Is UCLA hard to get into for international students?

The United States of America is a dream destination for students around the globe as it provides quality education and abundant opportunities. It offers a wide range of universities and courses for students to choose from. Also, the USA is home to the most number of international students in the world making it multicultural and rich in diversity. Is UCLA hard to get into for international students? Lets know

Is UCLA hard to get into for international students?

Why UCLA? 

Los Angeles with its entertainment industry, unique Mediterranean climate, and increased ethnic diversity attracts many national and international students. The bustling metropolitan city accommodates and offers something for everyone. 

The University of California, Los Angeles was ranked number one by the US News in Top Public Schools in America. It stands in the 9th position in the global ranking by the Times Higher education, 2020. Apart from the ranking, it succeeded in bagging 15 noble laureates, and 3 Pulitzer Prize winners. The alumni of UCLA include Oscar, Francis Ford Coppola, John Williams, Tony, etc. 

There are currently 46000 students enrolled in UCLA among which, 10% are undergraduates and 22% of graduates are international students. Thus, more than 14000 international students are currently studying at UCLA. They represent 118 countries making UCLA inclusive and diverse. UCLA is one of the major research universities with outstanding academic excellence. 

How to easily get into UCLA for international students?

The process of applying to foreign universities is long and hectic. But UCLA has made it clear-cut easy and short for international students to get through. 

  1. Keep an eye on the dates at UCLA

UCLA takes applicants every year on the 1st of August. November 30 is the deadline for submitting the applications. The admission notifications are released in late March for freshers and in late April for transfer students. Lastly, 1st May is the deadline for submitting the enrolment deposit for freshers and 1st June for transfer students. 

  1. Check for requirements for international students at UCLA

There are two types of requirements you need to fulfill as an international student at UCLA. Firstly, academic requirements or education system requirements, which are different for different systems. 

For the British system, students need to present 5 O-level and 3 A-level examinations with superior grades. Students with the Indian curriculum should have passed X and XII with grades A1 or A2 or a score of 80 and above. International Baccalaureate (IB) students need to pass 5 or greater than 5 IB exams with a score of 38/42. Students enrolled in the French baccalaureate should get a grade higher than 10 or 14 above is even better. For other systems and countries, a detailed list of academic requirements is provided on the website. 

Additionally, UCLA doesn’t give admission in under-graduation to students who already have a bachelor’s degree. But, if you still want to get in, you will have to disregard your bachelor’s degree and apply as a freshman with high school results. 

Secondly, if you have completed your high school with English as the language of instruction then you are exempted from giving the English language proficiency test. Otherwise, you must give one of the three tests and score competitively well in it. To demonstrate your proficiency in the English language you should attempt the Test Of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International Language Testing Service (IELTS), or the Duolingo English Test.

Additionally, if your native language is not English then along with the above tests you must attempt the English as a second language placement examination at UCLA. The score in this test will only reveal how many English classes you need to take along with your coursework. Hence, it is not a determining factor for your admission, unlike the above-mentioned tests. 

  1. Keep your Finances ready for the UCLA

UCLA doesn’t provide financial aid or scholarships to international students hence, you are required to prove that you have sufficient funds to pay for your education and living expenses. The estimated cost per academic year for an international student at UCLA is $67000 to $69000. Thus, at least, you need to carry the amount required for the first year of study at UCLA. 

The good news is that there are plenty of well-paid part-time jobs on campus for international students at UCLA. Working part-time at UCLA makes you eligible for certain discounts also. You can easily earn and fulfill your living expenses. For more details on academic costs, and tuition fees click here. 

  1. Certificates and transcripts for the UCLA

UCLA doesn’t ask for transcripts prior to giving admission. So, only if you are granted admission, then you are supposed to submit the transcripts that include the subjects and their respective grades you have achieved from secondary school. Also, you can submit any national or government awarded certificates. 

Keep the English translations of your documents ready as you need to send the ones in the original language as well as translations. 

Important note: UCLA doesn’t entertain agents or consultants. All the application work submitted online is thought to be done by the students. If done by anyone else, then it is thought of as a violation of the University policy and may lead to serious consequences like the rejection of the application, cancellation of admission, withdrawal from the university, etc. 

Advantages for international students at UCLA

  1. All the work is online. 

The application work is done online and most of the responses are mailed. You can send in your documents via post to UCLA. Everything is easily approachable and quick. Additionally, you don’t need any interference from any consultation firms or agents saving you a lot more time and money. 

  1. No LORs and Interviews at UCLA for international students

One hectic step removed from the process of admission is the interview. UCLA only judges students on their grades and passion for studying at UCLA. In the application, UCLA asks for the subjects you studied in high school and their grades so that students can be assessed in the preliminary round. Also, you don’t need any letter of recommendation from your previous school. 

  1. No need to post your transcripts at the time of application

Only if you are admitted to UCLA, then you are required to send in your transcripts. They will give you detailed instructions on how to send your documents to UCLA. 

  1. Apply before you receive your results 

If the school can provide a predicted exam result, then you can submit the same in the application. This will be considered similar to your final result, and you are expected to perform the same thus, enabling international students to apply to UCLA even before they get their actual results. 

In conclusion, it is easy for international students to slip into UCLA provided that they are competitive, score well in academics, and are determined to study at UCLA. As compared to other universities the application process is simplified for international students at UCLA and doesn’t even ask for LOR or an interview. Thus, make use of the opportunities at UCLA and confirm your seat in your favorite course ASAP! Good Luck.