Are you hoping to get into UCLA? If so, this article will help you learn everything you need to know to become one of UCLA’s accepted applicants this year.
We’ll discuss how hard it is to get into UCLA, what UCLA is looking for in its students, the test scores and GPA you need to stand out from other applicants, and how to ace your UCLA essays.
UCLA Overview
Founded in 1919, the University of California, Los Angeles is in LA, California, the USA. Ernest Carroll Moore and Edward Augustus Dickson established the University.
As per the “2021 US news ranking”, UCLA is the 20th best University in the United States. As per the “2021 QS World University Ranking,” UCLA is the World’s 36th best University.
The tuition fee for admitted students at UCLA is $13,226(2020-21) for students living in the state (California). For students who are living out of the state, the tuition fee is $42,980. The total enrollment in the school is 45,742. The student to faculty ratio in UCLA is 18:1. For every 18 students, there’s 1 teacher, which gives all students personalized attention. 50% of classes in UCLA consist of fewer than 20 students.
UCLA has significant names in the World as its alumni. Some notable alumni are James Franco (American Actor), Carol Burnett (American Actress), Jackie Robinson (American Basketball Player), John Williams (American Composer).
How Hard Is It to Get Into UCLA?
It’s very competitive to get into UCLA. Each year, UCLA accepts around 14% of its applicants. Put another way, that means that UCLA accepts 14 out of every 100 students that apply.
UCLA’s accepted students rate is competitive—and getting more so every year. If you want to be one of UCLA’s accepted students, you’ll need to make sure every part of your application is in top shape.
What Is UCLA Looking for in Its Students?
UCLA describes its core mission in three words: education, research, and service. As a public research university, UCLA’s job is not only to teach its students, but to empower them to make positive change in the world.
Those three words give us a hint at what it looks for in applicants. First, UCLA looks for students that value education. Successful applicants will have a stellar academic record and a history of challenging themselves.
UCLA also values research, meaning that applicants should not only have academic interests, but they should also be passionate about applying those interests. That means that you search for opportunities to learn outside of the classroom. Maybe you volunteer at a local lab or shadow someone in your prospective career path. Basically, you go out of your way to learn and apply your education.
Finally, UCLA thinks that service is important. Successful applicants will have a record of being civic-minded and engaging with their communities. Perhaps you volunteered tutoring or were really involved with your local religious organization. Show that you care about people and issues other than yourself.
What Exactly is UCLA Looking for?
UCLA and the UC system as a whole have a set of standards that a student must satisfy to be considered. In general, students who receive a public school education will meet these standards; however, students who attend private schools or are homeschooled should pay special attention to them to ensure they are met.
To be admitted to the UC System, a candidate must pass a set of 15 courses known as the “A to G subject requirements.” Students must not receive a grade worse than a C in any of their A–G course requirements. The courses from A through G are as follows:
| Letter | Subject | Requirement |
| A | History | 2 years |
| B | English | 4 years |
| C | Math | 3 years |
| D | Science | 2 years |
| E | Language other than English | 2 years |
| F | Visual and performing arts | 1 year |
| G | College preparatory elective | 1 year |
UCLA Application Deadlines and Requirements
UCLA has one application deadline for regular admission on November 30. Students will hear back about the status of their application in late March.
You apply to UCLA using the University of California application. UCLA doesn’t accept the Common app or the Universal app.
In the past, UCLA has required either SAT or ACT scores with the writing component, but this requirement has been waived for the 2020-2021 and 2021-2022 application years.
You need to have completed the following years of coursework in high school by the time you enroll at UCLA:
- 2 years History/Social Science
- 4 years of college-preparatory English
- 3 years of mathematics (4 years recommended)
- 2 years laboratory science (3 years recommended)
- 2 years of Language other than English (3 years recommended)
- 1 year of Visual and Performing Arts (if available)
- 1 year of College Preparatory elective
You don’t need to send in your official transcripts with your application—you’ll only need to send them once you’re admitted. Also, in general, UCLA doesn’t accept any letters of recommendation or conduct entrance interviews. Keep in mind these might be required for your specific degree program, so make sure you check with your major’s department.
What GPA is Required for UCLA?
You might find yourself asking – “What GPA do you need to get into UCLA?” UCLA candidates must additionally meet the UCLA GPA requirements for admission in-state. Students must have a 3.0 GPA or higher, while out-of-state students must have a 3.4 GPA or greater. The 2020 UCLA acceptance rates have indicated that UCLA is a competitive school. Meeting the UCLA GPA requirement is usually a basic prerequisite to avoid getting your application rejected right away.
Looking at the average GPA of accepted candidates will give you an idea about the UCLA GPA requirement. UCLA’s class of 2025 (batch of 2021) had an average high school GPA of 3.9—47.3 percent earned a 4.0, and 42.2 percent had a GPA between 3.75 and 3.99.
Therefore, to answer the question “What GPA is required for UCLA?” Note that to be considered for admission to UCLA, you must be at the top of your class. You will require approximately straight As in all of your classes to meet the UCLA GPA requirement, as the average unweighted GPA of UCLA-approved students is 3.9.
You’ll also most likely need to take AP or IB classes to demonstrate your ability to do well in advanced school, especially if your GPA is below the national average.
What is the acceptance rate at UCLA?
The UCLA acceptance rate is a key component to consider in your “how to get into UCLA” approach. UCLA has an acceptance rate of 12%, making it a highly competitive school.
UCLA admissions received 139,488 applications for the UCLA Class of 2025. Of those students, roughly 31,000 students were admitted.
Acceptance rates depend on factors such as the number of applicants, their qualifications, and the available space in the freshman class. Because the pool of applicants changes each year, the grades UCLA admissions looks for can change.
Although UCLA admissions does not consider standardized test scores, we encourage you to take standardized tests if you’re applying to schools outside of the UC system. The average UCLA SAT scores ranged from 1290-1520. The average ACT score ranged from 29-34.
Studying for the test well in advance of the UCLA application deadline can help you earn scores that align with the average UCLA SAT scores, even though test scores are not evaluated in the review process. Your scores won’t matter at UCLA, but they can be a useful tool to see how you compare to other students. Also, remember that there is no UCLA Early Decision option available.
Want more information about how acceptance rates can affect the UCLA admissions process? Read our blog article.
What SAT and ACT Scores do I need to get Accepted into UCLA?
Although standardized exams are considered “extremely essential,” UCLA (and the whole UC System) will adopt a test-blind method until the autumn of 2024. Standardized test scores will be accepted as part of your application to evaluate eligibility for the California Statewide Admissions Guarantee or as an alternate way of meeting minimum eligibility criteria. Since UCLA is test-blind, they will not make admissions choices based on standardized test results. Standardized test results have little relevance at UCLA, although they are essential at other colleges.
Admission Tips to Get into UCLA
1. Maintain a 3.9 GPA Despite Taking the most Difficult Classes Offered.
The average UCLA GPA requirement for the class of 2025 was 3.9, with 47.3 percent having a perfect 4.0. Simply defined, strong grades are required for admittance to UCLA, and the institution considers them “extremely essential” when making admissions choices. Furthermore, you’ll need to have a high GPA to get into UCLA and meet both the school’s academic criteria and the Academic Index criterion.
The Academic Index is a metric employed by highly selective colleges with a significant number of applications. Academic Index combines an applicant’s whole academic record into a single figure, making it simple for admissions officers to select applicants who do not fulfill a college’s academic requirements.
But, simply knowing the answer to the question “What GPA do you need to get into UCLA?” isn’t sufficient. Good grades aren’t always enough to impress a top institution like UCLA; you’ll also need to have achieved them in the most difficult courses possible. Competitive candidates to top 10 colleges, such as UCLA, will frequently have completed up to 12 AP classes.
2. Develop One or Two Tier 1-2 Extracurricular Activities
Extracurricular activities are viewed as an “essential” aspect of admissions choices at UCLA. The best universities want individuals who have one or two well-developed interests and have proven accomplishment or leadership in them. A well-developed interest referred to as a “spike” is another excellent technique to get the attention of admissions officers.
The “four levels of extracurriculars” concept is a simple method to understand how a college rates a specific activity:
Tier 1 activities are the most influential; they are rare and represent greatness, success, and leadership. Winning a national award or participating in a top merit-based summer program are examples of Tier 1 activities.
Tier 2 activities exhibit quality, success, and leadership. Still, they are more prevalent and have a lower effect than Tier 1 activities, such as state-level recognition in athletics or music, serving as student body president, or earning a regional award.
Tier 3 extracurriculars are regularly featured on applications and lack the differentiation found in higher tier activities. Tier 3 activities include serving as captain of a varsity sport or holding a leadership role in a well-known group.
Tier 4 activities carry the least weight and are often observed by admissions officers. Participation in a sport or group and general volunteer work are all examples of Tier 4 activities.
3. Create Interesting Essays
Essays are the finest method to distinguish yourself from other candidates. UCLA believes essays to be “extremely significant” in the admissions process and highly values them. Applicants to UCLA are asked eight questions, four of which must be answered. It will help if you put a lot of time and attention into each of the four essays you write for UCLA. The admissions committee may be influenced in your favor if you can demonstrate on your application that you are serious about attending UCLA.
Start writing your UCLA essays early, so you have time to rewrite and receive feedback.
What GPA Do I Need to Get Into UCLA?
You’ll need to be at the top of your class to have a chance of being admitted to UCLA. You’ll need nearly straight As in all your classes to compete with other applicants since the average unweighted GPA of students admitted into UCLA is a 3.9.
You’ll also probably need to take AP or IB classes to show that you can do well at advanced coursework.
If your GPA is at or below the school average for weighted or unweighted (whatever matches with your school), you’ll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate. Having outstanding standardized test scores will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.
What Test Scores Do I Need to Get Into UCLA?
You need to take either the SAT (with essay) or ACT (with writing component) to be admitted to UCLA. (Again, this requirement has been suspended for 2020/2021 and 2021/2022 application years, although they’ll still consider your test scores if you submit them).
What SAT Scores Do I Need to Get Into UCLA?
It’s no surprise that students admitted to UCLA have excellent SAT scores. The mid-50% composite score for admitted students is 1370–1540 out of 1600. That means that 50% of all students scored somewhere in that range. Furthermore, 25% of students scored lower than a 1370 and were still admitted, and 25% of students scored higher than a 1540 (or close to perfect!) and got in.
You can take the SAT multiple times to try to get the score you want, but be aware that UCLA doesn’t superscore its tests.
What ACT Scores Do I Need to Get Into UCLA?
The mid-50% ACT composite score for UCLA students is 31–35. That means that most students score somewhere in that range. Put another way, that means 75% of admitted students got a 31 or above on their ACT!
Though UCLA doesn’t have an official ACT score requirement, if you apply with a 31 or below (which is the 25th percentile for admitted students), you’ll have a very hard time getting in unless you have something else very impressive in your application. There are so many applicants scoring 31 and above that a 25 will make your application stand out…in a bad way.
UCLA Application Essays
As part of your UCLA application, you’ll have to answer four personal insight questions out of eight total options. Each response is limited to 350 words.
Here are the eight personal insight questions:
- Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.
- Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.
- What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
- Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
- Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
- Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.
- What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?
- Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?
The University of California website offers good insight into how to answer each of these questions, with specific questions that you can refer to in order to prompt your imagination. You can also use our article on UC application tips for more information.
In general, your essays should reflect UCLA’s values: education, research, and service. You should show off your intellectual curiosity, as well as your desire to make a positive difference in the world.
Tips for Getting Into UCLA
While getting into UCLA is difficult, it’s not impossible. The more effort you put into all the parts of your application, the better chance you have of securing admission.
#1: Prioritize Your Coursework
UCLA students are high-achievers. To be accepted, you need to be one, too.
If you’re still in your freshman, sophomore, or junior year of high school, plan to take some advanced classes to up your GPA. You’ll need to be disciplined and work hard to compete with the other applicants.
Take the most difficult classes you can. Showing that you aren’t afraid of rigorous coursework will indicate that you’re ready for the challenge of going to UCLA.
#2: Ace Your Standardized Tests
You need high standardized test scores in order to be admitted to UCLA. You should plan to take the SAT about three or four times. Remember, you can take the SAT up to six times before the admissions committee starts to wonder why you keep taking the test.
If you’re taking the ACT, you should study for and take the test as many times as necessary to at least meet the average ACT score of UCLA admitted applicants.
#3: Write Standout Essays
Your essays are the best opportunity to show off your skills and your unique interests. You should put a lot of effort into every one of the four essays you write for UCLA.
Don’t wait until the last minute to write your UCLA essays—start them with plenty of time so that you can revise and receive feedback.
#4: Prove That You Want to Go to UCLA
Sometimes, when you’re in the thick of applying to college, it can be hard to remember that you get to choose which colleges to attend, too. You’ll likely have a few schools to choose from—schools that all thought you’d be a great fit on their campus.
Where am I going with this?
Colleges want you to attend, if you’re accepted! So they look to accept students who really want to attend their college specifically. If you can prove on your application that you really want to attend UCLA specifically, the admissions committee may be swayed in your favor.
#5: Have a Spike in Your Application
When you’re applying to college, it’s tempting to seem well-rounded and interested in all the things.
This is actually terrible advice.
UCLA will see tens of thousands of applications from students who’ve done every conceivable extracurricular and academic activity. You need to stand out.
Your application won’t stand out if you’re mediocre in band, on the track team, and on student council. It will stand out if you travel to Japan to perform with a world-class performance ensemble or qualify for the Olympic trials in shot put.
Put all of your eggs in one basket—when your focus is on one thing, you’ll be better at it than if you have to split your time and attention.
How To Increase Your Chances Of Getting Into UCLA
The University of California, Los Angeles, more commonly referred to as UCLA, is the second oldest university (established 1919) in the University of California system. It is also one of the most prestigious.
Though UCLA is a public research institution, it is well known for its low acceptance rates and high standards for prospective students.
Getting accepted to any prestigious university requires a certain level of academic success, an impressive resume, high standardized test scores, and a solid personal essay. UCLA is no different.
However, if you want to know how to specifically target UCLA in your application process, here is more information about the admissions requirements and advice from a UCLA student who has been in your shoes. College applications can be stressful, but there are resources out there for you while you’re going through the process.
UCLA Stats
Anytime you are interested in a specific college or university, you should consider looking at average statistics of the previous year’s accepted students, as well as any other statistics associated with that campus.
UCLA is a highly selective university, so if you want to apply you should set yourself up for success by understanding just how selective it is and prepare yourself accordingly.
Acceptance Rates
UCLA has notoriously low acceptance rates. In fact, as of 2018, the UCLA acceptance rate was 14%, an even lower rate compared to a 16.1% acceptance rate in the fall of 2017.
Average Test Scores
As with most colleges and universities, UCLA looks at applicants’ standardized test scores as part of their admissions considerations. Consider enrolling in a test preparation course specifically for the ACT and SAT or take practice exams to earn the highest score possible.
Though UCLA does not require both the SAT and ACT, you are welcome to submit your scores for both tests on your application. You must complete the writing section of the ACT as well.
The average composite SAT scores among accepted UCLA students is between a 1370 and 1530, based on a 1600 scale.
The average composite ACT scores among accepted UCLA students is between 31 and 35.
The higher score you can achieve, the better. Remember, you can take the ACT as many times as you want and only your highest score will be submitted for consideration.
Average GPA
Grade point average is a way for university admissions officers to gauge your level of academic commitment in high school, so work to raise your GPA as high as possible before applying.
UCLA students generally have a very high GPA in high school. In fact, the average GPA of UCLA’s admitted students is a 3.92, unweighted and based on a 4.0 scale.
Admission Requirements
As you prepare to apply to UCLA, you should also make sure you are aware of the UCLA Freshman Admission Requirements and what the university expects of you as an applicant.
Research the school and its culture and make a list of qualities you have that could be an asset to UCLA’s campus.
Application Tips
When considering how to get into UCLA, it’s important to use standard college application best practices when applying. However, since UCLA reportedly had 113,000 applicants in fall of 2018, high test scores and a high GPA alone will not be enough to stand out from the pack.
To show UCLA how you are uniquely fit for the school, consider personal essay tips to make sure your application essay showcases your skills and journey as a student.
Think about your leadership skills, how you have improved throughout high school, and what your goals are as a UCLA student. How will you contribute to UCLA in a way that will make admissions officers want to accept you to the school?
Of course, make sure you showcase your true self, rather than trying to be what you think UCLA’s admissions officers want to see. While you should show yourself in the best light, UCLA admissions officers want to get to know you, and usually your true stories of growth are more impressive and intriguing than anything you could invent.
Tips From a UCLA Student
You should also listen to advice from students who have been in your shoes. These students can look back on the college admissions process and locate methods and practices that worked for them. Seeing that other students have been where you are will give you perspective and also hopefully inspire you!
For example, Shanaya Sidhu, a student at UCLA, advises future applicants to work hard but to focus on classes and activities that interest them, rather than focusing on pleasing the admissions officers.
She says, “While it is important to take as many AP courses as you can in order to challenge yourself, it is also very important to take AP courses in subject matter you are truly interested in, especially that which you are interested in pursuing in college. You will excel particularly in subject matter you are passionate about and driven by.”
The same is true for activities. According to Shanaya, “It is better to keep yourself busy during high school with activities that interest you and help you make an impact on your community; you should always involve yourself in activities that benefit and interest you, rather than activities you think will interest colleges on your college resume. This is because colleges can see when you are just trying too hard to impress them, so you should showcase your passions through activities that you were dedicated to and made a difference in.”
You can read more of Shanaya’s tips as well as other student success stories in the book College Admission—How to Get Into Your Dream School: Real Students, Real Stories by James W. Lewis.
As you continue your college search and prepare to apply to UCLA and other dream schools, remember there are plenty of resources out there for you to utilize during this process.
Mentors, online communities, books, blogs, counselors, and test prep advisors are there to help you, so make sure you take good notes and start building the application you need to get into the school of your dreams. Enjoy the process, and good luck!
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