How to Get into the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)

The University of California, Los Angeles consistently ranks among the top public universities in the country, offering a rigorous and respected education across diverse fields. In 2024, UCLA is ranked 15th by US News in National Universities. It boasts top-ranked programs in various fields, including film, engineering, medicine, and law, attracting renowned faculty and providing access to cutting-edge research opportunities. Its academic rigor will push you to think critically and consider global perspectives.

With a large and diverse student body, UCLA fosters a welcoming and inclusive environment where you can connect with people from various backgrounds and perspectives. The university is home to 46,430 students, with 14,007 graduates and 32,423 undergraduates. Approximately 5,247 students at UCLA consist of internationals, representing 106 countries.  UCLA boasts a diverse and engaged student body with 400+ student organizations and clubs, fostering a sense of community and belonging. Moreover, the university provides numerous resources to support student success, including career counseling, mentorship programs, and access to state-of-the-art facilities.

With a rigid acceptance rate of just 9%, getting into the University of California, Los Angeles is tough. This implies that out of every 100 applicants, only 9 get in. However, let’s see how you can apply to UCLA for your postgraduate degree.

Eligibility Criteria

Students who want to apply to UCLA must fulfill the following criteria:

• A bachelor’s degree or its equivalent from a recognized university with a minimum GPA of 3.0 on a 4.0 scale.
• A TOEFL score of at least 87 on the Internet-based test (IBT).
• An IELTS overall band score of at least 7.0.
• Submitting standardized scores like GRE and GMAT, if needed by your program.
• At least 3 letters of recommendation (LORs).
• A statement of purpose (SOP) outlining your academic plans, research interests, and future career goals and a personal history statement describing how your background and experiences influenced your decision to pursue a graduate degree.

Admissions Policy

When applying for admission to a graduate program at UCLA, you can expect the following process:

• Head to the Graduate Admissions portal.
• Peruse through the list of programs available and select yours.
• Go through the prerequisites (GPA requirements, need for LORs and SOP, English language requirements, and scores for standardized tests.)
• Prepare and gather all the required documents.
• Register for an account on the applicant portal.
• Fill out the application form, pay the application fee, and submit the required documents.
• Attend an interview if requested.
• After due review, you will receive a confirmation email if you are selected.

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In the next section, explore some tips for getting into UCLA, that will help you stay on track and be more confident with your application.

Surely, getting into UCLA is difficult, but not impossible. With the right guidance and support, the process will get easier for you. Yocket has assisted 4,500+ students to get into the top 100 US universities, and it can help you too.

Hitesh Sangwan, a Premium Yocketeer has received admission to the University of California, Los Angeles for the MS Electrical and Computer Engineering program for fall 2024! Know more here.

Check out some tips below to increase your admission chances at UCLA:

Tip 1: Academic Excellence: For the UCLA Class of 2025, the UCLA GPA requirements state that students must have at least a 3.4 GPA to be competitive. Take rigorous courses. Your transcripts and certificates must reflect your academic prowess.

Tip 2: Prepare your Finances and Documents: Do not undermine this. Sorting necessary documents and tuition/living expenses takes considerable time and effort, so maintain an Excel sheet to keep a check of the prerequisites.

Tip 3: Become UCLA Ready: The UCLA admissions committee looks for applicants who show leadership, creativity, intellectual curiosity, and a willingness to enrich the campus community. Challenge yourself with classes beyond the minimum requirements, explore extracurriculars to determine your passions, and spend time making your community a better place.

Having discussed some tips, read on to learn about some hurdles that you might encounter during your decision to study at UCLA and the application process.

As an international student, you might face certain difficulties in your pursuit of study at the University of California, Los Angeles. Read on to familiarise yourself with these challenges, so that you can prepare better and ahead of time. Some obstacles faced by international students when applying to Warwick include:

• The biggest challenge faced by international students lies in the acceptance rate of UCLA, which is only 9%. Despite its diversity and inclusivity, the university remains highly selective. So, to get into the university would require thorough preparations right from the beginning of undergrad education.
• The tuition fee for applying to Wrawick's graduate school is approximately GBP 36,900 / INR 38,76,490, which is quite higher than the national average. Additionally, the cost of traveling to and living in the UK must also be tackled.
• Scoring as per UCLA's requirements on standardized and English proficiency tests in one attempt might be difficult, causing international students to make recurrent attempts that are not time and cost-effective.
• Adapting to a new culture, language, and social environment can be challenging. Moreover, making friends and finding a sense of belonging can be difficult in a new environment.

To tackle these challenges, the University of California, Los Angeles offers various resources and support services to help international students succeed, such as international student advisors, funding options, English language support programs, cultural centers, and student unions.

Tuition and fees for most doctoral and master's programs are about USD 33,238 / INR 27,53,650 annually for international students. These costs can vary program-wise. To know more, visit the website.

Read on to learn about some scholarships and funding options available in and outside of UCLA that can help you fund your education abroad!

Unfortunately, UCLA itself doesn't offer merit-based scholarships to international students for graduate programs. However, many UCLA graduate programs offer their scholarships to incoming students. Be sure to check the website of the program you're interested in for more information. Apart from these, there are several external scholarships that Indian students can apply for.

• Inlaks Scholarships provide Indian students an opportunity to study at top institutions in the UK, U.S., and Europe. The scholarship is awarded in several fields, including social sciences, humanities, law, fine arts, architecture, and related subjects.
• Fulbright-Nehru Master's and Doctoral Fellowship Program helps international students with at least three years of work experience pursue education in the US.
• Aga Khan Foundation's International Scholarship Program provides funding for Indian students to pursue postgraduate programs at top universities across the world.
• The TS Ambedkar Abroad Nisha Vidya scholarship program helps deserving SC and ST students pursue their studies in the States.

The UCLA applications open on August 1st, and the application filing period is open from November 1st – November 30th. There is no UCLA Early Decision option available. This means UCLA admissions must receive all materials by the final UCLA application deadline of November 30th.

To know program-wise deadlines click here.

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Since its establishment in 1919, the University of California, Los Angeles has grown to become one of the most prestigious universities worldwide. Students at UCLA have access to multiple courses in varied disciplines. Making the correct decision is essential to a prosperous career. Indian students at UCLA are equipped to pursue an autonomous, dynamic life full of possibilities.

If you wish to attend the University of California, Los Angeles for your higher education, you should have access to the best advisors to assist you with the admissions and visa procedures. And, do you know who can help you with that? Our Yocket experts! With comprehensive, tech-enabled assistance, leap towards realizing your educational dreams today!