If your child is a hopeful Bruin, you’re likely wondering whether they have what it takes to get into the University of California, Los Angeles. We’re going to help you answer that question, but first let’s learn what makes UCLA such a desirable spot to spend four years. 

About UCLA

UCLA is one of the largest University of California campuses with over 30,000 undergraduate students and over 14,000 graduate students. It has a formidable research output and around $1 billion a year in research funding. Undergraduate students are mostly within the UCLA College of Letters and Science, but can also be found within the schools of Engineering, Arts & Architecture, Theater/Film/TV, Nursing, Public Affairs, and Business.

In terms of student life, UCLA undergrads get to enjoy a busy and engaged campus, a major city, and nearby beaches. There are over 1,000 undergraduate organizations, many of which double as pre-professional opportunities. And, off campus, students head to nearby Santa Monica on weekend days for swimming. 

UCLA is one of the most applied-to schools in the United States. The admit rate for the UCLA Class of 2029 was a mere 9%, a number on par with several Ivy League schools. That means getting in will require strategic planning (and the help of Ivy Coach’s former college admissions experts certainly wouldn’t hurt). 

UCLA Admissions Requirements 

There isn’t one singular tip or trick for getting into UCLA, just as there isn’t for any selective school. UCLA uses a holistic application review and looks at each student as a whole person rather than as numbers on a page. That being said, let’s look at some of the features that unite successful applicants to UCLA. 

What Kind of GPA Is Necessary To Get Into UCLA?

The following is the GPA breakdown of the members of UCLA’s Class of 2029, as reported in UCLA’s 2025-26 Common Data Set:

GPA	Percentage of UCLA Class of 2029
4.0	58.8%
3.75-3.99	34.6%
3.5-3.74	4.9%
3.25-3.49	1.0%
3.0-3.24	0.4%
2.5-2.99	0.2%
2.0-2.49	0.1%
1.0-1.99	0.0%

Last year, 58.8% of students who enrolled in the UCLA Class of 2029 boasted perfect GPAs. So, while UCLA may not have a literal GPA requirement for admission, it appears quite obvious that they have a de facto requirement for stellar grades. Moreover, consider the many students with excellent grades and test scores who still face rejection! Oy vey!

It’s for this very reason that we at Ivy Coach can’t guarantee our clients’ admission to UCLA or any other college (nor can any other counselor; those who do should not be trusted to keep it real!). Without a comprehensive understanding of a student’s profile, including their high school, coursework rigor, extracurriculars, essays, and letters of recommendation, any answer about their chances would be meaningless.

What Kind of SAT or ACT Scores Are Needed To Get Into University of California, Los Angeles?  

None! That’s right: UCLA is test-blind, meaning they do not consider SAT or ACT scores at all. 

What Classes Do Students Need to Take to Get Into UCLA?

UCLA lists the following as their minimum course requirements to be considered for admission: 

• 2 years history/social science
• 4 years of college-preparatory English
• 3 years of mathematics (4 years recommended)
• 2 years of laboratory science (3 years recommended)
• 2 years of language other than English (3 years recommended)
• 1 year of visual and performing arts (if available)
• 1 year of college-preparatory elective

What Kinds of Extracurriculars Does UCLA Like To See?

We at Ivy Coach count myth-busting among our job requirements. The number one myth we bust? That college admissions officers are looking for “well-rounded” applicants. The jack of all trades is also the master of none. UCLA does not want a student who is decent in many disparate arenas; they want a student who is the number one person in a particular field and who will go on to become a global leader in that field, touting the UCLA name as they reach such awesome heights. In terms of extracurriculars, that means applicants are better advised to become an expert or national award winner at one endeavor, rather than spreading themself thin across various pursuits. 

UCLA Application Requirements

UCLA exclusively uses the UC application portal. They do not accept letters of recommendation. Though there is no overarching supplemental essay, various UCLA majors ask for supplemental materials. 

Does UCLA Require an Interview?

You can cross this one off your list: UCLA doesn’t even offer interviews. 

What Are UCLA’s Application Deadlines? 

Applications to UCLA are due November 30th. 

How Ivy Coach Helps Students Get Into UCLA

If you’re interested in figuring out if your child has a shot of getting into UCLA, we recommend setting up Ivy Coach’s Strategy Session. Not only will you find out if your child has a chance of getting into UCLA, but you’ll receive a game plan of how your child can optimize their admission to the best school possible.