. Don’t let the UCLA deadline for applications sneak up on you.
Here are the UCLA application deadlines to save in your calendar:
For tips on how to get into UCLA, we first need a clear understanding of the admission review process, what the admissions committee considers for acceptance, and what they look for in prospective students.
UCLA states that: "Each year more students apply to UCLA than we can possibly admit...we focus on successful applicants who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, leadership, initiative and tenacity. They are the students who would contribute the most to the UCLA learning community. They are the students who would make the most of immersion in UCLA's dynamic learning environment."
UCLA uses faculty-approved criteria when reviewing every single application. The criteria are not in order, and none is more important than the other.
Understanding selection criteria is critical to getting into UCLA. This is what admissions committees look for.
Good grades are essential, but more important are good grades in rigorous coursework if available to the student, such as Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate Higher Level (IB HL), college-level, or honors. Be sure to take high-level coursework, if available to you.
The admissions committee understands that not everyone has had the same access to resources and thus may not have had equal opportunities.
Many aspects play a role in this, such as demographics, location, background, and schools. That's why the admissions committee considers your achievements based on potential opportunities.
Reflect on anything that stepped in your way in your application as well, and explain how you kept going: obstacles don’t have to be a barrier to UCLA undergraduate admission.
How have the hardships and unusual circumstances you've encountered shaped you into the person you are today and helped you grow?
The way you have responded, faced, and overcome challenges is significant to the admission committee, as it shows your maturity, determination, and resilience. Be prepared to talk about it in the personal insight responses.
Your past contributions in your high school career can signal there's a high chance you'll contribute in college as well. UCLA is looking for proactive individuals who can bring something to the table; show them what that is.
They are looking for someone willing to participate in clubs and extracurricular activities. Having a passion and hobby outside the class is very important for the development of every student, not only academically but personally and professionally.
These include UC programs and local or national programs. Time and depth of participation, academic progress, and program rigor are several ways UCLA measures achievement: pre-college summer programs are an excellent option.
Maybe you're an athlete, an artist, a leader in an organization, or are involved in community service - you name it. Whatever it is that you do distinctively, UCLA wants to know about it.
You need to be a high-achiever to get into UCLA. If you're still a sophomore or even a junior in high school, plan to upgrade your coursework game soon if you haven't done so.
Take advanced classes and raise your GPA. A perfect grade point average is not enough for this competitive school: your classes need to be challenging as well. Show them that you're not afraid of hard work and that you're willing to challenge yourself.
Ace your standardized tests. Good grades and high test scores will certainly strengthen your application. You must do well on the SAT or ACT; otherwise, your application may not be at the top of the pile. However, this doesn’t mean that grades are all that matter; they are just a starting point.
An outstanding GPA is necessary, but grades alone won't get you accepted by themselves. To stand out and get into UCLA, you'll need to show your uniqueness through admissions essays.
Take advantage of the specific prompts to demonstrate how you positively impact your community and how you make a difference. Focus on your leadership skills, how they have improved throughout high school, and how you show them.
Colleges want you to attend if you get accepted, so if UCLA is your first-choice school, don't forget to allude to that somewhere in your application or your essays. Schools try to accept students who will likely accept an offer of admission. If you demonstrate that you specifically want to attend UCLA, the odds might be more in your favor.
When writing college applications, it's tempting to show the admission committees how you excel and are interested in everything. If you fill out every single extracurricular entry on the application with mediocre activities, chances are you won't stand out from the crowd.
Instead, focus on quality; what is that one thing that you do remarkably well? Stand out in what makes you you. Don't try to do "just fine" in everything or be like everyone else.
Getting into UCLA is difficult, but not impossible. To get accepted, you'll need not only to be an exceptional student but show how you're outstanding outside the classroom.
UCLA requires applicants to answer four out of eight Personal Insight Questions (PIQs). These prompts are designed to help the admissions committee learn more about you beyond your grades and test scores. The questions cover a wide range of topics, from your leadership experiences to your creative side.
UCLA recommends that applicants select the most relevant questions to their experience that best reflect their circumstances. Each response is limited to 350 words, so you'll have to be concise.
All questions are given equal consideration, so regardless of the questions you choose to respond to, you won't have any advantage or disadvantage in your application review process.
The UCLA Essay Prompts, which you should be able to find at the UC Application Site, are the following:
When writing your essays, it's essential to be authentic and specific. Use concrete examples and anecdotes to illustrate your points, rather than relying on generalizations. Show, don't tell, by providing vivid details that bring your experiences to life.
The UC application essay prompts are very personal and require time, preparation, and focus. The following tips can help you write your essays and stand out as an outstanding candidate.
It may seem obvious, but many students underestimate how long it will take them to write the essays and focus on other aspects of the application before they even start them. Don't make this mistake; give yourself plenty of time to prepare, brainstorm, outline, write, and revise.
Using "I" and "my" statements in your essays helps the admissions committee get to know you and your personality. Don’t talk about yourself in the third person.
We can't stress this enough: revise, revise, and revise again. In the UCLA essays, you will not be evaluated on grammar, spelling, or sentence structure, but errors can negatively impact your application. It's essential that everything makes sense and is clear; the reader will appreciate it.
Although the answers to the prompts are personal, others can offer precious feedback and suggestions. Consider seeking the help of an admissions consultant for professional feedback.
Don’t just take our word for it! Here’s what Dayvon had to say about his experience with Quad Education:
Answering such personal prompts can be mentally and emotionally exhausting. Don't try to get everything done in one night. Expect the essays to be a bit time- and energy-consuming, so prepare accordingly.
Unlike other institutions, UCLA doesn't offer undergraduate admission interviews. Since interviews are not an option for UCLA undergraduate admission, your essays are your best chance to shine. You'll rely on them for admission, so ensure your essays are edited to perfection!
As you're exploring your options for college, it's important to consider a range of schools that match your interests and goals. Alongside UCLA, here are a few other schools you should think about adding to your list:
If you have more questions about how to get into UCLA, these FAQs can help.
Yes, UCLA accepts transfer credit from accredited institutions. The UCLA Registrar's Office and Undergraduate Admission evaluate coursework following UC-wide transfer guidelines.
No, UCLA is not an Ivy League school. It's a prestigious public university often considered a "Public Ivy."
It's very difficult to get into UCLA with a 3.5 GPA. UCLA doesn't have a minimum GPA, but most admitted students have GPAs well above 3.5. Focus on strengthening your GPA if it's lower.
To stand out in the application process, express your relevant personal qualities and explain the positive impact you will make at UCLA. Craft a compelling personal statement that highlights your achievements, challenges overcome, and goals for the future.
Start preparing after your junior year, if not sooner. The application opens on August 1st, and the deadline is November 30th. Make sure to plan ahead to give yourself plenty of time, at least
If you’re rejected from UCLA, you can try to appeal your rejection, take a gap year, or accept an offer from another school. Keep in mind that UCLA reviews rejection appeals on a case-by-case basis.
No, UCLA does not superscore standardized test results. UCLA only considers your highest composite SAT and ACT scores from a single test date.
Demonstrated by 2% of accepted students, the lowest GPA at UCLA is 3.52. The majority of admitted students have GPAs well above 3.5.
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