The most comprehensive UCLA transfer guide available. From admission stats and TAP strategy to major-by-major breakdowns and prerequisite planning - everything a California community college student needs to get into UCLA.
22.9%
Transfer Accept Rate (F25)
3.91
Median Admit GPA
92%
From CA Community Colleges
28,288
Transfer Applicants (F25)
6,466
Transfer Admits (F25)
Dec 2
Application Deadline
Location
Westwood, Los Angeles
Calendar
Quarter System
Fall entry only
Min Units
60 sem / 90 qtr
Junior standing required
Min GPA
3.2 (CA residents)
Competitive: 3.77-4.00
TAG Eligible?
No - TAP instead
Transfer Alliance Program
Admission Data
UCLA's transfer pool has grown roughly 10% since 2023 while admit counts plateau near 6,200-6,500. The trend is clear: competition is intensifying every year.
| Cycle | Applicants | Admits | Enrolled | Admit Rate | Median GPA | 25th-75th GPA |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2020 | 25,957 | 6,271 | - | ~24% | - | - |
| Fall 2021 | 28,457 | 5,435 | - | ~19% | - | - |
| Fall 2022 | 24,930 | 5,961 | - | ~24% | 3.90 | - |
| Fall 2023 | 23,974 | 6,189 | 3,696 | 26% | 3.88 | 3.72-4.00 |
| Fall 2024 | 27,177 | 6,177 | 3,832 | 23% | 3.90 | 3.77-4.00 |
| Fall 2025 | 28,288 | 6,466 | 3,935 | 22.9% | 3.91 | 3.77-4.00 |
| School/College | Admit Rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| College of Letters & Science | ~27% | Largest - absorbs 85-90% of transfer admits |
| Herb Alpert School of Music | ~18% | Audition required - pool self-selects |
| Samueli School of Engineering | ~11% | TAP does not apply |
| School of Arts & Architecture | ~7% | Portfolio/supplemental required |
| School of Nursing | ~7% | ~20 admits/year from 300+ apps |
| School of Theater, Film & TV | ~3% | Most selective school at UCLA |
Entering class demographics (Fall 2025): 39% first-generation, 33% underrepresented minorities, 13% international (up from 9% in 2024), 78% receiving financial aid. Ethnicity: Asian 34%, White 30%, Chicano/Latino 26%, African American 6%, Native American 1%.
What You Need
UCLA's stated minimums are deceptively low. The 3.2 minimum GPA is an eligibility floor, not a competitive target. The realistic bar is 3.8+ for the College, 3.9+ for Engineering, and 3.8+ for Nursing.
Every transfer must complete these by spring before transfer:
Junior-level standing required - 60 semester/90 quarter UC-transferable units by end of spring before transfer.
This is where most students make the critical mistakes that cost them admission.
The gap between the minimum and what actually gets admitted:
Strategic Advantage
TAP is the single most powerful tool in the CCC-to-UCLA pipeline. Admit rates for TAP-certified students range from 67-93% at member colleges - versus UCLA's general 23% rate.
TAP is a priority admission review program run jointly by UCLA Undergraduate Admission, the UCLA College, and the Center for Community College Partnerships. It launched in 1985 as a pilot between UCLA and Santa Monica College and has grown to 56 member community colleges.
TAP-certified applicants receive priority consideration for admission to majors within the UCLA College of Letters and Science, plus Public Affairs, Public Health, and Education and Social Transformation.
Non-TAP applicants never receive alternate-major review. TAP-certified applicants get two shots:
Smart alternate picks: Linguistics, Cognitive Science, Anthropology, History, English, Philosophy, Art History, Geography, Gender Studies, MCDB, Applied Linguistics.
Priority admission review for UCLA College, Public Affairs, Public Health, and Ed & Social Transformation
Alternate major review - second chance at admission (TAP-only)
$5,000 renewable scholarship - $10,000 total over two years
UCLA College Honors auto-entry - apply without scrutiny
UCLA library access while still at CC - 8 libraries, 10-item checkout
Does NOT apply to: Engineering, Nursing, TFT, Arts & Architecture, Music
GE Strategy
IGETC is a 37-unit CCC course pattern that satisfies UCLA's lower-division GE requirements. UCLA does not require IGETC, but it is strongly recommended for most College majors - with sharp exceptions.
| School | IGETC Recommendation | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|
| College of Letters & Science | Strongly recommended | Full IGETC waives all UCLA GE. Partial accepted (missing up to 2 areas). |
| Samueli Engineering | Do NOT pursue | Focus on major prep. Partial not accepted. Wastes semesters. |
| School of Nursing | Required (full) | Partial not accepted. |
| Theater, Film & TV | Required (full) | Full IGETC or TFT GE pattern required. |
| Arts & Architecture | Recommended | Not mandatory but helpful. |
| Herb Alpert Music | Recommended | Not mandatory. |
Know the Landscape
Major selection determines admit probability more than any other factor. A 3.85 GPA applicant to Computer Science faces 5% odds; the same applicant applying to MCDB faces 30% odds.
| Major | F25 Apps | Admit % | GPA 25-75% | TAP? | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Business Economics (Pre) | 3,379 | 10% | 3.89-4.00 | Yes (no alt) | Very High |
| Communication | 964 | 13% | 3.92-4.00 | Yes (no alt) | Very High |
| Economics (Pre) | 1,517 | 16% | 3.91-4.00 | Yes (no alt) | Very High |
| Biology | 1,162 | 17% | 3.82-4.00 | Yes (alt OK) | Very High |
| Psychology (Pre) | 2,390 | 21% | 3.79-4.00 | Yes (no alt) | High |
| Statistics & Data Science | 780 | 23% | 3.94-4.00 | Yes (no alt) | High |
| Cognitive Science (Pre) | 306 | 26% | 3.82-3.95 | Yes (no alt) | High |
| MCDB | 285 | 30% | 3.87-4.00 | Yes (alt OK) | Moderate |
| Political Science (Pre) | 1,517 | 34% | 3.83-4.00 | Yes (no alt) | Moderate |
| Sociology (Pre) | 1,199 | 41% | 3.74-3.98 | Yes (alt OK) | Moderate |
| Global Studies (Pre) | 152 | 41% | 3.66-3.93 | Yes (no alt) | Moderate |
| English | 561 | 56% | 3.63-3.95 | Yes (alt OK) | Moderate |
| History | 453 | 58% | 3.68-4.00 | Yes (alt OK) | Moderate |
| Anthropology B.A. | 284 | 63% | 3.57-3.93 | Yes (alt OK) | Moderate |
| Geography | 85 | 65% | 3.63-3.95 | Yes (alt OK) | Moderate |
| Major | F25 Apps | Admit % | GPA 25-75% | Level |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Computer Science | 1,652 | 5% | 4.00-4.00 | Very High |
| Computer Engineering | 253 | 8% | 3.93-4.00 | Very High |
| CS & Engineering | 369 | 9% | 3.94-4.00 | Very High |
| Aerospace Engineering | 224 | 11% | 3.78-3.98 | Very High |
| Mechanical Engineering | 794 | 12% | 3.92-4.00 | Very High |
| Electrical Engineering | 629 | 18% | 3.93-4.00 | High |
| Chemical Engineering | 134 | 26% | 3.82-3.96 | Moderate |
| Civil Engineering | 203 | 27% | 3.78-3.93 | Moderate |
| Major | F25 Apps | Admit % | GPA 25-75% | Supplemental? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Film & Television | 632 | 3% | 3.72-3.97 | Yes (Jan 13) |
| Theater | 263 | 5% | 3.86-4.00 | Yes (Dec 9) |
| Design Media Arts | 345 | 6% | 3.58-3.96 | Yes (portfolio) |
| Art | 337 | 7% | 3.35-3.91 | Yes (portfolio) |
| Nursing | 304 | 7% | 3.68-3.95 | Yes (Jan 15) |
| Architectural Studies | 299 | 7% | 3.62-4.00 | Yes |
| Music | 257 | 18% | - | Yes (audition) |
Course Planning
Missing a single prerequisite for an impacted major can cost you admission. Here are the exact requirements for UCLA's most competitive transfer programs.
10% admit rate - 3.89-4.00 GPA
13% admit rate - 3.92-4.00 GPA
21% admit rate - 3.79-4.00 GPA
5% admit rate - 4.00-4.00 GPA
16% admit rate - 3.91-4.00 GPA
23% admit rate - 3.94-4.00 GPA
17% / 30% admit rate
7% admit rate - ~20 admits/year
The Application
UCLA uses the UC application (not Common App, not Cal State Apply). The app opens August 1, filing runs October 1 to November 30, and decisions release late April. No letters of recommendation, no SAT/ACT.
Transfers write the required transfer prompt plus 3 of 7 optional PIQs. The required prompt asks you to describe how you've prepared for your intended major. Gold-highlighted PIQs below are the ones most recommended for transfer students.
Positively influenced others or resolved disputes. Highly recommended for transfers.
Problem solving, innovation, or artistic expression.
How you've developed it over time.
The single most transfer-friendly PIQ. Frame CCC as strategy, not fallback.
Transfers have concrete real-world material for this one.
Excluded for transfers - covered by required prompt.
Strong for transfers with work/volunteer experience.
Catch-all if other prompts don't fit.
Priority deadline: January 31. Reports fall grades and spring plans. UCLA cannot complete review without it - missing it is an automatic rejection. Additional submissions accepted until March 15.
Key Dates
Missing a deadline can cost you an entire year.
August 1
Begin drafting PIQs and the required transfer prompt.
Oct 1 - Nov 30
Submit UC application. Aim for early-to-mid November.
December 1-2
Hard deadline for UC app. Performing arts supplementals also due. FAFSA/Dream Act filing opens.
Jan 13-15
Film & TV supplemental due Jan 13. Nursing due Jan 15.
January 31
Report fall grades and spring plans. Missing this = automatic rejection.
Feb - early Mar
TAP-certified students submit form through honors coordinator.
March 2
FAFSA/CADAA due. Missing this forfeits potentially $30,000+ in aid.
Late April
UCLA releases decisions. TAP scholarship invitations sent.
June 1
Statement of Intent to Register + $250 deposit (waivable with need).
Where Admits Come From
Santa Monica College has been the #1 UC feeder for 35 consecutive years. But smaller colleges often post higher admit rates - what matters most is GPA, major prep, and TAP, not your college's name.
| Community College | F24 Apps | Admit Rate | GPA 25-75% | TAP? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Santa Monica College | 1,715 | 32% | 3.71-4.00 | Yes (founding) |
| Pasadena City College | 1,226 | 32% | 3.77-4.00 | Yes |
| De Anza College | 1,136 | 21% | 3.87-4.00 | Yes |
| Irvine Valley College | 868 | 27% | 3.76-4.00 | Yes |
| Diablo Valley College | 737 | 23% | 3.87-4.00 | No |
| Mt. San Antonio | 689 | 30% | 3.76-4.00 | Yes |
| El Camino College | 635 | 35% | 3.70-3.95 | Yes |
| Orange Coast College | 613 | 23% | 3.79-4.00 | Yes |
| Santa Barbara City | 603 | 25% | 3.76-3.98 | Yes |
| Moorpark College | 547 | 33% | 3.76-4.00 | Yes |
| LA Pierce | 541 | 35% | 3.75-4.00 | Yes |
| Glendale | 540 | 31% | 3.76-4.00 | Yes |
Paying for UCLA
78% of the Fall 2024 entering transfer class received aid. 2024-25 cost of attendance for CA residents: ~$41,020. But 55% of UCLA undergrads receive grants/scholarships averaging $23,418.
$14,233+
Full tuition for CA residents with family income under $100,000. Two years for transfers. Requires FAFSA/CADAA.
$10,000
$5,000/year renewable. TAP-certified, UCLA College, demonstrated need. Requires honors faculty reference.
Varies
A covers tuition (2.40 GPA min). B adds access costs for low-income. Can reserve up to 2 years at CCC.
Varies
Families up to $234,000 income on sliding scale. Two years for transfers.
$4,000-$5,000
Merit and leadership-based. No alumni connection required. Opens days after decisions.
$2,000
~10 awards. 2-3 reserved for non-traditional transfers (age 25+).
Pacific + UCLA
Our team has placed students into UCLA's most competitive programs. Here is what we bring to your UCLA transfer application.
Semester-by-semester plan using ASSIST.org articulation specific to your CC and target major. No missed prerequisites.
Determine if TAP is right for you, navigate honors requirements, choose optimal alternate major, avoid common mistakes.
Multiple drafts of your major-prep essay and three PIQs that reveal your story and stand out in holistic review.
Balance ambition with strategic positioning using real admit-rate data. Primary + alternate major optimization.
Analyze your situation to recommend whether full IGETC, partial, or pure major prep gives you the strongest app.
Transfer Academic Update guidance, spring grade monitoring, waitlist/appeal strategies if needed.