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University of California-Los Angeles
Admission Requirements for Graduate Programs at University of California-Los Angeles
Admissions at UCLA are extremely competitive. Admission requirements vary from course to course and the duration for which the program is being offered. The UCLA application for graduate admission should be used to apply for all programs with the exception of the M.D. in Medicine, the J.D. and L.L.M. in Law, the D.D.S. in Dentistry, and M.B.A. and M.F.E. programs in the Anderson Graduate School of Management, which have separate admission application processes.
Like many other universities, UCLA has also waived the GRE requirement for a large number of its programs. However, the applicants need to have a good GPA, a well-written essay, letters of recommendation, and official transcripts as a part of the application.
UCLA also offers joint degree programs with some of its professional schools and departments in Law and African-American Studies; Law and American Indian Studies; Law and Management; Law and Philosophy; Law and Public Health; Law and Public Policy; Law and Social Welfare; and Law and Urban Planning.
Can you detail the average GRE/GMAT/LSAT scores accepted for admissions into UCLA Graduate programs?
UCLA is one of the most competitive universities in terms of admission requirements. To get into UCLA graduate programs, a high GRE score is required. However, there is no minimum GRE requirement mentioned for graduate programs. The average GRE score ranges from 156 to 163 for verbal and 155 to 168 for Quant. Some UCLA programs have higher average Quant scores than Verbal scores (typically STEM programs), while other programs have higher average Verbal scores. For instance, for getting admission to the full-time MBA program at Anderson School of Management, applicants can submit either their GRE or GMAT scores. However, there is no minimum score requirement.
Do UCLA's master's programs waive the GRE and GMAT requirements?
UCLA offers a variety of graduate programs, some of which don’t require GRE or GMAT scores to be submitted as a part of the application. The Department of Psychology at UCLA offers programs in Behavioral Neuroscience, Clinical, Cognitive, Developmental, Health, Quantitative, and Social. Applicants for admission to the graduate programs are not required to submit a GRE score report as part of their application package. However, they need to submit personal statements, resumes, and letters of recommendation.
Some of the No GRE programs offered by UCLA are Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.), Master's in Economics, M.A. and Psy.D. in Psychology, and Master of Accountancy.
How does a lower GPA impact the admission process for UCLA's Master's programs?
Considering how competitive the admission process is for getting into UCLA, a low GPA can make it a very difficult task to get into a reputed university like UCLA. For UCLA applicants, a GPA below 3.84 is considered low. However, a low GPA can be compensated with an excellent personal essay, extra-curricular activities record, and taking up advanced courses. These requirements can help but cannot guarantee admission in case of a low GPA.
Master of Public Policy (M.P.P.)
Applicants to the M.P.P. program are evaluated on their overall record. The final decision is based on a subjective assessment of the applicant's potential to meet the scholarship requirements of the program and to succeed as a policy professional.
GRE score is optional
A score of at least 600 (paper-based test) or 100 (iBTt) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or an overall band score of 7.0 on the International English Testing System (IELTS) examination is required for applicants whose native language is not English.
The statement of purpose is evaluated to determine the applicant's genuine academic interest in and commitment to a career in public policy, as well as the applicant's general ability to write coherent and convincing prose. The statement can also help determine the match between the applicant's interests and the school's offerings and to assess written communication skills.
Applicants with at least two years of work experience in policy-making or implementation are preferred. Internships and volunteer work in a policy setting are also viewed positively.
Recommendations should be from individuals who know the applicant well and who can comment specifically on the potential for a career as a policy professional rather than someone of high status in a firm or school who has minimal knowledge of the applicant.