We are pleased that you are interested in applying to the Computer Science Graduate Program at UCLA.  The following information provides an overview of the requirements for admission to the department and an explanation of the application procedures.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS
An applicant for admission must hold a bachelor's degree from an accredited college or university and must have the necessary academic preparation to complete graduate level courses in Computer Science and must be able to score competitively on the GRE test. We do not offer “conditional” admission for applicants who need remedial work at the undergraduate level. Such work should be completed before applying to our program.

GRADE POINT AVERAGE
We expect at least a 3.30 GPA (on a 4.00 scale) in the junior and senior years, and at least 3.50 in any graduate study. These averages are considered the minimum requirements; the actual standard for admission is set by the current pool of applicants, and is generally much higher.

APPLYING FOR GRADUATE ADMISSION

APPLICATION DEADLINE
The deadline to submit an application for admission is DECEMBER 15. Students are admitted once a year to start in the fall quarter.

UCLA APPLICATION FOR GRADUATE ADMISSION
All applicants must complete a UCLA application for graduate admission on-line.   For more information about applying for graduate admission to UCLA, visit the Graduate Division webpage.

DEPARTMENTAL APPLICATION MATERIALS
The following documents should be sent directly to the UCLA Computer Science Department:

(1) Letters of Recommendation
At least three letters of recommendation should be submitted. The appropriate forms can be obtained on-line through the UCLA Graduate Division webpage.  (Click here for the letter of recommendation form.)

For the M.S. program:  We recommend that you provide letters of reference from professors who have taught you in your junior and senior years.

For the Ph.D. program: We urge that all your letters be from academic or professional references as recent as possible and from people who can comment on your recent professional accomplishments and your qualifications for graduate study in Computer Science.  If you have an M.S., letters from professors who have served on your M.S. committee are particularly helpful.

(2) Academic Transcripts
All applicants are required to submit TWO (2) official transcripts from each post-secondary institution attended. 

Official transcripts are defined as original documents issued by the institution that bear the actual signature of the Registrar -- not a photocopy -- and the seal of the issuing institution.  Do not, however, send the original of an academic record that cannot be replaced; obtain a properly certified copy instead.

International applicants should refer to the “Requirements for International Students” section of the Graduate Division webpage for information about submission of foreign academic records.

(3) Graduate Record Examination (GRE)
GRE scores on the General (Aptitude) test are required for admission to both the M.S. and Ph.D. programs. All students applying for fall should take the GRE test no later than November. The test must be taken within the last five (5) years before the desired date of admission. Check the testing schedule and registration information on the GRE homepage. UCLA institution code: 4837. Computer Science department code: 0402.

MAILING ADDRESS FOR DOCUMENTS

Please arrange to have all application documents, (transcripts, letters of recommendation, GRE and TOEFL scores, financial statements, etc.), sent to the following address before the December 15 deadline:

Graduate Student Affairs Office
UCLA Computer Science Department
4403 Boelter Hall
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1596

Phone: (310) 825-0060 or (310) 825-6830
Fax: (310) 206-8133

FINANCIAL SUPPORT

Only a limited number of fellowships are available for first-year graduate students. These are awarded strictly on merit. The Department awards fellowships and Teaching Assistantships only once a year for studies beginning in the fall. All students are eligible to apply for Teaching Assistantships. Research Assistants are selected by individual faculty members who have externally-funded research contracts or grants.

Additional information about financial support may be found in the UCLA Graduate Division webpage.

ENGLISH REQUIREMENTS FOR INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS

International applicants whose first language is not English must submit scores received on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS).

The TOEFL must be taken within two (2) years before the desired date of admission. For more information on the TOEFL visit the Educational Testing Service (ETS) web page. UCLA institution code: 4837.  Computer Science department code: 78.

The IELTS, like the TOEFL, must be taken within two (2) years before the desired date of admission.  For information about the IELTS visit their web page.

Once admitted, applicants are required upon arrival at UCLA to take the UCLA English as a Second Language Placement Examination (ESLPE), an English diagnostic test, before being permitted to register.  Depending on the results of the ESLPE, you may be required to complete English as a Second Language courses beginning in your first term at UCLA.

Please note that you must sit for the ESLPE regardless of your score obtained on the TOEFL, IELTS or any other English proficiency test.
International applicants who hold a bachelor’s or higher degree from a university located in the United States or in another country are exempted from both the TOEFL/IELTS requirement and the ESLPE.  Please be sure to include such information in your application.

For more information of the requirements for international applicants, go to the international applicants section of the Graduate Division webpage.

QUESTIONS?