are essays required for ucla

Language switcher

Personal insight questions.

The following are tips to help applicants find appropriate topics, styles and tones for their answers to the personal insight questions. Please also see the University of California’s instructions for first-years  and for transfers .

As we read your application, including your answers to the personal insight questions, we’re looking for evidence of your intellectual curiosity and your interest in personal development. UCLA has such a creative, ambitious and diverse student body. We’re always on the lookout for applicants who will contribute to the intellectual vitality, cultural life and diversity of UCLA.

• These questions are about getting to know you better, so be open, reflective, find your individual voice and express it.
• First-Year Applicants: You will have eight questions to choose from, you must respond to any four of the eight questions. The questions you choose to answer are entirely up to you.
• Transfer Applicants: There is one required question you must answer; then you answer three out of seven additional questions. Which three of the seven you choose to answer are entirely up to you.
• All applicants: We recommend you select questions that are most relevant to your experience and best reflect your individual circumstances.
• All questions will be given equal consideration in the application review process, which means there is no advantage or disadvantage to choosing certain questions over others.
• Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.

Tips for Success

We hope these tips will help you get organized and will inspire you. Your accomplishments, your opinions — you are important! Your answers to these questions are the best tool you have to show us the individual gifts you have to offer to the UCLA community.

Start early.

Give yourself time to think about your topics and carefully consider the rationale behind each question.

Be clear. Be focused. Be organized.

Make sure your answers to the questions follow a logical structure. Try to think about how it may seem to an audience who doesn’t know you. Input from people you trust — teachers, friends, relatives — can help you get perspective on how your answers affect those who are reading them.

Be careful with humor and clichés.

What might seem funny or bitingly ironic to you may not seem that way to someone who doesn’t know you. Remember that these questions are an opportunity for you to give us a complete picture of yourself. Don’t allow clichés to speak for you.

Don’t manufacture hardship.

Your answer to a personal insight question isn’t effective simply because it chronicles difficult circumstances. An effective answer to any question gives us a clear sense of your personal qualities and how you’ve used and developed them in response to your opportunities and challenges.

Use specific examples to illustrate your ideas.

Prove to us with written examples that you have a sense of who you are, where you’re going and how you will use your education and experiences to accomplish your goals. Although some events have long-term or even lifetime ramifications, it’s usually better to focus on recent events because they shed more light on who you are right now.

Finally, give yourself plenty of time for revisions.

Read your writing to others, and revise for clarity in content and in style. Pay attention to rules of correct grammar and punctuation, and don’t forget to spell check.

Please visit the University of California site for more help with your personal insight questions, including the text of the questions you will be asked to answer.

How to Answer UC’s Personal Insight Questions

Special Instructions for Veterans

We’re interested in knowing about your military service. Therefore, you may wish to use the personal insight questions to communicate the following:

• Describe how your military service has been instrumental in developing your educational plans.
• Indicate if you’re entitled to educational benefits as a result of your own military service or the service-connected death or disability of a parent or spouse.
• Indicate if you’re affiliated with the military such as, but not limited to, the spouse or dependent of someone who is on active duty or a current participant in an ROTC-type program.

Spanish-Language Versions

The UC Personal Insight Guides are also available in Spanish.

• Tips in Spanish for first-years (PDF)
• Tips in Spanish for transfers (PDF)  
• Writing tips in Spanish (PDF)

First-year requirements

• Subject requirement (A-G)
• GPA requirement
• Admission by exception
• English language proficiency
• UC graduation requirements

Additional information for

• California residents
• Out-of-state students
• Home-schooled students

Transfer requirements

• Understanding UC transfer
• Preparing to transfer
• UC transfer programs
• Transfer planning tools

International applicants

• Applying for admission
• English language proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS)
• Passports & visas
• Living accommodations
• Health care & insurance

AP & Exam credits

Applying as a first year

• Filling out the application
• Dates & deadlines

Personal insight questions

• How applications are reviewed
• After you apply

Applying as a transfer

Types of aid

• Grants & scholarships
• Jobs & work-study
• California DREAM Loan Program
• Middle Class Scholarship Program
• Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan
• Native American Opportunity Plan  
• Who can get financial aid
• How aid works
• Estimate your aid

Apply for financial aid

• Tuition & cost of attendance
• Glossary & resources
• Santa Barbara
• Campus program & support services
• Check majors
• Freshman admit data
• Transfer admit data
• Native American Opportunity Plan
• Apply for aid
• You will have 8 questions to choose from. You must respond to only 4 of the 8 questions.
• Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.
• Which questions you choose to answer is entirely up to you. However, you should select questions that are most relevant to your experience and that best reflect your individual circumstances.

Keep in mind

• All questions are equal. All are given equal consideration in the application review process, which means there is no advantage or disadvantage to choosing certain questions over others.
• There is no right or wrong way to answer these questions. It’s about getting to know your personality, background, interests and achievements in your own unique voice.  
• Use the additional comments field if there are issues you'd like to address that you didn't have the opportunity to discuss elsewhere on the application. This shouldn't be an essay, but rather a place to note unusual circumstances or anything that might be unclear in other parts of the application. 

Questions & guidance

Remember, the personal insight questions are just that—personal. Which means you should use our guidance for each question just as a suggestion in case you need help. The important thing is expressing who you are, what matters to you and what you want to share with UC. 

1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time. Things to consider: A leadership role can mean more than just a title. It can mean being a mentor to others, acting as the person in charge of a specific task, or taking the lead role in organizing an event or project. Think about what you accomplished and what you learned from the experience. What were your responsibilities?

Did you lead a team? How did your experience change your perspective on leading others? Did you help to resolve an important dispute at your school, church, in your community or an organization? And your leadership role doesn't necessarily have to be limited to school activities. For example, do you help out or take care of your family? 2. 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. Things to consider: What does creativity mean to you? Do you have a creative skill that is important to you? What have you been able to do with that skill? If you used creativity to solve a problem, what was your solution? What are the steps you took to solve the problem?

How does your creativity influence your decisions inside or outside the classroom? Does your creativity relate to your major or a future career? 3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? Things to consider: If there is a talent or skill that you're proud of, this is the time to share it.You don't necessarily have to be recognized or have received awards for your talent (although if you did and you want to talk about it, feel free to do so). Why is this talent or skill meaningful to you?

Does the talent come naturally or have you worked hard to develop this skill or talent? Does your talent or skill allow you opportunities in or outside the classroom? If so, what are they and how do they fit into your schedule? 4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced. Things to consider: An educational opportunity can be anything that has added value to your educational experience and better prepared you for college. For example, participation in an honors or academic enrichment program, or enrollment in an academy that's geared toward an occupation or a major, or taking advanced courses that interest you; just to name a few.

If you choose to write about educational barriers you've faced, how did you overcome or strive to overcome them? What personal characteristics or skills did you call on to overcome this challenge? How did overcoming this barrier help shape who you are today? 5. 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? Things to consider: A challenge could be personal, or something you have faced in your community or school. Why was the challenge significant to you? This is a good opportunity to talk about any obstacles you've faced and what you've learned from the experience. Did you have support from someone else or did you handle it alone?

If you're currently working your way through a challenge, what are you doing now, and does that affect different aspects of your life? For example, ask yourself, How has my life changed at home, at my school, with my friends or with my family? 6. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom. Things to consider:  Many students have a passion for one specific academic subject area, something that they just can't get enough of. If that applies to you, what have you done to further that interest? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had inside and outside the classroom such as volunteer work, internships, employment, summer programs, participation in student organizations and/or clubs and what you have gained from your involvement.

Has your interest in the subject influenced you in choosing a major and/or future career? Have you been able to pursue coursework at a higher level in this subject (honors, AP, IB, college or university work)? Are you inspired to pursue this subject further at UC, and how might you do that?

7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place? Things to consider: Think of community as a term that can encompass a group, team or a place like your high school, hometown or home. You can define community as you see fit, just make sure you talk about your role in that community. Was there a problem that you wanted to fix in your community?

Why were you inspired to act? What did you learn from your effort? How did your actions benefit others, the wider community or both? Did you work alone or with others to initiate change in your community? 8. Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California? Things to consider:  If there's anything you want us to know about you but didn't find a question or place in the application to tell us, now's your chance. What have you not shared with us that will highlight a skill, talent, challenge or opportunity that you think will help us know you better?

From your point of view, what do you feel makes you an excellent choice for UC? Don't be afraid to brag a little.

Writing tips

Start early..

Give yourself plenty of time for preparation, careful composition and revisions.

Write persuasively.

Making a list of accomplishments, activities, awards or work will lessen the impact of your words. Expand on a topic by using specific, concrete examples to support the points you want to make.

Use “I” statements.

Talk about yourself so that we can get to know your personality, talents, accomplishments and potential for success on a UC campus. Use “I” and “my” statements in your responses.

Proofread and edit.

Although you will not be evaluated on grammar, spelling or sentence structure, you should proofread your work and make sure your writing is clear. Grammatical and spelling errors can be distracting to the reader and get in the way of what you’re trying to communicate.

Solicit feedback.

Your answers should reflect your own ideas and be written by you alone, but others — family, teachers and friends can offer valuable suggestions. Ask advice of whomever you like, but do not plagiarize from sources in print or online and do not use anyone's words, published or unpublished, but your own.

Copy and paste.

Once you are satisfied with your answers, save them in plain text (ASCII) and paste them into the space provided in the application. Proofread once more to make sure no odd characters or line breaks have appeared.

This is one of many pieces of information we consider in reviewing your application. Your responses can only add value to the application. An admission decision will not be based on this section alone.

Need more help?

Download our worksheets:

• English [PDF]
• Spanish [PDF]

You are using an outdated browser. Please upgrade your browser or activate Google Chrome Frame to improve your experience.

UCLA Requirements for Admission

What are UCLA's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

• GPA requirements
• Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
• Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into UCLA and build a strong application.

School location: Los Angeles, CA

This school is also known as: UCLA, UC Los Angeles, University of California, Los Angeles

Admissions Rate: 8.7%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at UCLA is 8.7% . For every 100 applicants, only 9 are admitted.

This means the school is extremely selective . Meeting their GPA requirements and SAT/ACT requirements is very important to getting past their first round of filters and proving your academic preparation. If you don't meet their expectations, your chance of getting in is nearly zero.

After crossing this hurdle, you'll need to impress UCLA application readers through their other application requirements, including extracurriculars, essays, and letters of recommendation. We'll cover more below.

We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies . We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools , from state colleges to the Ivy League.

We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

UCLA GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 3.93

The average GPA at UCLA is 3.93 .

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 3.93, UCLA requires you to be at the top of your class . You'll need nearly straight A's in all your classes to compete with other applicants. Furthermore, you should be taking hard classes - AP or IB courses - to show that college-level academics is a breeze.

If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.93, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate . This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

UCLA hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Otherwise, don't."

Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to UCLA will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. We therefore recommend that you consider taking the SAT or ACT, and doing well.

UCLA SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1405

The average SAT score composite at UCLA is a 1405 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes UCLA Strongly Competitive for SAT test scores.

UCLA SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1290, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1510. In other words, a 1290 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1510 will move you up to above average .

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

UCLA has the Score Choice policy of "All Scores."

This means that UCLA requires you to send all SAT scores you've ever taken to their office.

This sounds daunting, but most schools don't actually consider all your scores equally. For example, if you scored an 1300 on one test and a 1500 on another, they won't actually average the two tests.

More commonly, the school will take your highest score on a single test date. Even better, some schools form a Superscore - that is, they take your highest section score across all your test dates and combine them.

Some students are still worried about submitting too many test scores. They're afraid that UCLA will look down on too many attempts to raise your score. But how many is too many?

From our research and talking to admissions officers, we've learned that 4-6 tests is a safe number to submit . The college understands that you want to have the best chance of admission, and retaking the test is a good way to do this. Within a reasonable number of tests, they honestly don't care how many times you've taken it. They'll just focus on your score.

If you take it more than 6 times, colleges start wondering why you're not improving with each test. They'll question your study skills and ability to improve.

But below 6 tests, we strongly encourage retaking the test to maximize your chances. If your SAT score is currently below a 1510, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it . You don't have much to lose, and you can potentially raise your score and significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

UCLA ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, UCLA likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 31

The average ACT score at UCLA is 31. This score makes UCLA Strongly Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 27, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 34.

Even though UCLA likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 27 or below, 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 27 will look academically weak.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 34 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to UCLA, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 34.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

UCLA considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require or recommend it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is extremely selective, getting a high SAT/ACT score and GPA is vital to having a chance at getting in . If you don't pass their SAT/ACT and GPA requirements, they'll likely reject you without much consideration.

To have the best shot of getting in, you should aim for the 75th percentile, with a 1510 SAT or a 34 ACT . You should also have a 3.93 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score.

For a school as selective as UCLA, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application. We'll cover those details next.

But if you apply with a score below a 1510 SAT or a 34 ACT, you unfortunately start out with the odds against you and have a tiny chance of getting in. There are just too many students with high SAT/ACT scores and strong applications, and you need to compete against them.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

• 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
• 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
• 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
• 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
• 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

At PrepScholar, we've created the leading online SAT/ACT prep program . We guarantee an improvement of 160 SAT points or 4 ACT points on your score, or your money back.

Here's a summary of why we're so much more effective than other prep programs:

• PrepScholar customizes your prep to your strengths and weaknesses . You don't waste time working on areas you already know, so you get more results in less time.
• We guide you through your program step-by-step so that you're never confused about what you should be studying. Focus all your time learning, not worrying about what to learn.
• Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts . PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers . You'll be studying using the strategies that actually worked for them.
• We've gotten tremendous results with thousands of students across the country. Read about our score results and reviews from our happy customers .

There's a lot more to PrepScholar that makes it the best SAT/ACT prep program. Click to learn more about our program , or sign up for our 5-day free trial to check out PrepScholar for yourself:

Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of UCLA here.

Application Requirements Overview

• Common Application Not accepted
• Electronic Application Available
• Essay or Personal Statement Required for all freshmen
• Letters of Recommendation
• Interview Not required
• Application Fee $70
• Fee Waiver Available? Available
• Other Notes

Testing Requirements

• SAT or ACT Not used if submitted
• Scores Due in Office January 15

Coursework Requirements

• Subject Required Years
• Foreign Language 2
• Social Studies
• Electives 1

Deadlines and Early Admissions

• Offered? Deadline Notification
• Yes November 30 March 31

Admissions Office Information

• Address: 405 Los Angeles, CA 90095
• Phone: (310) 825 4321

Our Expert's Notes

We did more detailed research into this school's admissions process and found the following information:

You must meet University of California admission requirements, as listed on UCLA's website. You won't submit letters of recommendation or transcripts, just the UC application and your official test scores. The application opens in August but can only be submitted during the month of November.

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in UCLA, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to UCLA.

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than UCLA. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for UCLA, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for UCLA, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If UCLA is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2024 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

1920 SAT Score Standings

Here's how you compare to other students and how many colleges you are competitive for:

Out of the 1.67 million test-takers, 181974 scored the same or higher than you.

You can apply to 1213 colleges and have a good shot at getting admitted.

If you apply to these schools, with this score, you have a very low chance of getting in.

Top Choice Colleges Chances

We've collected data from millions of students and thousands of colleges to figure out your chances at getting admitted with a 1920 SAT score. You'll also see how your chances improve with a higher SAT score.

To add a school to your list, type in part of the school name, choose from the dropdown, and click the button.

• be competitive for 67 more schools in the country
• raise your chances of getting into target schools from 64.15% to 67.69%

Check Out a Different Score

Curious about what your profile is with a different score? Choose any score from the entire SAT score range to see what you'd be able to do!

If You Liked Our Advice...

Our experts have written hundreds of useful articles on improving your SAT score and getting into college. You'll definitely find something useful here.

Subscribe to our newsletter to get FREE strategies and guides sent to your email. Learn how to ace the SAT with exclusive tips and insights that we share with our private newsletter subscribers.

You should definitely follow us on social media . You'll get updates on our latest articles right on your feed. Follow us on all of our social networks:

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

How to Get Into UCLA: Admissions Stats + Tips

Do you know how to improve your profile for college applications.

See how your profile ranks among thousands of other students using CollegeVine. Calculate your chances at your dream schools and learn what areas you need to improve right now — it only takes 3 minutes and it's 100% free.

Show me what areas I need to improve

What’s Covered:

How hard is it to get into ucla, average academic profile of accepted ucla students, what is ucla looking for, how to improve your chances of getting into ucla .

The crown jewel of the UC System , UCLA is one of the most well-regarded public universities in the country and counts itself among CollegeVine’s top 15 public universities in the U.S. In addition to excellent academics, UCLA is home to a historic athletic program and provides students with a rich and exciting campus life in Los Angeles—at the base of the Santa Monica Mountains and just five miles from the Pacific Ocean. It’s no wonder UCLA receives more applications than any other U.S. college .  

A whopping 108,877 students applied to UCLA’s class of 2025 and just 15,602 were accepted for a 14.3% acceptance rate . UCLA doesn’t offer early action or early decision to applicants. 

UCLA’s acceptance rate is incredibly low, but your personal chances of acceptance are possibly higher or lower, depending on your profile strength. CollegeVine’s free admissions calculator can help you to better understand your chances at UCLA—it uses factors like your grades, test scores, and extracurriculars to estimate your odds of acceptance and give you tips to improve your profile!

The average high school GPA of UCLA’s class of 2025 is 3.9 — 47.3% had a 4.0 and 42.2% had a GPA between 3.75 and 3.99. 

The middle 50% SAT and ACT scores for UCLA’s class of 2025 are 1290-1510 and 29-34 .

UCLA doesn’t publish the high school class rank of students admitted to its class of 2025, but know you’ll need great grades for consideration. An overwhelming number of the class of 2025 had a high school GPA better than 3.75—47.3% had a 4.0 and 42.2% had a GPA between 3.75 and 3.99.

UCLA, and the UC System as a whole, have a specific set of academic requirements an applicant must meet for consideration as a candidate. In general, students attending public school will satisfy these requirements, but students from private schools or who are homeschooled should pay particular attention to them to ensure they’re fulfilled. 

For admission to the UC System, an applicant is required to complete a collection of 15 courses known as the “A to G subject requirements.” Students cannot earn a grade lower than a C in their A to G subject requirements. The A to G courses are:

UCLA applicants are also required to meet a UC System-specific GPA requirement for admission—in-state students must earn a minimum 3.0 GPA, while out-of-state students are required to earn a 3.4 GPA or higher. 

UCLA places a great deal of weight on essays in the admissions process. Competitive candidates will need four distinct stories that convey their intellectual curiosity and interest in personal development, as well as show how they will contribute to the intellectual vitality, cultural life, and diversity of UCLA.

UCLA also highly values STEM skills and STEM students with research on their resumes will have an advantage in the admissions process.  

How UCLA Evaluates Applications

According to their 2020-2021 Common Data Set, UCLA considers the following factors “very important” :

• Course rigor
• Test Scores

These factors are “important” :

• Extracurricular activities 
• Talent/ability 
• Character/personal qualities 
• Volunteer work 
• Work experience 

These are “considered” :

• First generation
• Geographic residence 
• State residency 

And these are “not considered” :

• Recommendations 
• Religious affiliation/commitment 
• Racial/ethnic status 
• Applicant interest 

Discover your chances at hundreds of schools

Our free chancing engine takes into account your history, background, test scores, and extracurricular activities to show you your real chances of admission—and how to improve them.

1. Achieve at least a 3.9 GPA while taking the most challenging classes available.

The average high school GPA of UCLA’s class of 2025 was 3.9 and 47.3% had a 4.0. Simply put, good grades are a necessity to gain admission to UCLA—the university considers them “very important” when making admissions decisions. Furthermore, you’ll need good grades to both satisfy the school’s academic prerequisites and meet its Academic Index threshold. 

Academic Index is a tool used by extremely selective schools that receive large numbers of applicants. Academic Index consolidates an applicant’s entire academic record into a single number, which makes it easy for admissions officials to screen out applicants who don’t meet a college’s academic qualifications. 

Good grades alone are often not enough on their own to impress a top school like UCLA; you’ll also need to have earned them in the most challenging coursework available. Competitive applicants at top ten schools like UCLA will often have completed upward of 12 AP classes . 

2. Write engaging essays

Once you clear UCLA’s academic thresholds, essays are the best way for you to set yourself apart from other applicants. UCLA considers essays “very important” to the admissions process and places a great deal of weight on them. 

Applicants at UCLA are presented with eight questions and are required to answer four of them. The eight essay prompts are:  

1.. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.

2. 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.

3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?

4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

5. 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?

6. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.

7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?

8. 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?

UCLA considers character/personal qualities “important” when making admissions decisions and essays are a perfect place to spotlight them. Remember to write in an authentic voice and to highlight why you’re a great fit at UCLA. Check out our article, “ How to Write the University of California Essays 2021-2022 ,” for specific advice on how to ace UCLA’s essays. 

3. Cultivate one or two Tier 1-2 extracurriculars (find your “spike”)

UCLA views extracurricular activities as an “important” factor in admissions decisions and they present an excellent opportunity for candidates to stand out. Many college-bound students hold the belief that schools are looking for well-rounded applicants, but the best colleges are really looking for students with one or two well-developed interests and demonstrated achievement or leadership in them. A highly-developed interest, known as a “ spike ,” is another great way to grab the attention of admissions officials. 

While top schools like UCLA are looking for candidates with one or two well-developed interests, all extracurricular activities are not equal. The “ four tiers of extracurriculars ” is an easy way to understand how a college values a particular activity:

• Tier 1 contains the most influential activities—these are rare and demonstrate excellence, achievement, and leadership. Tier 1 activities include winning a national award or participation in a prestigious merit-based summer program.
• Tier 2 activities demonstrate excellence, achievement, and leadership but are more common and less impactful than those of Tier 1—these include state-level recognition in athletics or music, serving as student body president, or winning a regional award. 
• Tier 3 extracurriculars are commonly seen on applications and lack the distinction of activities found in the higher tiers. Tier 3 activities include holding a leadership position in a well-known club or serving as captain of a varsity sport. 
• Tier 4 activities hold the least weight and are the most commonly seen by admissions officials. Tier 4 activities encompass everything from participation in a sport or club to general volunteer work. 

Keep in mind that along with extracurricular activities, UCLA also considers talent/ability an “important” part of the admissions process. From leading a team to a state championship to winning a prestigious award like the Regeneron Science Talent Search , extracurricular activities are an excellent avenue to demonstrate your strengths and how they separate you from other applicants.

4. Aim for a 1510 SAT and 34 ACT 

The middle 50% SAT at UCLA for the class of 2025 was 1290-1510 and the middle 50% composite ACT score was 29-34 . In general, any score in the middle 50% is good, but the closer you score to the higher end of the range, the better your odds of admission become. 

Although UCLA lists standardized tests as “very important” on the Common Data Set, they (and all of the UC System) will use a test-blind approach through fall 2024. UCLA will accept standardized test scores as part of an application and use them to determine eligibility for the California statewide admissions guarantee, as an alternative method of fulfilling minimum requirements for eligibility, or for course placement after you enroll. UCLA will not use standardized test scores to make admissions decisions.  

The value of standardized test scores is minimal at UCLA, but they play a substantial role at other schools. To improve your SAT/ACT score, check out these free CollegeVine resources:

• How to Get a Perfect 1600 Score on the SAT
• How to Get a Perfect 36 Score on the ACT
• More SAT Info and Tips
• More ACT Info and Tips

How to Apply to UCLA 

The deadline to submit your UC application is November 30 and decision notifications are sent March 31. 

Application Requirements

UCLA, like the other colleges in the UC System, only accepts the UC application which includes the four personal insight questions. The UC application doesn’t require a transcript; rather, transcripts are only needed once you’re admitted to UCLA, after which you must submit your final transcripts to the campus admissions office. Sending standardized test scores is also optional and they’re not used in admissions decisions.  

Learn more about UCLA 

Interested in learning more about UCLA? Check out these other informative articles: 

• What is UCLA Known For?
• How I Got Into UCLA
• What is UCLA Student Life Like?
• USC vs. UCLA: Which College is Right for You?
• UCLA vs. UC Berkeley: Which College is Right for You?
• The Ultimate Guide to UCLA

Want to know your chances at UCLA? Calculate your chances for free right now .

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Choose Your Test

• Search Blogs By Category

College Admissions

• AP and IB Exams
• GPA and Coursework

How to Get Into UCLA: 4 Key Tips

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.

How Hard Is It to Get Into UCLA?

It's very competitive to get into UCLA. Each year, UCLA accepts around 9% of its applicants. Put another way, that means that UCLA accepts 9 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.

Can You Apply to UCLA Early?

UCLA doesn't offer early action or early decision deadlines for its applicants.

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 required either SAT or ACT scores, however, in May 2020, the University of California Board of Regents voted unanimously to stop requiring the ACT and SAT as part of admissions applications. For at least through 2025, all University of California schools will be test blind. This means that, even if you submit SAT or ACT scores, they won't be considered as part of your application.

In terms of classes, 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 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 straight As in all your classes to compete with other applicants since the average unweighted GPA of students admitted into UCLA is a 4.0.

You'll also probably need to take AP or IB classes to show that you can do well at advanced coursework., especially if your GPA is below the average.

What Test Scores Do I Need to Get Into UCLA?

As mentioned above, UCLA (along with the rest of University of California schools) is test blind through at least 2025. So, even if you submit SAT or ACT scores, they won't be reviewed. We still recommend submitting AP or IB scores if you've taken any of those tests as they're a great way to show off your academic skills to UCLA. For AP tests, aim for at least a 3, and ideally a 4 or 5. For IB tests, aim for at least a 4, and ideally a 5, 6, or 7.

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 how to answer each UC prompt for more advice.

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: 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.

#3: 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.

#4: 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.

In Conclusion

It's difficult to get into UCLA—and getting more difficult every year! In order to be accepted to UCLA, you'll need to have an application with high test scores, great grades, and standout essays.

What's Next?

Looking for tips on how to create a great UC application? Our in-depth guide will tell you exactly how .

Want to learn more about the University of California schools?   We have an in-depth guide to the UC schools  to make it easy for you to compare the schools and see which is best for you.

Want to know how to make your extracurriculars stand out even more?  Check out this  guide to four amazing extracurricular activities  and learn why they're so impressive to colleges.

Trending Now

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

ACT vs. SAT: Which Test Should You Take?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Get Your Free

Find Your Target SAT Score

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

How to Get a Perfect SAT Score, by an Expert Full Scorer

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading and Writing

How to Improve Your Low SAT Score

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading and Writing

Find Your Target ACT Score

Complete Official Free ACT Practice Tests

How to Get a Perfect ACT Score, by a 36 Full Scorer

Get a 36 on ACT English

Get a 36 on ACT Math

Get a 36 on ACT Reading

Get a 36 on ACT Science

How to Improve Your Low ACT Score

Get a 24 on ACT English

Get a 24 on ACT Math

Get a 24 on ACT Reading

Get a 24 on ACT Science

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Hayley Milliman is a former teacher turned writer who blogs about education, history, and technology. When she was a teacher, Hayley's students regularly scored in the 99th percentile thanks to her passion for making topics digestible and accessible. In addition to her work for PrepScholar, Hayley is the author of Museum Hack's Guide to History's Fiercest Females.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

• UCLA’s Informed Placement Process (IPP)

The ability to read carefully, analyze what you’ve read, and write effective essays is an essential part of thriving at UC. All students entering UCLA as freshmen must fulfill the Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR), either by demonstrating proficiency through qualifying test scores, UC-transferable college English composition courses, or by completing UCLA’s Informed Placement Process (IPP, formerly AWPE). To learn more about ELWR, please click here .

UCLA’s Informed Placement Process (IPP, formerly AWPE) is conducted online and students are allowed up to 3 hours to complete it. Students will read a prose passage of approximately 1000 words that is of the level of difficulty encountered in beginning university courses; it may be drawn from any of a number of disciplines. After reading the passage, students write a thesis-driven essay in which they are typically asked to explain a central aspect of the passage and respond in a way that supports, challenges, or modifies the author’s argument. 

Students will then respond to a survey about their experiences with academic writing, read about and watch a short video about UCLA’s first-year writing courses, and then indicate their preference of which course they’d like to begin with to meet their writing requirement(s). This preference is taken into consideration in the placement process, but the ultimate decision of which course a student will start with is made by UCLA Writing Programs faculty.

Who needs to complete UCLA’s Informed Placement Process (IPP)?

You need to complete the IPP (formerly AWPE) if you entered UCLA as a First-Year student  (no matter where you come from) and you haven’t satisfied the Entry-Level Writing Requirement in one of the following ways:

• Score 680 or higher on the Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing section of the SAT (The digital SAT Reading and Writing section score has not been approved to satisfy ELWR.)
• Achieve a score of 30 or better on the ACT, English Language Arts or 63 or better on the ACT, English Plus Reading. The English Language Arts score represents your overall performance on the English, Reading, and Writing sections of the exam.
• Score 3 or better on the AP English Language or Literature Examination or the AP Seminar examination or the AP Research examination
• The IB Exam must be a Language A or A1 (native) exam in English to satisfy the ELWR. Language A2/B (2nd native/non-native) exams do not satisfy the ELWR. Click here to learn more.
• Complete a UC transferable college course in English composition with a grade of C or better before enrolling at UCLA . Once you have enrolled at UCLA, you must complete your ELWR writing requirement by taking UCLA composition courses only .

Continuing students who have not yet done the IPP, have not already satisfied the ELWR, and have not been placed into a writing class must also complete the IPP.

Questions? Contact the Writing Programs Office .

What is the IPP like?

The IPP (formerly AWPE) is conducted online and students are allowed up to 3 hours to complete it. Students will read a prose passage of approximately 1000 words that is of the level of difficulty encountered in beginning university courses; it may be drawn from any of a number of disciplines. After reading the passage, students write a thesis-driven essay in which they are typically asked to explain a central aspect of the passage and respond in a way that supports, challenges, or modifies the author’s argument. Students will then respond to a survey about their experiences with academic writing, read about and watch a short video about our first-year writing courses, and then indicate their preference of which course they’d like to begin with for meeting their writing requirement. This preference is taken into consideration in the placement process, but the ultimate decision of which course students will start with is made by UCLA Writing Programs faculty.

To see a sample essay prompt from several years ago, click here .

How is the IPP evaluated?

Each IPP essay response is evaluated by at least one faculty reader who measures it against a rubric to determine a recommended first-year writing course for the student writer. If the faculty reader’s placement matches the student’s course preference, then that student is placed in their preferred course. If the faculty reader determines a different placement is appropriate from what the student preferred, then a second faculty reader will read the student’s IPP essay response and determine which first-year writing course best suits the student’s abilities.

When should I complete the IPP?

If you are an incoming freshman and have not met the ELWR requirement in one of the ways listed under “Who needs to complete UCLA’s Informed Placement Process (IPP)?” then you must complete the IPP (formerly AWPE) before attending your New Student Orientation session. Otherwise, you will not be able to enroll in an English Composition course for the fall quarter. Keep in mind that you must complete the required English Composition course or sequence of courses with a grade of C or better as early as possible during your first year in residence. Further, if you are required to take more than one course, you may not take them concurrently—you must pass each course with a C or better before taking the next one. Learn more about UCLA’s undergraduate writing requirements here .

Upcoming IPP Dates and Times

FOR First-Year Students Entering in Fall 2024 & Continuing Students

• NOTE: registration will close Tuesday, October 1st, 2024 at 12pm
• NOTE: registration will close Tuesday, January 7, 2025 at 12pm

Summer 2024

• NOTE: registration will close Thursday, June 13th, 2024 at 5pm
• NOTE: registration will close Monday, July 1st, 2024 at 5pm
• NOTE:  registration will close Tuesday, July 9th, 2024 at 5pm
• NOTE:  registration will close Thursday, July 25th, 2024 at 5pm
• NOTE:  registration will close Friday, August 9th, 2024 at 5pm

How much does the IPP cost?

You will be charged $167 unless your UC application fee has been waived. You will receive the charge on your BruinBill after you complete the IPP. We only charge the fee if you show up to complete the IPP and submit an essay response.

Who can I contact if I have questions?

• If you have questions about registering for or completing the IPP, contact  wpfirstyearplacement@humnet. ucla.edu .
• If you have questions about your placement result, please know that the placement result is final unless you have  met the ELWR in some other way . You must submit your qualifying scores or final college transcript to the UCLA Office of Admissions in order to fulfill the ELWR.  If you continue to feel that you were placed in the wrong course and would like to request a review of your placement, please  complete our appeal questionnaire before October 31, 2024. 

How can I request a testing accommodation?

If you need testing accommodations, there are two ways to request accommodations. 1) You can register with UCLA’s Center for Accessible Education (CAE). Go to this link to learn how to apply for an accommodation. NOTE: CAE takes up to 4 weeks to review requests, so please submit your registration to CAE in a timely manner; 2) If you had an IEP in high school, please email us at [email protected] at least 2 weeks before the date you will complete the IPP. Let us know the accommodations you need and attach a copy of the IEP you had in high school. 

IPP Registration

How do i register for the ipp.

If you intend to complete the IPP (formerly AWPE), register here .

If you need special accommodations because of a documented disability, please see the section titled “How can I request a testing accommodation?”

IPP Results

How and when will i be notified of my results.

Placement results are usually available approximately two to three weeks after the IPP administration date.

You will find out your placement by looking at your DARS screen under the “Entry Level Writing/ESL Requirement.”

What does my writing placement mean?

If you placed into English Composition 1 , click here to learn more about your placement. If you placed into English Composition 2 , click here to learn more about your placement.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Archived Spotlight Posts
• Student Testimonials
• Open Positions
• Program Leadership
• Undergraduate Writing Center
• Undergraduate Writing Requirements
• Professional Writing Minor
• Undergraduate Courses
• Undergraduate Course Learning Objectives
• Undergraduate Writing Awards
• Non-UCLA International Students
• Winter 2025 Cluster Student Enrollment in Eng Comp 2 or Eng Comp 3/3D
• English Language Requirements & Resources for International Graduate Students
• TA Training
• Graduate Certificate in Writing Pedagogy
• Graduate Writing Center
• Academic Year ESL
• Summer ESL Program
• English as a Second Language Placement Exam (ESLPE)
• TOP Exam Schedule & Registration
• Campus Partners
• Community-Engaged Writing Courses
• Writing Summer Institute for High School Students
• Get Involved