ucla personal statement graduate school

Personal statement

Most uc campuses require a personal statement in addition to a statement of purpose. make yours count..

While the statement of purpose highlights the goals and experiences related to the research area you plan to pursue, your personal statement (also called a history or diversity statement) is an opportunity for the review committee to learn about the unique qualities and perspectives you’ll bring to the program.

Crafting a strong Personal Statement

Simply put, the statement of purpose is about your work, while your personal statement is about you – and how you’ll contribute to the diversity of ideas. Draw on your unique background to present yourself as an ideal candidate for the graduate program to which you are applying.

Tell your story This is your opportunity to expand on your background, highlight unique experiences, challenges and triumphs and give the committee a more compelling reason to accept you. If a personal statement is not requested, consider incorporating this content into your statement of purpose. It is in your best interest to offer supplemental information when given an opportunity.

Describe goals, achievements and challenges

• Describe your academic and career goals and highlight how graduate school will advance them.
• Tell how personal experiences shaped your aspirations, and don’t shy away from discussing poor grades or large time gaps in your resume.
• Address any particular challenges you’ve faced, and how you worked to overcome them.
• Focus on issues that have had an impact on your education, such as being raised in a single parent household, working to help support family, thriving in unsafe environments, persevering with physical or other challenges or coming from an underrepresented minority group.

Showcase experiences related to diversity 

• Mention your engagement in programs that increase diversity in your chosen field, such as participation in undergraduate academic preparation, diversity and equity programs, higher education pathways and summer research opportunities, and mentoring underrepresented students.
• Explain how your experiences have deepened your understanding of the barriers facing ethnic minorities, women, and others underrepresented in higher education or how your experiences have helped advance efforts to improve inclusion of these groups.
• Highlight research you have conducted that addresses underserved populations, such as issues of race, gender, equity and inclusion, disparities in health or educational access, and human rights. Mention artistic and cultural works you have produced that reflect diverse communities and voices not well represented

Remember, write a statement specifically tailored for the program to which you are applying. This allows the admission’s committee an opportunity to see exactly who you are.

Application & Instructions

The deadline to submit the application and all supporting materials (e.g. letters of recommendation, transcripts, etc.) for Fall 2024 admission for the Clinical area only is  November 1, 2023 . The deadline for all other areas (Behavioral Neuroscience, Cognitive, Developmental, Health, Quantitative, and Social) is  December 1, 2023 . 

If you have specific questions about the online UCLA application for Graduate Admission , please email the UCLA Division of Graduate Education office at  [email protected] .

Please note there is no departmental application. The only application you need to complete is the online UCLA application for Graduate Admission . Applications are accepted once a year for the Fall quarter only. 

Be sure to read  Information for Prospective Applicants  and  Preparation prior to submitting your application!   In addition, be sure to visit the link to the specific program to which you plan to apply for additional information. 

You may only apply to one of the seven areas in the Department of Psychology: Behavioral Neuroscience, Clinical, Cognitive, Developmental, Health, Quantitative, and Social.

We do not offer rolling admissions or early acceptance into our program. We do not accept current graduate students transferring directly into our program. Applicants who are currently enrolled as graduate students elsewhere must apply and have their materials reviewed with the rest of the applicants that apply. 

Please note that a writing sample is not required but can be submitted through the application. Applicants to the Clinical and Quantitative program should view the fifth bullet point below.

FACULTY ACCEPTING STUDENTS FOR FALL 2024 ADMISSION:

Behavioral Neuroscience Area : Avishek Adhikari, Dean Buonomano, Jaime Castrellon, Michael Fanselow, Barbara Knowlton, Dario Ringach, Jesse Rissman, Ladan Shams, Kate Wassum

Clinical Area:  Denise Chavira, Bruce Chorpita, Michelle Craske, Tiffany Ho, Katherine Karlsgodt, Anna Lau, Lara Ray

Cognitive Area : Alan Castel, Jaime Castrellon, Patricia Cheng, Phil Kellman, Barbara Knowlton, Ian Krajbich, Falk Lieder, Zili Liu, Hongjing Lu, Martin M. Monti, Jesse Rissman, Ladan Shams

Developmental Area:  Bridget Callaghan, Andrew Fuligni, Catherine Sandhofer, Jennifer Silvers, James Stigler

Health  Area :  Julienne Bower, Theodore Robles, Annette Stanton, Jennifer Sumner, Janet Tomiyama, Patrick Wilson

Quantitative  Area :  Han Du, Craig Enders, Yi Feng, Amanda Montoya

Social Area:  Naomi Eisenberger, Yuen Huo, Jaimie Krems, Matthew Lieberman, Carolyn Parkinson

INTERVIEW SCHEDULE FOR FALL 2024 ADMISSION:

Applicants that are invited to interview will be notified through email about two weeks prior to the interview appointment. Interviews will be conducted virtually. Applicants will receive individual emails with Recruitment Day information. Applicants that are not offered admission to our program for Fall 2024 will be notified by email no later than April 15, 2024.  BNS Area Interview Dates: January 26, 2024 Clinical Area Interview Dates: January 16 – January 19, 2024 Cognitive Area Interview Dates: January 26, 2024 Developmental Area Interview Dates: January 26, 2024 Health Area Interview Dates: January 18 – January 19, 2024 Quantitative Area Interview Date: January 26, 2024 Social Area Interview Dates: Early January, 2024

Department Recruitment Day: February 23, 2024

*** NOTE: ALL OF THE FOLLOWING APPLICATION MATERIALS ARE REQUIRED ***

A) Statement of Purpose & Personal Statement:

The Statement of Purpose and Personal Statement must be submitted electronically through the application for Graduate Admission.

Guidelines for the Statement of Purpose:  Your statement can be up to 1000 words in length. Please state your purpose in applying for graduate study. Describe your scholarly and research area(s) of interest, experiences that contributed to your preparation in the field, and your plans for your future occupation or profession. Briefly describe experiences that have prepared you for advanced study or research, and provide any additional information that may aid the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and aptitude for graduate study. You are encouraged to indicate specific research interests and potential faculty mentors.

Guidelines for the Personal Statement : Your statement can be up to 500 words in length (approximately 1 page, single spaced, using 1-inch margins and 12-point font). Describe how your background, accomplishments, and life experiences (those not already described in your Statement of Purpose) led to your decision to pursue the graduate degree for which you are applying. Include any educational, personal, cultural, economic, or social experiences, challenges or opportunities relevant to your academic journey. In addition, please describe any aspects of your personal background, accomplishments, or achievements that will allow the department to evaluate your contributions to the University’s diversity mission. Contributions to diversity and equal opportunity can take a variety of forms, such as efforts to advance equitable access to education, public service that addresses the need of a diverse population, or research that explores inequalities.

Additional Questions and Essays:  Applicants to the Clinical area must answer 6 additional questions. Applicants to the Quantitative area must provide a supplementary essay up to 1000 words describing their research interests in more detail. Supplementary essays are available in the ‘Psychology’ section of the application once you select ‘Psychology PHD’ under ‘Plans for Graduate Study’.

B) Three Letters of Recommendation:

It is your choice who you would like to choose as your recommenders. Your letters of recommendation can be submitted electronically by your recommenders either before or after you submit the application for Graduate Admission. It is also possible to send your letter of recommendation requests to your recommenders before you submit the application. Three (3) letters of recommendation must be submitted electronically through the application. Letter of recommendation services such as your school’s career center, Interfolio.com, etc. must also submit letters electronically through the application for the letters to be accepted. It is possible to submit more than three (3) letters of recommendation through the application. However, only three (3) letters of recommendation are required. The Letter of Recommendation Rating/Reference Form will only be sent to your recommenders when they submit your letters electronically through the application.

C) Transcripts:

All applicants must upload transcripts with the application. Unofficial copies of transcripts are acceptable for review purposes. If you are recommended for admission and decide to accept the offer, you must submit final, official copies of your transcript for final approval of your admission by the UCLA Division of Graduate Education office. Any discrepancies between the unofficial and official transcripts could lead to withdrawal of an offer of admission. International applicants must upload copies of original and translated international transcripts per country- or educational system-specific guidelines ( https://grad.ucla.edu/gasaa/admissions/ACADRECS.HTM ). UCLA does not accept international transcripts evaluated or verified by a service such as World Education Services (WES). 

D) Test Scores: Please note that starting Fall 2023, admission applicants are not required to take the GRE.

• GRE General Test:  Applicants for admission to our graduate program are not required to submit a GRE score report as part of their application package. Applicants may voluntarily submit GRE test scores and they will be reviewed as one part of the holistic application consideration. The applications with GRE scores will not be given greater weight than those that do not include scores. During the 2020 and 2021 admission cycles combined, 25% of applicants to the UCLA Psychology graduate program submitted GRE General Test scores. The number of applicants that applied, submitted GRE scores, and the percentage of applicants that submitted GRE scores, organized by Area, can be found in the table below.

• GRE Psychology Subject Test:  Consistent with the policy of the UCLA Department of Psychology, applicants to the clinical psychology doctoral program at UCLA will not be required to take the GRE. The GRE Psychology Subject Test is not required and will not be used to make admissions decisions. However, applicants who score above the 70 th  percentile can use the GRE Subject Test to partially fulfill Discipline-Specific Knowledge requirements (e.g., cognitive, social) that are part of accreditation by the American Psychological Association. In this way, admitted students may be able to reduce the amount of, or more flexibly select, coursework needed to complete program requirements. Students may elect to take the GRE Subject Test after their admission into our program and all program requirements can be fulfilled without taking the test.
• To ensure your official test scores are properly processed if you choose to submit them, please be sure the personal information provided in the UCLA application for Graduate Admission matches exactly the information provided to the testing service. Do not wait for your test results to complete the application. Educational Testing Service (ETS) sends scores electronically to UCLA. The institution code for UCLA is 4837. The department/major code is not necessary.  
• Official GRE test scores  cannot be more than five years old . If the GRE tests are taken more than once, the most recent scores are considered.
• Quantitative program applicants: Quantitative psychology is by definition very reliant on quantitative skill sets which can be demonstrated in a number of ways: performance in mathematics courses, performance on the quantitative section of the GRE, and/or letters of recommendation speaking to your quantitative expertise. When reading applications, we will look for demonstrated ability in quantitative skills, but this should not require a GRE score if other parts of your application speak to these skills. If you are unsure whether you should or should not include GRE scores in your application to UCLA, please feel free to contact the quantitative area faculty.
• TOEFL or IELTS EXAM:  INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS whose first language is not English must submit an official TOEFL (Test of English As a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score. Applicants who hold a bachelor’s degree or higher from a university located in the United States or in another country in which English is both the primary spoken language of daily life and the language of instruction (i.e., Australia, Barbados, Canada, Ireland, Jamaica, New Zealand, United Kingdom) and the medium of instruction, or who have completed at least two years of full-time study at such an institution, are exempted from both the TOEFL/IELTS requirement and the English as a Second Language Placement Examination. The minimum TOEFL or IELTS scores are 560 on the paper and pencil test, 220 on the computer-based test, or 87 on the internet-based test (TOEFL/IBT), or overall band score of 7.0 (IELTS). TOEFL and IELTS test scores are valid for only two years. Educational Testing Service (ETS) sends scores electronically to UCLA. The institution code for UCLA is 4837. The department/major code is not necessary. Please contact the Educational Testing Service (ETS) for GRE and TOEFL test scheduling, registration, and information. Visit the Educational Testing Service web site at  www.ets.org  or call them at (510) 873-8100 (West Coast) or (609) 771-7100 (East Coast). IELTS is administered by local IELTS test centers throughout the world. Applicants should consult  www.ielts.org  for the nearest IELTS test center.

Graduate Admission

Graduate – prospective – admission.

All persons who are admitted into the graduate program of the Department of English at UCLA enter the first phase of the doctoral program, successful completion of which results in the MA.  If you come to UCLA with the master’s degree, you may waive certain course requirements (see below), but you must pass the First Qualifying Examination (which also grants admission into the second phase of the doctoral program).

Admission to the program is based on a thorough review of your academic record. Ordinarily, if you hold the BA, you are expected to meet these minimum requirements: an undergraduate major or program that prepares you for the advanced study of literature, and a grade-point average in English courses in the junior and senior years of at least 3.5. Because of funding constraints we are able to offer admission to a limited number of international students.

Application Components:

• UCLA online graduate application – available via the “Launch Application Form” link at:  https://grad.ucla.edu/admissions/admission-application-for-graduate-admission/ . Submission fee required.
• A statement of purpose – Entered directly into the online application system, where you will find detailed prompts. Please be sure to observe the character limit on your statement that is specified in the online application form. Care should be taken with the statement of purpose and the writing sample (below), as the quality of thought and argument these exhibit, as well as their style, weigh significantly in admissions decisions.
• A personal statement – Uploaded directly into the online application system, where you will find detailed prompts. The Personal Statement is an opportunity for you to provide additional information that may aid the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and aptitude for graduate study at UCLA. It will also be used to consider candidates for the Cota-Robles fellowship. The suggested length is 500 words.
• A writing sample – The sample should be about the length of a seminar paper (15 to 25 pages). However, excerpts of longer works can be submitted, and should demonstrate the applicant’s interest, competence, and experience in the chosen field of specialization. Writing samples are uploaded using the online application system.
• Three letters of recommendation attesting to your ability to succeed in graduate study.  Letters are submitted via the online application system.
• Transcripts – Unofficial transcripts of all undergraduate and graduate work must be uploaded into the online application system. (To read more about the parameters that define an acceptable unofficial transcript for the purposes of application review, click here ). Admitted students will be required to provide official, sealed transcripts directly to the English department (see address below) at a later date. NOTE: Transcripts from community colleges and short-term study abroad programs are not necessary, as the coursework will be reflected on your undergraduate transcript.
• TOEFL/IELTS scores (for international students whose first language is not English or who did not receive their Bachelor’s Degree in an Anglophone country) must be submitted before an application can be reviewed. This requirement cannot be waived.  Please visit https://grad.ucla.edu/admissions/english-requirements/ . to confirm whether the TOEFL/IELTS is required and to view minimum acceptable scores.
• The GRE is no longer required for applicants to our program.

For fall 2024 admission, the submission deadline for all application materials is December 4, 2023.

We admit applicants only in the Fall quarter. All admitted applicants are automatically considered for recruitment fellowships and teaching assistantships. These awards are usually made in mid-March. Questions about need-based aid should be directed to the  Financial Aid Office  at (310) 206-0400.

Please visit the UCLA Graduate Division website at  https://grad.ucla.edu/ for information regarding funding, application procedures, and general graduate information.

Admitted students may order e-delivery of official transcripts to [email protected] . If your institution does not support electronic transmission of transcripts, please reach out to [email protected] .

If you should have further questions about the admissions process or the status of your application, please contact the English Department Graduate Assistant at (310) 825-3927 or  [email protected] .

• Undergraduate
• Commencement

Applying to Graduate School

The following is general information about applying to graduate school

Most graduate programs have deadlines in the fall and winter for admissions for the following academic year, and require three letters of recommendation, a statement of purpose, GRE scores, college transcripts, details about extracurricular activities and a writing sample (honors thesis or seminar paper). Language skills and practical training in the field and/or on the job is highly recommended.

The UCLA Career Center offers many workshops throughout the year regarding graduate school (how to apply, information on writing a personal statement, etc.) as well as a Letters of Reference Service. Other workshops on getting into graduate school may be offered through the College of Letters & Science, and are available for signup via your MyUCLA page.

When considering going to graduate school, it is important to evaluate your reasons for doing so. Graduate school is a huge commitment. Make sure you choose a program that fits your needs and will help you achieve your goals.

If you want to work in the "real world" before heading to graduate school, there are many positions available to recent graduates. Find out what alums have done with their International Instititute major or minor by visiting the Alumni & Current Student Directory .   Find alumni who work in your area of interest. Of course, use the services provided through the UCLA Career Center for assistance in obtaining a job, and also do your own internet search for current opening.

The Application Process

When applying to graduate school, make sure you complete all portions of the application and submit all supplemental materials. If your application is incomplete when reviewed, it could significantly lower your chances of being accepted. The UCLA Career Center walks you through the application process in their website .

It is important to keep track of important dates and deadlines during the application process. Make sure that you have taken the necessary tests and completed the required courses in time to meet each school's deadline.

Choosing Graduate Programs

In choosing the graduate schools to which you want to apply, you should examine the following:

• Faculty research interests: It is important to identify a graduate faculty advisor who has research interests similar to your own. Departmental webpages (with faculty research statements) are useful tools for locating and e-mailing potential advisors.
• Areas of specialization and degree of flexibility allowed in the graduate curriculum
• Research interests of current graduate students in the program, e.g., UCLA Geography Department
• Alumni Placement: Inquire as to where alumni are working. Does the university offer career services? What is the employment rate of graduates? Are graduates from this program being hired in the areas that you are interested in? 
• The department's connections to other centers or institutes on campus, such as International Institutes, Centers for Development Studies, and Area Studies centers

Use this information to determine whether the department has people who work in the same areas in which you have an interest, and whether the department has resources, or connections to resources, that will give you the academic support you need in pursuing your research interests.

Advice from a Current Faculty Mentor

It is important to develop academic or research relationships with faculty members during your undergraduate career. These relationships will enable you to explore your own interests, will provide valuable letters of recommendation, and will allow you to pursue advice from someone established in your field of interest. It is worthwhile to ask your research sponsor or professors which universities are well-known (and well-respected) in your field of interest.

Happiness of Current Graduate Students

Once you have identified potential universities to apply to, it may be helpful to contact current graduate students (ask the Department's Graduate Admissions Office if there are any students willing to talk to potential students). By doing so, you can get a personal perspective on the program and faculty projects. Be sure to already have reviewed the curriculum and requirements to show that you have a great interest and understanding of the program. Some questions you may ask include, "Did you feel overburdened with coursework, teaching, and research requirements? Is the suggested time to complete the M.A. or Ph.D. feasible? Are you satisfied with your graduate education thus far? How much financial support is provided, and do you have to pay tuition/fees?" Remember that another student's satisfaction or disappointment with the program does not guarantee yours, but obtaining information about the program from a potential peer's perspective will enable you to make an informed decision as to the suitability of graduate programs.

A website that you might want to check out is the National Association of Graduate-Professional Students'   National Doctoral Program Survey .

Funding Graduate School

Inquire with individual schools regarding tuition/fees, the amount of guaranteed support (if any), Teaching Assistant opportunities, etc.

UCLA mantains an online database that lists a vast amount of finacial assistance opportunities for graduate students: Graduate and Postdoctoral Extramural Support

Be sure to visit the UCLA Scholarship Resource Center to look into fellowships & scholarships that you can apply to as an undergraduate to finance your first year of graduate school.

Making Yourself a Competitive Candidate

Gaining internship experience.

Internships can help show that you value learning inside and outside of the classroom.  Students interested in non-profit or governmental organizations should check out the IDS Internship & Volunteer Resource List .  Other resources include the UCLA Career Center Internship & International Opportunities ;  Bruin View Database of local , national , and international jobs and internships (paid and unpaid) and the UCLA Center for Community Learning .

Gaining Research Experience

UCLA offers some wonderful opportunities to gain research experience and even earn course credit for doing so. Experience can be obtained through participation in the Student Research Program (SRP). SRP is open to all undergraduates but designed mainly for lower division students as an entry-level research experience. The centers provide workshops for students interested in participating in SRP and counseling to help individual students to identify faculty mentors. Contact the Undergraduate Research Center for Students majoring in the Humanities and the Social Sciences, A334 Murphy Hall, 310.825.2935, [email protected] .

More experienced students should consider conducting independent research through Independent Studies courses (199s).  Highly motivated IDS majors and SEAS majors  might consider participating in their IDP's Departmental Honors Program.

Conferences: Present Your Research

• Westwind/Aleph Conference - Provides undergraduates an opportunity to present their research.
• SCCUR - Southern California Conference on Undergraduate Research
• UCSD Center for Comparative Immigration Studies Undergraduate Research Conference - For exemplary undergraduate students who have conducted independent research on international migration or refugee movements

Journals: Publish Your Research

• Aleph: UCLA Undergraduate Research Journal in Humanities and Social Sciences . Provides an opportunity for undergraduates to publish research findings.

Letters of Recommendation

From the UCLA Career Center: Letters of recommendation should outline specific accomplishments that you have achieved and should tie into why you are an exceptional candidate. Most schools ask for three to five letters of recommendation. Admissions committees prefer references from faculty who can evaluate your academic performance and graduate school potential. Approach faculty members early in the fall of your senior year to give them time to write before their other academic pressures mount. Schedule meetings with your recommendation writers to discuss your reasons for going to graduate school and why you are applying to specific programs. Provide an abstract of courses taken and grades received, projects completed, and a concise description of graduate school and career plans. The UCLA Career Center offers a Letter of Recommendation service .

Graduate Record Exam (GRE) and Other Tests

Almost every graduate school requires certain entrance examinations. Although the most widely used test is the GRE, please refer to each school for specific requirements.

• GRE - Information on the General Exam.
• Miller Analogies Test - Check with each school (not widely required)

Exam Preparation Assistance:

• UCLA Academics in the Commons Workshops - Offers workshops on grad school entrance exams
• Kaplan Test Preparation
• Princeton Review Test Preparation

Statement of Purpose

The Statement of Purpose is the part of the application where you will write about yourself in essay format. You will include information that will let the admissions committee know who you are, how the education you've already received has shaped you, how you see yourself fitting into their particular graduate program, and what you plan to do with your graduate degree.

The UCLA Career Center offers tips on writing this document. You can also do an internet search for many sites that offer advice on this topic, e.g., some of which were written by professors who review graduate applications.

The best assistance and feedback on your own personal statement for graduate school can come from your current faculty advisor. If you are assisting in a research lab or doing fieldwork, ask your supervisor to proofread and comment on your personal statement. You may also seek assistance from the UCLA Covel Commons Composition Lab. They offer assistance with Personal Statements (approaches to writing and help with spelling and grammar). Call 310-206-1491 for an appointment.

Low GPA/GRE: Prove Yourself in Other Ways

• Compensate with additional relevant experience (e.g., Research/internships ), leading to stronger letters of recommendation
• E-mail potential advisors at the desired universities . If they know who you are (and your experience) when reviewing new applications, they may help.
• Apply to additional second tier schools/programs that generally have less strict requirements). Check out US News and World Report for rankings of Graduate and Professional schools
• Consider completing a terminal Master's Degree program before applying to a Ph.D. program

General Sites

• Graduate Student Resources on the Web
• Peterson's Guide
• About.com Graduate School Resources
• Graduate School Tips
• UC Graduate Admissions Website and Online Degree Search Tool 

Best of luck to you!

Published: Friday, February 20, 2004

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Graduate and Professional School

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Thinking about Graduate School? Here’s how to decide if it is the right fit for you!

Overview of Graduate & Professional Schools

Higher than a bachelor’s degree, an advanced or graduate degree is generally a master’s or doctorate degree. Usually a graduate school degree is researched based, especially PhD programs. A professional degree centers on curriculum and experiences that lead to better preparation for a career. An advanced degree is required for certain professions such as allopathic (MD) and osteopathic (DO) doctors and attorneys (JD), which in the US are required doctoral degrees for the respective professions. Popular professional master’s degrees including the MBA (business), MSN (nursing), and MS in Engineering. There are innumerable academic master’s and doctoral degrees covering at least as many areas as undergraduate degrees. Typically with a full-time schedule, a master’s degree will take one or two years to complete and a doctorate degree will take three to five years (usually more with a research and a dissertation; seven years would not be unusual for completion of an academic PhD).  Gradschools.com  is a good place to start a search of thousands of graduate degree options.

Deciding to go to Graduate or Professional School

Ideal reasons to attend graduate school include:

• A clear sense of the desired career with an advanced degree helpful, if not necessary, for entry or advancement
• A love for scholarly pursuit, especially when the goal is a research based doctorate degree; expect immersion in several years of studying and doing research in a particular academic discipline
• Making a career change that has little or no connection to your undergraduate major
• Working intentionally toward a goal versus postponing career decisions avoiding a job search.

If you’re unsure, answering questions like these can help in evaluating your decision to pursue an advanced degree:

• What do I want to accomplish in my lifetime?
• What are my long-term and short-term professional goals?
• Is graduate school necessary for me to achieve these goals?
• Am I simply postponing my career planning and decision making?
• Will the amount of time and money spent on a program ultimately translate into greater career mobility and financial possibilities?
• Am I willing to meet the extensive research, course work and major paper demands of another academic program?
• Would continuing education alternatives, such as University Extension, vocational school, community college, or professional seminars and workshops assist in achieving my goals?

Applying to Graduate or Professional School

Keep in mind that thorough research and information gathering for your area of interest is critical. The checklist and timeline that follow provide general information and guidelines. Although successful applicants prepare and apply for advanced degrees in diverse ways and within varying timeframes, it is best to begin as early as possible to build a strong academic foundation, a competitive undergraduate GPA, and positive, significant working and academic relationships. You will need a competitive GPA and usually two to three letters of recommendation to successfully apply to graduate and professional degree programs. Many programs require a standardized exam such as the MCAT, GMAT, LSAT or GRE. You may see required GPAs listed at 3.0; however, most competitive GPAs are higher especially for doctorate degree programs and highly ranked universities. Some prep programs in medicine and law have competitive GPAs in the 3.25 to 3.5 range.

Graduate & Professional School Preparation Checklist

The following are general recommendations of activities to engage in throughout your time at UCLA in order to gain exposure to career options and develop relevant skills and experiences to make yourself competitive for admissions. These are not mandatory in order to be admitted and a candidate may be successful without completing a number of these steps.

• Attend relevant events at the Career Center including: JumpStart Series, Admit UCLA: Graduate & Professional School Fair, Health School Fair & Conference, Information Sessions by Graduate and Professional Schools, Workshops on topics including Personal Statements, Interview Preparation, Resume Writing, and more.
• Maintain a strong GPA. GPA typically weighs more heavily in admissions decisions than major, so declare a major in which you can perform well.
• Meet with an academic advisor in your major or College counseling unit (College Academic Counseling, Academic Advancement Program, Athletics, or Honors Program) to discuss course planning, major selection and degree requirements.
• Schedule a Graduate or Pre-Professional School Advising appointment at the Career Center to discuss any non-academic aspect of preparing for graduate or professional school including: exploring your career interests and options; application process and timeline; personal statement critique; guidance on asking for letters of recommendation; preparing for the interview; searching and applying for research, internships, and other experiential opportunities; and more.
• Get involved in student organizations or service projects through the Community Programs Office (CPO). Consider joining groups that are relevant to your interests and offer opportunities to serve the community and/or develop your leadership skills. After a year in an organization, consider moving into a leadership role or initiating your own student organization or service project.
• Gain internship, work, or volunteer experience relevant to your career goals. Seek and apply to opportunities in Handshake.
• Visit the Center for Community Learning for information on service learning courses, community-based research, internships for academic credit, the Civic Engagement Minor, and AmeriCorps scholarship programs.
• Get involved in research at UCLA or other campuses. See the Undergraduate Research Center-Sciences or Undergraduate Research Center-Humanities, Arts & Social Science for information about options, programs, and research scholarships.
• Apply for special summer pre-professional or research programs.
• Develop relationships with faculty and supervisors in order to be able to obtain strong letters of recommendation. How? Visit office hours, try to take multiple courses with the same faculty member if possible, ask about opportunities to support their research or help them in the classroom.
• Keep a journal of your meaningful experiences, accomplishments, challenges, and realizations to draw from for your application essays and interviews.

Additional Law-School specific items:

• Consider applying for the UCLA Law Fellows Program or another appropriate law school prep program.
• Attend the Career Center’s Law JumpStart program to meet admissions officers and attorneys.

Additional Health or Medical School specific items:

• Visit  prehealth.ucla.edu

Application Timeline

The following are general recommendations to use as a guide when planning for graduate or professional school. Most deadlines for Fall admission are between December and March of your senior year if you do not plan to take a gap year. Some schools follow a different schedule, so be sure to check with your prospective programs for specific deadlines and adhere to them carefully.

The Year Before Applying

• Register and study for the entrance exam (MCAT, LSAT,GMAT, GRE, etc.).
• Consider taking a free practice exam early on in order to understand your baseline and where you need to place most of your studying efforts.
• Give yourself about three months to study. Try to take the exam several months prior to the application deadline so you have time to re-take the exam if needed.
• Research your graduate programs of choice.
• Familiarize yourself with deadlines and requirements, as they vary by program.
• Create a list of schools with their deadlines, requirements, and essay prompts.
• Request letters of recommendation.
• Provide recommendation letter writers with a copy of your resume, transcript, and a summary of aspects of your academic/professional/personal life accomplishments for consideration.
• Store your letters confidentially with Interfolio Dossier or a similar service until you are ready to apply.
• Begin developing your personal statement at least three months before applying to ensure you have sufficient time to gain various perspectives and go through multiple revisions.
• Obtain official transcripts from all post-secondary institutions you have attended.
• Complete the central application for professions who accept one (medical school and most health professions, law school, and others).
• Practice your interview skills utilizing InterviewStream, a mock interview at the Career Center, or a mock interview with any trusted friend, mentor, or relative.
• Complete the FAFSA.

Additional Law School specific items:

• Attend a Law School Forum to meet law school recruiters face-to-face.
• Pay for the Credential Assembly Service (CAS) long before your first law school application deadline.
• Register with the Candidate Referral Service (CRS) so law schools can recruit you.
• View your Academic Summary Report in your LSAC.org account once all US/Canadian undergraduate transcripts have been summarized to ensure completion and accuracy.
• Visit prehealth.ucla.edu

After Submitting Your Application

• Maintain a strong GPA.
• Continue to stay involved in relevant activities and positions.
• Complete secondary/supplemental applications if applicable (this is the case if you initially applied to multiple programs through a central application service, most commonly for medical school, other health schools, and law school).
• Continue to practice and prepare for interviews.
• Meet with college and major advisors to review graduation requirements.
• Accept your offer of choice and submit your deposit (notifying other schools of your decision) or keep track of waiting list results.
• Send thank you notes to faculty and others who have helped you. Let them know the outcome of your application and thank them for their help.

Writing Your Personal Statement

Graduate programs may ask you to submit a Personal Statement, a Statement of Purpose, or both. Both documents are opportunities to set yourself apart and demonstrate what makes you unique from other applicants who may have similar grades, scores, and extracurricular experiences. There are some key differences between a Personal Statement and a Statement of Purpose.

Personal Statement

• Storytelling of experiences related to who you are & how they shaped your interest in the field.
• Tell a Story: For personal statements, engage the reader, use a writing style that is fresh and active. Don’t be afraid to use dialogue and descriptive language. Back up statements with examples and details.
• Have an Angle: Even if your life has been less than dramatic, you still have a story to tell. The best approach to the “angle” is to find a THEME than can unify all of your paragraphs.
• Pay Special Attention to Your “Lead”:In the first paragraph, you will either grab attention or you will lose it. Use the lead to set the tone and direction for the statement. Note: the lead can, but does not have to be an attention grabbing story. The goal of the lead is for the readers to know who you are and what your goal is by the end of the first paragraph.

Statement of Purpose

• Focuses on your reasons for applying; include professional & intellectual & research interests and the expertise you have gained
• Show That You Know Something: The main section explains what you know and who you are. Show knowledge of your field (e.g., a specific research focus) or your profession. Show how you will impact the field, or what has impacted you in the pursuit of your field.
• Focus on Your Specific Research or Professional Interests Within a Particular Field: Detail how your academic and professional experiences have developed those research or professional interests and prepared you to pursue them at a higher academic level. Include courses, experts whose work you admire or aligns with your interests, and factors such as internship opportunities or opportunities provided by the school’s location.
• Your Research Interests & the Program: Explain how your research interests can be pursued at this particular institution in this particular program.

Tips for the Writing Process: * Remember that the personal statement should be personal. Use this opportunity to stand out from the crowd. Who are you? How is your story different from others? * Avoid repeating information they already know from your application or resume. * Start several months before the application is due so you have time to write multiple drafts. * Have multiple people read it and offer their feedback. Since there is no objective “right” or “wrong” way to write a statement, it will beneficial to hear the perspectives of various people.

Asking for Letters of Recommendation

Before you ask.

• Make sure to have all the proper forms required for the school, program, or award.
• Draft a list of your accomplishments, achievements or personal characteristics that you would like the letter writer to address.
• Update and revise your resume, as it pertains to the current goal.
• Draft a personal statement or brief explanation of why you are applying to this program, school, award, internship, etc.

Who Should You Ask?

Professors who have taught you, supervisors, advisors who know you very well, person in the profession whom you have shadowed or with whom you’ve worked. Letters of recommendation should not be written by relatives, friends, roommates, or anyone who does not know you well enough to write a strong and personalized letter.

• Send an e-mail, follow up with a phone call
• Go to office hours or schedule an appointment
• Ask if there is anything the letter writer would like you to bring (resume, copy of paper, list of achievements, personal statement, etc.)

What to Bring

• Your letter to the author, explaining what the letter is for and thanking them for their time
• Copy of targeted resume
• List of accomplishments, skills or personal characteristics you’d like the author to address
• Confidentiality Waiver
• Additional forms required (if any)

If you are not using an electronic filing service and are requesting the author to mail the letters directly to the schools, provide stamped, addressed envelopes.

When to Ask

• At least 3-6 weeks before the deadline, but earlier is better (even months early)
• Let them know what the deadline is and exactly where the letter should be sent.
• Try to avoid high traffic times for requesting letters (late Fall Quarter and late Spring Quarter) or times when professors/staff may be leaving for summer or winter breaks.
• START EARLY – Make it a point to start building relationships with professors, supervisors, mentors and professionals as early as possible.
• If you have not heard from the letter writer, send a friendly reminder one week prior to the deadline (e-mail or phone call).
• Send a thank you letter after they have submitted the letter (or as part of your gentle reminder)
• Inform the writer of the outcome of your application, once complete.

For more information regarding Graduate and Professional School, download Chapter 4 of the UCLA Career Guide.

LL.M. Admissions

Gather information on how to apply to the LL.M. Program, admissions requirements (e.g. transcripts, English proficiency, recommendations), and more.

UCLA School of Law has a global reputation for excellence. The LL.M. Program offers students the combination of an outstanding educational program at a world-class university with the opportunity to live in one of the most dynamic, beautiful, and diverse cities in the United States. The application for admission to the 2024-2025 LL.M. Program is now closed. The application for admission to the 2025-2026 LL.M. Program will open in early September 2024 and the deadline to apply will be  February 1, 2025 .

Creating Your Online Application

To apply for admission to the UCLA Law LL.M. Program, prospective applicants must submit an application and supporting documents through the Law School Admission Council (LSAC) LL.M. Credential Assembly Service (CAS) Document Assembly Service. If you have not already done so, please create an LSAC LL.M. CAS account by visiting  http://llm.lsac.org/login/signup.aspx . Creating an account requires a one-time fee of $85. As a courtesy and to help applicants offset this cost, we have waived UCLA's separate $85 application fee for all applicants to our LL.M. Program.

After establishing your LSAC account, you may begin your application to the UCLA Law LL.M. Program by visiting  https://llm.lsac.org/login/access.aspx?appl=4837L1  during our application period of September through February. As you fill out your application and compile your supporting documents, please carefully follow  LSAC's application checklist  to ensure that your application and documents will be processed in a timely manner. (You may begin your application to the LL.M. Program even if you have not yet submitted all of your supporting documents to LSAC.)

LSAC requires an additional fee of $30 for each Document Assembly Service report it generates and transmits to a law school on your behalf. If you have created your LSAC account but not yet paid the $30 fee to have your report transmitted to UCLA, please pay the fee to ensure that we will receive your application and documents.

Please note that applicants are not required to register for the LSAC CAS LL.M. International Transcript Authentication and Evaluation service, which requires an additional fee of $135. (Only the $85 fee for creating your Document Assembly Service account and the $30 fee to send your report to UCLA are required.) Nonetheless, you are welcome to register for the evaluation service. Doing so may result in faster processing of your application and a faster announcement of our program's admission decision.

Domestic applicants: Please note that LSAC's LL.M. Credential Assembly Service is separate from the LSAC service through which you previously applied to J.D. programs. As a result, you must create a new LSAC LL.M. account by following the instructions above. As LSAC does not enable applicants to link their LL.M. account to their previous J.D. account, we ask that you please submit your undergraduate transcripts, law school transcripts and letters of recommendation to the LSAC LL.M. Credential Assembly Service so that the documents will be transmitted to UCLA.

Application Deadline: Please submit your application and supporting documents (items 1-5 in the section below) to LSAC no later than February 1 .

Submitting Your Supporting Documents

After creating your LSAC account and beginning your online application, please submit the following supporting documents to LSAC:

A standard résumé listing your academic qualifications and relevant work experience is required. You may submit a more detailed curriculum vitae if you wish. When completing your online application through LSAC, please follow the instructions to attach an electronic copy of your résumé to your application.

An important aspect of the application is the personal statement, in which applicants describe their objectives in pursuing graduate legal studies at UCLA School of Law. Discuss any matters relevant to your ability to succeed in law school and the practice of law, and any attributes, experiences, or interests that would enable you to make a distinctive contribution to UCLA and the legal profession. The personal statement should be typed, double-spaced in 12-point font, and should not exceed three pages in length. When completing your online application through LSAC, please follow the instructions to attach an electronic copy of your personal statement to your application.

Applicants must arrange to have transcripts submitted to the LSAC LL.M. CAS Document Assembly Service from all graduate and undergraduate coursework evidencing their completion of a prior degree in law, such as an LL.B. or J.D. Please also submit transcripts for any other subjects in which you have earned an undergraduate or graduate degree. Transcripts should include all courses taken and grades received for university work, and must be translated into English. If your school is unable to provide an English translation of your transcripts, please obtain one from a translation service.

Transcripts must be submitted directly to LSAC by the issuing institution and may not be mailed to UCLA School of Law.  Click here for detailed instructions on submitting your transcripts to LSAC . Applicants need only arrange to have one copy of each transcript sent to LSAC, and LSAC will transmit copies to each law school to which you apply.

If your transcript does not indicate your relative class standing or rank, and such information is available, please have a school official issue a letter or certificate indicating your class standing or rank, and include this notification with the transcripts that are submitted to LSAC.

Applicants must arrange to have two (2) to four (4) letters of recommendation submitted to LSAC from knowledgeable persons who can tell the Graduate Studies Committee about the applicant’s academic qualifications and career interests. The letters are most helpful when the writer can provide the committee with specific firsthand information on your academic and (if applicable) professional capacity and performance. If possible, please include at least one academic reference. While employer references are acceptable, letters from academic sources are viewed more favorably.

You may submit a minimum of two and a maximum of four recommendation letters. Letters must be submitted to LSAC and may not be mailed to UCLA School of Law.  Click here for detailed instructions on submitting your recommendation letters to LSAC . UCLA does not require a separate recommendation letter form.

International applicants who are not native English speakers, or do not hold a law degree from an institution at which the primary language of instruction is English, are required to submit a Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score. International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores will also be accepted, but are less desirable.

TOEFL: UCLA School of Law prefers a score of at least 96 on the Internet-based TOEFL, or 600 on the paper-based exam. (There are no score requirements for specific sections of the exam.) Applicants with lower scores are welcome to apply, but are strongly advised to re-take the exam in order to increase their likelihood of admission.

For TOEFL information and registration instructions, visit  https://www.ets.org/toefl . When registering for the exam, please enter institution code 8395 to ensure that your score report will be sent to LSAC. If prompted to enter UCLA's institution code, enter 4837 and department code 03.

IELTS: Favorable consideration will be given to applicants who submit a TOEFL score. However, an overall IELTS score of at least 7.5 will also be viewed favorably. (There are no score requirements for specific sections of the exam.) Applicants with a lower score are strongly advised to take the TOEFL in order to increase their likelihood of admission.

For IELTS information and registration instructions, visit  https://www.ielts.org . When registering for (or at the start of) the exam, please indicate that you wish to have your score forwarded to LSAC for electronic download.

Exemptions: International applicants whose native language is English, or who have earned a law degree from an institution at which the primary language of instruction is English, are not required to submit a TOEFL or IELTS score. Graduates of U.S. J.D. programs are also exempt from the TOEFL/IELTS requirement.

Confirming Your Application Status

After you submit your online application through the LSAC website, and your complete LL.M. Credential Assembly Service report is available on the LSAC website, our staff will download these materials and assemble your application file. Due to the large volume of applications received, this process generally takes 1-2 weeks. After that time, our staff will email you to confirm that your application is complete.

Receiving Your Admission Result

The Graduate Studies Committee will begin reviewing an application after all of its corresponding supporting documentation has been received. Admission results will be announced on a rolling basis from February through April. (Due to the large volume of applications received, it is difficult to predict when a decision regarding a specific application will be reached.) Applicants will receive an email from Vic Telesino, Senior Director of Graduate Admissions, informing them of the Committee's decision as soon as it is made.

Virtual Tour

Taking legal education to the next level.

UCLA Law's LL.M. program offers students the opportunity to learn from top legal scholars and teachers in the beautiful, bustling city of Los Angeles. Students can pursue nine different specializations, including Business Law, International Law, and many others.

Video with Subtitles

5 things you should know about UCLA Law’s LL.M. program

Stellar llm, sjd, mls students start at ucla law, talented and diverse new class joins ucla law.

Join us for cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, and a discussion on the current slate of LGBTQ+ legislation.

Hear exclusive application tips from Assistant Dean Jason Fiske before the final application deadline on June 3, 2024

Graduate Admissions

Application Deadline: December 1, 2023

ATTN: GRE scores are no longer required starting the AY 2022-2023 and continuing years. 

Application Breakdown

In order to be considered for admissions, an applicant must have a Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution and submit a university application and supplemental materials required by the department. This includes a statement of purpose, transcripts, GPA (we will consider the last 60 semester or 90 quarter units), recommendation letters and a writing sample. For applicants interested in Expressive Arts, an example of a creative work (visual art or creative writing) should be submitted in addition to the writing sample. We will use the complete application to assess the knowledge and skills of our applicants, their fit with the department’s resources, objectives, and four specializations, and their potential to contribute to the intellectual growth of the department.

Statement of Purpose

The Statement of Purpose is limited to 500 words. This is one of the most important components of your application. Your Statement of Purpose should include the following information: what are your research interests, what do you plan to do in a Ph.D. program, why are you pursuing a Ph.D. in Chicana and Chicano Studies, what do you plan to focus on and with whom at our department you will be interested in working with and why. Statements that articulate interest in undertaking a particular project have a competitive edge over statements that indicate interest only in broad topics or areas of research.

• Keep it academic. You may include autobiographical information in your Personal Statement, but do not use the very limited space you have for personal or autobiographical details.
• We are more interested in what you plan to do in your advanced studies in the Ph.D. program than in a narrative of what you have already done in the past. Draw on your past education and experience to bolster your proposal (to show how well-prepared you are in specific ways) rather than make that history serve as the proposal itself.

Writing Sample

The writing sample is a 10-25 page scholarly paper that demonstrates originality of ideas, familiarity with the conventions of academic research, and writing proficiency. Ideally, the writing sample should complement the project described in your statement of purpose, but if you do not have a writing sample that reflects a tight fit with your statement of purpose, just send us an example of your best academic work. For applicants interested in Expressive Arts, an example of a creative work (visual art or creative writing) should be submitted in addition to the writing sample.

Letters of Recommendation

We ask for three letters of recommendation, preferably from professors in your field(s). Letters of Recommendation must be submitted electronically through the online application. We believe that the strongest letter of recommendation comes from an academic who can speak to your readiness to embark on advanced research in a Ph.D. program. The best rule of thumb is to aim for recommenders in your academic field who know you well and who can describe you honestly and in detail.

Exam Scores

• The institution code for UCLA for the GRE is 4837, the department code is 626.
• The institution code for UCLA for the TOEFL is 4837 and the department code is 696.

Keep it current.  If your TOEFL scores are more than 2 years old, you need to retake the exam.

We are unable to accept scores for exams taken after December 15th. If you scores come in after the deadline, we will have to consider your application during our deliberations as “incomplete”.

Applicants may obtain more information regarding TOEFL Test Scores by visiting Educational Testing Service . For more information on UCLA Graduate Studies Admissions and Test Scores, visit the UCLA Graduate Division FAQ .

Official Transcripts

UCLA Graduate Division requires a minimum GPA of 3.0. Transcripts of all graduate and undergraduate work must be sent to the department once admitted into the program.

Please mail official transcripts to:

César E. Chávez Department of Chicana/o and Central American Studies

Attn.: Graduate Admission, UCLA

7349 Bunche Hall

Los Angeles, CA 90095-1559.

If you use expedited services, e.g., Fedex, omit the Box number.

Fellowship Application

We highly encourage prospective students to apply to the fellowships offered by UCLA Graduate Division. Visit the UCLA Graduate Division Financial Support page for more information. Fellowship applications must be submitted electronically on or before December 1.

Application Fee

$120.00: U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents

$140.00 All other applicants

To learn more about fee deferrals and the different types of fee waivers offered please consult the UCLA Graduate Admissions Research Requirements webpage .

Resume or CV

Additional information can be found in our Graduate Program FAQ and in the UCLA Graduate Division FAQ pages.

Additional Information and Resources

The department only admits applicants whose objective is the Ph.D., although students earn the M.A. en route to the Ph.D. Please visit UCLA Graduate Admissions and Graduate Division for more information. Students must arrange to take the GRE by October 15 to ensure that the program receives scores before our deadline. Applicants should arrange to have their test scores electronically reported. The application is available in September 2020.

For more information go to http://www.gdnet.ucla.edu/gasaa/majors/chicano.html

Visit our Graduate Admission FAQ page for any questions or contact Ellie Hernandez

To learn more about the program, please contact our Student Affairs officer, Ellie Hernandez

As a land grant institution, the Chicana/o and Central American Studies department at UCLA acknowledges the Gabrielino/Tongva peoples as the traditional land caretakers of Tovaangar (Los Angeles basin, So. Channel Islands).

Department Resources

Related sites.

• College of Letters & Science
• Social Sciences Division
• LA Social Science

Campus Resources

• Maps, Directions, Parking
• Academic Calendar
• University of California
• Terms of Use

UCLA Personal Statement Example

by Talha Omer, MBA, M.Eng., Harvard & Cornell Grad

In personal statements samples by university.

The following personal statement was written by an applicant who was admitted to UCLA .  This personal statement is intended to provide an example of a successful essay for a top school like UCLA.

Sample Personal Statement for UCLA

I fear the remote thought of being the mere average, the plight of the ordinary as if to live at someone else’s discretion. Being the first female in my family to earn her bachelor’s degree, I have decidedly challenged the status quo that women do not need higher education in this patriarchal society. They say relentlessness commands success. While I still have a long jaunt to cover, my perseverance alone has brought me this celebration in life, academically or otherwise.

For the distant observer, words like backward, neglected, and undeveloped seem malapropos when describing my hometown. A hustling-bustling metropolis, at the face of it, seems dynamic. A changing landscape with round-the-clock development and new infrastructure. To the untrained eye, these qualities are equivalent to a booming economy with all the perks accompanying it. My side of the story, however, is much more poignant.

While men are encouraged to pursue higher education and careers in medicine, engineering, and finance, the female fold is enticed to focus their energies elsewhere and accept the so-called realities of life. And most do without demur. A similar fate befell my mother, who was forced to give up her prospects as a medical practitioner and marry as a juvenile. Approaching an age considered an expiration date for being ‘marriage material,’ the notion of wanting a Master’s degree in finance and a career in the same field has to some extent, a certain stigma attached to it even today.

Shattered dreams leave a void in your heart that can rarely be filled. Having a daughter lit up a new hope in my mother’s heart, and she envisioned that I would one day achieve all she had aspired to. She dedicated all her time and efforts to ensuring I excelled at school from an early age. The by-product was that I became extremely dedicated to performing to my full potential throughout my academic life. I unknowingly started challenging myself to ensure I was the topper in all the subsequent academic years.

The constant dedication and support, particularly that of my mother, enabled me to fulfill this seemingly childish bet I had made with myself. I kept getting the top position throughout my primary and secondary years. The day my secondary school result was released is an etched memory. Finding out that I had topped my batch put a smile on my mother’s face, and she was euphoric. All my hard work had borne fruit. She also could finally see the fruit of all those years of endless nagging and dedication she had put in with me. This achievement led to me being awarded a full two-year scholarship for my high school.

The financial crisis of 2008 had deep-reaching effects and was impressionable on my mind. Before my father’s death, he was laid off for two years due to the global crisis. All this confusion and anxiety associated with the family’s unemployed breadwinner drew me toward the financial world and how the economy operates. From there, I decided that I wanted to pursue economics because it would help me build a solid foundation that would serve as a basis for higher education in finance in later years.

My degree from the University of London allowed me to choose the areas of economics and finance that I would be inclined towards. Throughout my degree, I took daunting courses which were math-based. As I was drawn more toward how the aggregate economy functions, I took the Economics of Labor and Monetary Economics in my final year. Always harboring a passion for the financial aspects, I opted for banking and finance as well as Corporate finance during my degree. These courses strengthened my resolve to pursue this study area further.

Having a passion for mathematical applications, I also opted for Further Mathematics for Economists. This course showed me how math could be applied in practical situations. During this course, I studied the Kuhn-Tucker theorem, mathematical analysis of sets, limits, bounded sets, linear programming, and many others. My first-year performance in the University of London examinations led to me being awarded the Year 1 Achievement Award. That was a very proud moment in my life as it was awarded to only the top five students with the highest aggregate marks worldwide. A full scholarship from the University of London for my second year of study accompanied this.

If you ask a layperson who does not dwell on the extensive University rankings, they will agree that UCLA hits the list at the top. Having decided to pursue a master’s in finance, I started actively researching various Universities worldwide, the programs that match my trajectory and vision. Whether the US news rankings or the Times Higher Education rankings, UCLA secures the place as one of the most renowned universities with a stellar reputation worldwide.

When I came across the MFE Program at UCLA and went through its course outline, it further strengthened my resolve to enter the program. One of the key attractions for me was that it was a pre-experience program designed for those needing more corporate training. I discovered that this department attracts the most intellectual professors from all over the globe, and its faculty is beyond par with the most prestigious colleges in America. UCLA is one of the most diverse medical-doctoral universities in terms of the student body. It has a student body of epic proportions. This interested me even more because it meant I would gain valuable exposure and interact with people from all over.

The alum network is one of the key attractions of any institution. With an impressive alum network including world leaders and many Nobel Laureates, employers hold UCLA in high regard. For example, one of my peers, having done his master’s from UCLA many years ago, has progressed immensely in his career and now works as an advisor in the US Department of State. A master’s from UCLA was one of the main factors that allowed him to climb the ladder of success in his profession, and he is proud to be an alumnus. I want to blaze a similar trail.

Coupled with all the above, the hustling city of LA consistently ranks as one of the best student cities in terms of living and employment prospects. I know that UCLA is known for its employability, and employers everywhere in the world prefer a UCLA graduate to many others. So, as I apply to this program, I am confident that graduating from UCLA will boost my place in Silicon Valley in the coming years.

As I have completed the coveted program at Undergraduate, I want to reach new heights in my Academic pursuits. Therefore, the next best step in achieving my long-term goals would be obtaining a Master’s in Financial Engineering.

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GRAD Center

Monday to Friday 8:00 am to 5:00 pm

Valera Hall (VH) 275 18111 Nordhoff Street Northridge, CA 91330-8222

Phone:  (818) 677-2138

Fax:  (818) 677-4691

Graduate Application Support

The GRAD Center is here to help students who are applying to graduate school. Students can attend our workshops, meet with a peer or mentor, or access the resources below.

General Overview

Attend our events

We organize various events during the academic year to guide students throughout the graduate application process. To learn more about these events, select the links below. More about  Applying Workshops  and  About The AGE Conference Articles

• Purdue OWL  offers an overview of the graduate application process.
• Since 2006, many graduate programs still refer students to this widely-cited article “Kisses of Death in the Graduate Application Process” written by Drew Appleby and Karen Appleby.

Read the Guides

• Building A Solid Foundation: A Guide to Graduate School for Students at Minority Serving Institutions is a guide created by the Center for MSI and they also have a guide for students applying to doctoral programs.
• Applying to Graduate School: Tips, Timeline, and Tools of the Trade is a guide created by The Committee on Institutional Cooperation.

Campus Resources

• Carefully proofread your application! The Learning Resource Center  have consultants that are available to review your information.
• The  Career Center’s CareerLink  has resources that can help students find the graduate program to obtain their career goals.

Selecting Programs

Students can find information about graduate programs at CSUN by Exploring the Program Finder We recommend starting a spreadsheet to organize the information you gather on graduate programs. Once you create a list of graduate programs, take your list to your advisor, and ask for their feedback! As a CSUN student, you have free access to Microsoft Excel .  Read the Northeastern University Graduate Program article “ How to Organize Your Grad School Search ” as a helpful guide. Search U.S. News and World Report rankings and data on graduate programs  to find additional information about your program. Grad Cafe  is a platform that connects applicants so they can share information. This platform is not moderated by campus representatives.

Statements of Purpose

Listed below are some general resources on the Statement of Purpose (sometimes called the Personal Statement). Conventions may vary amongst programs, please be sure to look for targeted information for your particular path, or ask your CSUN advisor for advice. The Purdue OWL guide to planning and writing your Statement of Purpose The College Essay Guy’s blog  has some annotated examples Many graduate schools offer guides to writing the Statement of Purpose. Some examples include  Northeastern ,  Cornell , and  UC Berkeley . 

Personal/Diversity Statement

Listed below are some general resources on Personal/Diversity Statements. 

• The University of Chicago’s Guide to Diversity Statements
• The University of Minnesota’s Guide to Diversity Statements

Students can find a variety of resources at the GRAD Center that will help them prepare for the GRE. Learn more about GRE  Resources

Transcripts

Select Order Transcripts to find information on how to request your transcriptions.

Requesting Letters of Recommendation

We recommend contacting a faculty member at least a month in advance to request a letter of recommendation. Students should share their resume and Statement of Purpose with their recommenders. The recommenders can use this information to refer to the student's experience and goals. We suggest reading Northeastern University Graduate Programs article "How to Request a Grad School Recommendation Letter .” We also suggest that students should open their graduate applications as early as possible and enter the names of their recommenders. Recommenders will receive the link to upload their letters early in the process. In most cases, students can enter their name, address, and recommender names and hit “ save ” to complete the rest of the application later. Some programs require that students request letters of recommendation from tenure-track faculty. To find out whether your professor is a tenure-track faculty refer to the CSUN catalog for the following titles: Assistant Professor, Associate Professor, or Professor. 

Creating Your Resume or CV

The Career Center  offers a wealth of resources related to creating resumes. Students can visit them during their drop-in hours for feedback!

Gaining Experience for your Resume or CV

Please see below a list of tips to help students gain experience for their Resume and CV.

• Meet with a faculty member from your department to talk about what kinds of experience would best prepare you for your career goals.
• Join a club or organization related to your discipline. Select the  Matador Involvement Center  to view all the clubs and organizations at CSUN.
• Seek community service opportunities by visiting the  CSUN’s Unified We Serve  website.
• Research experience is important to many graduate programs. Please visit the  Office of Undergraduate Research  to learn about research opportunities.
• There are Summer Research Programs across the country that connect students with faculty to gain valuable research experience. If you are headed in a research direction, please visit  Big Ten Alliance SROP or  UCLA program: Summer Programs for Undergraduate Research (SPUR)  to learn more about these opportunities.
• Presenting at conferences is important to many graduate programs. CSUN students can request conference travel funding from  Associated Students  (undergraduate and graduate students) or  Graduate Studies  (graduate students only) to present at a conference. We encourage students to visit their college and department offices to inquire about additional funding opportunities.
• Visit  Matty’s Closet  if you need professional clothing for your conference.
• Several pre-graduate programs at CSUN promote student success. For example, the  California Pre-Doctoral Program  is for students interested in obtaining a PhD and becoming a university professor. The  U-RISE and Bridges to the PhD  are training programs for students interested in biomedical careers. We also encourage students to meet with a faculty member in their department to learn more about their programs.

Interviewing

We recommend the following:

• Search for guides about interviewing for your graduate program. You can also access general resources by selecting USC , or faq’s for  business school, law school, and med school .
• Many programs conduct interviews virtually. You might consider reserving a study room at the University Library for your interview. Practice ahead of time to ensure you are centered on the screen and can make eye contact with your camera. Read tips for Zoom interviews .
• Visit  Matty’s Closet  if you need professional clothing for your interview.
• Within 24 hours of your interview, please send a thank you email to your interview committee. Be sure to express gratitude for their time. Use the interviewer’s professional greeting (i.e., Professor X) when sending the email. Please select Thank You to view examples.

Financing Your Graduate Education

Visit  Financial Aid and Scholarships  to learn more about the financial aid available to CSUN graduate students. The Office of Graduate Studies offers several scholarship opportunities. Please visit our Current Students Scholarships webpage for more information. Financial aid options differ from undergraduate to graduate education. See the Forbes Advisor article titled “ How The FAFSA Differs For Grad School ” to learn more. Explore the  UCLA GRAPES  database to search for external funding sources.

Applying to Law School, Med School, and other Health Professions Programs

Students who are interested in a graduate program in the health field (including pharmacy, vet school, med school, etc.), should contact the CSUN advisor of these programs to seek advisement. Students will need to complete specific coursework before pursuing these fields and can find more information on the Biology Department’s YouTube Channel . There are summer research opportunities for students interested in a career in medicine. Select Summer Undergraduate Research Programs to find a list of programs. CSUN’s Political Science department has information and advisement related to law school. Select Apply to Law School to find more information.

Self-Care and Wellness While Applying to Graduate School

Applying to graduate school can be stressful! Listed below are some resources you may find helpful. The Oasis Wellness Center offers many different wellness services. Select services to view a list of their resources. University Counseling Services  offers CSUN students free one-on-one counseling, group therapy, and wellness workshops focused on stress management. The Klotz Student Health Center  offers CSUN students a variety of health-related support services. The Student Recreation Center  offers CSUN students a variety of resources, please visit their website to learn more about their programs and services. CSUN With a Heart  provides services to support student’s basic needs. Please visit their website to learn more about their services.

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Please contact our office if you need additional help. We are available Monday through Friday from 8:00 am to 5:00 PM. Please send an email to [email protected] or to request a meeting with a GRAD Center Peer Mentor select  GRAD Center Peer Mentors

UCLA Academic Senate rejects censure and ‘no confidence’ vote on Chancellor Gene Block

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Representatives of the UCLA Academic Senate have voted against censuring and making a “no confidence” statement against UCLA Chancellor Gene Block, rejecting a call to issue a formal disapproval of his leadership amid criticism over the university’s response to a pro-Palestinian campus encampment and violent mob attack against it more than two weeks ago.

On a “no confidence” resolution, 79 faculty members approved, 103 opposed, five abstained, and seven members were present but did not vote, with 43% of representatives voting against UCLA’s top leader.

On censure, 88 faculty members approved, 88 opposed, three abstained and 15 were present but did not vote. Since the vote was split in half for and against censure, it did not pass as it needed a majority to succeed.

Congress investigating UCLA over treatment of Jewish students amid pro-Palestinian protests

A congressional education committee is calling on the school to turn over documents regarding an ‘inadequate response to antisemitism’ amid violent clashes on campus.

May 16, 2024

Block declined to comment on the vote.

In a Friday letter to faculty, academic senate Chair Andrea M. Kasko said it was “clear that we are not united in how we view the major events of the past weeks and the campus response to them.” Kasko, a professor of bioengineering, said she hoped that “we can try to find common ground as colleagues and have the courage to listen with open minds and open hearts even when we do not agree.”

Following the vote, UC President Michael V. Drake said: “These are extraordinarily complex and unprecedented times for American universities. I appreciate Chancellor Block’s dedication and commitment to the University during these difficult times. We will continue to provide our chancellors with the support and resources they need to respond to these ever-evolving situations.”

The decision by the academic senate, even if the motions passed, would have been a largely symbolic vote with no legal authority over Block’s position.

Both votes focused on whether Block “failed to ensure the safety of our students and grievously mishandled the events” related to the pro-Palestinian encampment at the university that began April 25.

On April 30, a mob attacked the encampment overnight amid a delayed police response, leading to multiple injuries. Police later moved in to take down the encampment, arresting more than 200 protesters. The no - confidence and censure motions used the same language.

The vote was conducted by a legislative assembly of more than 200 members across UCLA departments who are elected to represent 3,800 tenured and tenure-track faculty.

It marked another somber moment for the leader of the nation’s top public research university. Block is ending his 17-year tenure in controversy after years of praise for steering the campus through a financial crisis and global pandemic by expanding enrollment, diversity, philanthropy and research funding. Block, a biologist, announced last year that he will step down on July 31 to return to research.

“This shows that many faculty support Chancellor Block and they understand that he was adhering to UC policy,” said a source who was not authorized to speak publicly. “People are realizing that Chancellor Block was put in an impossible situation.”

Faculty opinions reflected the divided vote.

Jeffrey Maloy, an associate professor of teaching in molecular cell and developmental biology, voted no on both motions.

“We support an investigation, but it didn’t feel there was a sincere effort to gather information and do some soul-searching, find out what the policies are, and whether they were violated,“ Maloy said. “It felt like an attempt to find a scapegoat.”

Maloy said he felt the censure resolution was unclear: Was Block’s behavior scrutinized for censure because the chancellor would not meet protester demands? Was it that he did not call police quickly enough the night of the mob attack? Or was it that he should not have called in police at all?

“I may have been persuaded to vote on a specific action tied to a specific thing, but this felt incredibly vague and aligned with faculty who wanted to claim an ideological victory,” Maloy said.

Michael Chwe, a political science professor and legislative assembly member who was among a group leading the push for censure and no confidence, said he still viewed the votes as “an achievement.”

“There were 50% of our faculty from all over the university, including the medical school and dental school, [who] were in support of censure,” said Chwe, who helped organize a letter signed by more than 900 faculty and staff members from across the University of California system that called for Block’s resignation. The letter also asked for amnesty for students, staff and faculty who participated in the encampment and peaceful protests, the university’s disclosure of all investments and its divestment from military weapon production companies.

USC’s faculty senate censures President Carol Folt and provost over commencement

The vote followed a nearly three-hour meeting Wednesday in which USC’s faculty members criticized the decisions of President Folt and provost Andrew Guzman.

May 9, 2024

“We obviously would like to have had more support,” said Chwe. “This is the start of many things people are doing to bring accountability and to protect student safety on campus.”

Chwe said those efforts included faculty support of a strike by United Auto Workers 4811, an academic workers union that includes graduate students, that is scheduled to begin Monday at UC Santa Cruz .

Renee Tajima, a professor of Asian American studies and a legislative assembly member, said the vote for censure and no confidence was a “no-brainer.”

“Who was in charge as our students were being beaten and injured as nobody from the university administration did anything to help them?” said Tajima. “To imagine students were brutally attacked and then the next day Block calls this huge police force to arrest them and use rubber bullets on them. ... This vote is the least we can do as faculty to make a statement of what’s right and what’s wrong.”

The senate’s decision takes one issue off a list of mounting challenges the chancellor faces in his last six weeks on the job.

In a Wednesday letter, Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), chair of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce, requested that Block, Drake and Rich Leib, chair of the UC Board of Regents, produce all documents, communications and security videos related to alleged antisemitic events at UCLA since the Oct. 7 Hamas attack on Israel on Oct. 7.

The committee gave a May 21 deadline, two days ahead of a Washington, D.C., hearing in which Block and his counterparts from Rutgers and Northwestern will testify on antisemitism at college campuses — the next in a series of congressional hearings that have featured the presidents of Harvard University, the University of Pennsylvania and Columbia University, and the superintendent of Berkeley public schools .

The vote regarding Block’s leadership is the latest of several actions by U.S. university faculty over how administrations have dealt with pro-Palestinian protests.

On May 8, the USC Academic Senate voted to censure President Carol Folt and Provost Andrew Guzman over “widespread dissatisfaction and concern among the faculty about administrative actions and decisions” related to the cancellation of a pro-Palestinian student’s valedictorian speech and riot police clearing a campus encampment.

‘Unacceptable’: Why it took hours for police to quell attack at UCLA pro-Palestinian camp

Many on campus and outside UCLA are criticizing the university for not handling the violent counterprotest better.

May 1, 2024

On Thursday, 61% of faculty members in the Columbia University School of Arts and Sciences voted “no confidence” in President Minouche Shafik, who is under fire for decisions to send in police to arrest campus protesters last month, including students who occupied a university building.

Three weeks of turmoil at UCLA started April 25, when students set up an encampment in the campus’ grassy quad to express solidarity with Palestinians, condemn Israel’s actions in Gaza and demand that UCLA divest from firms that make and deliver weapons and services to Israel. The encampment was initially free of violence, with protesters engaged in teach-ins, art builds, yoga and other activities.

UCLA declared the encampment unlawful on April 30. Later that night, a violent mob attacked the encampment and students were left to fend for themselves against beatings, pepper spray and fireworks for three hours. Law enforcement in riot gear moved in during the early morning of May 1, but it took hours to quell the violence.

Since then, a number of people have been blamed for the debacle. Internal and external investigations are underway.

More to Read

UC Berkeley to consider divesting from weapons makers as pro-Palestinian protesters break camp

May 15, 2024

UCLA chancellor faces growing faculty criticism, no-confidence vote, after weeks of turmoil

May 11, 2024

A staggering two weeks at UCLA: Protest, violence, division mark ‘dark chapter’

May 7, 2024

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Jaweed Kaleem is a national correspondent at the Los Angeles Times. Based in L.A. with a focus on issues outside of California, he has traveled to dozens of states to cover news and deeply reported features on the complexity of the American experience. His articles frequently explore race, religion, politics, social debates and polarized society. Kaleem was previously based in London, where he was a lead news writer on Russia’s war on Ukraine and spearheaded European coverage for the Times, including the Global California initiative. Before joining The Times in 2016, he reported on religion for HuffPost and the Miami Herald, where he was a member of a Pulitzer Prize finalist team recognized for coverage of Haiti. His reporting has also received awards from the Society of Professional Journalists, the Society for Features Journalism, the Asian American Journalists Assn., the South Asian Journalists Assn. and the National Headliner Awards.

Teresa Watanabe covers education for the Los Angeles Times. Since joining the Times in 1989, she has covered immigration, ethnic communities, religion, Pacific Rim business and served as Tokyo correspondent and bureau chief. She also covered Asia, national affairs and state government for the San Jose Mercury News and wrote editorials for the Los Angeles Herald Examiner. A Seattle native, she graduated from USC in journalism and in East Asian languages and culture.

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Public Affairs Grad Named 2024 Young Alumnus of the Year

Born at UCLA Santa Monica Medical Center, UCLA quarterback Chase Griffin has been a true lifelong Bruin, earning a bachelor’s degree in public affairs in 2021 and a master’s in education in 2023. Now he’s poised to add a UCLA master’s in legal studies to the list. Recently named the 2024 Young Alumnus of the Year for his leadership and philanthropic commitment, Griffin has leveraged his status as one of college football’s most recognizable athletes to raise awareness of social justice issues and encourage corporations to invest in community organizations. Griffin, a leader in the NIL (name, image, likeness) licensing, which gives student-athletes power over their personal brand, launched the Chase Griffin Foundation to help combat food insecurity and has donated more than $50,000 of his NIL earnings to the Los Angeles Food Bank and other local groups. He has served on California Gov. Gavin Newsom’s Student-Athlete Task Force, mentored students at the Horace Mann UCLA Community School and in 2023 was initiated into the Order of the Golden Bruin, UCLA’s oldest honorary society, for his service to the university and community.

Read more about Griffin and the other 2024 UCLA Alumni Award recipients

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University of California union authorizes strike over response to Gaza protests

University of California graduate students and academic workers voted overwhelmingly to approve a labor action

The union that represents University of California academic workers announced Wednesday that it had authorized a work stoppage over the administration’s crackdown on Gaza protests on campus.

Members of United Auto Workers Local 4811, which represents more than 48,000 academic workers, graduate students, postdocs and researchers, voted to approve a strike following the arrests of hundreds of demonstrators, including union members, at UCLA and the University of California at San Diego in recent weeks.

The authorization vote doesn’t guarantee a strike, but union leadership can call for a work stoppage at any point, local union leaders said. If the union goes on strike, classes and research could face major disruption at the 10 campuses that make up the University of California system, as many of the institutions wrap up the school year.

A work stoppage at the University of California would reflect a major escalation of tensions that have emerged as universities around the country have punished students for pro-Palestine activism and turned to law enforcement to remove protest encampments.

“We [held] this vote because the university has committed a number of unfair practice violations against members of our union and violated our fundamental right to freedom of speech and protest on campus,” said Rafael Jaime, co-president of UAW Local 4811.

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“This strike is illegal,” said Melissa Matella, associate vice president of systemwide labor relations at the University of California. “UAW’s decision to strike over nonlabor issues violates the no-strike clause of their contracts with UC and sets a dangerous and far-reaching precedent that social, political and cultural issues — no matter how valid — that are not labor-related can support a labor strike.”

On April 30, police did not intervene for hours at UCLA as pro-Palestinian demonstrators, including many union members, were violently attacked by counterprotesters at an encampment. The next night, Los Angeles police officers in riot gear dismantled the camp and arrested 210 people for refusing to leave.

The UAW strike authorization stems from unfair labor practice charges filed by the union in the aftermath of the arrests. Filed with the California Public Employment Relations Board, the labor charges accuse the university of illegally changing its workplace free-speech policies at UCLA without notice.

The UAW alleges the university interfered with employees’ “right to engage in peaceful protest at the worksite” and also violated labor rights by suspending student workers who had been arrested at the San Diego campus. The university also threatened those at the San Diego campus who face disciplinary charges with eviction from campus housing.

The union is asking the university to resolve the charges to avoid a work stoppage. The union is separately demanding the university negotiate with protesters and provide amnesty for all campus employees and students who face discipline and arrest, as well as divest from weapon manufacturers, contractors and companies “profiting from Israel’s war on Gaza.”

Local UAW leaders have approved a “stand-up strike,” modeled after the limited strikes that the UAW levied last year against the Big 3 Detroit automakers. During those strikes, the union called on workers at individual work sites to walk off the job, rather than target all locations at once.

Jaime, the UAW Local 4811 co-president, said that if the union moves to strike , it “will begin calling on campuses one by one” to walk out.

NFL distances itself from Chiefs’ Harrison Butker’s Benedictine College speech

In response to the controversy surrounding Harrison Butker’s commencement speech at Benedictine College, the NFL distanced itself from the ideas expressed in the speech, saying the league doesn’t share the beliefs the Kansas City Chiefs kicker voiced while addressing the graduating students.

During the commencement speech, Butker referred to Pride Month as an example of the “deadly sins.” He also addressed gender ideologies and said a woman’s most important title is “homemaker.”

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“Not the deadly sins sort of Pride that has an entire month dedicated to it,” Butker said, “but the true God-centered pride that is cooperating with the holy ghost to glorify him.”

Butker spoke for more than 20 minutes to students at the Catholic school in Atchison, Kan., saying he wanted the graduating class to prevent political leaders from interfering with social issues that impact their relationship with the church.

In response, NFL senior vice president and chief diversity and inclusion officer Jonathan Beane said in a statement to The Athletic that Butker gave the speech “in his personal capacity.”

“His views are not those of the NFL as an organization. The NFL is steadfast in our commitment to inclusion, which only makes our league stronger,” Beane said. His statement was first reported by People.

The Chiefs declined to comment when reached Thursday by The Athletic .

While Pride Month, which is in June, falls outside the NFL’s season, the league participates in LGBTQ+ initiatives. On the Wednesday before Super Bowl LVIII, the NFL hosted a “Night of Pride” event in partnership with GLAAD, the LGBTQ+ advocacy organization.

The Chiefs are among the NFL teams that have a Pride selection of apparel with rainbow colors. Kansas City is also among the many North American cities that host Pride events during June, led by the KC Pride Community Alliance.

Later Thursday, legendary college football coach and TV analyst Lou Holtz took to X to thank Butker “for standing strong in your faith values.”

“Your commencement speech at Benedictine College showed courage and conviction and I admire that,” Holtz wrote, later linking to a form from America First Works for people to sign and offer their thanks to Butker for his comments.

Required reading

• Chiefs kicker Harrison Butker says Pride Month is example of ‘deadly sin’ during commencement speech

(Photo: Ric Tapia / Getty Images)

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Tess DeMeyer is a Staff Editor for The Athletic working on the live/breaking news team. Prior to joining The Athletic, she worked as an associate digital producer at Sports Illustrated. Tess attended Brown University and originates from a small town outside of Savannah, GA. Follow Tess on Twitter @ tess_demeyer