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Prospective Transfer Student

Ucla transfer admission guide.

The UCLA Transfer Admissions Guide and Transfer Requirements page provides admission selection information, coursework information, and transfer requirements for junior-level transfer applicants. Refer to Applying for Admission for information about how to obtain an application and application filing deadlines. For key points regarding any application changes and the personal statement section of the UC applications, please visit their How To Apply page.

Although UCLA is one of the most transfer-friendly campuses in the UC system, competition for transfer openings has increased in recent years. Strong academic preparation and performance are primary elements in our admission decisions. The median GPA of transfer applicants who are admitted to UCLA is a 3.9 (GPAs do vary by program ), and most students who are admitted have completed most or all of the preparatory coursework for their majors. UCLA gives highest priority to students who are transferring from California community colleges or other University of California campuses. All UCLA schools admit for the fall quarter only.

ASSIST.ORG (Course Articulation Website)

ASSIST is an online student-transfer information system that shows how course credits earned at one public California college or university can be applied when transferred to another. ASSIST is the official repository of articulation for California’s public colleges and universities, and provides the most accurate and up-to-date information about student transfer in California.

Programs to Help You Transfer

Center for community college partnerships (cccp).

CCCP works to increase transfer rates and success of underserved community college populations by developing and strengthening partnerships between UCLA and California community colleges. CCCP provides outreach, advocacy, peer mentor opportunities, and strong academic support programs for prospective and new transfers.

Community College Transfer Recruitment (CCTR)

The Community College Transfer Recruitment (CCTR) program provides assistance to prospective community college transfer students, with particular emphasis on underrepresented students. The program is staffed by UCLA Undergraduate Admission personnel who visit participating community colleges several times during the academic year to provide admission advising, workshops on a variety of topics such as choosing a major, completing the undergraduate application, financial aid, and EOP/AAP. Other support services are also available throughout the academic year.

Student Transfer Outreach Mentorship Program (STOMP)

The UCLA Student Transfer Opportunity and Mentor Program (STOMP) is a volunteer based campus organization established by UCLA transfer students to provide educational partnership to students at community colleges. They also host the annual STOMP Conference which includes a holistic set of workshops addressing UC admission and financial aid resources, campus and community support programs, as well as cultural and identity-based resources.

Transfer Alliance Program (TAP)

The UCLA Transfer Alliance Program (TAP) gives students the opportunity to enhance their ability to transfer to UCLA at the junior level from a California community college. Students are certified after completing the honors/scholars program at their community college and given priority consideration for admission to the UCLA College .

Prospective Veteran Student Resources

UCLA is proud to have made the top 10 veteran-friendly schools according to U.S. News & World Report (2022) .

For students with past military experience interested in applying to UCLA.

For further questions, e-mail: [email protected] .

Prospective Out-of-State Student Resources

UCLA welcomes applicants from all backgrounds and from all walks of life. Every year, UCLA admits hundreds of students from all over the country and across the globe. Although UCLA is a public institution funded by the state, UCLA believes that students from outside California add to the extraordinary diversity of experiences and accomplishments in the campus community.

Find out more about which out-of-state units can transfer .

Prospective International Student Resources

Students come from all over the world to attend UCLA. Indeed, part of what makes UCLA great is the wide variety of experiences and backgrounds the students bring to the campus community. Each year, UCLA admits students to come from nearly 80 countries (and that number increases to over 100 countries if domestic students who were born outside the US were included). UCLA is truly an international institution, located in one of the world's most international cities.

Learn more about the application process for international students .

Other Relevant Information for Prospective UCLA Students

Majors Offered at UCLA

Minors Offered at UCLA

Fees & Tuition Information

Transferring Courses

Transfer Student Admittance Data

UCLA Transfer Student Profile

Ready to Apply? Here’s How.

Discover all the information you need below to get your UCLA application going. Learn more about the qualities and characteristics we’re looking for in our review process. Also, find out about important deadlines you won’t want to miss.

You’ll be graduating from high school or you’ve already graduated but have yet to enroll in any college or university.

You graduated from high school and have completed some college-level coursework beyond the summer following graduation.

International

You’re in your final year of secondary school or you’ve already completed it but are not currently enrolled in any college or university. Your secondary credential will qualify/qualifies you to enter a university in your home country.

Application

The University of California (UC) application opens August 1 and the period of time to submit an application for admission is October 1–November 30 .

Important Dates

UC application opens

UC starts accepting applications

Last day to file UC applications

Decisions for most freshman applicants released

Decisions for most transfer applicants released

What We Look 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.

Student Profiles

When reviewing applications, we consider a wide variety of factors. See how the primary academic factors, which are more easily quantifiable, help shape the profile of our students.

Personal Insight Questions

Additional Information

• First-Generation Students
• Students With Disabilities
• Undocumented Students
• Returning Students
• Transferring Credits
• Reporting Changes to Applications

Are you seeking one-on-one college counseling and/or essay support? Limited spots are now available. Click here to learn more.

UCLA Transfer Acceptance Rate and Requirements — 2024

December 11, 2023

UCLA is a school with a single-digit acceptance rate for freshman applicants. However, unlike at other elite universities like Stanford or Harvard, transferring into UCLA is a proposition with fairly reasonable odds. In fact, UCLA admits 5,000-6,000 applicants every year. In further good news, acceptance rates for transfers at UCLA are actually higher than for first-years. The following blog will reveal the UCLA transfer acceptance rates as well as other crucial items like the UCLA transfer deadline, the UCLA transfer requirements, the UCLA transfer GPA, and much more.

UCLA Transfer Acceptance Rate

Below we present the most current available UCLA transfer acceptance rate as well as historical data.

For entry in the fall of 2023, 6,189 students were accepted, and 23,974 applied. This means that the UCLA transfer acceptance rate is 25.8%.

For entry in the fall of 2022, there were 5,961 students admitted out of a pool of 24,930 applicants. This means that the UCLA transfer acceptance rate was 23.9%.

For entry in the fall of 2021, there were 5,622 transfer applicants and 28,645 individuals were accepted. This means that the UCLA transfer acceptance rate was 19.6%.

When trying to get the complete picture of how difficult it is to transfer into any given institution, it is important to look at historical data. While many schools have wild fluctuations in acceptance rates from cycle to cycle, you can see that UCLA’s have remained stable in recent years.

Historical UCLA transfer rates are as follows:

UCLA Transfer Acceptance Rate (Continued)

Also, at a school of UCLA’s size, it’s essential to look at the transfer acceptance rates of different colleges —and even of different majors within those colleges . For example, the College of Letters and Science admitted 32% of Fall 2023 transfer applicants while the School of Engineering admitted 11%. Meanwhile, the School of Theater, Film & Television admitted just 3.1%. If we look at these numbers even more closely, we find that majors within the College of Letters and Science varied from an acceptance rate of 65% (Applied Linguistics) to 10% (Atmospheric and Ocean Sciences). The School of Engineering had a similar spread.

UCLA Transfer Acceptance Rate by College

UCLA Transfer Deadline

For every academic program, the UCLA transfer deadline is November 30.

The application window opens on August 1, so you can begin completing all materials at that time.

The FAFSA deadline is March 2.

You will also have to submit supplemental applications for many programs within the following schools :

• School of the Arts and Architecture
• Herb Alpert School of Music
• School of Nursing
• School of Theater, Film and Television

UCLA Transfer Requirements

All students must submit the following items as part of their UCLA application:

• A  University of California Application
• Personal insight questions
• Supplemental materials (for some majors)

Official transcripts and letters of recommendation are not part of the UCLA transfer requirements. In fact, they are not even accepted during the admissions process. That said, by January 31, all applicants will need to complete a Transfer Academic Update (TAU) that provides their fall grades and planned spring coursework. If accepted, you will then need to provide final, official transcripts.

In addition to completing the aforementioned items, you’ll need to have achieved/earned the following:

• Junior-level standing (60 semester or 90 quarter transferable units completed) by the end of the spring term before you transfer.
• GPA of 3.2 or higher earned in transferable courses (the average GPA is over 3.5)
• Two transferable courses in English composition or critical thinking and writing.
• One transferable math course that has a prerequisite of intermediate algebra or higher.
• Four transferable college courses in at least two of the following subject areas: arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, physical and biological sciences.

We recommend thoroughly reviewing the  UC Transfer Admission Guide for all UCLA transfer requirements.

Additionally, UCLA has articulation agreements with CA community colleges , which are official guarantees of course transfer between institutions (upon acceptance).

UCLA Transfer GPA

Students admitted as transfers to UCLA in 2023 had a mid-50th percentile GPA range of 3.72-4.0. The median GPA for a successful transfer applicant was 3.88.

Colleges that Send the Most Transfer Students to UCLA

The colleges that saw the greatest number of 2023 applicants to UCLA were:

• Santa Monica College (1,548) – 36% accepted
• Pasadena City College (1,043) – 35% accepted
• Deanza College (891) – 23% accepted
• Diablo Valley College (733) – 25% accepted
• Irvine Valley College (714) – 34% accepted

UCLA Transfer Application Essays

Required UCLA Essay

• Please describe how you have prepared for your intended major, including your readiness to succeed in your upper-division courses once you enroll at the university.

Choose 3 of the following 7 questions (in addition to the mandatory prompt above):

• Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.
• 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.
• What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
• Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
• 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?
• 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 the University of California?

All essays have a 350-word maximum, and applicants are encouraged to answer the three that align most closely with their individual experiences and circumstances.

When Do UCLA Transfer Decisions Come Out?

UCLA transfer decisions come out in late April.

Final Thoughts – UCLA Transfer Acceptance Rate

UCLA plucks 92% of their transfer students from California community colleges. An additional 5% come from current University of California students. Only 2% come from non-CA schools. A sizable 34% of entering transfers are from underrepresented backgrounds and 41% are first-generation students.

If you are looking for information on how to apply to UCLA as a first-year student, you may find the following blogs to be of interest:

• How to Get Into UCLA
• UCLA Supplemental Essay Prompts and Tips

Those searching for application info on other institutions may wish to visit our Dataverse pages:

• Transfer Admissions Deadlines
• Transfer Acceptance Rates

Dave Bergman

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).

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Understanding the UC Transfer Application

Uc transfer application.

There is no single linear path to follow when it comes to higher education. In fact, transfer students make up a large part of the undergraduate community within the UC system. As some of the best schools in California, becoming a UC transfer student means you’ll need to ace the UC transfer application. However, most of the UC schools are considered quite transfer friendly colleges And, the good news is that the UC transfer application will be quite similar to the college applications you filled out as a first-year applicant. 

In this guide, we’ll break down how to complete the UC transfer application. We’ll answer plenty of common questions that UC transfer students will have when starting the application process. While transferring colleges may seem overwhelming, there are plenty of ways to make it a smooth transition. This guide aims to give you digestible steps and relevant information to help you in your process of transferring colleges—namely to a UC school. 

Here’s what we’ll cover in this UC Transfer Application guide: 

• UC transfer process
• Understanding UC TAG and UC TAP
• UC transfer requirements
• UC Berkeley, UCSB, UC Davis, UCSD, and UCLA transfer requirements 
• And plenty more UC transfer related FAQs!

Keep in mind that if you’re considering transferring colleges, you’ve already been through the college admissions process once! The transfer application process isn’t all that different. Soon, you’ll have a thorough understanding of all the different facets and nuances of the UC transfer application. But first, let’s start by learning about the general UC transfer process. 

Understanding the UC Transfer Process

As a transfer student, you’ve already gone through the arduous process of applying to college once. So, the good news is that there won’t be too many surprises the second time around! The UC transfer application has many of the same aspects that your first college application did. But, that doesn’t mean you should slack on the UC application. The UC system houses some of the best universities in California and even the nation. So, they receive plenty of applications from both high school and transfer students. 

Planning your transfer

The UC schools use their own transfer application. This means that you won’t fill out the Common Application when applying to a UC school. However, before you even start to think about the UC transfer application, you’ll want to make sure you’ve planned and prepared . Luckily, UC has a program to help you do so called UC TAP (Transfer Admission Planner). UC TAP will help you stay on track to complete the UC transfer requirements while at your current institution.

As you might be noticing, the UC transfer process starts long before the UC transfer application. UC TAP will help transfer students stay on track to complete the best UC transfer application possible. Students will need to consider a myriad of factors: current classes, future major of interest, GPA minimum requirements, UC campus of interest, and the UC application deadline. UC TAP is one program designed to make the transfer process easier, however, transfer students can also meet with an advisor or attend a transfer event.

Transfer requirements

Generally speaking, the UC transfer requirements will be similar at each of the UC campuses. However, always double-check your school of interest’s specific requirements. For example, the UCLA transfer requirements may vary slightly from the UCSD transfer requirements or the UC Davis transfer requirements. But, no matter if you’re a future UCLA transfer or any of the other UC campuses, you’ll want to always check the school-specific transfer admission site for the best information. 

Don’t forget to consider your academic goals in the transfer process. These will greatly affect your course selection. Learn more about one student’s pre-med transfer process. Check out our webinar , “The Ultimate Guide to Applying to the University of California (UC) Schools for extra information. 

How do UC Transfers work?

Before considering the UC transfer application, you’ll want to make sure you’re eligible. Essentially, you’ll need to confirm you’ve completed the necessary college coursework and meet the minimum UC transfer application requirements. From there, it’s time to start the application, keeping in mind the UC transfer application deadline. 

UC transfer timeline

Remember that when it comes to applying as a transfer student , the application process starts long before starting the application! However, you can start working on your UC transfer application starting August 1. You’ll need to create an account and login in order to access the UC transfer application on their website. Here are the time periods in which you can submit your UC transfer application: 

• Fall Semester: October 1-November 30
• Spring Semester: July 1-31

Be sure to double-check the UC transfer application deadline at your specific campus of interest, as some schools operate on a different semester system calendar. For example, the UCLA transfer application deadline is October 1-November 30. However, there is no UCLA transfer application deadline for spring semesters. UCLA transfer students may only enroll starting fall semester. 

Once you’ve completed and submitted the UC transfer application, it will be reviewed by admissions officers. Applications are evaluated holistically, meaning that factors such as extracurriculars and essays are just as important as grades. Consequently, applicants need to do more than simply meet the minimum GPA requirements to gain acceptance. 

Once you’ve submitted your application, don’t forget to check out these steps ! Make sure your application is updated and your transcripts have been submitted. From there, you’ll await a response.

What is UC TAG?

If you look at the transfer numbers within the UC system, you’ll notice that they are quite high. In fact, three out of every four transfer students gain admission. This is in large part due to the program UC Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG). This program guarantees admission to students transferring from California Community Colleges (CCCs).

The UC TAG matrix outlines some specifics on the program, which you can learn more about on the UC admissions website. Up next, we’ll highlight some of the main things to know about the program.

How does UC TAG work?

According to the UC TAG matrix, students will need to complete both the UC transfer application and a TAG application to be considered. The UC TAG matrix also states that students need to come directly from a CCC and have completed 30 semester UC transferable units.

Keep in mind that you do not have to participate in TAG when applying to UC from a community college. You can simply complete the regular UC transfer application. The UC TAG matrix states that two-thirds of admitted UC transfer students do not have a TAG. 

However, for those worried about gaining admission to a UC school, the UC TAG option is a good one to consider. Check out the UC TAG matrix for more details on the UC transfer requirements for TAG applicants at different UC campuses. 

Using UC TAP

We briefly mentioned UC TAP when planning and preparing your UC transfer application. But, what exactly is it and how does it work? The UC Transfer Admission Planner (UC TAP) is meant for students transferring from California Community Colleges, including (but not limited to) students applying via TAG. 

UC TAP helps students stay organized when it comes to meeting the UC transfer requirements, as well as the UC transfer application deadline. Students can enter their classes into UC TAP to make sure they are completing the necessary coursework. Furthermore, students who use UC TAP will also receive the most recent and pertinent information from UC admissions via the online planner.

Above all, remember UC TAP is completely free! If you’re interested in taking advantage of the UC TAP, all you have to do is create a login and password to get started. 

Can I transfer from UC to UC?

There are plenty of types of transfer students . This includes those coming from community colleges, other four-year institutions, or even those coming from another UC campus. With ten campuses all over the state of California, it makes sense that students might want to transfer schools within the UC system. Students can certainly transfer from UC to UC, as long as they meet the UC transfer requirements. 

Before starting a UC transfer application to one of the other UC schools, ensure that you are in academically good standing. You’ll need to have a 2.0 GPA (cumulative or last term) to apply. The good news is that all of your credits will be transferable when going from one UC school to another. However, it also means that your GPA will also transfer with you.

Can you transfer from UC to UC after one year?

UC admissions does state that junior level transfer students from California community colleges are their highest priority. However, that certainly doesn’t mean that they don’t accept other types of transfer students. If you’re looking to transfer after only a year at another UC school (or any school) you would be considered a “lower-division transfer”. 

Since the majority of UC transfer students enroll their junior year, the lower-division transfer student is certainly less common. However, that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. You may transfer from UC to UC after one year. Though, the acceptance rate of lower-division transfers will largely depend on the UC campus you apply to.

Some UC campuses will only admit a certain number of these types of transfer students, meaning that gaining acceptance may be more competitive. Therefore, double-check the campus of interest to you to see what their policy is on transferring after just one year of college at another UC school. 

Check out the UC transfer requirements for different types of transfer students to best prepare! 

Does UC accept Spring transfers?

When considering the UC transfer application requirements, you’ll need to consider the UC transfer application deadline at the UC school of your choice. Not all UC schools are created equal. Only a few of the UC schools accept transfers for the spring term. 

However, two UC campuses do accept spring transfer students: UC Merced and UC Riverside . If you’re looking to be a UCLA transfer student, or to any of the other seven UC campuses, then you’ll need to enter for the fall term. 

What GPA do you need to transfer to UC?

One important aspect of every UC transfer application is academics. There is a minimum GPA that transfer students must meet to be considered for admission to a UC school. 

For a junior level transfer, the minimum GPA requirement is 2.4 for California residents and 2.8 for non-California residents. Lower division transfers must have a minimum 2.0 GPA for California residents and a 2.8 for nonresidents. For those transferring from another UC campus, you’ll need a UC GPA of 2.0 or above. However, just as the minimum UC transfer requirements vary depending on the UC campus, so does the minimum GPA.

Let’s take a look at some of the specific transfer requirements for some of the most popular UC campuses.

UCLA transfer requirements

The UCLA transfer requirements state that transfers need to have a 3.2 minimum GPA to be considered for admission. This is much higher than the general UC transfer application requirements stated above. It may come as no surprise then that the UCLA transfer acceptance rate is quite competitive. For Fall 2023 the UCLA transfer acceptance rate was just 26% – and the median GPA of admitted applicants was 3.88.

UC Davis transfer requirements

The UC Davis transfer requirements also state a slightly different minimum GPA. According to the UC Davis transfer requirements, all transfers must have at least a 2.8 GPA. Certain majors may also have higher GPA minimums. As you may have guessed from the difference in minimum GPA requirements, the UC Davis transfer acceptance rate is higher than that of UCLA. The UC Davis transfer acceptance rate (as of Fall 2019) was 57% . 

UCSD transfer requirements

The UCSD transfer requirements state that the GPA is that of the general UC GPA requirements. As you’ll recall, that’s 2.4 for California residents and 2.8 for non-residents. However, the majority of accepted students often have a higher GPA than the minimum requirement. The UCSD transfer acceptance rate was quite close to that of UC Davis in recent years. The UCSD transfer acceptance rate in Fall 2019 was 56% .

UCSB transfer requirements

UCSB is one of the most transfer-friendly colleges in the UC system. They follow the general GPA minimum requirements (2.4 for California residents and 2.8 for nonresidents). The UCSB transfer acceptance rate is also fairly high. The UCSB transfer acceptance rate is about 50% . However, more impressively, about one-third of the incoming class is made up of transfer students.

As you can see, the UC transfer application requirements will vary slightly by school. So, be sure to check the UC campus that most interests you to get the most relevant requirements for you!

Choosing a major for UC Transfers

As a UC transfer, it’s important to consider your major of interest. This is especially true if you are a junior level transfer and have already completed your general requirements. Most importantly, you’ll want to make sure you choose a campus that offers your major. And, of course, you’ll want to make sure that you have taken the required courses. 

All UC transfer students need to complete basic-level English and math courses by the end of the fall term prior to their year of enrollment. Additionally, students will want to start thinking about a major if they are still undecided. Think about classes that you’ve enjoyed, subjects that interest you, and your future career goals. Then check out the recommended courses for your potential areas or majors of interest. 

Transfer Pathways are also a unique UC offering. This is a perfect option for transfer students who know their major but aren’t certain of their first-choice campus. These pathways allow students to see which campuses offer their major of choice. Students can also easily see the required courses needed to enter their major. It’s a useful way to keep transfer students on track to graduate on time. 

How do I transfer to a UC?

We’ve already covered some of the basic UC transfer application requirements and a little about the UC transfer application. Now, let’s review the whole “how to transfer to UC” process in some simple steps.

Steps for Transferring to a UC

1. keep your grades up.

You want to be prepared long before the UC transfer application becomes available. If you’re attending a community college, then you likely know you’ll be transferring after two years. Whether you have your dream UC school in mind or not, make sure to keep your GPA up to par. Junior level transfers need a 2.4 GPA as California residents, and nonresidents need a 2.8 GPA.

2. Take recommended and required courses

When you enter a UC school as a transfer student, you’ll still need to meet the basic course requirements. This means having completed the required English and math courses and courses within your major of interest. We recommend checking out the specific courses you need to enter that major without getting behind. Take advantage of Transfer Pathways to stay on track to graduate from your major of choice. Additionally, make sure you check out the basic course requirements long before the UC transfer application deadline. 

3. Fill out the application

After all of that planning and preparation, you can feel confident completing your UC transfer application. Be sure to allow yourself plenty of time to craft a competitive UC application . You’ll need to do everything you did the first time around for your college application—essays, extracurriculars, academics, etc.

While the UC transfer application doesn’t involve the common app transfer essay , you will need to respond to multiple personal insight questions. These are of utmost importance when it comes to showing admissions who you are. After you’ve submitted the UC transfer application by the appropriate UC transfer application deadline, you’re not completely done! After you apply , you’ll need to send in transcripts and test scores, update your grades, and submit any other pertinent changes.

Impressing UC admissions as a transfer student requires taking special care to create the best UC application possible. And, remember that UC admissions is more or less selective depending on the campus. Therefore, you should carefully take the time to choose the UC campus that is the best fit for you. Additionally, before worrying about the UC transfer application deadline, learn all that you can about the general “how to transfer colleges” process. 

How do UC Transfer Credits work?

An important part of the UC transfer application and college admissions process when transferring colleges are your credits. Obviously, you want your college credits to transfer over to your new UC campus. This is why preparing to transfer long before the UC transfer application is available is extremely important. You can make sure that you are taking the correct courses and that they are in fact transferable. 

The good news is that the majority of students will have already completed many of the general education courses that most majors require. In short, if a completed course has an equivalent offering at a UC campus, then the credits will likely transfer. However, a maximum of 70 credits of lower-division coursework is transferable. 

Most transfer students will want to get ahead on fulfilling their general education requirements long before the UC transfer application deadline. These requirements include courses in a wide variety of disciplines, designed to give students general knowledge in multiple areas before diving into their majors.

If you’re transferring from a California community college, you can actually follow the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum ( IGETC ). This way you’ll get ahead on the UC-specific general education requisites during your freshman and sophomore years.

Resources for transferring credits

As some of the most transfer friendly colleges in the nation, UC provides plenty of useful tools for transfers. Use the resources available to make sure you’re taking courses that have transferable credits. Remember, the UC TAP tool is designed to keep you on track. And you can learn more about UC transfer credits here . 

In the end, the college admissions office at your new school will have the final say on which credits transfer or not. But, you can certainly get ahead by checking the requirements and using the available transfer tools that UC provides.

Exploring Specific UC Transfer Requirements

Every transfer application is different. As such, your UC transfer application will have specific UC transfer requirements. The UC transfer requirements are similar to what you might find if you apply to transfer elsewhere. However, there are a few specific UC transfer application requirements that you should be aware of.

Minimum GPA and transferable courses

Whether you’re transferring from a community college or another four-year institution , the basic requirements for the UC transfer application are the same. The UC transfer application requirements specify that you must have earned at least a 2.4 GPA, or a 2.8 GPA if you don’t live in California.

Regarding coursework, the UC transfer application requires that you’ve taken two transferable courses in English and one in Math or quantitative reasoning. Additionally, you’ll need four courses from at least two of these subject areas: arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and physical and biological sciences. 

Beyond fulfilling these basic UC transfer application requirements, you also must fill out the UC transfer application. This includes submitting your application on time and answering the personal insight questions on the UC transfer application. 

Planning for success

The good news is that 3 out of 4 transfer students who apply to UCs get in . However, it’s all about maximizing your chances by acing your UC transfer application. If you’re a community college student, remember that you can use UC TAP (Transfer Admission Planner) to help you plan your UC transfer application. As you’ll recall from earlier in this article, UC TAP is a tool that allows you to enter and track your coursework. That way, you can keep track of the requirements you’ve fulfilled and where you are in the UC transfer application process. 

Now that we’ve looked at some of the UC-specific requirements, let’s go over some specific UC transfer applications. First up is the UCLA transfer application. 

UCLA Transfer Application

The UCLA transfer application is one of the most popular UC transfer applications. Since UCLA is one of the UC schools, transfer applicants will start by filling out the regular UC transfer application. Then, you’ll need to specify that the UCLA campus is your top preference.

The UCLA transfer requirements are nearly the same as the regular UC transfer application requirements. But acing your UCLA transfer application is important–as far as UCs go, UCLA has one of the most selective transfer acceptance rates. The UCLA transfer acceptance rate is only 24% , which means that only around one in four students is granted acceptance by UC admissions.

To apply to UCLA, you have to meet the basic requirements of the UC transfer application requirements. Some of these requirements include having fulfilled a certain number of credits in specific courses, completing the UCLA transfer application or the UC transfer application, and submitting your UCLA transfer application by the UC transfer application deadline.

Application deadlines

Logically, an important one of the UCLA transfer requirements is the application deadline. So, your planning should start by marking your calendar with the UCLA transfer application deadline and the UC transfer application deadline.

The UCLA transfer application deadline for your UCLA transfer application is November 30, and you can submit your application starting on October 1. In January, you can add your final fall grades and planned second-semester coursework to your UCLA transfer application. Remember that adding more details can strengthen your UCLA transfer application–and with such a competitive UCLA transfer acceptance rate, you’ll want to stand out! 

Unique UCLA requirements

While many of the basic requirements for UCLA are similar to those of the general UC requirements, there are some differences in the UCLA transfer requirements. The UCLA transfer application requirements state that you must have a GPA of 3.2 or higher . This is significantly higher than the standard UC transfer application GPA of 2.4 for Californians and 2.8 for everyone else. 

Additionally, for the UCLA transfer application, there is no Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG). If you want to know which colleges have TAG, you can check using the UC TAG matrix. The UCLA transfer application does not give you access to TAG, which according to the UC TAG matrix, only applies to UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Merced, US Riverside, UC Santa Barbara, and UC Santa Cruz. 

Although your UCLA transfer application will be filed using the same UC transfer application as the other UCs, each UC is different. Though it’s not one of the UCLA transfer requirements, if you want to ace your UCLA transfer application, be sure to make your case for why you want to attend UCLA. Be sure to point out specific things about UCLA that would make the school the best fit for you—just like you would do when filling out any other college application. 

What GPA do you need to transfer to UCLA?

When you’re filling out your UCLA transfer application, you might be wondering whether your GPA is strong enough to get into UCLA.

For the general UC transfer application, you only need a GPA of 2.4 for California state residents and 2.8 for nonresidents. However, for the UCLA transfer application, you’ll need a GPA of 3.2. Since UCLA is a more prestigious and selective university, the UCLA transfer application reflects that. Ultimately, the high GPA required to transfer to UCLA makes sense given the low UCLA transfer acceptance rate. The UCLA transfer acceptance rate is 24% , which is very selective. 

If you’re thinking about transferring colleges, it’s always better to plan and prepare as far ahead as possible. Most importantly, do everything you can to keep your grades up at your first institution. That way, you won’t be deterred by the UCLA transfer application requirements. 

Unlike most undergraduate institutions, where there is often no strict GPA requirement to apply, the UCLA transfer application does have a strict cutoff. This means that if your GPA is lower than 3.2, you won’t fulfill the UCLA transfer requirements, and therefore you won’t be admitted. However, don’t give up! You can still apply to other UCs using the UC transfer application, and those UC transfer requirements are less strict.

Can you transfer to UCLA from a community college?

The short answer to “Can you transfer to UCLA from a community college” is–yes! 

Becoming a UCLA transfer, or any UC transfer, is very achievable when coming from a community college background. In fact, the UC transfer system and the UC transfer application are structured to make it as easy as possible for California community college students to transfer. 

The UC transfer system, including the UCLA transfer system, has many tools in place to help community college students transfer. One of those tools is called ASSIST , a system created to streamline the transfer of credits to California public universities and colleges. If you’re a community college student looking to become a UC transfer, then ASSIST can help you establish the right path forward.

ASSIST can help you figure out whether the courses you’ve taken at your community college will fulfill the UC transfer application requirements. The UC transfer requirements for classes can seem daunting, but platforms like ASSIST make them easier to understand. 

Transfer centers

You can also work with your school’s transfer center to prepare for your UC transfer. Most classes at accredited institutions in the U.S. will count as credits for your UC transfer. So long as you make sure to take the 7 types of classes laid out in the UC transfer requirements. If you take classes that are more vocational in nature or do volunteer work, they will not count as credits in your UC transfer. Classes that are not academic do not count for credits as per the UC transfer requirements. 

As we mentioned earlier, another great tool to help community college students become UC transfers is UC TAP. Remember, UC TAP stands for UC Transfer Admission Planner. It is a free online tool that helps future UC transfer students figure out which courses to take at their community college.  

To get the most out of your UC transfer process, the UC transfer website urges you to do three things: “plan what you want to study, and where, prepare ahead of time with goals in mind, and track your progress until it’s time to transfer.” Tools like UC TAP can help with this process. As soon as you start at your community college, enter your courses into UC TAP. Future UC transfers can use UC TAP to make sure that they’re on track and that all of their credits are transferable. 

UCLA specifics for community college transfers

Now, let’s get a bit more specific to UCLA. To start, make sure you meet the UCLA transfer application deadline. The UCLA transfer application deadline is November 30. 

The UCLA transfer requirements are more academically rigorous than the regular UC transfer requirements. If you’re a student at a community college who wants to transfer to UCLA, your academic performance should be your main priority. If you don’t achieve at least a 3.2 GPA in your two years of school, you will not be able to gain acceptance into UCLA.

The UCLA transfer acceptance rate is around 24% . However, keep in mind that the UCLA transfer acceptance rate doesn’t always tell the full story. The median GPA of admitted students is 3.9 . Given the low UCLA transfer acceptance rate, this level of academic excellence isn’t surprising, but it can be a little daunting.

Alternatively, if you’re a community college student, the UCLA transfer acceptance rate is higher for you—around 27% . To make it past the selective UCLA transfer acceptance rate, prioritize your academics and take advantage of tools like UC TAP and Assist. If you start using UC TAP as soon as you enter community college, you’re already off to a great start. 

UC Berkeley Transfer

Another one of the prestigious UCs is Berkeley. Like UCLA, Berkeley is an esteemed college in its own right. Unsurprisingly, many UC transfers want to gain admission to this fantastic university. 

To become a UC Berkeley transfer, you must first fill out the regular UC transfer application by the UC transfer application deadline: November 30. Remember, the UC transfer application deadline is the same for all schools, and you will only submit one application for all of the UCs. 

Berkeley GPA requirement

To be a UC transfer at UC Berkeley, you must also prove that you can handle the school’s academic rigor. This is why the UC transfer application for Berkeley requires a minimum GPA higher than the regular UC transfer minimum. On their transfer requirements, UC Berkeley requires a 3.0 minimum GPA. Berkeley is a more selective school that places priority on academics, so it makes sense that your GPA matters. 

In order to become a successful UC transfer to one of the more selective schools like Berkeley or UCLA, make sure that you’re taking your time on your UC transfer application. Fill it out thoughtfully and completely, with a special focus on the personal insight essays. 

Does Berkeley accept transfer students?

Just like all of the UCs, Berkeley certainly accepts transfer students. Berkeley accepts 26% of transfer applicants, and 95% of those accepted UC transfers are from California community colleges! 

If you’re from a CA community college, the UC transfer process is designed to help you thrive. The UC system wants to take as many community college students as possible and make it easier for those students to become UC transfers. 

Berkeley does take transfer students from other four-year institutions, but it prioritizes community college students. This means that to be a UC transfer at Berkeley from another four-year school, you will be considered based on your “ personal circumstances and the availability of space. ” 

UC Davis Transfer Requirements

The UC Davis transfer requirements are similar to the requirements of the other UC transfer applications. To fulfill the UC Davis transfer requirements, you will submit the same basic information on the UC transfer application: credits and courses that fulfill the course requirements, personal insight essays, and the UC application fee.

As you’ll see in our discussion of the UC Davis transfer acceptance rate, it’s quite a bit higher than other UCs. But don’t let that fool you! You’ll still need a stellar application to successfully transfer to any of the UC schools. 

UC Davis transfer acceptance rate

So, just what is the UC Davis transfer acceptance rate? The UC Davis transfer acceptance rate is 57% . You’ll notice that the UC Davis transfer acceptance rate is twice as high as the acceptance rates for Berkeley and UCLA. Part of the reason for the UC Davis transfer acceptance rate is that the UC Davis transfer requirements have a different GPA than the other UCs. 

According to the UC Davis transfer requirements, students must have above a 2.8 GPA —this means that the GPA to satisfy the UC Davis transfer requirements is even higher than the one for the general UC transfer application.

UC Davis TAG

Since the UC Davis transfer acceptance rate is higher than other UCs (Berkeley and UCLA), you’ll have a higher chance of getting into UC Davis if you apply through the general transfer UC application. Additionally, UC Davis is one of the schools in the UC TAG matrix. This means that you can apply for guaranteed admission to UC Davis. However, your GPA must be at least 3.2 to gain guaranteed admission through the UC tag program. 

Now, let’s look at another transfer application: the UCSD transfer application. 

UCSD Transfer Requirements

For the UCSD transfer requirements, you’ll need to satisfy all of the regular UC requirements. Predictably, this includes having a certain GPA, meeting the UC transfer application deadline, and having taken the appropriate courses and credits. The UCSD transfer requirements don’t specify that you need to have a higher GPA than the UC minimum. However, it does state that admitted students often exceed that minimum! 

The UCSD transfer acceptance rate is 57%. This UCSD transfer acceptance rate is the same as the UC Davis transfer acceptance rate, so you have a pretty equal chance of getting into either school. Even though the UCSD transfer acceptance rate and the UC Davis transfer acceptance rate are the same, that’s not the case for all UCs—remember that there’s a big range. 

Average GPA of transfer students

You can better understand the UCSD transfer acceptance rate by looking at the middle 50% of the GPA for accepted transfer students, which is between 3.48 and 3.91. This means that 25% of students had a higher GPA than this range, and 25% of students had a lower GPA. So, just because the UCSD transfer requirements don’t require a GPA higher than 2.4, we can clearly see that most admitted students have earned higher GPAs than that minimum. 

The UCSD transfer acceptance rate reflects that 33% of the UCSD class are transfer students. If you’re looking for a class where students come from a variety of educational backgrounds and take different approaches to college admissions, UCSD would be a great place for you! 

Transferring to UCSB

If you want to transfer to UCSB, make sure to follow all of the UC transfer requirements that we’ve already talked about in this guide. 

Students transferring to UCSB should also know the UCSB transfer acceptance rate. The UCSB transfer acceptance rate is 60% , similar to the UCSD transfer acceptance rate. The UCSB transfer acceptance rate was calculated from a candidate pool of over 17,000 applicants, around 10,300 of whom were admitted. 

91% of the students admitted within the UCSB transfer acceptance rate were from California community colleges. You might be noticing a trend—a large majority of the transfer students accepted to UCs are from local community colleges. 

UCSB is part of the UC TAG matrix, which means that you can apply to transfer to UCSB and gain guaranteed admission. In order to participate in TAG, you must have a minimum 3.4 GPA . The UCSB transfer acceptance rate includes students who participate in TAG. So, if you have your heart set on UCSB and have the GPA to get you there, don’t underestimate TAG!

More UC Transfer Requirements

As you may have noticed, UC admissions can be very competitive. Let’s review some things you can do to set yourself up for success in the UC transfer journey.

Transfer pathways

If you want to transfer , the best thing you can do is start planning early. If you’re at a community college, the UCs offer many resources to help you plan and prepare for your transfer to a UC. One of those resources is Transfer Pathways , which helps you figure out what community college classes to take so that you can adequately prepare for a major at a UC. These pathways will help you plan your time at community college, and set you up to apply to a specific major at a number of different UCs. 

General education courses

To ease the transition into academic life at a UC, UCs provide guidelines for how to fulfill general education requirements. Since these requirements can take a while to fulfill, it’s important to start early. IGETC is a series of courses at community colleges that will satisfy the sophomore and freshman requirements for general education at UCs. Note that each campus has slightly different general education requirements, so make sure to check them before taking the IGETC! 

Application essays

Also, don’t forget that your transfer application is also a college application. Through your essays , you want to be able to communicate to the admissions committee why you’re choosing to transfer , and what you want to receive from your education.

The UC application and its essays are distinct within the college application space, and the transfer application is no different. Even when you’re applying as a transfer, learn about ways to make your application stand out . 

And don’t forget–each school is different! Even if the UCSD transfer requirements look similar to the UC Berkeley transfer requirements, make sure to research each school to make sure that you are specific in your application. As always, prepare all of your materials well before the UC transfer application deadline. (The UC transfer application deadline for all schools is November 30.) 

Which UC accepts the most transfers?

Though all of the UCs are pretty transfer friendly colleges, you may be wondering–which ones take the most transfers?

UC San Diego and UC Santa Barbara are the most transfer friendly colleges in the UC system. If you’re considering transferring colleges, especially from a community college in California, you’ll have the best odds of acceptance at UC San Diego. 

UCSD admitted over 12,000 transfer students for Fall 2023 out of over 19,000 applicants. For context, Berkeley had a similar number of applicants and admitted around half as many students. This makes sense, given that the Berkeley acceptance rate is about half of the UCSD acceptance rate and the UCSB transfer acceptance rate. That’s why UCSD and UCSB are the two most transfer friendly colleges in the UC System. 

Understanding the UC Transfer Application – Final Thoughts

When trying to maximize your chance at UC admissions as a transfer student, it’s crucial to understand the UC Transfer application. Here are some final takeaways:

Final Takeaways for UC Transfer

• Anyone can transfer into a UC, but the UC transfer process prioritizes California community college students for college admissions.
• In order to transfer, you need to have a minimum GPA of 2.4 (2.8 as an out-of-state resident), complete the right number of credits in seven transferable courses, and submit your application by the UC transfer application deadline.
• The UCs have programs like TAG (Transfer Admission Guarantee) and UC TAP (Transfer Admission Planner) to help you keep track of your courses and gain admission into a UC school. You can use the UC TAG matrix to check which schools are eligible for Transfer Admission Guarantee.
• Many of the UC schools have different GPA requirements—always research the school you want to gain admission into before you apply.
• You will apply to transfer into any of the UCs using the same application.

We hope that this guide on the UC transfer application has helped you feel more confident in transferring to a UC school! Remember that in addition to having a myriad of online resources to guide you in your transfer process, CollegeAdvisor also has a team of expert college admissions advisors. They’ve helped many students transfer to their dream schools, so don’t hesitate to reach out for more personalized guidance.

This article was written by Sarah Kaminski and advisor, Rachel Kahn . Looking for more admissions support? Click here to schedule a free meeting with one of our Admissions Specialists. During your meeting, our team will discuss your profile and help you find targeted ways to increase your admissions odds at top schools. We’ll also answer any questions and discuss how CollegeAdvisor.com can support you in the college application process.

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College Reality Check

How to Transfer to UCLA in 5 Steps

Around 11% of freshmen applicants to the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) get admitted.

On the other hand, based on the latest data provided by UCLA itself, the acceptance rate for transfer applicants is 24% — of all 24,930 transfer applicants, only 5,961 hopefuls were given an offer to enroll in the elite institution.

Transferring to UCLA begins with filling out the UC Application and paying the non-refundable $70 application fee. Submissions include transcripts and 350-word answers to a total of 4 required questions. The deadlines for transfer applications to UCLA are November 30 for the fall semester and July 31 for the spring semester.

Before anything else, let’s get this matter straight: UCLA gives the highest priority to transfer applicants from California community colleges as well as those from other campuses in the UC system.

But it doesn’t mean that you have zero chances of getting in if you attended college elsewhere.

Continue reading if you are very much interested in transferring to UCLA. In this post, I will tell you the eligibility requirements for transfer applicants and also provide you with a step-by-step guide on applying to it.

Who is Eligible to Transfer to UCLA?

Transferees enter UCLA as junior students. That’s because those who are eligible to apply to it as transfer students have completed a total of 60 semester units, which is equivalent to 2 years of college, by the time they enroll in UCLA. Transfer applicants must also have a GPA of 3.2 or higher earned in courses that are transferable.

Refrain from assuming that just because you have some college experience means you can apply to UCLA as a transferee.

For the prestigious school to consider your application, you will need to have earned 60 credits. That’s 50% of all credits that make up a bachelor’s degree, which is why admitted transferees enter as juniors.

But there are a few more eligibility requirements, both academic and personal factors.

As mentioned earlier, you should have a GPA of not less than 3.2 in transferable courses. Admissions officers at UCLA add that you should meet the following requirements, too:

• 2 transferable courses in English composition or critical thinking and writing
• 1 transferable math course with a prerequisite of intermediate algebra or higher
• 4 transferable college courses in at least 2 of these subject areas: arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, physical and biological sciences

Besides academic factors, UCLA also considers some personal factors in reviewing applications — knowing what they are can give you an idea of where you stand, thus keeping you from having to worry that much.

Some of the said factors taken into account include:

• Work experience
• Campus and community involvement
• Military service
• Educational experience-shaping opportunities and challenges

Steps to Transferring to UCLA

The initial step to take when applying to UCLA as a transfer student is to fill out the UC Application and pay the non-refundable but waivable $70 application fee. While there are questions to answer and, in some instances, some supplementals to hand in, UCLA does not require transfer applicants to submit recommendations.

Because it’s a selective institution, you would think that UCLA will ask you to submit all sorts of documents and materials. Well, you’re wrong — surprisingly, transfer applicants need to submit only a handful of requirements.

As a matter of fact, there’s no need to submit any letters of recommendation!

1. Fill out the UC Application

The vast majority of colleges and universities require students who wish to transfer to them to apply through either the Common App or Coalition App. But it’s a different thing at UCLA — you will have to apply via the UC Application.

As a matter of fact, even freshmen students apply to UCLA via its own online portal.

Completing the UC Application may be done as early as 2 months before the transfer application deadline.

For instance, although the deadline for application at UCLA for transfer students (fall semester) is November 30, you may start filling it out as soon as August 1 strikes.

Because of this, you have plenty of time to fill out the online form and gather the requirements.

Here are some of the most important dates to remember for UCLA transfer applicants:

2. Pay the transfer application fee (or get a fee waiver)

The cost of applying to UCLA as a transfer student is $70 — it’s the same for freshmen applicants.

Shelling out money for the transfer application fee entitles you to apply to UCLA. But you can actually increase your admissions chances by applying to more than a single UC campus.

And each time you apply to a UC campus other than the one located in Los Angeles, you pay another $70 transfer application fee.

When applying to multiple campuses, the UC Application will determine the total cost. And similar to most other colleges and universities, the transfer application fee to UCLA is non-refundable.

Fret not if the amount of the said fee would cause a financial hardship for your loved ones.

Within the UC Application, you can apply for a fee waiver. Here’s great news regarding this matter: the UC system will waive application fees for up to 4 campuses for students who otherwise would not be able to apply for admission.

3. Answer required and additional questions

When filling out the UC Application, hopefuls will be asked to answer 1 required question and 3 of the 7 additional questions.

Using a maximum of 350 words each, answering them allows UCLA’s admissions officers to learn more about you and understand the experiences, accomplishments and perspectives you would bring to the campus.

Here’s the required transfer applicant question:

Please describe how you have prepared for your intended major, including your readiness to succeed in your upper-division courses once you enroll at the university.

On the other hand, the following are the 7 additional questions you will have to choose from:

• Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.
• 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.
• What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
• Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
• 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?
• 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 stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?

4. Submit high school and college transcripts

Being a transfer applicant, you will have to submit both high school and college transcripts of yours.

It’s perfectly fine to self-report your transcripts when applying. However, it’s a different thing when UCLA admits you — you will have to submit their official copies if you want to grab the offer to enroll.

Getting in touch with your high school and all the colleges you attended prior to going to UCLA is the step to do for the selective public research university to get its hands on your official transcripts.

Your schools may send them by mail alright, but UCLA prefers electronic submission through the following vendors:

• Credentials, Inc.
• National Student Clearinghouse

Please inform your schools that UCLA won’t accept transcripts sent via email.

5. Submit any additional requirements

It’s not uncommon for some UCLA majors to recommend specific prerequisite coursework or a certain GPA. This is most especially true for some of the most competitive majors there are.

Well, transfer applicants interested in the following majors are required to also submit supplemental materials:

• Architectural studies
• Design or media arts
• Film and television
• Global jazz studies
• Music composition
• Music education
• Music history and industry
• Music performance
• World arts and cultures

Besides the additional requirements to submit, deadlines for their submission can vary from major to major, too. It’s therefore a must to do your homework to avoid missing important dates and blowing your admissions chances.

Other Considerations When Transferring to UCLA

How do you transfer to UCLA from out of state?

Students from outside of California who wish to transfer to UCLA must apply just like everybody else, which starts by completing the UC Application. However, it’s important to note that more than 90% of UCLA’s transferees are from California community colleges, so out-of-state applicants should really stand out.

Are UCLA transfer students required to live on campus?

Unlike at many colleges and universities, freshmen students at UCLA are not required to live on campus. However, most of them choose to reside in the residence halls. Transfer students may also choose to live on campus, and those who apply for housing are guaranteed 2 consecutive years of housing at UCLA.

Just Before You Transfer to UCLA

At UCLA, the acceptance rate for freshmen applicants is just 11%. On the other hand, the elite public land-grant research university accepts nearly a quarter of all transfer applicants, all of whom enter UCLA with junior standing.

What’s really nice about applying to UCLA as a transfer student is that there are not a lot of materials to submit.

For instance, getting your hands on recommendation letters is unnecessary.

However, while there are more transferees admitted than first-time, first-year students, it’s still a must to make a big impact as UCLA is one of the most selective schools around.

Read Next: How to Transfer to NYU

Independent Education Consultant, Editor-in-chief. I have a graduate degree in Electrical Engineering and training in College Counseling. Member of American School Counselor Association (ASCA).

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UCLA Successful Essay Examples

• uc school system
• college application essays
• essay intros

UCLA is one of the most popular universities in California. In recent years, it has received a record number of applications. If the West Coast  calls to you and you like the idea of finding your niche in a large top tier university, UCLA may be the school for you. If you’re still working on your responses to the UC essay prompts, these examples may help. 

One of the most sought-after UC schools, UCLA is a dream school for many Californians. More than 100,000 students applied to UCLA last fall, and the numbers are expected to remain the same for this upcoming application season. For those of you applying this Fall, the regular application filing period is November 1-30. If you’re still working on your UC essays, here are 5 successful examples that might inspire you to write yours: 

UC Los Angeles ‘20

Prompt: Describe the world you come from - for example, your family, community, or school - and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.

It was my fault. I had chosen this topic for my math exploration, armed with only the feeblest grasp of actual concept. Music, math, and the harmonic series…I sighed. In the time-honored tradition of all students, I had turned to Google for succor. The words on the screen blurred together hazily. “Pythagoras discovered that a string exactly 1/nth its length produces a frequency n times the original frequency…” It just didn’t make sense: what did a bunch of numbers have to do with musical consonance? Read her full UCLA application essay.

A bright orange glow reflecting on the water, I love watching the sunrise at the beach. I grew up less than ten minutes away from the Atlantic and my early childhood memories include frequent trips to the beach. Although the beach is a stunning sight, the beach is not always pristine. My family and I regularly remove trash from the beach, including commercial fishing and industrial debris, particularly after storms, sometimes in quantities almost too heavy to carry. Unlock his full UCLA profile read his application!

Prompt: Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?

Starting in 6th grade, I spent every summer at Jon Lee’s East Beach volleyball camp. Most kids came and went on a weekly basis, but I just stayed. There was nowhere else I would rather have been, than at East Beach playing volleyball with my friends. I loved it so much that I sought out faster improvement, committing to more formal training with an AVP professional player. View his full successful UCLA profile.

T-shirt. I had never heard of DECA before. Curious, I asked him more about it, and learned that it was “a club for, like marketing and business”, as he called it. Her persuaded me to join and we planned to compete together in the Sports and Entertainment Marketing Team even. Unlock his full UCLA profile read his application!

Prompt: What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?  

I can read koalas with turtles and I can eat ice cream with friends in North Korea. This is all possible due to the power of Photoshop. Photoshop is like a straw that allows people’s eyes to drink from my imagination. I can make anything and put it anywhere; from sea monsters in the ocean to winged toasters at my birth. For nearly four years, I have used Photoshop to express myself in an adventurous way, one that offers me wider avenues than music or writing do. I am constantly improving my photoshopping abilities and therefore expanding the limits of my expression. Unlock his full UCLA profile read his application!

Are you looking to apply to UC Schools? or just starting to build out  your college list ? Make sure to search through profiles of students accepted to see essays, stats, and advice. See how they got in, and how you can too!

About The Author

Frances was born in Hong Kong and received her bachelor’s degree from Georgetown University. She loves super sad drama television, cooking, and reading. Her favorite person on Earth isn’t actually a member of the AdmitSee team - it’s her dog Cooper.

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Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, can i reuse my uc essays for transfer applications.

I'm thinking about transferring colleges, and I really liked the essays I wrote for my UC application. Is it okay to reuse those for my transfer application, or should I write new ones? Thanks in advance!

It's great that you put effort into your UC essays, and it's possible some content could be reused for your transfer application. However, it's important to ensure that the essays are tailored to the specific requirements and prompts for transfer applications. Transfer essays typically focus on different aspects, such as why you're transferring, what you've gained from your current college experience, and how the new college aligns with your goals and interests.

If your UC essays happen to align well with the transfer application prompts, you can certainly use some of the content, but be prepared to revise and adjust as needed to address the specific transfer prompts. Additionally, demonstrating growth and experiences from your time at your current college can add value to your transfer application and show that you've made thoughtful choices in considering the transfer.

Good luck with your transfer application!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

Freshman requirements

• Subject requirement (A-G)
• GPA requirement
• Admission by exception
• English language proficiency
• UC graduation requirements

Additional information for

• California residents
• Out-of-state students
• Home-schooled students

Transfer requirements

• Understanding UC transfer
• Preparing to transfer
• UC transfer programs
• Transfer planning tools

International applicants

• Applying for admission
• English language proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS)
• Passports & visas
• Living accommodations
• Health care & insurance

AP & Exam credits

Applying as a freshman

• Filling out the application
• Dates & deadlines

Personal insight questions

• How applications are reviewed
• After you apply

Applying as a transfer

Types of aid

• Grants & scholarships
• Jobs & work-study
• California DREAM Loan Program
• Middle Class Scholarship Program
• Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan
• Native American Opportunity Plan  
• Who can get financial aid
• How aid works
• Estimate your aid

Apply for financial aid

• Cal Dream Act application tips
• Tuition & cost of attendance
• Glossary & resources
• Santa Barbara
• Campus program & support services
• Check majors
• Freshman admit data
• Transfer admit data
• Native American Opportunity Plan
• You will have 8 questions to choose from. You must respond to only 4 of the 8 questions.
• Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.
• Which questions you choose to answer is entirely up to you. However, you should select questions that are most relevant to your experience and that best reflect your individual circumstances.

Keep in mind

• All questions are equal. All are given equal consideration in the application review process, which means there is no advantage or disadvantage to choosing certain questions over others.
• There is no right or wrong way to answer these questions. It’s about getting to know your personality, background, interests and achievements in your own unique voice.  
• Use the additional comments field if there are issues you'd like to address that you didn't have the opportunity to discuss elsewhere on the application. This shouldn't be an essay, but rather a place to note unusual circumstances or anything that might be unclear in other parts of the application. You may use the additional comments field to note extraordinary circumstances related to COVID-19, if necessary. 

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.

Writing tips

Start early..

Give yourself plenty of time for preparation, careful composition and revisions.

Write persuasively.

Making a list of accomplishments, activities, awards or work will lessen the impact of your words. Expand on a topic by using specific, concrete examples to support the points you want to make.

Use “I” statements.

Talk about yourself so that we can get to know your personality, talents, accomplishments and potential for success on a UC campus. Use “I” and “my” statements in your responses.

Proofread and edit.

Although you will not be evaluated on grammar, spelling or sentence structure, you should proofread your work and make sure your writing is clear. Grammatical and spelling errors can be distracting to the reader and get in the way of what you’re trying to communicate.

Solicit feedback.

Your answers should reflect your own ideas and be written by you alone, but others — family, teachers and friends can offer valuable suggestions. Ask advice of whomever you like, but do not plagiarize from sources in print or online and do not use anyone's words, published or unpublished, but your own.

Copy and paste.

Once you are satisfied with your answers, save them in plain text (ASCII) and paste them into the space provided in the application. Proofread once more to make sure no odd characters or line breaks have appeared.

This is one of many pieces of information we consider in reviewing your application. Your responses can only add value to the application. An admission decision will not be based on this section alone.

Need more help?

Download our worksheets:

• English [PDF]
• Spanish [PDF]

  Graduate Seminars

Graduate proseminar.

English 200 / Prof. Cohen Mondays, 3 – 5:50 pm

Victorian Fiction & Novel Theory

Victorian Literature English 252 / Prof. Grossman Tuesdays, 9 – 11:50 am

Medicine of the Atlantic World

American Literature to 1900 English 254 / Prof. Silva Mondays, 12 – 2:50 pm

New Directions in Asian American Literature and Asian Americanist Critique

Topics in Asian American Literature English M260A / Prof. S.K. Lee Tuesdays, 3 – 5:50 pm

Studies in Chicana/o Literature English M261 / Prof. Perez-Torres Wednesdays, 3:00pm – 5:50pm

Winter 2025

Narrative across media.

Narrative Theory English 202 / Prof. Heise

This course aims to introduce graduate and advanced undergraduate students to basic concepts, theories, and methods in research on narrative across the media of fiction, nonfiction, fictional film, documentary film, videogames, graphic novels, and digital forms of narrative on and off social media. Each week, we will explore a basic dimension of narrative (for example, narrators, major and minor characters, or narrative endings) and narrative in a particular medium (for example, fiction, graphic novel, or videogames).

The class will explore storytelling situations, plot structure, character construction, fictionality and nonfictionality, cultural story templates, modes of reading/viewing narrative, image-text relations, cross-media translation, audiences, and fan communities. We’ll also survey different approaches to these issues, from sociological, feminist, and critical-race approaches to theories that emphasize empirical study, quantitative tools, and digital media. The course materials will emphasize environmental forms of storytelling in particular as a focus and point of departure for analysis; students will be encouraged to explore and apply the theoretical and methodological tools to their own areas of interest and research in narrative across different languages, genres, periods, and media.

The class is designed as a combination of short introductory lectures on crucial concepts, paradigms, and traditions with extensive seminar discussions.

Speculative Games and Media Poetics

Digital Theories and Methods English 203 / Prof. Snelson

Restoration and Eighteenth-Century Literature English 250 / Prof. Kareem

Postcolonial Literatures English 265 / Prof. DeLoughrey

Spring 2025

Prospectus workshop.

English 220 / Prof. Hornby

Old and Medieval English Literature English 244 / Prof. Chism

Restoration and Eighteenth-Century Literature English 250 / Prof. Deutsch

Aestheticism and Decadence

Victorian Literature English 252 / Prof. Bristow

Topics in Asian American Literature English M260A / Prof. R. Lee

Issues and Developments in Critical Theory English 270 / Prof. McHugh

Publishing an Academic Literary Article

English 495 / Prof. Looby