Application Readers

Applications for Fall 2025 have now closed. Please check back next summer for details on the next cycle. 

Following are the minimum requirements for becoming an application reader:

• Bachelor's degree or higher
• Able to attend mandatory overview and norming sessions 
• Able to successfully complete training and certification process
• Independently complete mandatory university training online (such as Implicit Bias, UC Ethical Values and Conduct, Cyber Security Awareness, etc.)
• Able to fulfill a weekly reading and scoring commitment
• Access to a computer with an internet connection
• Available for training and reading from November through late January
• Willing to read first-year applications exclusively for UCLA between November and January

We expect the competition for the few available slots to be extremely high. The following criteria will be used in our evaluation process of potential application readers.

• Work experience in the area of college counseling; extra consideration is given to counselors currently working at a high school, especially those from low API schools
• Experience or employment in areas or programs that promote or prepare prospective students for post-secondary education
• Level of affiliation to UCLA (e.g. alumni committees, volunteers for various UCLA events, former/retired UCLA Undergraduate Admission staff, etc.)
• UCLA employment status; consideration given to current UCLA staff who have extensive interactions with large numbers of students or student organizations (e.g. outreach programs, orientation programs, yield activities, etc.)

If you’re hired to be a first-year application reader, you’ll be expected to participate in the following ways:

Early November: Training Process
Familiarize yourself with the Holistic Review overview, guidelines and other training materials. Participate in one full-day training on campus along with three live Zoom sessions. Complete assigned homework following each session.  

Late November: Certification Process
Review and score additional training applications (approximately 5–10 hours worth). During this time, we’ll review your progress and provide you with feedback.

Early December through late January: Application Reading
Once you’ve successfully completed our training and certification, we’ll provide you with real applications to read and score. All applications are to be read and reviewed online.