No university in Southern California is more identified with the beachy, easygoing SoCal lifestyle than the University of California, Los Angeles. But don’t underestimate this R1 research university—it is also one of the most prestigious public universities in the United States. Located in the gorgeous Westwood neighborhood of the nation’s second largest metropolitan region, UCLA has garnered an impeccable reputation as a leading institution for the study of all major fields, especially within the fine arts, psychology, humanities, and medicine departments, which are all nationally ranked.

Twelve UCLA Faculty members, including philosopher Bertrand Russell and former U.S. Vice President Al Gore, have been honored with Nobel Prizes, while Grammy Award winner Sara Bereilles, U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, actor James Franco, and, as fans of the movie-turned-musical will be able to tell you, fictitious lawyer Elle Woods are all alumni Bruins. 

Undergraduates enroll at eight schools at the university: the College of Letters and Science, the School of the Arts and Architecture, the School of Education & Information Studies, the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, the Herb Alpert School of Music, the School of Theater, Film and Television, the School of Nursing, and the Luskin School of Public Affairs. The general education requirements that prevail across all schools call for coursework in “Literary and Cultural Analysis,” “Philosophical and Linguistic Analysis,” “Visual and Performance Arts Analysis and Practice,” “Historical Analysis,” “Social Analysis,” “Life Sciences,” and “Physical Sciences.”

UCLA was originally founded in 1881 as the southern branch of the California State Normal School (now San José State University). In 1919, the school transformed into the Southern Branch of the University of California after overcoming pushback from snobbish UC Berkeley affiliates who wanted to maintain their status as the only UC campus. By the 1950s, UCLA had blossomed into a fully-fledged university with a reputation for student activism (even drawing the scrutiny of anti-communist McCarthyists!). At the same time, the athletics program grew in prestige, securing national championships in football, track, tennis, and volleyball. As the 20th century progressed, UCLA expanded its research apparatus and made significant advances in the fields of medicine, chemistry, and internet software. 

With $1.32 billion in annual research funding and world-renowned academic rigor, the UCLA of today is a far cry from the small infant school of just one century ago. 33,000 undergraduates and 13,700 postgraduates walk its Romanesque Revival-style campus, and film crews are constantly capitalizing on the campus’ beauty due to its proximity to the heart of Hollywood. 

When they’re not hard at work, UCLA students are volunteering their time in one of the extensive community service programs, attending meetings for any number of performance, media, pre-professional, or affinity groups, or simply exploring all of the hustle and bustle that the City of Angels has to offer. With a healthy 13% of students participating in Greek life, and a bevy of student traditions including musical festivals, an annual “hack”-athon, a fundraising dance marathon, and a spirited rivalry with USC that fuels competition and camaraderie, undergraduates at UCLA are never at a loss for activity.

It’s not a shocker that UCLA has recently accumulated the highest application pool of any American university, with 146,250 applicants to the Class of 2028. 13,102 students were admitted, producing an 8.96% acceptance rate that mimics that of an Ivy League school. You might be daunted in the face of this gargantuan admissions process. Fortunately, the Undergraduate Admission office at UCLA lists several important factors they find in a competitive candidate: “strong academic performance in a rigorous high school program,” “special talents, awards or accomplishments,” and “meaningful insights about yourself when answering the personal insight questions” (supplemental essay questions). With the help of New Ivies, demonstrating your accordance with these criteria will give you the best shot of becoming a Bruin!

What are University of California, Los Angeles looking for?

We value applicants who challenge themselves with a rigorous curriculum in high school or secondary school and whose personal stories, rich experiences and leadership skills enhance their perspective and potential contributions to our campus community.

Admissions Statistics

ADMISSION INFORMATION

APPLICATION DATES & DEADLINES

Additional essay questions 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.