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#2 Best Public Universities in America

UCLA Admission Requirements

Los Angeles, California

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Your chances of getting into University of California Los Angeles

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

8.6%
Admission Difficulty for University of California Los Angeles
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Elite 
Applicant Competition Extreme 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at UCLA is 8.6%.  Its admission rate is the 5th lowest in California and the 26th lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into UCLA and can you get accepted?

UCLA is an extremely competitive school to get into and is highly selective who it accepts. You have a very low chance of acceptance even even if you meet the admission criteria. It's critical that you meet their GPA requirements to get past the first round of consideration. Last year, only 12,845 out of the 149,801 who applied were admitted.

University of California Los Angeles typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.92. Of those applicants who were admitted, 50% enrolled. This indicates that the school is a top choice for many students who apply.

Can you get into UCLA?

9% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to University of California Los Angeles you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.92 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1420 on the SAT
  • Score 32 on the ACT

UCLA GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.92

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into University of California Los Angeles?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into UCLA are to have around a 3.92 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

Given the school's very highly selective admissions, acceptance at UCLA extremely difficult and unlikely even with a 3.92 GPA. The school should be considered a reach even if you have a 3.92 GPA. If your grades do not meet the GPA requirements, you will have very little chance of being considered for admission.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at UCLA is 3.92 on the 4.0 scale. 55% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #9 in California for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since UCLA is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted University of California Los Angeles students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 55.4% Avg +
3.75 to 3.99 36.4% Avg -
3.50 to 3.74 5.7% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 1.7% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 0.6% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 0.2% Low
2.00 to 2.49 0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

UCLA SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required by University of California Los Angeles. The school has a test blind policy.

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1300-1530

Applicants Submitting SAT 

78%
SAT Scores for University of California Los Angeles
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 650
Math 25th Percentile 650
Composite 25th Percentile 1300
SAT Scores for University of California Los Angeles
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 740
Math 75th Percentile 790
Composite 75th Percentile 1530
Average SAT Score 1420

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to University of California Los Angeles?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at UCLA is 1420 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1300-1530. Students who get into University of California Los Angeles score in the top 12 percent of all SAT test takers..  UCLA ranks #10 in the state of California and #82 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1420 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. UCLA regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1300 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1300, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1180, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

University of California Los Angeles is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1420 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1415, you have around a 9% chance of being admitted. A 1530 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 16% chance of getting in.

University of California Los Angeles admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1530 and Above Good >16%
1415 to 1530 Avg + 9%-16%
1300 to 1415 Avg - 5%-9%
1185 to 1300 Reach 3%-5%
Less than 1185 Low <3%
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UCLA ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

29-35 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

53%
ACT Scores for University of California Los Angeles
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 28
Math 25th Percentile 27
Composite 25th Percentile 29
ACT Scores for University of California Los Angeles
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 35
Math 75th Percentile 34
Composite 75th Percentile 35
Average ACT Score 32

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into UCLA?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to UCLA is 32, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 29 and 35.  The school ranks #9 in California and #57 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 32. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 29 and score in the score in the top 9 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 26.

53 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of California Los Angeles.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as University of California Los Angeles is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into UCLA for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 32 score has around 9% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 16% with a 35 ACT score.

University of California Los Angeles admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
35 and Above Good >16%
32 to 35 Avg + 9%-16%
29 to 32 Avg - 5%-9%
26 to 29 Reach 3%-5%
Less than 26 Low <3%
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Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

University of California Los Angeles admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 81,206 68,595 149,801
Accepted 7,749 5,096 12,845
Acceptance Rate 10% 7% 9%
Enrolled 4,052 2,410 6,462
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 52% 47% 50%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Nov 30, 2024

Days left to Apply

23

Applicants have 23 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Nov 30, 2024.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of California Los Angeles is $70.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of California Los Angeles and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of California Los Angeles Application Requirements
Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at University of California Los Angeles
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because UCLA is extremely competitive, you have a very low likelihood of acceptance. It is critical that you earn at least a 3.92 GPA to have any chance. Additionally, you need to score at least a 1420 on the SAT and optimally 1530 to put yourself in a competitive position. For ACT scores, you should really strive for a 32 to have the best chance of getting in.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to University of California Los Angeles often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110662 IPEDS survey data for University of California Los Angeles.

Last updated February 24, 2024