UCLA
University of California, Los Angeles. The most applied-to university in the USA, 145,086 applications for the Class of 2029. A public university, top 15 worldwide. 10 km from Hollywood, in Westwood. Critical: UC Application (NOT Common App), test-blind, deadline November 30, no financial aid for international students.
About UCLA
University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) is located in Los Angeles, California, in the Westwood neighborhood, 10 km west of downtown LA and 8 km from Santa Monica beach. The 170-hectare campus (among the largest urban campuses in the USA) includes Royce Hall (iconic), Powell Library, the J.D. Morgan Center (athletics center) and Sunset Recreation. Founded in 1919 as the Southern Branch of the University of California, UCLA grew from a Berkeley annex into one of the most prestigious public flagship universities in the world, ranked top 1-2 public in the USA and top 15 worldwide.
UCLA has 6 main undergraduate schools and colleges, each with separate admission: The College of Letters and Science, the largest, ~85% of students, over 130 majors organized into 4 divisions (Humanities, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences); this is where Business Economics sits (UCLA does NOT have a separate undergraduate business school like Berkeley's Haas), along with Computer Science dual with Engineering, pre-med and pre-law. Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science (HSSEAS), Electrical Engineering, Computer Science and Engineering, Mechanical, Bioengineering, Civil, Aerospace, Materials. School of the Arts and Architecture, Architectural Studies, Art, Dance, Design Media Arts, World Arts and Cultures. Herb Alpert School of Music, Music Performance, Ethnomusicology, Composition. School of Nursing, Nursing BS (very selective). School of Theater, Film and Television (TFT), Film and Television, Theater, ranked top 5 worldwide.
The unique feature for Romanians: UCLA is a public UC university, so the admission process is identical to Berkeley's. You apply through the UC Application (NOT Common App), with no ED or EA, a single deadline of November 30. The UC is test-blind, SAT/ACT completely ignored. The decision is based on grades, 4 Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) out of 8 prompts, 350 words each, and extracurricular activities. UCLA is the most applied-to university in the USA (145,086 applications for the Class of 2029), with the lowest rate in the UC system (9.41%, below Berkeley). Mascot: Joe Bruin (a bear). Colors: True Blue and Gold. 119 NCAA championships (the most in history, more than any other university), 16 Nobel laureates. Alumni: Francis Ford Coppola (director), Jackie Robinson (baseball), Carol Burnett (TV), James Franco, Jim Morrison (The Doors), Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.
How to apply to UCLA
UC Application, choosing a college and major
You apply through apply.universityofcalifornia.edu, a single application for all 10 UC campuses (Berkeley, UCLA, San Diego, Davis, Irvine, Santa Barbara, Santa Cruz, Riverside, Merced, San Francisco). You pay $95 per campus for international students. At UCLA you choose the college or school (The College, HSSEAS, Arts and Architecture, Music, Nursing, TFT) and your intended major. For TFT and Music: a portfolio or audition is required (earlier deadline).
Deadline: November 30 (firm, no extensions)
The UC has a single application window: October 1 to November 30. No ED, no EA, no special rules. November 30 at 11:59 PM PST (Pacific Time) is the FINAL deadline, no exceptions. Decisions are released starting March 1; UCLA tends to send decisions toward mid-to-late March. Note: the application opens on August 1, you have 4 months to build it properly.
Test-blind: SAT/ACT completely ignored
UCLA is test-blind (UC system policy), SAT/ACT are NOT taken into account, no matter what score you have. UCLA states explicitly: "UCLA does not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission or scholarship purposes". This does not mean you should not take the SAT, for other universities you apply to (Common App), the SAT is still relevant. For UCLA, all that matters is your GPA in A-G courses (UC subject requirements), the rigor of your curriculum and the PIQs. TOEFL 100 plus or IELTS 7.0 plus is required for Romanians.
Personal Insight Questions (4 of 8)
The most important part of the application. The UC offers 8 prompts, you choose 4, each answer maximum 350 words (firm, you cannot exceed it). These 4 answers go to all the UCs you apply to (Berkeley, UCLA, San Diego all see the same ones). The topics: leadership, creative talent, a developed skill, educational opportunity, significant challenge, favorite subject, community contribution, what makes you stand out. For Romanians: prompts 1 (leadership) and 8 (differentiation) are opportunities to show unique cultural context.
No recommendations (at the undergraduate level)
Unlike the Common App, the UC does NOT require letters of recommendation from teachers or a counselor. This means less to coordinate, but also fewer chances to round out your profile with outside perspectives. The extracurricular activities and the PIQs have to stand on their own as evidence of your profile. Exception: UCLA may request additional information through "augmented review" for applicants to TFT (Theater, Film and Television) or Music, where the portfolio or audition may include recommendations from specialist instructors.
English proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS/Duolingo)
For Romanians: TOEFL 100 plus (iBT) or IELTS 7.0 plus or Duolingo English Test 120 plus. The minimum accepted score: TOEFL 83 or IELTS 6.5, but students actually admitted to UCLA have scores well above the minimum. Exception: if you studied 3 plus years in English in high school (international IB schools, British schools in Romania, etc.), you can request a test waiver. UCLA's code for the TOEFL: 4837. For IELTS: sent electronically directly to UCLA.
Costs, a public university but not for international students
Sticker cost (academic year Fall 2026, nonresident)
Total cost for 4 years (international students)
$0 aid
UCLA states explicitly: "UCLA does not award scholarships or financial aid to undergraduate students who are not citizens or permanent residents". Source: admission.ucla.edu/apply/international-applicants.
rare
Only private scholarships funded by donors or outside organizations may be available, listed on the UCLA Scholarship Portal. Athletics: rare full athletic scholarships (~5-10/year for international students, highly competitive).
external
The only viable path: external scholarships (Fulbright graduate only), private loans with an American cosigner, or full family funding. UCLA requires proof of funds at application.
Want to apply to UCLA?
UCLA requires the same approach as Berkeley, completely different from private universities. We help you choose the right 4 PIQs out of 8, the right college (The College vs Engineering vs TFT) and build a realistic financial plan for the ~$345k over 4 years. Plus, we guide you strategically for applications to several UCs at once. Your first mentoring session is 100% free.
Talk to a mentorFrequently asked questions
UCLA vs UC Berkeley, which is better for a Romanian?
It fundamentally depends on your major. They are both top UCs, with similar rates (UCLA 9.4%, Berkeley 11.4% Class of 2029), the same application, the same test-blind policy, the same zero-aid policy for international students. Differences by field: UCLA wins in Film and TV (top 5 worldwide via TFT), Medical/Pre-Med (David Geffen School of Medicine adjacent, clinical opportunities), Business Economics (even though UCLA does NOT have an undergraduate business school like Haas), Performing Arts (Music, Theater, Dance), Athletics. Berkeley wins in EECS (Engineering plus CS) and Computer Science, Engineering in general, Chemistry and Chemical Engineering, Haas Undergraduate Business, international brand for tech (Silicon Valley adjacent). Location: UCLA = Westwood, LA, beach 8 km away, Hollywood 10 km away, phenomenal climate. Berkeley = Bay Area, San Francisco 30 min by BART, cooler climate. For Romanians: UCLA for Film/Pre-Med/Performing Arts; Berkeley for Tech/Engineering/Business. Many Romanians apply to both at once, it is a single UC Application.
UCLA receives the most applications in the world, what does that mean?
Yes, UCLA receives the most undergraduate applications in the USA (and probably in the world): 145,086 applications for the Class of 2029, compared to Berkeley 126,843, NYU ~120,000. Applications grew from 102,242 (Class of 2021) to 145,086 (Class of 2029), a 42% increase over 8 years. Why: the combination of top public prestige, location in LA, the elimination of tests in 2020 (test-blind), and strong international marketing. What it means for you: the competition is brutal, but do not let yourself be intimidated. UCLA admits 13,000-15,000 students, so 1 out of ~11 candidates. The rate reflects how UCLA attracts "long-shot" applicants (many with a below-bar profile), not how impossible admission is for serious applicants. For a Romanian with a solid profile (GPA 9.5 plus equivalent A-G, rigorous AP/IB, strong PIQs), the real odds are higher than 9.4%.
UCLA does NOT offer scholarships for international students, what does that mean in practice?
It means exactly what it sounds like. UCLA states on admission.ucla.edu: "UCLA does not award scholarships or financial aid to undergraduate students who are not citizens or permanent residents of the United States". In practice: roughly $86,000/year x 4 years equals roughly $345,000 total, with absolutely no package from UCLA (no grants, no need-based scholarships, no merit scholarships, except for the rare athletic scholarships). UCLA requires proof of sufficient funds at application, through an Affidavit of Support or bank letters. The real solutions: (1) the family pays in full, (2) external scholarships (Fulbright graduate, private organizations), (3) private loans with an American cosigner, (4) athletic scholarships (very rare, strictly regulated by the NCAA). Do NOT apply to UCLA if you do not have your financial plan ready, the application system requires proof of funds.
UCLA Theater, Film and Television, it is top 5 worldwide, how do you apply?
UCLA TFT is one of the most prestigious film schools in the world (Francis Ford Coppola, James Franco, Tim Robbins, Carlos Saldanha, Cary Joji Fukunaga, alumni). Undergraduate programs: Film and Television (BA, BFA), Theater (BA), Theater - Acting (BFA). How you apply: in the UC Application you choose UCLA, then TFT and the specific major. Required supplemental materials: for Film and Television BA, additional essays plus a short creative piece (story, scene, film plan); for Theater BFA Acting, an audition is required (video pre-screening, then a live audition for those selected). TFT supplemental materials deadline: usually 1-2 weeks earlier than the UC application, so check the TFT website. TFT admission rate: under 5% for Acting BFA. For Romanians: choosing TFT is excellent if you want a career in film/TV in Hollywood, the networking is top tier. But if you are unsure, apply to The College's Cinema and Media Studies (academic, less selective).
How do I choose among UCLA's 6 undergraduate colleges?
Each college has separate admission with different rates. The College (Letters and Science), roughly 85% of students, over 130 majors in 4 divisions (Humanities, Life Sciences, Physical Sciences, Social Sciences), the most flexible; you enter as "undeclared" or pre-major; you declare a major in year 2. Pre-med, pre-law, Business Economics are here. HSSEAS (Engineering), the most competitive for international students; CS, EE, ME, Civil, BioE, Aerospace, Materials. Rate ~7-10% for CS and CSE. School of the Arts and Architecture, Architectural Studies, Art, Dance, Design Media Arts, portfolio or audition required. Herb Alpert School of Music, audition required. School of Nursing, very selective (under 3%), a clinical profile required. TFT (Theater, Film and TV), supplemental materials. Strategy: choose a college where the competition is manageable and the major genuinely interests you. Do NOT apply to HSSEAS if you are not sure, switching into HSSEAS later is very difficult.
UCLA for pre-med, how does it work?
UCLA is one of the best universities for pre-med in the USA, partly because the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA is adjacent to campus, offering unlimited clinical opportunities. How pre-med works: it is NOT a major, it is an academic "track", you declare pre-med as an interest in your application. The most popular majors for pre-med are Human Biology and Society, Microbiology, Immunology and Molecular Genetics (MIMG), Physiological Science, Psychobiology, but pre-med is compatible with ANY major (you can do pre-med from Economics, if you take the pre-med courses). The pre-med requirements: 2 years of Chemistry, 1 year of Biology, 1 year of Physics, 1 year of Math, plus labs. UCLA pre-med advantages: shadowing and research opportunities at the UCLA Medical Center, mentoring, study groups, MCAT prep courses. Disadvantage: brutal competition (thousands of pre-med students at UCLA, only ~50% get into med school on their first try, vs 70-80% at private universities with fewer pre-med students).
UCLA Westwood, what is it like as a location for a Romanian student?
Westwood is one of the best university locations in the USA. Positioned: 10 km west of downtown LA, 8 km east of Santa Monica beach, 5 km north of Beverly Hills, 15 km from Hollywood. Phenomenal climate (~22°C annual average, fewer than 10 rainy days a year). Advantages: direct access to the film-TV, music and fashion industries; unlimited internship opportunities at Disney, Warner, Netflix, Apple, Google (all present in the LA Area); an extremely diverse international community (the largest after New York); LAX airport 25 min by car, direct flights to Europe. Disadvantages: very high cost of living (Westwood is among the most expensive neighborhoods in LA, off-campus rent ~$1,500-2,500/month), notorious LA traffic, dependence on a car for certain areas (although Uber, scooters and biking are popular). For Romanians: UCLA Westwood is extremely attractive for those interested in film, media, performing arts, fashion, business economics, or who want a consistently warm climate.
How many Romanian students are there at UCLA?
UCLA has ~12% international students at the undergraduate level (~3,800 students), but the Romanian community is small in this context. Because the majority of international students are from Asia (China, India, South Korea dominant), Romanians probably make up 15-30 students total at the undergraduate level. At the graduate level (PhD, MBA Anderson, JD Law), the Romanian community is larger, 30-50 students. UCLA is very popular among Romanians oriented toward Film/TV (TFT), Pre-Med (The College), Business Economics, Performing Arts. The Romanian Student Society at UCLA is active and organizes regular events. Plus, the wider Romanian community in LA (over 30,000 people in the Greater LA Area, one of the largest in the USA, after Chicago and NY) offers excellent professional connections after graduation. Many Romanian restaurants in Westwood and the surrounding areas.
Our mentors for the USA
They studied in the USA, at universities like Harvard, MIT and Stanford. They went through the process. Now they guide you.
