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Scenarios
By the Numbers
Logistical Questions
Requirements
100
What is more important? Grades of test scores?
A: GPA--combined with the quantity and level of your high school courses--is of primary importance (a strong GPA, for instance, on an academic program that lacks honors level courses or does not include courses well beyond those needed for basic UC eligibility, will not likely result in admission). That being said, test scores are still an important element. First and foremost, you should take the most challenging courses you are able to handle. This is also the best way to prepare for your standardized tests. It is also a good idea to be prepared to take the tests more than once--in other words, don't wait until your senior year. That way, if you do not perform your best on some tests, you have a chance retake them in the fall of your senior year. We also find academic strength in AP exams with scores of 3 and above (and IB exams with scores of 5 and above). It should be noted, however, that because UCLA does not use a mathematical formula when evaluating applicants, there is no fixed numerical weight attached to either GPA or test scores.
100
What is your average unweighted GPA?
3.9 unweighted GPA
100
When can I begin an application and when is it due?
August 1 and November 30
200
Is it better to take a regular-level course and get an A or take an AP course and get a B?
We are looking for students who are taking advantage of the opportunities available to them. at their schools. IF you have the opportunity to take advanced courses, take them. The University of California adds extra "weight" to grades received in UC-certified honors, AP/IB, and transferable college courses. (For more information about how letter grades are assigned point values in calculating GPAs, refer to the UC's page on calculating your GPA. At UCLA we recognize that honors, AP/IB, and college courses are more rigorous and require high levels of commitment and effort. By choosing the most advanced courses for which you are prepared-and by doing well in them-you can send a powerful message about your desire to challenge yourself in an academic environment and about your preparation for the demands of UCLA's academic programs.
200
What is the middle 50% ACT and SAT scores
Mid 50% SAT: 1940-2250 Mid 50% ACT: 28-33
200
Can you send me a fee waiver for the UC application?
UCLA does not distribute fee waiver forms to students. If you are filling out the online application, you will see information about the fee waiver when you begin the submit process. Just follow the directions and they will guide you through. If you are filling out the paper application, include a letter with your application which states your family income, the number of dependents supported by this income, and a brief description of your financial status. If approved, a fee waiver can be used to waive the application fee for up to four UC campuses. If you apply to more than four campuses, then payment for these additional campuses must be included with the application. If your fee waiver is not approved, the Application Processing Center will continue to process your application, but will bill you for any schools for which you have not paid.
300
If I am not admitted under my first choice major, will UCLA review me for my alternate major?
Within the College of Letters and Science, the major an applicant chooses is not a factor in the review process at the freshman level. UCLA does not normally consider the alternate choices of applicants who applied to majors in the other schools (Engineering, Arts, etc.).
300
How many out-of-state and international students apply to UCLA, and how many are admitted?
UCLA received almost 30,000 applications from out-of-state and international freshman applicants for the fall 2015 term. Over 6,500 of them were admitted. Since UCLA is a state-supported institution, the vast majority (about 90%) of our undergraduates are California residents. UCLA, however, enrolls students from almost all 50 states and from over 100 countries.
400
Does my choice of major have an impact on my chances for admission? Talk about each school separately.
: For freshmen applying to a major in UCLA's College of Letters and Science (L&S), choice of major will neither enhance nor diminish their prospects for admission. In fact, a large number of freshman applicants apply as "undeclared." Major is a factor for freshmen applying to non-L&S schools at UCLA (Arts and Architecture; Engineering; Nursing; Theater, Film and Television). For transfer students, major choice is extremely important for all applicants. Our evaluation of transfer applications is based largely on students' preparation for the major they select and their GPAs in the completed preparatory courses. We give preference to applicants with strong academic records who will be ready to begin upper division coursework in their major when they enter UCLA. All applicants--freshman and transfer--should be aware that applicants to majors in the School of the Arts and Architecture; the School of Engineering and Applied Science; the School of Nursing; and the School of Theater, Film, and Television are evaluated differently than applicants to the College of Letters and Science: Auditions and/or portfolios are critical components in the selection processes of the School of the Arts and Architecture and the School of Theater, Film, and Television. The majors in the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science are very competitive--especially Bioengineering. All engineering applicants will be expected to have especially strong performances in math and science courses. The School of Nursing has a separate application in addition to the general UC application that all applicants to the school must complete.
400
Acceptance Rate?
17%
400
I'M AN INTERNATIONAL STUDENT; DO I NEED TO TAKE THE ACT, SATS OR JUST THE TOEFL? Who must take the Toefl?
A: International applicants are not exempt from the ACT/SAT requirement. All freshman applicants must take either the ACT Assessment or the SAT Reasoning Test by the December of the year they file their application. International students whose language of instruction is not English are also required to take either the Test of English as as Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).
500
Which is better to take: honors, AP/IB, or college courses?
UC-certified honors, AP/IB, and transferable college courses are equally meritorious in the sense that they are all challenging courses, and they all add extra weight to an applicant's GPA. (For more information about the definition of honors-level courses, refer to the UC's document on honors courses.) The benefit of an AP/IB course is that it is part of a nationally standardized program culminating in an exam that, if passed, can earn college credit. Similarly, satisfactory grades received in transferable college courses will also earn credit at UCLA. High school honors courses, in contrast, will not earn college credit. If you are still in high school and are interested in completing college courses, you can access a list of UC-transferable courses offered at California community colleges at www.assist.org.