Letters of Recommendation for UCLA: A Comprehensive Guide
Applying to a prestigious university like UCLA can be a daunting process, especially when it comes to understanding the requirements for letters of recommendation. This article aims to provide a comprehensive guide to navigating the letter of recommendation process for UCLA, covering various programs and scenarios.
Letters of Recommendation for Undergraduate Admissions
UCLA, like other University of California (UC) schools, generally does not require letters of recommendation during the initial application phase for undergraduate admissions. However, UCLA may request letters of recommendation from some applicants as part of a supplemental review process after the application has been submitted. If an applicant is selected for this supplemental review, UCLA will contact them directly with instructions on how to submit the letters.
It is important to note that applicants should not feel pressured to produce a letter of recommendation for UCLA unless specifically requested. Instead, applicants should focus on other components of their application, such as maintaining a strong academic record, achieving a diverse and impactful set of extracurriculars, and crafting compelling personal essays.
It's also worth remembering that each UC school conducts its admissions process independently, so the practices at UCLA may not represent those of every UC institution.
Letters of Recommendation for Graduate Admissions
The requirements for letters of recommendation for graduate programs at UCLA vary by department. Generally, applicants are required to provide three letters of recommendation. These letters should come from individuals who can speak to the applicant's academic abilities, research potential, and overall suitability for graduate study.
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When applying to a UCLA graduate program, each international applicant is required to submit official academic records from all academic institutions attended. Official records are defined as original documents issued by the institution (not photocopies), which bear the signature of the Registrar and the seal of the issuing institution.
Submitting Letters of Recommendation
Applicants must upload their transcripts, statement of purpose, and letters of recommendation requests into the UCLA Application for Graduate Admission. Recommenders may submit their letters later, but it is advisable to ensure they do so in a timely manner.
If a recommender is having trouble submitting the letter of recommendation, there may be a firewall at the institution that prevents receipt. This is especially true of institutions in China.
English Language Proficiency
If an applicant's first language is not English, they must certify proficiency in English when they apply to UCLA. If admitted, they may also be required to confirm their proficiency upon arrival. Special note: If the applicant studied at a satellite campus located in a country where English is not the primary spoken language of daily life, be sure to submit recent TOEFL or IELTS Academic scores.
The minimum required scores are:
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- IELTS: The overall minimum band score is 7.0.
- TOEFL iBT: For exams taken before January 21, 2026: 87. For exams taken on or after January 21, 2026: 4.5.
Applicants should be sure to list the TOEFL institution code for UCLA (4837). TOEFL and IELTS scores are considered valid for two years, and the scores must be valid at the time that the application is submitted.
Letters of Recommendation for UCLA School of Law
UCLA School of Law requires that applicants submit two letters of recommendation. At least one letter should be from someone familiar with the applicant's academic work, if at all possible. The Law School strongly prefers that letters be submitted through the LSAC Letter of Recommendation Service, which is included with the Credential Assembly Service registration. Letters will be copied and sent to UCLA School of Law along with the LSAC Law School Report.
The UCLA School of Law requires that transcripts be submitted through LSAC's Credential Assembly Service. To use the Credential Assembly Service, applicants must log into their LSAC.org account and follow the instructions for registering for the service. A transcript from each college or university attended and listed on the registration form should be sent directly to LSAC's Credential Assembly Service in accordance with their instructions. The Credential Assembly Service will analyze and summarize the transcript(s). Applicants should not wait for fall grades before sending transcripts to LSAC. However, applicants must submit work completed after the initial registration to LSAC, as updated reports will be forwarded to the Law School Admissions Office.
General Tips for Letters of Recommendation
- Ask Early: It is recommended to ask for letters of recommendation at least one month in advance, if not earlier. Some faculty members receive a large number of requests, so asking early increases the chances of securing a strong letter.
- Provide Information: Provide your letter writers with all necessary information, including your resume, transcript, personal statement, and a clear explanation of your goals and aspirations. This will help them write a more detailed and personalized letter.
- Choose Wisely: Select recommenders who know you well and can speak to your strengths and qualifications. It is better to have a strong letter from someone who knows you well than a generic letter from a well-known figure.
- Follow Up: After asking for a letter, follow up with your recommenders to ensure they have everything they need and to remind them of the deadline.
- Express Gratitude: After your recommenders have submitted their letters, be sure to thank them for their time and effort.
Additional Considerations for Medical School Letters of Recommendation
For medical school applications, letters of recommendation play a crucial role in demonstrating your suitability for the field. Here are some additional considerations:
- Science and Non-Science Letters: These letters should come from instructors with whom you took classes. If you happen to do research with a faculty member whose class(es) you took, even better. Needless to say, you should only ask letters from classes that you did well in. For medical school, science disciplines include Biology, Chemistry, Physics, and related fields (e.g., molecular biology, microbiology, etc.).
- Upper vs. Lower Division Courses: There are obvious benefits to obtain letters from professors whom you had upper division courses with. The classes tend to be smaller, and instructors tend to like their topics better than with lower-division courses. As a result, you get more opportunities to build a relationship with these instructors.
- Faculty vs. Teaching Assistants: Ideally, the letters should come from faculty, and not teaching assistants. This is NOT to say that teaching assistants cannot write strong letters. However, if you are out of options, make the best of what you have.
- Physician Letter: It is highly recommended that you obtain a letter from a physician, such as an M.D. or a D.O. In fact, many D.O. schools will ask that you submit a D.O. However, it is NOT required that you have a letter from a physician.
- "Most Meaningful Activities": It will be wise to obtain a letter from each of the faculty mentor or supervisor for each of your “most meaningful activities” - specifically those that you designated as “most meaningful” on the AMCAS application.
Financial Aid and Fee Waivers
UCLA offers various fee waivers for graduate program applications based on participation in specific programs or financial need. Applicants should review the Fee Waiver section of the UCLA Application for Graduate Admission to determine their eligibility. Some of the programs that qualify for fee waivers include:
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- American Political Science Association Ralph Bunche Summer Institute Scholars
- CSU Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholars Program
- Florida A and M University Graduate Feeder Scholars Program (FAMU GFSPP)
- Gates Millennium Scholars
- GEM Scholar
- Louis Stokes Alliances/California Alliance for Minority Participation (LSAMP/CAMP)
- McNair Scholars
- UCLA Medical Scientist Training Program (MSTP)
- Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program (MMUF)
- Minority Access to Research Careers (MARC)
- Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS)/Research Initiative For Science Enhancement (MBRS RISE)
- National Institutes of Health Build/Prep applicant
- UCLA STAR program
- Summer Programs for Undergraduate Research (SPUR)
- UC-HBCU Initiative participant
- UC Leadership Excellence through Advanced Degrees (UC LEADS) applicant
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