does ucla require supplemental essays

Freshman Writing Requirements

Writing requirements for first-year students.

All entering first-year students at UCLA must satisfy the following writing requirements.

• Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR): Satisfying this requirement demonstrates readiness for Writing I. It may include an additional ESL Writing Requirement for multilingual and/or international students whose previous education was predominantly in a language other than English.
• Writing I:  This requirement is informally known as “Freshman Composition.”
• Writing II:  While Writing I prepares students for college-level academic writing, Writing II introduces you to the ways different disciplines use writing to discover, evaluate, and disseminate new knowledge.

For background on the Writing I and II requirements click here .

The chart below outlines the three writing requirements that UCLA undergraduate students are held for:

NOTE: The ELWR and Writing I requirements should be met by the end of your first year of study. Writing II may be completed the first year but can be taken later.

Placement Exam – AWPE

First-year students take the Analytical Writing Placement Exam (AWPE) to determine whether they have satisfied the Entry-Level Writing Requirement (ELWR).  Learn more  here .

How To Satisfy the Entry-Level Writing Requirement (ELWR)

Before enrolling at ucla.

You can satisfy the Entry-Level Writing Requirement if you:

• Score 680 or higher on the Evidenced-Based Reading and Writing section of the SAT
• Achieve a score of 30 or better on the ACT, English Language Arts or 63 or better on the ACT, English Plus Reading. The English Language Arts score represents your overall performance on the English, Reading, and Writing sections of the exam.
• Score 3 or better on the AP English Language or Literature Examination or the AP Seminar examination or the AP Research examination
• Score 5 or higher on the International Baccalaureate Higher Level Examination in English
• Score 6 or higher on the International Baccalaureate Standard Level Examination in English
• Achieve a passing score on the UC Analytical Writing Placement Exam (AWPE)
• Complete a UC transferable college course in English composition with a grade of C or better before enrolling at UCLA . Once you have enrolled at UCLA, you must complete your ELWR writing requirement by taking UCLA composition courses only .

After Enrolling at UCLA

If you have not met the ELWR requirement before enrolling at UCLA, you must take the AWPE and complete the required UCLA English Composition course(s) with a grade of C or better  as early as possible during your first year in residence . If you are required to take more than one course, you may not take them concurrently—you must pass each course with a C or better before taking the next one. Depending on the placement results of the AWPE, you may be required to take up to 3 courses (= 3 quarters).

For most students, there are up to 2 UCLA English Composition courses you may be required to take to satisfy ELWR: EC 1 and EC 2. However, some students whose first language is not English may be required to take up to 3 courses (EC 1A, 1B and 2i) in order to satisfy an additional ESL Requirement.

Moreover, you must satisfy the Entry-Level Writing Requirement  before you are able to satisfy the next first-year writing requirement: Writing I. In other words, you cannot satisfy the ELWR and Writing I requirements at the same time.

Course descriptions can be found here .

How To Satisfy the Writing I Requirement

You can satisfy the Writing I Requirement if you:

• Score 4 or 5 on the AP English Language or Literature Exam
• Present transfer credit for an acceptable college-level course in English Composition (passed with a C or better) at another institution. This course can be completed after you start your coursework at UCLA .

If you have not met the Writing I requirement before enrolling at UCLA, you must complete English Composition 3 (or its equivalent shown in the table below) with a grade of C or better  as early as possible during your first year in residence .

How To Satisfy the Writing II Requirement

You can satisfy the Writing II Requirement by taking any UCLA course with a ‘W’ designation. These courses are offered in many disciplines. Writing Programs offers English Composition 5W (Literature, Culture, and Critical Inquiry), English Composition 6W (Language, Culture, and Discourse), and English Composition 100W/100WD (Interdisciplinary Academic Writing). Learn more about the Writing II requirement here .

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UCLA’s Supplemental Essay Prompts

• Post author By Siena Swift
• Post date October 12, 2023
• No Comments on UCLA’s Supplemental Essay Prompts

The University of California — Los Angeles receives the most applications of any college in the nation. As one of the most prestigious universities in California, with an acceptance rate of 8.8% in 2023, it is frequently referred to as a “public Ivy.” As part of the sprawling UC system , students interested in UCLA must fill out the standardized UC application . Included in this application are eight short “personal insight questions” in lieu of one longer personal statement. Out of these eight questions, students must answer four.

Common App 911/UC App 911

Step-by-step strategic support.

While these eight questions are the same for every UC school, understanding the unique characteristics of UCLA will help you effectively answer these prompts. UCLA is looking specifically for “intellectual curiosity” and “personal development” in your responses to these essay prompts. Remember, the school aims to foster the shared values of “a creative, ambitious and diverse student body.”

When responding to these prompts, consider how to frame your growth and your commitment to creativity, ambition, and diversity through specific examples. Personal development is a continuous process—make it clear that you intend to contribute to the UCLA community and take advantage of its opportunities while you pursue your own unique path.

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UCLA’S SUPPLEMENTAL ESSAY PROMPTS

Choose four of the eight “personal insight questions” to answer (350 words each):

• 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?
• Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.
• 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?

EXPERT GUIDANCE FOR AN ACADEMIC EDGE

Like the Common Application, the UC application gives you space to showcase your talents, passions and potential. If you’re aiming for UCLA and want more support filling out the UC application, we’ve got you covered in our Common App/UC App 911 Program .

Seeking expert essay guidance as well? Consider our Essay Guidance Program or bundle them for a complete, maximized UC application!

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Does UCLA Require Supplemental Essays?

Introduction.

The University of California Los Angeles (UCLA) is one of the most prestigious universities in the United States. It is a highly sought-after school for students from all over the world, and its admissions process is highly competitive. One of the key components of the admissions process is the supplemental essays. Does UCLA require supplemental essays? The answer is yes, and in this blog post, we will explore exactly what UCLA requires of its applicants in terms of supplemental essays.

What is a Supplemental Essay?

A supplemental essay is an additional essay that is required by some universities as part of the admissions process. These essays are usually shorter than the main essay, and they are designed to give the admissions committee a better understanding of the applicant’s personality, values, and interests. The supplemental essay is an opportunity for the applicant to show the admissions committee why they should be accepted into the university.

What Does UCLA Require in its Supplemental Essays?

UCLA requires applicants to submit two supplemental essays. The first essay is a personal statement, which is a 250-word essay that gives the admissions committee a better understanding of the applicant’s background and experiences. The second essay is an additional essay that can be up to 500 words. This essay should be used to explain why the applicant is interested in attending UCLA and why they would be a good fit for the school.

How to Write a Successful Supplemental Essay for UCLA?

Writing a successful supplemental essay for UCLA is no easy task. It requires careful planning and a lot of time and effort. The key to success is to be honest and authentic in your writing. You should also make sure that your essay is well-structured and that it follows a logical flow. Here are some tips to help you write a successful supplemental essay for UCLA:

1. Brainstorm: Before you start writing, take some time to brainstorm and jot down your ideas. Think about your background, experiences, and interests, and make a list of topics that you could write about.

2. Do your research: Research the school and find out what makes it unique. This will help you to tailor your essay to UCLA and make it more specific and personal.

3. Be specific: Make sure that your essay is specific and detailed. Avoid general statements and focus on specific examples and stories that will help the admissions committee get to know you better.

4. Show, don’t tell: Rather than telling the admissions committee what kind of person you are, show them by using examples and stories.

5. Proofread: Once you’ve finished writing your essay, make sure to proofread it and check for any errors.

In conclusion, UCLA does require supplemental essays as part of the admissions process. The essays should be used to give the admissions committee a better understanding of the applicant’s background and interests. Writing a successful supplemental essay for UCLA requires careful planning and a lot of time and effort. It is important to be honest and authentic in your writing, and to make sure that your essay is well-structured and follows a logical flow. By following these tips, you can increase your chances of being accepted into UCLA.”

B.A. in World Arts and Cultures Admissions

If you are applying to UCLA for the first time, please read the information under “For New First Year and Transfer Applicants”.

If you are a current UCLA student who wants to major in World Arts and Cultures, please scroll down to “For Current UCLA Students”.

FOR NEW FIRST YEAR AND TRANSFER APPLICANTS:

New UCLA first year and transfer students are admitted to the major for fall quarter only. To be considered for admission, applicants are required to complete both the general University of California (UC) undergraduate application, as well as a department supplement.

UC Application Filing Period: October 1- November 30 .

Applicants who have submitted their UC application and have listed World Arts and Cultures as their first choice major to UCLA will have access to the online supplemental application for World Arts and Cultures.

The World Arts and Cultures supplemental application portal is open from November 15 – December 15. Once an applicant submits the UC Application indicating the World Arts and Cultures major as their first choice major to UCLA, their UC Application will be processed within 1-10 business days, excluding weekends and holidays. Once the UC Application is officially processed, applicants will use their UC Application ID to log into the online supplemental application. Undergraduate applicants must submit both the UC application and department supplement to be considered for admission into the major.

Supplemental Application Materials

The supplemental application for the WAC major is due on December 15 at 11:59pm PST, and includes the following specific departmental requirements:

• Academics and Extracurriculars
• Unofficial Transcripts
• Departmental Statements

For full details about requirements and instructions on submission as well as formatting guidelines, please refer to the Supplemental Application Worksheet below:

UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture Prospective Student website

F2024 WAC Supplemental Application Worksheet (For new First Year and Transfer Applicants to UCLA - B.A., World Arts and Cultures)

All supplemental materials must be submitted through the online upload system; any physical materials submitted to the department will not be considered in the review process.

If you have any questions about the admission process, please email [email protected] or visit UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture Prospective Students

***Please note that UCLA is closed for winter break from mid-December through the first week in January. We will respond to all inquiries submitted during this time upon returning.***

FOR CURRENT UCLA STUDENTS:

NOTE: The 2023-2024 Program Change application is open. Please read through the following information before you start the application. The link to the application portal is at the end of this page.

Current UCLA undergraduate students interested in the World Arts and Cultures major must identify themselves to the department by November 30, 2023 (4:00pm PST) in order to participate in the departmental Change of Major admission process during Fall/Winter. Applications are considered once a year.

• Register as a Change of Major applicant using this Google Form: https://forms.gle/8CMdCwEnti3MdMj69 . As a part of this registration, you will need to submit a PDF of your Program Change Petition. Download the petition form here: http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/Forms/Registration-and-Enrollment/Undergraduate-Program-Change-Petition .

Deadline to submit Supplemental WAC application (link below): January 10 at 11:59pm PST

The Department encourages prospective Change of Major applicants to book a counseling appointment with the department advisors, so that you can get direct individualized information about your degree proposal. Please email [email protected] to request an appointment.

UNIVERSITY REQUIREMENTS

You may apply to ONE major per quarter only.

You must be in good academic standing at the end of the application quarter. If you are on academic probation at the end of your previous quarter, you may still apply, with the expectation that your status will be cleared at the end of the current quarter. Minimum progress probation status may affect your change of major petition.

PROGRAM REQUIREMENTS

The Department strongly prefers a minimum 3.0 GPA in World Arts courses and an overall minimum 2.0 GPA .

Students must be enrolled in at least one WAC course during the Fall quarter in which the petition is filed, so that their work may be monitored by the World Arts and Cultures/Dance (WACD) faculty and counselor.

ALL APPLICANTS must have taken previously or be enrolled in WL ARTS 1 in the current Fall Quarter of application, this will count towards the above requirement.

FIRST YEAR AND SOPHOMORE STANDING APPLICANTS:

• You must have no more than 90 quarter units at the beginning of Winter Quarter, although fewer are recommended.
• Applicants should have taken and/or be enrolled in at least one class by/during the Winter Quarter (if available) from: WL ARTS 2, 20, 24, or 33.

NOTE: If you are a prospective WAC applicant with no established UC GPA (ex. you are a new student entering in the Fall who has not taken previous coursework at UCLA or any other UC), you are not eligible to apply until you have a UCLA GPA. For most prospective WAC applicants, the soonest you can apply for a Change of Major is in Fall/Winter of sophomore year, as most students establish their first UCLA GPA in mid- to late December following the completion of Fall Q, which is after the COM deadline.

JUNIOR STANDING APPLICANTS:

• You must have no more than 120 quarter units at the beginning of Winter Quarter, although fewer are recommended.
• Competitive applicants will have the majority of their School and University requirements completed.

Program Change Application Portal

The department uses SlideRoom to collect Program Change applications. You will need to sign up for a free SlideRoom account. There is no additional cost associated with applying for a Program Change. When you are ready, here is the direct link to the application requirements as well as where to submit:

https://uclaarts.slideroom.com/ - Please choose WORLD ARTS AND CULTURES Major Program Change Application (current UCLA Students)

Should you have any questions after reviewing this information, please email [email protected] .

Frequently Asked Questions

Does the department of world arts and cultures/dance offer any scholarships to incoming students.

The department offers scholarships of modest amounts to our continuing students. Some scholarships are being offered to new students through the UCLA Alumni Association. The Financial Aid Office works closely with all students who need financial assistance. A financial aid award generally consists of a combination of scholarships and grant money from UCLA and other sources, low-interest loans, and a work-study job during the academic year.

As a transfer student, is there any coursework you recommend that I take?

California community college students are strongly encouraged to complete IGETC requirements. All other transfer students are encouraged to make progress toward completion of the UCLA's School of the Arts and Architecture's general education and university proficiency requirements. Beyond the IGETC/General Education courses, it is recommended that World Arts and Cultures students take additional courses offered in their area of interest (i.e. anthropology, art history, folklore, ethnic studies, gender studies, etc.). For more specific recommendations, please review the Transfer Admission Guide . There is also additional information and guidance for transfer students at arts.ucla.edu/apply .

What is the theme for the personal statement essay? I have already written one for the UC application.

The department personal statement that is submitted with the supplemental application, is distinct from the UC personal insight questions. Your audience for your UC responses are “general UC readers,” and your audience for the UCLA Arts supplemental essays are your department faculty. The department faculty do have access to your UC responses. In the event that the reviewing faculty want more information about an applicant, they may request to review your UC responses.

What kind of performance opportunities exist for WAC students?

Check the department announcements posted via our social media outlets (Facebook and Instagram), the department's weekly newsletter, and flyers that are posted within the department for audition information. Additional opportunities exist each year at WACsmash—an interdisciplinary showcase of artists within World Arts and Cultures/Dance. The show incorporates dance, film, live music and more created and produced by undergraduate students.

Who can take seminars in the WACD department?

All current students are encouraged to attend classes here in WACD! Our department is highly trans-disciplinary, with no two students studying the exact same thing, and we embrace diversity of academic background and thought. Please be advised that upper level undergraduate courses may require certain pre-requisites, or permission of the instructor. Also, please note that some departments do not permit undergraduates from attending graduate seminars. Arts and Architecture undergraduates may not apply graduate level coursework towards their major requirements. Be sure to check with your advisor before you invest your time. Permission to attend a WACD upper level undergraduate or graduate course is ultimately at the discretion of the instructor. Please ask the faculty for advice about whether the course is appropriate for you.

University of California, Los Angeles | UCLA

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University of California, Los Angeles | UCLA’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Select-a-prompt short responses.

Please respond to any 4 of the 8 questions below.We realize that not all questions apply to all applicants, so be sure to select the 4 questions that you believe give us the best information about you.All 8 questions are given equal consideration in the application review process. Responses to each question should be between 250-350 words.

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?

Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.

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?

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

• Medical School Application

UCLA Secondary Essay Prompts and Examples

Looking for UCLA secondary essay information? You've come to the right spot. In this blog, we will go over several UCLA secondary essay examples and give you tips for how to make your secondaries stand out!

>> Want us to help you get accepted? Schedule a free strategy call here . <<

Listen to the blog!

Article Contents 8 min read

The David Geffen School of Medicine at the University of California in Los Angeles (UCLA) receives thousands of applicants each year competing for approximately 160 places into its MD program. Upon receiving the supplemental application request letter, students will have just fifteen days to complete and submit their secondary application, which requires addressing 10 different prompts. This is a tight timeline for most, so preparing your UCLA secondary essays in advance will allow for well-thought, well-crafted responses. This post will provide you with the UCLA secondary essay prompts along with sample essay examples.

Secondary applications are sent by medical schools between August - October to further assess a candidate's suitability for the profession. The secondaries are comprised of questions or prompts that are designed to help the admissions committee learn more about a candidate's passions, interests, and experiences. Applicants are required to answer these prompts while adhering to strict word or character counts. The length of each essay is school dependent, some prompts will require a response in 150 words, while others will allow for 1500 words. While some schools send out secondary applications to all applicants, others only send out secondaries to applicants they are interested in learning more about. While there are many medical school secondary essay examples , " why do you want to be a doctor ", " tell me about yourself " and  diversity essay medical school  prompts are common.

Every institution will have its own medical school application timelines . UCLA accepts applicants on a rolling admissions schedule. Once an applicant has received the secondary application request letter, applicants are given a maximum of 15 days to submit their application, or it's due by UCLA's mid-October deadline, whichever is earlier. Due to this, it's recommended that applicants submit their primary application to AMCAS early, well before the UCLA AMCAS application deadline. Here is UCLA's typical timeline:

Rolling offers of admission starting in October of the year of application "}]">

Each school has its own list of medical school secondary essays  comprised of between one to ten prompts on average. The UCLA medical school requirements call for 10 different secondary essay prompts, probing students to explore their interests, volunteer experience, significant achievements, and hardships. Use the examples below as a guideline to help you create your own unique responses.

1. Describe your involvement in the one most important non-academic activity in your life. (800 char)

In high school, I developed a hobby that quickly turned into a daily habit: exercising. Exercise has had a formidable impact on many areas of my life. Regular exercise creates discipline and amplifies my work ethic. When I was insecure, working out increased my confidence. Exercise gave me a sense of control by displaying the direct correlation between my hard work and the results that are attained. This revelation was first noticed through this habit, but it swiftly carried over to many other areas of my life as well. I strongly believe that this habit played a major role in my character development, and I would not be the same person I am today if I never began exercising.

Click here to see another response to this prompt.

2. What has been the one most unique leadership, entrepreneurial or creative activity in which you participated? (800 char)

While volunteering at the Arts Academy, a society serving those with disabilities, I noticed the boys participated in activities not otherwise available to girls. Many girls had issues making friends, while the boys seemed comfortable with each other. To improve the girl's situation, I started the first girls’ basketball team. Many families were against the girl's participation as they believed sports were for boys. By explaining the mental and physical health benefits of participating, I successfully convinced half of the families. The girls became more confident and self-sufficient. I felt accomplished, not just because I taught them basketball, but because they'd become friends. This experience taught me compassion, commitment, and how to work with people from different backgrounds.

1. Streamline your responses.

The UCLA secondary essay prompts are quite challenging for students. At first glance at the low character counts, you may feel relieved to discover you won't be writing ten different chapters. However, many of the prompts require a response between 300-500 characters, equating to roughly 3-5 sentences. To convey maturity, passion, and lessons learned in only a few sentences is extremely difficult. Students must be able to craft a concise, direct response to the question while adhering strictly to the character count. To create a streamlined response, focus on the main takeaway point that you want to convey, and structure your response around it.

2. Demonstrate self-reflection.

It isn't enough to simply state an experience that you've had when answering the UCLA secondary prompts, you need to be able to demonstrate your ability to self-reflect by conveying to the admissions committee what you learned, how an experience has helped your growth, and how it can benefit you as a physician. If you notice in the examples provided above, each entry includes a takeaway message which not only shows reflection, but also maturity and growth.

3. Perfect your spelling and grammar.

Your UCLA secondary essays have to be perfect as they are a direct reflection of who you are as a candidate. Mistakes indicate a lack of professionalism, a lack of interest, and therefore, a lack of suitability for the profession. It's essential to proofread your essays multiple times to ensure there are no spelling or grammatical errors. 

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