UCLA

Graduate Admissions

The Graduate Application Process

Deadline for all application materials: December 15, 2011

GRADUATE ADMISSIONS

Graduate Admissions and Application Procedures

Admissions
An application for admission to the Department of Architecture and Urban Design consists of four basic components that present a candidate’s academic background, interests, achievements, and potential. See “Admission Requirements” under each degree program.

Obtain the UCLA Application for Graduate Admission (AGA) online at www.gradadmissions.ucla.edu.

Most application components can now be uploaded into the AGA, with the exception of a few documents and the portfolio, which must be sent as hard copies. A full list of application components that must be submitted electronically, and as hard copies, respectively, can be found at the end of this section.

Deadlines
The official deadline for for all application materials for all programs is December 15. Incomplete applications cannot be reviewed, and review of applications that are not complete by the deadline cannot be guaranteed.

Admission to the program is for Fall Quarter only (M.Arch.II students begin the program in the Summer term). Students who are admitted but do not enroll may reapply, but they are not guaranteed admission at a later date.

Statement of Purpose
The Statement of Purpose gives applicants the opportunity to explain to the Admissions Committee how they selected architecture as a career and why they consider UCLA the best place to pursue this goal.

Be explicit in stating reasons for application to graduate study, particular area of specialization within the major field, plans for future occupation or profession, and any additional information that may aid the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and aptitude for study. A brief résumé would also be helpful. In addition, all M.A. and Ph.D. applicants must specify their intended area of concentration, and Ph.D. applicants must discuss specific research interests and possible plans for dissertation.

The Statement of Purpose should be uplodaded to the online AGA. There is no need to send a hard copy to the Department.

Academic Records and GRE Scores
Two official copies of transcripts from each college or university attended in the U.S. and abroad must be submitted to the Departmental Admissions Office directly from each institution. In addition to sending us two official copies, a scanned copy of transcripts must be uploaded to the AGA. Alternatively, you can submit the transcripts to us directly as long as they remain in the official signed, sealed envelopes from your university.

In addition to sending two official copies of your transcripts, you should upload scanned copies to the  AGA.

The Graduate Division of the University of California at Los Angeles sets a minimum grade-point requirement of 3.0 (B) or its equivalent for the last two years of undergraduate and any post-baccalaureate study.

Applicants to all programs are required to submit scores from the Graduate Record Examination (GRE) as part of their application. In addition to having ETS send us your official score sheet, you should upload a scanned copy to the AGA, if available. The official  score sheet must be received by the Department by the deadline, therefore schedule your exam at least three weeks prior to the deadline.

UCLA Architecture & Urban Design ETS Codes for the GRE
Institution Code: 4837
Department Code: 4401

Mailing Address for sending official transcripts and portfolio
Admissions Office
UCLA – Architecture & Urban Design
1317 Perloff Hall
Box 951467
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1467

(If using a courier service, like FedEx or UPS, please use this address, excluding "Box 951467")

Letters of Recommendation
Three letters of recommendation are required. These letters should be from individuals who are able to judge your academic and professional abilities as they would relate to graduate study in the Department of Architecture and Urban Design.  Letters of recommendation must be sent electronically directly by the recommender. When logged into your AGA, you can enter the names and email addresses of each of your recommenders. They will be notified via email to submit a letter for you, and you can track which letters have and have not been received. You can even send reminders to your recommenders to send in their letters.

Portfolio of Creative Work (M.Arch. applicants only)
A portfolio is required as a central part of the application to the professional Architecture and Urban Design degree programs. Content is not restricted to any particular subject area, but the material should be in the form of a cohesive presentation and should be representative of your previous experience and creative abilities. It may include both graphic and written material. Images should be in the form of prints, preferably bound. Slides, CDs, and DVDs will NOT be accepted. We recommend that the portfolio not exceed an 11-by-17-inch format, and that any loose pages be marked plainly with your name. If applicants wish to have the portfolio returned they must include a check or money order in the amount of $20 payable to UC Regents. We can only accept payment in US currency, and can only return portfolios to US addresses. Because of the large volume of material received, we cannot guarantee the safe return of all submitted work. Although every effort is made to protect these submissions, applicants are urged to keep duplicate copies of all of the work contained in their portfolios. UCLA and the Department of Architecture and Urban Design is  not responsible for the loss or damage of this material.

International Applicants
Students who have received their Bachelor’s degree in a country where the official language and the language of instruction is not English must submit either a TOEFL or IELTS score meeting the minimum score requirements, regardless of Visa or citizenship status. In order to be considered for admission, international students must score at least 580 (paper and pencil test) or 237 (computer-based test) or 92 (internet-based test) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a 7 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exam. Because processing, sending, and receiving TOEFL and IELTS scores often takes several weeks, international students must schedule the TOEFL examination no later than October in order to meet Departmental deadlines. TOEFL scores should be sent directly to the Departmental Admissions Office.

In addition, international students must take the English as a Second Language Placement Examination (ESLPE) on arrival at UCLA and, beginning in their first term in residence, take any English as a Second Language courses needed as determined by the results of the ESLPE. Because such courses may not be applied toward the minimum course requirement, students who are required to take them should expect to spend additional time in residence.

Students who have earned a degree or who have completed two years of college-level coursework in the following countries will have their TOEFL/IELTS and ESLPE requirements waived: US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa in some cases. Please provide official transcripts to demonstrate course completion. No other documentation will be accepted to demonstrate language proficiency.

UCLA Architecture & Urban Design ETS Codes for the TOEFL
Institution Code: 4837
Department Code: 12

The following must be completed or uploaded online as part of the AGA:

  • The University's Online Application for Graduate Admission (AGA)
  • The application fee - payment information can be found within the onilne AGA
  • Fellowship Application for Entering Students. This component is optional and can be found within the onilne AGA.
  • Statement of Purpose (including the Proposed Program of Study for MA and PhD applicants)
  • Résumé or Curriculum Vitae (recommended)
  • Scanned copy of official TOEFL or IELTS scores (International students only)
  • Scanned copy of all official transcripts
  • Three Letters of Recommendation (emails are sent to each recommender to submit their letters via the AGA)
  • Sample of written work (MA and PhD applicants only)

The following materials must be sent to the Architecture Department in a print format:

  • Two official transcripts from each institution attended
  • Portfolio of creative work (M. Arch I and M. Arch II applicants only). Must be in a print format, preferably bound. Dimensions must not exceed 11 X 17 inches.
  • The completed Departmental Supplement (.doc) (.pdf)
  • Graduate Record Exam (GRE) scores
  • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) scores (International students only) (sent officially via ETS). Alternatively, International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores (sent officially by the IELTS administration)
  • Course Prerequisite Sheet (M. Arch I applicants only) (.doc) (.pdf)
  • Confidential Financial Statement for students seeking non-immigrant Visas (International students only)
  • (OPTIONAL) For portfolio return (US ONLY): Please include a self-addressed return envelope, appropriate for your portfolio, including a US$20 check or money order for shipping and handling payable to "UC Regents."