The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) was founded in 1919 and is located in the Westwood neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. It is the largest of the California University campuses and the third oldest in the system. Not only does US News and World Report rank the university as 19th in the country, it has been called on of the ‘Public Ivies,’ a term that refers to its academic excellence. UCLA is a public university that includes five undergraduate colleges (College of Letters and Science; Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science (HSSEAS); School of the Arts and Architecture; School of Theater, Film, and Television; and School of Nursing), as well as seven professional schools and four professional health science schools. UCLA prides itself as a research university and is associated with 24 Nobel Laureates, 3 Fields Medalist and 5 Turing Award Winners.
Mission/Vision
The mission of UCLA as a research university “is the creation, dissemination, preservation and application of knowledge for the betterment of our global society.” UCLA abbreviates its mission as: education, research and service. UCLA values ‘principles of community’ which highlight inclusivity and diversity.
Campus Setting
Located in Los Angeles, UCLA is just five miles from the Pacific Ocean. Students are guaranteed housing for three of their four undergraduate years with 97% of freshmen living on campus, however, only 39% of all undergraduate students live on campus. Because the school is located in Los Angeles, students can easily access many different world class arts and cultural centers, as well as restaurants, theaters and stores.
Academics
The University offers more than 125 majors within five divisions: The College of Letters and Science; The School of Art and Architecture; The School of Engineering and Applied Science; The School of Nursing; and The School of Theater, Film and Television. Students may opt for a double major (in all but The School of Theater, Film and Television) and can also take a minor degree in more than 80 subject areas. The Graduate School is equally diverse with over 150 courses of study.
Athletics
UCLA prides itself on its athletics and has won the second most NCAA titles in the country, with 116 team championships, second only to Stanford’s 117. They participate in NCAA Division I-A and they are a member of the Pacific-12 Conference. Their football team plays at the Rose Bowl in Pasadena. They also participate in competitive basketball, volleyball, gymnastics, cross country, soccer, rowing, golf, tennis, water polo and softball. At least one UCLA student has won a gold medal in every Olympics that the United States has participated in since 1932. UCLA also has an aquatic center and hosts not only sailing and rowing, but surfing, windsurfing and kayaking.
Tuition and Financial Aid
In-state tuition for UCLA is affordable, while tuition for out-of-state residents is expensive, though still very reasonable for a world-class research university. Room and board for both in-state and out-of-state students is the same. Slightly more than 56% of UCLA undergraduate students receive need-based financial assistance, while 53% received a need-based scholarship or grant. 45% of undergraduates pay no tuition at all. Please refer to UCLA’s website for the most up-to-date tuition and fees as well as financial aid information.
Accreditation
UCLA is fully accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges. Many of the schools within UCLA are accredited by additional councils and associations.
Admissions
UCLA is considered highly selective, with a reported acceptance rate of 16%. Students who wish to be admitted to the school must have completed at least the following classes: 4 years of English, 3 years of math, 2 years of laboratory science, 2 years of a foreign language, 1 year of visual and performing arts, and 1 year of college preparatory electives. These are minimum standards and a prospective student should review the detailed requirements here.
Students who were admitted to the program had the following range of test scores: ACT Composite (25-31); ACT English (25-32); ACT Math (26-33); SAT Critical Reading (560-690); SAT Math (619-740); SAT Writing (590-710).
The application deadline is in November each year and all test scores are due by mid-January. The application fee is $70. The application for UCLA admission is common to all nine California schools and can be obtained here.
For more information about admissions to University of California, Los Angeles, prospective students can contact the school directly on their web page.
UCLA Undergraduate Admissions
and Relations with Schools (UARS)
1147 Murphy Hall, Box 951436
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1436
General inquiries and advising
(310) 825-3101
Campus Tours
(310) 825-8764
FAX (310) 206-1206
