Douglas Olsen
UCLA, the University of California, Los Angeles, is a highly sought-after location for research and technology. The application process for UCLA is managed solely by the UC Application Portal, and the university does not use the Common App or Coalition Application. UCLA does not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission or scholarship purposes, and applicants are not required to submit letters of recommendation or transcripts at the point of application. However, UCLA does require applicants to respond to several personal statement prompts, or what UC refers to as personal insight questions. These questions are designed to get to know the applicant better and are an important part of the admissions process. International applicants make up a large portion of UCLA's student body, and the university provides specific requirements and considerations for these students, including demonstrating English proficiency if English was not the primary language of instruction in high school.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Application Process | Managed solely by the UC Application Portal |
| Application Requirements | High school academic record, personal experiences, extracurricular activities, college application essays, SAT/ACT scores (optional) |
| Personal Insight Questions | Eight questions to choose from, must respond to any four |
| Topics | Leadership experience, creative side, greatest talent or skill, educational opportunities or barriers faced |
| International Applicants | First-year or transfer students, English proficiency tests may be required, financial requirements |
| Acceptance Rate | 6.09% for international students in 2027 |
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What You'll Learn
UCLA's holistic review process
The review process also examines an applicant's personal insight questions, which provide a deeper understanding of their intellectual curiosity, creativity, and ambition. These questions allow applicants to showcase their unique voices and reflect on their individual experiences. UCLA seeks students who contribute to the intellectual vitality, cultural life, and diversity of the university community.
Additionally, UCLA's holistic review process considers other achievements in fields beyond academics, including intellectual or creative endeavours such as performing arts, athletics, and community service. The School of Arts and Architecture, Herb Alpert School of Music, and the School of Theater, Film, and Television emphasise special talents through portfolio reviews and auditions as significant admission factors.
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English proficiency tests
While I could not find explicit information on whether international students have to write essays as part of their UCLA application, I did find that UCLA has certain English proficiency requirements for international applicants.
International applicants are required to certify their proficiency in English when applying to UCLA. This is done by submitting scores from an English proficiency test. UCLA accepts scores from the Internet-based Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT) and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic exams. The minimum overall score required on the TOEFL iBT is 87.
If you are an admitted applicant whose overall score on the TOEFL iBT is less than 100, or whose overall band score on the IELTS Academic is less than 7.5, you must take the UCLA English as a Second Language Placement Examination (ESLPE) upon arrival at UCLA. These minimum scores are higher than those needed for admission to UCLA.
UCLA also accepts scores from the Duolingo English Test (DET), with a minimum score of 115, and the ACT English Language Arts (ELA), with a minimum score of 24.
Some campuses may request an interview to determine English skills during the application review process. UCLA, along with Davis and Santa Barbara, may strongly recommend or require additional English proficiency testing for admitted applicants.
Alternatively, international applicants can be exempted from submitting English proficiency test scores if they meet certain criteria. If you have a bachelor's degree or higher from an accredited university located in a country where English is the primary language of daily life and instruction, you are not required to submit English proficiency test scores. Examples of such countries include Australia, Barbados, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.
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Country-specific requirements
UCLA receives applications from students from thousands of secondary schools across the world. The university defines an international student as someone who requires an F-1 visa to study in the United States.
International students applying to UCLA must meet certain country-specific requirements. These requirements include demonstrating English proficiency and fulfilling academic prerequisites.
English Proficiency
If you have completed your high school or secondary school education in a country where English was not the language of instruction, you must provide proof of English proficiency. This is required if you have had less than three years of instruction in English. Accepted English proficiency tests include:
- Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL): A competitive score above 100 (with sub-scores above 22) is considered a good result.
- International English Language Testing Service (IELTS): A score of 7 or above is expected.
- Duolingo English Test (DET): A score of 130 or higher is required.
Academic Requirements
UCLA has a holistic review process for applications and does not expect a single academic path from all students. The university encourages applicants to take advantage of the academic opportunities available to them and excel in the most rigorous curriculum offered by their respective educational institutions.
UCLA requires students to complete 15 A-G courses, with at least 11 courses completed before the beginning of their last year of high school. The university gives extra weight to grades received in UC-certified honours, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and transferable college courses.
Additionally, UCLA accepts full IGETC certification from first-year students if the requirements were completed before entering UC. However, partial IGETC certification is not accepted from entering first-years at any UC campus, and IGETC is not recommended for applicants to the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences.
Other Requirements
All students, including international students, must be covered by health insurance. Additionally, international students must obtain and maintain their F-1 visa status throughout their attendance at UCLA. The UCLA Dashew Center provides support and resources for international students, helping them obtain and maintain their visas.
Application Process
The application process for UCLA is managed through the UC Application Portal. Applicants are required to answer four out of eight personal insight questions, with each response being 350 words. These questions aim to understand the applicant's leadership experiences, creative expression, talents or skills, educational opportunities or barriers, and other intellectual or creative endeavours.
While UCLA does not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission or scholarship purposes, applicants can choose to submit these test scores. If admitted, students must submit official transcripts from all previously attended educational institutions.
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Personal insight questions
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is a highly sought-after university, and its admissions process is extremely competitive. While SAT and ACT scores are no longer considered for admissions or scholarships, applicants are expected to have high academic achievements, impressive extracurricular activities, and strong college application essays.
All applicants to UCLA must complete the UC Application Portal, where they will be required to answer four out of eight personal insight questions. These questions are an opportunity for the admissions team to get to know the applicant better and assess their intellectual curiosity and interest in personal development. Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.
- Be open, reflective, and expressive: Use these questions to showcase your individual voice, personality, background, interests, and achievements. Be clear, focused, and organized in your responses, and provide specific examples to illustrate your ideas.
- Connect your experiences to the 13 points of comprehensive review: Consider how your responses demonstrate your alignment with the review criteria. Highlight your skills, talents, challenges, and opportunities that make you a strong candidate for UCLA.
- Write concisely and directly: Keep in mind that the admissions team spends about six to eight minutes reviewing your entire application, so get straight to the point. Ensure your responses are easy for the reader to skim while still conveying your main points.
- Seek input from others: Share your responses with trusted individuals, such as teachers, friends, or relatives, to gain perspective on how your answers may affect those reading them.
- Avoid clichés and manufactured hardship: Refrain from relying on clichés or creating a false sense of hardship in your responses. Instead, focus on recent events or experiences that showcase who you are in the present and how you have grown from your opportunities and challenges.
While the specific personal insight questions for UCLA are not readily available, here are some examples of potential prompts based on UC essay examples:
- Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.
- 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 a strong candidate for admissions to UCLA?
Remember, these questions are your opportunity to showcase your unique qualifications and how you can contribute to the intellectual vitality, cultural life, and diversity of UCLA.
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UCLA's writing score policy
UCLA's admissions process is highly competitive, with successful applicants typically demonstrating academic excellence and valuable personal experiences. The university encourages applicants to take advantage of advanced courses, such as UC-certified honours, AP, IB, and transferable college courses, which are given extra weight in the admissions process. UCLA also considers intellectual curiosity, interest in personal development, and contributions to the university's intellectual vitality, cultural life, and diversity.
All applicants must complete 15 A-G courses, with at least 11 courses completed before the beginning of their last year of high school. Additionally, they must answer four out of eight UC personal insight questions, each with a word limit of 350. These questions cover topics such as leadership experience, creative expression, talents or skills, and educational opportunities or barriers. UCLA also offers a creative portfolio option for applicants to upload recorded examples of their work and provide a written response describing their specific role in the creative process.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, all students, including international students, are required to respond to UCLA's personal statement prompts, or what the University of California (UC) refers to as personal insight questions.
UCLA's personal insight questions are prompts that allow the admissions committee to get to know you better. The questions are about your intellectual curiosity, interest in personal development, and personal experiences.
Here are some examples of UCLA's 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.
- 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?.
UCLA is looking for responses that are authentic and demonstrate your personality. They want to see who you are beyond your academic performance.
Yes, international students whose native language is not English may be required to take UCLA's English-as-a-Second-Language Placement Examination (ESLPE) to demonstrate English proficiency. Additionally, international students must prove that they have sufficient funds to cover their educational and living expenses during their time at UCLA.
