However, if you do not fare well on the SAT or the ACT, you are not wholly out of luck. UCLA has a super helpful catalog of freshman profiles for every year from 1998 to 2018 and this freshman profile for fall of 2018 (which reflects the most recent comprehensive data available) provides tons of helpful information including academic statistics for both domestic and international students. FAQs from prospective freshman applicants page. This is especially true when the university you are hoping to attend is highly competitive. Applicants may submit scores from either or both the old and new SAT, however those who take the new SAT must complete the essay section for UCLA (or any University of California campus) to recognize the exam. You’ll have to have very high grades, reflected by a high GPA, if you want to attend UCLA. That said, it can reflect poorly if you’ve taken the test too many times, so we recommend a taking the SAT a maximum of six times, which reflects the desire to do well and the ability to do so in a relatively low amount of attempts. If you’re closer to the 81, you’re likely going to have a tougher time getting accepted. If your school didn’t offer many AP courses, share this information on your application. To be a competitive applicant for UCLA your ACT score should come close to the average. The SAT Test: Everything You Need to Know, The ACT Test: Everything You Need to Know, article published in UCLA University News. In terms of coming in above and below average on the ACT, the percentiles are as follows for UCLA ACT scores: So again, what this means for you is that if you score below a 25, your application is likely to be overlooked. UCLA is a competitive school, but it is not considered among the most difficult schools in the country to get into. Additionally, the university will want high-quality recommendations, and some sort of after-school activities that let them know that you are an engaged and motivated self-starter who pursues the things you are interested in. Unlike the SAT, the ACT measures science. It was about 14% last year, 16.1% the year prior. You can read more here about UCLA freshman admissions requirements, but If you’ve got your eye set on UCLA, read on and we’ll tell you exactly how to get into UCLA!. College VIne: How Important is My Personal Background When I Apply. While there is no SAT or ACT score requirement for UCLA, the school will ideally want to see at least 1,240 on the SAT or a 29 on the ACT to be seriously considered. If you are a Premium Magoosh student and would like more personalized service, you can use the Help tab on the Magoosh dashboard. UCLA does not admit students into any undergraduate program who already hold Bachelor’s degrees, nor do we admit students who have the equivalent of three years (130 quarter-units or more) of transferable university work. And because high test scores play a huge role in getting into UCLA, it’s important to start prepping for the ACT and SAT as early as possible to become a highly competitive candidate. Now here’s something super important to keep in mind about UCLA SAT scores: UCLA’s score policy is “all scores,” meaning that each time you take the SAT, your scores are sent to UCLA. Magoosh is a play on the Old Persian word It means that a 1490 or higher puts you above the average of accepted applicants while a 1240 puts you below average. There's no absolute ACT requirement at UCLA, but they really want to see at least a 27 to have a chance at being considered. You can also consult this incredibly handy UCLA admissions summary tool which allows you to search and sort academic and demographic data for applicants and admits using various filters and criteria. Historically speaking, UCLA admits about 1 in 6 freshman applicants, but the trajectory of UCLA admissions is greater selectivity, meaning it’s increasingly hard to get into UCLA. In terms of your formal UCLA application materials, you will need to provide the following: Now beyond the basics above, UCLA will also take the following strongly into consideration when assessing you as a prospective student: What does this mean for you? What steps did you take? A standardized test score is important for a college like UCLA, but it is not the be-all end-all of your application process. ), the average composite score on the SAT is a 1360 out of 1600. Begin by taking a practice test. Once you know what test you're going to take. It shows that you are a smart and capable student but likely lazy and unmotivated. In other words, a 27 places you below average, while a 34 will move you up to above average. help@magoosh.com, Facebook When she's not teaching or contributing to the Magoosh blog, she enjoys reading, writing, and spending time in or near the ocean. Your ability to contribute to “the intellectual and cultural vitality of the campus” (per the admissions requirements linked above); this is also reflected in your personal insight responses. The SAT measures only Verbal, Mathematics and Reading Comprehension. But UCLA, which stands for the University of California, Los Angeles, is also a very prestigious public research institution and established in 1919, it’s the second oldest in the ten-campus University of California systems. On the other hand, if you score a 33 or higher composite ACT score you have a much greater chance of being considered. UCLA, which accepts fewer than 15% of applicants, has a highly competitive admissions pool with above-average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs. Indeed they do, in the form of grants and scholarships for both need and merit. The ACT has four different sections that measure: English, Math, Reading and Science. So the long and the short of it is: if you want a competitive edge, you want to get a 1490 or higher. UCLA evaluates your academic achievements in the context of your school community.   YouTube. UCLA like many large universities tries to people its campus with a diversity of students from a variety of backgrounds, both culturally and socially. Historically, the average GPA of students accepted to UCLA is 4.0 or higher, and this year is no exception. What lessons did you learn? ), and offers 337 undergraduate and graduate degree programs in wide range of fields. Depending on your personal strengths and on the particular program you’re applying to, you may be interested in the score percentiles by testing section, which are as follows: So again, if you want to have a good chance of getting into UCLA, keep your eye on the 75% percentile in all sections, especially those most related to the program you’re applying to. A good SAT score or a good ACT score is relative and depends on the individual taking the test. First and foremost, UCLA does not require both the ACT and the SAT, but you can certainly take and submit scores for both. Check out this great free 1-week SAT free trial and free 1-week ACT free trial to get you started! UCLA was recently ranked #2 in public universities in America (and #11 in the world! ultimate guide to completing your FAFSA application, History of Mormons: APUSH Topics to Study for Test Day, SAT Test Dates: Your Best Test Date (2019, 2020, 2021, 2022), how to get into the University of Chicago, tips on asking for a letter of recommendation, Columbia Admissions: The SAT, ACT Scores, and GPA You Need to Get In, Virginia Tech Admissions: The SAT, ACT Scores and GPA You Need to Get In, The 25th percentile for the composite SAT score is 1240, The 75th percentile for the composite SAT score is 1490, The 25th percentile for the composite ACT score is 25, The 75t percentile for the composite ACT score is 33, Test scores (ACT with Writing and/or SAT with Essay), Self reported high school grades (transcripts are required upon acceptance), Your social security number, annual income, citizenship status, and credit card information to pay the application fee, Your personal qualities, as reflected in your personal insight questions, The types of classes you’ve taken and their difficulty level.