Navigating UCLA Enrollment: A Comprehensive Guide for Students

The enrollment process at UCLA can seem complex, especially for new students. This guide aims to clarify key aspects of enrollment, from understanding course requisites to navigating important deadlines and resources.

Understanding Course Requisites

Course requisites are requirements or recommendations associated with a course. These are listed in the course description and in class information in MyUCLA and the Schedule of Classes. MyUCLA uses requisite checking to see if a requisite has been met. There are five different categories of requisites:

Requisites: General requirements for a course.
Enforced Requisites: Requisites with specific course numbers that MyUCLA can verify. Only requisites with specific course numbers can be enforced. A requisite such as “one course in economics” could not be enforced, but “Economics 11” could be. Instructors or departments can choose the level of enforcement for a requisite.
Corequisites: Requirements for courses that must be taken at the same time.
Preparation: Requirements such as placement tests for language. They appear only in the course description and are enforced at the instructor or department level.
Recommended: Courses or skills that are suggested but not required.

A message in MyUCLA most often appears when transfer credit or test scores are involved, even when that credit is being used to fulfill program requirements. Requisite courses taken at another school often do not transfer as the exact UCLA requisite (i.e., units or subject heading do not match). Students can check their Degree Audit Report to see how the requisite was transferred. Students with transfer or AP credit that was not evaluated as equivalent to a specific UCLA requisite should consult the department offering the course. Departments are usually familiar with such discrepancies and can help a student enroll or issue a Petition to Enroll (PTE) number. Decisions by the department concerning satisfaction of requisites are final.

Important Dates and Deadlines for First-Year Students

Making a smooth transition to UCLA involves being aware of crucial dates and deadlines. Review the University of California’s immunization requirement before submitting your Statement of Intent to Register. This will ensure that the correction will be seen by all the UC campuses you have applied to. If you have submitted your SIR to UCLA, log in to MyUCLA.

Demonstrating English Proficiency: The Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR)

All incoming first-year students must demonstrate their proficiency with critical reading and analytical writing in English by fulfilling the Entry Level Writing Requirement (ELWR). This can be satisfied through various means:

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Standardized Tests:
- 30 or better on ACT English Language Arts
- 63 or better on ACT English and ACT Reading sections
- 680 or higher on the College Board SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing section
- 3 or higher on the College Board Advanced Placement Examination in English Language or English Literature or Advance Placement Seminar examination or the Advanced Placement Research Examination
- 5 or higher on the International Baccalaureate Higher Level Examination in English (Language A or A1 only)
- 6 or higher on the International Standard Level Examination in English (Language A or A1 only)
College Course: Complete a UC transferable college course in English composition with a grade of C or better before enrolling at UCLA.
Informed Placement Process (IPP): Admitted students who have not satisfied ELWR by June 1 are required to complete the Informed Placement Process (IPP) at UCLA. The IPP was previously known as the Analytical Writing Placement Exam. In order to have a placement for fall enrollment, you will need to complete the IPP at least 2 weeks prior to your New Student Orientation. There is a $167 fee for the IPP, but please note that this amount may change without prior notice. Students will be billed after they take it unless they have a fee waiver. About 2-3 weeks after you complete the IPP, you can log in to MyUCLA to see if you satisfied the ELWR using your UCLA Logon ID. Please go to your Degree Progress/Audit Report and look under "Entry Level Writing/ESL Requirement" to see which English Composition course you will start with. If you don't see a result, your New Student Advisor can advise you when you attend your New Student Orientation. Results of the IPP won’t affect your admission to UCLA. Once enrolled at UCLA, you must complete the ELWR writing requirement by taking UCLA composition courses only.

New Student Orientation

New Student Orientation is mandatory for all new undergraduate students. During orientation, you will become acclimated to both the academic and social life at UCLA. You’ll connect with other new students, learn about the campus and many of the services available to Bruins, meet with academic advisors, enroll in your first college classes, and much more. There are 12 different orientation sessions for first-year students, including two sessions dedicated to out-of-state and international students.

Math Placement Test (MPT)

You should determine if you need to take the online Math Placement Test (MPT) if you plan to enroll in one of the following classes:

Math 1 Pre-Calculus
Math 3A Calculus (for Life Science Students)
Math 31A Differential and Integral Calculus (for Physical Sciences Students)
Math 31AL Differential and Integral Calculus Laboratory (for Physical Sciences Students)

Students should take the MDT by July 1 if any of these are true:

They do not have AP credit for Math 31A
They do not have transferred course credit from a community college or 4-year institution for Math 1, Math 3A, Math 31A, or Math 31AL. High school course credit cannot be used to waive these courses.
They are waiting for results from AP Calculus AB or BC exam

Check your Degree Progress/Audit Report on MyUCLA to confirm credit for AP test results or transferred courses. It must be completed July 1 so that your placement is available when you register for classes during New Student Session. There is a $20 non-refundable charge since the test is operated by a third party - ALEKS Placement, Preparation and Learning (ALEKS PPL). View the Undergraduate Mathematics Help Guide for frequently asked questions about the MPT.

Chemistry Diagnostic Exam

If you plan to enroll in Chemistry 14A, Chemistry 14AE, Chemistry 20A or Chemistry 20AH, you are required to take the Chemistry Diagnostic Exam prior to enrolling in the course itself. The exam is available online beginning May 1 and must be completed before July 1 so that your placement recommendation is available when you register for classes during New Student Orientation.

Degree Audit Report

Be sure to send us test scores (AP and IB). The UCLA Degree Audit evaluates your progress toward meeting graduation requirements in your major. It’s a critical tool for selecting classes and plotting your academic course. It will be explained in-depth at New Student Orientation. After that, you can create your own audit by logging in to MyUCLA with your UCLA Logon ID. If you have taken UCLA-transferable college courses in high school, submit your official transcripts for this work as soon as possible. The College Scholars Program is offered through the UCLA College.

Registration and BruinBill

Registration consists of paying fees and enrolling in classes. Registration fees and other University charges are paid through BruinBill. BruinBill, the UCLA campus billing platform, is where you can manage and pay for registration fees, campus charges, housing, transportation fees and more. BruinBill is available 24/7; just log on to MyUCLA (you’ll need your UCLA Logon ID) to access it. Graduate students must be either registered and enrolled or on an official leave of absence, every term until their degrees are awarded. As an exception, certain graduate students may be eligible to pay the filing fee.

MyUCLA gives UCLA students, and those who have been students within the past 10 years, real-time access to their University academic, personal and financial records. It is the easiest way to enroll in classes. Students may review their BruinBill account at any time through MyUCLA, and make payments during their session. These online payments can include BruinPay Plan, echeck, MasterCard, Discover or American Express with a 2.75% base transaction.

Although the exact cost of attending UCLA varies, there are some fees that all UCLA students must pay. Each entering and readmitted student is required to submit a Statement of Legal Residence to Graduate Admissions with the Statement of Intent to Register. Students classified as California residents are required to pay a tuition fee. Students classified as nonresidents must pay nonresident supplemental tuition in addition to the tuition fee.

UCLA uses a readily accessible financial system known as BruinBill to assist students in managing their account and to generate fellowship stipend, loan, and other need- and merit-based aid payments. The University records all billing (such as tuition, nonresident supplemental tuition, and Student Health Services charges) and all UCLA aid payments through the BruinBill system. Each month students need to review transactions posted to their BruinBill account using MyUCLA.

With BruinBill, aid funds-including ASE and RA fee remissions, fellowships, training grant payments, loans, and other awards-will automatically apply towards the payment of fee and tuition bills. For students who have a fellowship package from their department or the Division of Graduate Educationthat fully covers fees and tuition, these charges will be automatically paid through BruinBill. All recipients of fellowship awards and traineeships are required to sign up for BruinDirect to have their stipends deposited directly into personal bank accounts. Recipients of monthly stipends who have not signed up for BruinDirect will likely experience a delay of up to a week in receiving their checks. Students can view their monthly BruinBill transactions and direct deposit refund activity in real-time through MyUCLA, UCLA’s web-based student information system. Transactions are listed by the month in which they occurred. In addition to the current month activity, students can view monthly statement activity going back 24 months.

Financial Support

Merit-based awards provide stipends in varying amounts and may include fees and nonresident tuition. Merit-based support provided by national, international or private foundations. citizens and permanent residents. Teaching Assistantships provide experience in teaching undergraduates with faculty supervision. Graduate Student Researcher positions provide experience working on faculty-supervised research projects. Selection of awardees for teaching assistantships, graduate student research positions, registration tuition grants and nonresident supplemental tuition fellowships is conducted by each department.

Campus Resources and Support Services

UCLA offers a wide array of resources to support students' academic, personal, and professional growth.

BruinCard: A BruinCard is your passport to life at UCLA. It serves as your official university I.D as well as many other purposes which makes it a must-have necessity. It functions as your library card and can be used as a pre-paid debit card for purchases on and off campus. Before the school year begins you must apply for your BruinCard.
Bruin Resource Center: The Bruin Resource Center helps by providing information, referrals, and support to navigate the university and to connect with the right campus resource or person.
UCLA Technology Development Group (TDG): The UCLA Technology Development Group (TDG) provides information on UCLA’s available resources regarding intellectual property and what you need to know as a graduate student.
Student Legal Services: Student Legal Services provides legal counseling and assistance regarding a wide range of legal issues to all currently registered and enrolled UCLA students. They help students with a variety of problems, including: landlord/tenant relations; accident and injury problems; domestic violence and harassment; criminal matters; divorces and other family law matters; automobile purchase, repair, and insurance problems; health care, credit, and financial aid issues; and consumer problems. Students may make appointments by telephone or in person, and there is an initial intake charge of $30 for each matter; there are no charges for subsequent visits on the same matter.
UCLA Library: As one of the top five research libraries in North America, the UCLA campus-wide network of libraries serves programs of study and research in many fields. With more than eight million volumes and nearly 80,000 magazines and academic journals, the Library has world-class collections of contemporary works as well as rare books and manuscripts. The UCLA Library system comprises the Charles E. Young Research Library, the College Library, and eight specialized subject libraries. The BruinCard serves as the library card for UCLA students, faculty, and staff.
UCLA Alumni Association: The UCLA Alumni Association is dedicated to engaging alumni in the life of the University and to enhancing the student experience for both undergraduates and graduate students.
UCLA Recreation: UCLA offers a full range of recreational opportunities to meet the needs of the campus community. The Department of Cultural and Recreational Affairs (UCLA Recreation) serves as the administrative center for the coordination of programming, facilities, equipment, and supervision of campus recreational activities and services. Recreation opportunities are extended to the entire UCLA community. Students receive privileges through payment of quarterly registration fees.
Dashew Center for International Students & Scholars: Federal regulations governing policy and procedure of visa issuance and maintenance for international students and scholars make it especially important for these individuals to maintain contact with international student and scholar counselors and advisers following their arrival on campus. The Dashew Center also provides specialized services, counseling, and programs for all international students and scholars, from the time of their arrival to their departure.
LGBTQ Campus Resource Center: The Center offers educational workshops and training seminars for classes, campus agencies, and departments about LGBTQ lives and issues. The professional staff works throughout UCLA to ensure that LGBTQ voices are represented for sensitive and inclusive UC policies and practices. They provide confidential assistance and support to students, faculty, and staff who feel they have experienced harassment or discrimination, or who have questions around issues of health, housing, financial aid, classroom, and personnel.
UCLA Career Center: The UCLA Career Center offers job listings, campus interviews, workshops, and career counseling.
UCLA Graduate Students Association: The UCLA Graduate Students Association was established to provide for the representation of graduate students and the promotion of graduate students’ interests at UCLA and within the University of California.
Graduate Student Resource Center: The UCLA Graduate Student Resource Center is a one-stop resource, referral and information center for graduate students. The Graduate Student Resource Center offers programs and workshops on a variety of topics, drop-in counseling, a web and in-house resource library, meeting and study space, and the opportunity for social interaction.
Graduate Writing Center: The Graduate Writing Center offers free writing consultation to graduate and professional school students at all levels and in all disciplines, as well as writing workshops on a variety of topics. Meet with a trained and experienced graduate writing consultant to work on writing issues ranging from style and argumentation to grammar and syntax.
Campus Events Commission (CEC): CEC is a student-funded organization dedicated to introducing the freshest fare in film, music, and speakers into the bloodstream of the UCLA community. They host weekly $2 movies as well as free sneak previews. All movies are FREE to the UCLA community, including students, staff, faculty and guests, unless otherwise noted. Movies are shown at James Bridges Theatre at UCLA.
Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center: All registered graduate students may use the Arthur Ashe Student Health and Wellness Center, an outpatient clinic geared to the special needs of students at UCLA. The Ashe Center offers a full range of clinical and support services, most of which are prepaid by student registration fees.
Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS): Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS) is a multi-disciplinary mental health center for the UCLA community. Psychologists, clinical social workers, and psychiatrists are available, offering individual and group counseling and psychotherapy to students; consultation, outreach, prevention, and education to students; and training programs for graduates in the mental health professions. Counseling and Psychological Services maintains a strict policy of confidentiality. No information is released without the student’s written consent except where disclosure is required or allowed by law.
Student Health Insurance: As a condition of registration, the University requires that all graduate and professional students, including international students on non-immigrant visas, have medical insurance coverage that meets the University’s minimum requirements.
Center for Accessible Education (CAE): Services are designed to meet the unique educational needs of regularly enrolled students with documented permanent and temporary disabilities. The philosophy and mission of the program are to encourage independence; assist students in realizing their academic potential; and facilitate the elimination of physical, programmatic, and attitudinal barriers. The CAE staff is available to assist students in successfully meeting educational challenges.
Financial Wellness Program: The mission of UCLA’s Financial Wellness Program is to empower all Bruins to confidently navigate their finances in a way that supports their overall well-being.

Housing

Weyburn Terrace: Weyburn Terrace is a brand new seven-building, 840-unit complex that contains studio apartments, two-bedroom/two-bath apartments, and two-bedroom/two-bath townhouses for single graduate students. New graduate/professional students as designated by their academic department are guaranteed a one-year contract with the option to renew for another year.
University Apartments: University Apartments offers housing designed especially to meet the needs of families, married students, graduate students, and students with same-sex domestic partners. Five complexes are located in the Palms-Mar Vista area, approximately five miles from UCLA, and one complex is located in Westwood Village.
University Parents Nursery School (UPNS): The University Parents Nursery School (UPNS) is a cooperative school for 2- to 5-year-old children of UCLA students, faculty, and staff.

Safety and Security

Graduate students should take all the usual precautions on and around campus that they would in any urban setting. The UCLA Police Department encourages students to take responsibility for their own safety by taking proactive steps to reduce the likelihood of crimes on campus or to themselves. Crime prevention literature is available at the University Police Department lobby, online, and throughout campus. The escort services are provided between campus buildings, local living areas, or Westwood Village within the approximate boundaries of Sunset Boulevard to the north, Hilgard Avenue to the east, Wilshire Boulevard to the south, and Veteran Avenue to the west. Call the provided number for an escort. Every member of the University community should be aware that the University will not tolerate sexual harassment and that such behavior is prohibited both by law and by University policy. The University will take whatever action is necessary to prevent and correct such behavior and, if appropriate, discipline persons whose behavior violates this policy. Any student who believes that she or he has been sexually harassed may contact a Sexual Harassment Information Center counselor for help and information. Complete details on contacting a counselor and a link to the complete UC policy on sexual harassment are available on the Dean of Students’ web site. No one knows when an emergency will occur, so everyone should understand basic safety practices. Safety information is posted in UCLA classrooms and offices and printed in campus phone books. Be prepared to respond safely to fire, earthquake, or other emergency situations.

Transportation and Parking

Current and incoming UCLA graduate students are eligible for student parking. However, because UCLA is in a densely populated urban area, parking for students near campus is very limited. Student parking on campus is assigned by a need-based point system that includes class standing, employment/academic obligations, and commuter distance. Apply for parking, by submitting a Student Parking Request Form prior to the quarterly deadline. Student parking is generally assigned prior to the start of Fall Quarter classes and offered for the academic year. Individual commuter parking is generally granted for the academic year, with the option of paying a quarterly or annual fee. Riding a bicycle is a fun, healthy, inexpensive way to get to campus. The UCLA Recreation Center provides shower and locker facilities to cycling students. More than 1,500 free bicycle parking spaces are available on campus. UCLA recently opened a Bicycle Community Center where students can rent bikes and tools or have trained staff fix their bicycle. Motorcycles, scooters and mopeds park free at UCLA in designated spaces. There are nearly 1,200 motorcycle/scooter parking spaces, including specially designed areas in…

Lab Safety Fundamentals (LSF) Training

The University has designated that undergraduates who are working with certain UCLA faculty must complete the Lab Safety Fundamentals (LSF) training prior to beginning research. Lab Safety Fundamentals (LSF) training may be required prior to enrollment in a research course, depending on the UCLA faculty member you’re working with. This should be completed before research begins and well in advance of actual enrollment. LSF is a free, online course administer by the office of Environment, Health & Safety (EH&S). Given the importance of fire safety, all new students, volunteers, and staff members should receive fire safety training. During the process of creating a contract, MyUCLA will electronically verify the status of your Lab Safety Fundamentals training status. Students who have satisfied the training requirement will be allowed to create their contracts normally and their safety training status will be displayed on the contract.

Common Enrollment Questions

Dropping Courses: Students in the College of Letters & Science can typically drop a course through the 10th week of the term.
Fee Reduction: Enrolling in 10 units or less may qualify you for a fee reduction.
Graduation Paperwork: Consult with your department advisor to ensure all necessary paperwork is completed for graduation.
Research Credit: If you're doing research with a professor/employer, ensure you understand the enrollment procedures and requirements.
Undeclared Engineering: If you are an Undeclared Engineering major, seek guidance from the engineering advising office.
Transfer Credit: If your transfer credits on your DPR aren’t matching what your counselor told you, contact the admissions office or your departmental advisor for clarification.

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