UCLA does not set aside space in our class for students who appeal admission decisions. Therefore, though all appeals are reviewed on a case-by-case basis, the number of decisions reversed on appeal is typically very low.
We advise you to consider the following carefully before you decide to draft an appeal.
Before You Submit an Appeal
Because all applicants are evaluated so thoroughly in multiple extensive reviews, admission decisions are rarely overturned. For an appeal to have merit, it must bring to light new academic and personal information, as well as information pertaining to extenuating circumstances, that had not been present in the application.
When we talk about presenting “new” information, we mean information not already presented in the original application (e.g. classes that were not listed as AP or Honors that should have been, additional coursework, etc.) — information that clearly shows the student to be stronger than had been earlier evidenced. High grades received in the senior year, recently acquired awards or additional extracurricular activities are not a basis for the reversal of a decision since decisions are based on academic information that was available at the time of application.
In rare cases, students may find it necessary to be in Los Angeles due to personal hardship. In itself, this is not grounds for the reversal of an admission decision since there are several other colleges in the Los Angeles area. Academic qualifications combined with the particular hardship listed would allow for an additional review of an applicant. If you base your appeal on an emergency or sudden-need situation, please be prepared to document your circumstances.
Submitting an Appeal
Fall 2024
Appeals can be submitted between April 1 through April 15.
Please be aware that we cannot guarantee a response by May 15, the date by which many institutions require their applicants to make a commitment. We encourage applicants to consider all of their educational options carefully.
Attending UCLA as a Transfer Student
Entering UCLA as a first-year is not your only option. We also accept applications from transfer students who have completed their first two years of college at another institution.
While we accept applications from students from other four-year institutions, we give priority to students transferring from other UC campuses and California community colleges. Many of these schools have special programs that help students prepare to transfer to UCLA or other four-year institutions.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Unfortunately, the waitlist is not an option for those whose applications were denied. We identify applicants for the waitlist prior to the release of decisions, as part of our overall first-year admission selection process; applicants themselves cannot request to be placed on the waitlist.
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If you’re an ELC (Eligibility in the Local Context) student and your application was not accepted, you’re guaranteed a spot at one of the nine UC undergraduate campuses, though not necessarily at the campus or program of your choice.
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No. We only accept new first-year students for the fall quarter.