UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
Los Angeles

UCLA Application Requirements, Admissions Tips, and University Guide

The #1 ranked public university in the nation, UCLA is a sought-after destination for students from all walks of life who share the same goal: to be part of an academic culture that values public service. UCLA is located in Los Angeles, CA. Designed as a “college in a garden,” the 419-acre Westwood campus sprawls across the Santa Monica Mountain foothills and south into the Los Angeles basin.
Here are a few frequently asked questions about UCLA:

How hard is it to get into UCLA?

UCLA is an incredibly competitive school and the most applied-to university in the country. UCLA received more applications than ever before for fall 2022 admission, with substantial increases among in-state freshman applicants and top-performing students from California high schools. Overall freshman applications totaled approximately 149,813, about 10,000 more than last year.

UCLA is committed to providing greater access and opportunity to California residents, and the campus plans to enroll substantially more new California undergraduates in 2022 and the coming years, in alignment with UC’s agreement with the state Legislature to cap nonresident undergraduate enrollment at 18% by 2026.

In 2022, UCLA admitted 8% of applicants. The GPA of the middle 25-75% of students was 4.21-4.33. UCLA’s admission process is holistic and individualized. They thoroughly review every application, looking for students who challenge themselves academically, engage in extracurricular activities and demonstrate a willingness to contribute in the community. The most successful applicants go beyond minimum requirements and seek to challenge themselves to grow both in and outside of the classroom.

UCLA’s Application:

You must complete 15 A-G courses with at least 11 courses finished prior to the beginning of your last year of high school. To be competitive in the UCLA admission process, applicants should present an academic profile much stronger than any minimum UC admission requirements. See here for a listing of the A-G requirements.

• UCLA’s application is part of the UC application system which is its own unique portal separate from the Common App or Coalition App.
• You will fill out one application that can be used for all 9 of the UC campuses, but each UC will be unaware of the other UCs you apply to.
• There are 8 personal insight questions of which you will respond to 4.
• The university is test-blind.
• Applications are due November 30th.
• For students who chose a major outside the College in one of the professional schools, supplemental applications may be required and have specific deadlines.

Major Selection at UCLA and its impact on Admissions:

You can declare a major, or apply as undeclared, on your UC application form. For freshmen applying to a major in the College, your choice of major will neither help nor hurt your prospects for admission. In fact, a large number of freshman applicants apply as undeclared. Major selection does not play a role in the admission process for freshman applicants applying to the College and Luskin School of Public Affairs. Other schools at UCLA consider the following (which includes the holistic review conducted by Undergraduate Admission):

The Samueli School of Engineering considers students by declared major. “Engineering, undecided” is also an option. Engineering does closely consider performance in the areas of math and science.

The School of Nursing likewise emphasizes science and math preparation. You must submit a supplemental application directly to the School of Nursing.

The School of the Arts and Architecture, Herb Alpert School of Music and the School of Theater, Film and Television consider students by declared major. These schools also closely consider the talent presented by the student through a portfolio, audition or supplemental information collected through a school-specific application. This talent plays a critical role in the selection process.

Can I afford UCLA?

In 2019, Forbes ranked UCLA the No. 4 best value university in the nation, considering price, average student debt, future earnings, education quality and other factors. 69% of students receive financial aid. Beginning fall 2022, University of California (UC) tuition for each incoming undergraduate class will remain the same until the student graduates, for up to six years. Known as the UC Tuition Stability Plan, this plan provides predictability for families in helping to manage their educational costs.

UCLA offers a variety of financial aid opportunities. A financial aid award generally consists of a combination of scholarships and grant money from UCLA and other sources, low-interest loans and a work-study job during the academic year. UCLA offers financial support that may be awarded based on need, academic merit, background, specific talents or professional interests. You can use this net price calculator to learn more about your personal financial expectations.

Make sure to fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) or the DREAM Act Application before the UCLA priority deadline of March 2. These applications become available on October 1 each year and they provide access to federal- and state-based financial aid programs for all eligible students. When you enroll at UCLA, you’re eligible to apply for the BruinPay Plan. This plan allows students and families to pay each academic quarter’s tuition and fees in three payments spread over the term.

What are the academics like at UCLA?

UCLA is home to the College and 12 highly ranked professional schools. The College houses 85 percent of undergraduates and includes the Humanities, Social Sciences, Physical Sciences and Life Sciences academic divisions. The 12 ranked professional schools include 5 schools that offer undergraduate programs. Those are the School of Arts and Architecture, School of Engineering and Applied Science, School of Music, School or Nursing, School of Public Affairs, and School of Theater, Film, and Television. UCLA offers multiple options for students to begin and finish their degree program that suits their individual needs. You can earn two degrees at once, study abroad, or earn your master’s degree as an undergraduate. UCLA offers 125 undergraduate majors and 90 minors. The most popular majors at University of California–Los Angeles include: Social Sciences; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Psychology; Mathematics and Statistics; Engineering; Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies; Visual and Performing Arts; English Language and Literature/Letters; and History.

How Diverse is UCLA?

The number of freshman applicants from several underrepresented groups continued to rise this year, driven in part by UCLA’s community partnerships and outreach efforts. UCLA continues to receive more applications from African American, Chicano/Latino and Native American students than any other campus in the UC system. The ethnicity breakdown of the class of 2016 is as follows: African American 7%, American Indian or Alaska Native 1%, Asia 38%, Hispanic 22%, White 28%, Unknown 4%. 10% are international students and 25% are first generation college students.

What is campus life like?

98% of first-year undergraduates choose to live in the residence halls. UCLA offers incoming first-year undergraduates the opportunity to live in university-owned housing for four years, as well as offer a two-year option for all incoming transfer students. UCLA’s on-campus residential community is called the Hill because of its location on a hill adjacent to the west side of campus. Life on “the Hill” means you’re a short walk from classes and everything else that campus has to offer. There are more than 5,000 events annually on campus. Major events like True Bruin Welcome, TEDxUCLA and UCLA Geek Week engage everyone on the Hill with professional quality live events and activities.

Dining options are abundant. In 2020, 2021 and 2022, Niche rated UCLA’s food #1 best college food in the nation. The chefs and dieticians keep the menus fresh with new recipes every day. Vegan and vegetarian, kosher, halal and gluten-free dining options are offered as well as flexible dining schedules (7 a.m. – 2 a.m.).

You’ll find ample opportunities to discover new interests and make new friends on campus since there are more than 1,200 clubs and student organizations. UCLA offers a student government program, an arts and culture program, a student business program, and a volunteer program. There are also 15 multipurpose workout facilities and six pools spread throughout campus. UCLA Recreation sponsors instructional classes, an intramural sports program that consists of 30 leagues, tournaments, meets and special events, and 50 club sports. The UCLA Marina Aquatic Center, located in Marina Del Rey, offers instruction and equipment for rowing, kayaking, sailing, surfing, windsurfing and paddle boarding.

*Updated 2022