UCLA Admissions – 6 Important Updates

In the intricate realm of college admissions, it is vital to stay up-to-date. At a recent meeting of the Bay Area Regional Group of the Independent Educational Consultants of America (IECA) featuring UCLA Senior Associate Director of Undergraduate Admission Karyl Brockett, Dr. Morgenstern gained new insight into UCLA admissions practices.

Here are six key takeaways on UCLA admission practices:

1. Application Review Process: The UCLA admissions team reviewed 145,910 applications in 2022, supported by a team of over 60 staff members and approximately 200 external readers. A comprehensive training and calibration process is in place to ensure every application undergoes a fair and holistic evaluation.
2. High School Profiles: The university leverages the College Board’s landscape data to better understand applicants’ high school contexts. This approach underscores the importance of the additional information section of the UC application, where students are encouraged to provide personal context about their high school experiences.
3. Transfer Admissions: The admit rate for transfer students is notably higher than for incoming freshmen, with a 26% admission rate compared to 9%. While UCLA does not offer a transfer guarantee program, it strongly encourages prospective transfer students to complete major preparation courses to bolster their chances of admission.
4. Additional Information Section: This section of the application is designed for students to provide extra context or share significant aspects of their story not covered in other sections, offering a more nuanced view of their personal journey.
5. Undeclared Majors: At UCLA’s College of Letters and Science, applying as an undeclared major does not negatively affect a student’s admission chances. However, for specialized schools such as Engineering, the major declared can significantly impact the admission decision, and it’s recommended that students select a second major within the same college as a precaution.
6. Leadership Qualities: Leadership is one of many factors considered in UCLA’s holistic review process. The UCLA admissions team values the diversity of experiences and encourages students to highlight their true interests and activities, not just traditional leadership roles.

The UCLA Admissions Process

Navigating the UC application process and gaining admission to prestigious institutions like UCLA can be a complex journey, but you don’t have to undertake it alone.

Our expert counselors have the latest insights and a deep understanding of what schools like UCLA seek in students. In fact, our UCLA Admissions rates are 3x higher!

Whether you’re a first-time applicant, thinking of transferring or aiming for top universities, we provide personalized guidance at every step.

Ready to enhance your application with strategic advice? Connect with us, and together we’ll make your application stand out in the competitive college admissions landscape.

Want even more insights on answering the UC Personal Insights essays? Download our comprehensive guide on all 8 Personal Insight Questions (PIQs), showing you the optimal way to tackle each prompt. Fill out the form below to unlock the proven tips and tricks for guaranteed success!