Admissions Blog

Trouble Filling Out the UC Application?

We are here to help!  The following are answers to some common questions and concerns encountered while filling out the UC Application.

1.      “I'm not sure what you are asking for in some of these sections. Where can I go for more information.”

The UC Application provides three means of assistance while you complete the Application. 

First, we strongly encourage you to take an online tour of the application: https://admissions.ucop.edu/tour/tour.html.  This will provide you with an overview of how to apply.

Second, many of the information prompts throughout the application have an information icon— — that provides specific information on how to answer the question.

Third, each section has a "Tip Box" that clarifies the information being requested.

2.  "I clicked on 'Go To Next Step' but it won't let me. It indicates there is an error."

Scroll the page and look for an error message in red.  This error message indicates that information for this field needs to be completed or corrected before you can proceed to the next section.

3. "I left the computer and came back and was timed out of the system. How long do I have?"

The UC Application system times an applicant out after 40 minutes. We strongly encourage you to save all your information before walking away from your computer for a long period of time.

4. "I hit my browser's back [or forward] button.  Did I lose everything?"

Your browser's forward and backward buttons will work to move you through the application. You must use the forward and backward tools within the application itself to move to other sections. If you use your browser buttons, you will have to re-enter the information.

5.      “Is there a PDF version I can print out to fill out the application.”

No, the UC application can only be submitted online. You have the option to save the application and information you enter as you work, without having to submit it. This allows you to work on the application over a period of time.  Your application can be modified as many times as you would like until time of final submission.

6.      “Where do I include my Letters of Recommendation and Resume?”

UCLA does not accept letters of recommendation or resumes with the UC Application. By properly filling out the UC Application, you should be able to share all the information that might otherwise be conveyed in a resume. Also, we encourage you to use your Personal Statements to provide information that will give us more insight about you, which will assist us during the review of your application.

Note: Some majors [e.g. Art, Film and Television, Music] have additional application requirements, which may include letters of recommendation, a portfolio review, audition, or additional documents. If you apply to one of these majors you will be contacted directly by the department with instructions on how to provide them with additional information.

7.      “What if I have not taken the ACT/SAT exams, or have nor received my scores, before the November 30 UC Application deadline?"

You can login to the UC Application Processor's status site:  www.ucapplication.net/ucap and enter your cores one you receive them. However, we stronly encourage you to send official tst score reports to the university as well.  You can do that on the following sites.

ACT:  www.actstudent.org/scores/send/index.html

SAT:  www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/scores/sending.html

If you are admitted, official copies of your ACT, SAT, and AP scores are required.

8.      “Do I need to sent official transcripts and/or score reports now?"

You do not need to send transcripts unless you are admitted [or unless we specifically request them fro you, which is not common].  While official test score reports are not required, we do strongly encourage you to have them sent [see #7 above for how].

Also, we do not review high school records or ACT/SAT scores from transfer applicants—just freshmen.

9.  "I submitted my application. Now what?"

It is very important that you keep the email receipt that you will receive upon final submission of the application. This email will include your user name and application ID number. You will need your suer name [and password[ to view/print copies of your application, and you should include your application ID number [and not your Social Security Number] on any communications with us.

You should receive an email from UCLA acknowledging that we received your application around two weeks from the day you submitted it.

If any of the informaion you presented on the application changes [e.g. your address, the courses you indicated you were/will take, etc.], you should let us know right away.  www.admissions.ucla.edu/applicant/changes.htm.

UCLA plans to release decisions for Fall Quarter 2010 freshman applicants by late March, and for transfer applicants by late April 2010.

Fall "To Do" List

This is an exciting time of year for many people.  Students are going back to school and there are many things on the “To Do” list that must get done.  Some items on the school list: school clothes and supplies shopping, high school graduation pictures, and preparing to complete college applications in the fall. 

There are many things involved in applying to college, so we want to share a check list to help you in planning for college applications…to better enjoy the other events in your final year of high school.

September

• If you have not already done so, you should begin researching universities that you may want to apply to.  Consider all the various factors to help you make the decision:  academic reputation, majors offered, housing options, financial costs student organizations, campus environment, etc.
• While you are researching and visiting prospective schools, you have fall sporting events to look forward to…football, soccer, volleyball, lacrosse, and more. 
• If you are applying to a University of California campus, you must complete the UC admission test requirements, which can be satisfied by taking either of the following:

Bruin Boredom Busters

Are you bored this summer at UCLA?  Well, there are plenty of things to do to relieve your boredom and stay connected to campus life. UCLA Happenings is a great website to stay up to date with upcoming campus and local community events. Visit www.happenings.ucla.edu to find the latest hot spots and events to attend. Listed on the website is information about Arts, Lectures, & Sports that are free to students/public or cost to attend.  For instance, the Fowler Museum is hosting a range of events including a free Sunset Qi Gong/Tai Chi workshop from 6-7 pm every Thursday in August. 

Breaking Down the Crowd at UCLA

Although school has been out some time now, the UCLA campus is still in an energetic buzz very much like it is during the regular school year, however with a completely different kind of crowd than usual. The summer faces here break down into five different kinds of crowds.

First, are the summer schoolers—high school, transfer, and other university students who come from different areas including locally, all over California and the country, as well as some international students from all over the world!  They have all come here to experience UCLA first hand and take a few classes towards graduation requirements as well as get a feel for what it’s like to attend a large public university. 

Going according to Plan A… or Rather Plan B thru Z.

It’s that time of year again.  I ‘m not simply talking about needing to set your clocks an hour forward. I also am not referring to that exciting Spring Break Trip that is about to ensue. Nope, it’s about this time of year that scores of students find out the final admission decision to which colleges they have been accepted. By now some students are now getting a clearer picture of what options they have, while others still anxiously await for an answer from their dream college.  For the most part nowadays, students can check admission decisions online and not have to wait for ‘snail mail.’ Although things have changed drastically in the decision delivery, what hasn’t changes is the feeling you get just as you are checking:  that rush of adrenaline over the decision that could change your life dramatically.  No matter the outcome, you have to plan out your next steps.  Whether it be a burst of joy, a pool of tears, a shrug of relief, a pang of anger, or a daze of confusion, your response to that decision will immediately lay the groundwork of what lies ahead.