Winter 2024
A Word from Ffiona Rees
Happy New Year! I hope you all had a peaceful winter break and got some well-earned rest and relaxation. I’m excited to share our Winter Newsletter, where you will find information about Startup UCLA, Meet a Bruin, answers to frequently asked questions during this season, helpful resources, and our upcoming events.
I would also like to take this opportunity to reintroduce myself. Although I’ve been in this profession for over 25 years, I’ve been part of the Bruin community for over a decade and have now stepped into the role of Interim Executive Director of Undergraduate Admission. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know many of you over the years in my role as Past-Chair of the Board for the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC), and in my previous position as Deputy Director (which amongst other duties, included supporting international admission and the transfer evaluation process). A little about me, I grew up in the Washington DC area, earned my undergraduate and MBA from The George Washington University, and lived in Oxford, England for seven years as a teenager, so you’ll notice I pronounce words like water, class, and grass a little differently. And no, it’s not a typo, I do in fact have two “Fs” in my name…my father is from Wales, which is a beautiful country but has an unpronounceable language!
Lastly, although final fall 2024 application numbers have not been posted for UC, we see you and your students’ efforts have paid off in the wonderful pool of applicants we have received here at UCLA. We all thank you for your countless hours to support them throughout their college journey. As we read applications, make decisions, and welcome a new class of Bruins in the spring, we are eager to get to know your students and hear their stories as they embark on their next chapter. We look forward to connecting with you all this year and I hope to meet many of you along the way.
Go Bruins!
Best,
Ffiona Rees
Interim Executive Director
UCLA Undergraduate Admission
Program Highlight: Startup UCLA
The mission of Startup UCLA is to promote and develop entrepreneurial competence among UCLA students and alumni. Students are provided with guidance, information, networking, and technical assistance to help their ventures succeed. By deploying the pedagogic approaches of active and inquiry-based learning, participants are encouraged to consider entrepreneurship as a viable career option.
Summer Accelerator provides a workspace, guidance, legal services, and mentors to early-stage companies. The 10-week program exposes teams to top entrepreneurs, investors, and experts in web-related topics.
Innovation Fellows is a campus-wide program aimed at advancing innovative faculty projects into new startups, centers, or non-profits through a series of workshops and one-on-one venture consulting meetings.
Bruin Impact empowers students to drive positive social change. Through mentorship, workshops, and the Bruin Impact Challenge, students learn to leverage an entrepreneurial mindset and cultivate ideas to improve the world.
Meet a Bruin
Oseas Garcia
2nd Year Transfer
Major: History
Minor: Chicana and Chicano Studies
Hometown: San Diego, CA
What has been one of the academic opportunities that you have enjoyed the most?
The UCLA Transfer Student Center hosts a peer mentorship program which I took advantage of, especially in my first year at UCLA. I met with a mentor and discussed adjusting to UCLA, resources for transfers, as well as academic advice for my specific major. The program allowed me to better adapt to the quarter system and to maintain excellence in academics. In addition, my mentor and program staff allowed me to find my way through UCLA since as a first-generation student, it can be intimidating.
How have you found community at UCLA?
I found community by being involved. UCLA has one of the largest and most amazing transfer communities, therefore I connected with many fellow transfer students, especially those living in the university apartments. I got involved in various opportunities such as taking part in the UCLA Student Government and participating at the statewide level by being a University of California Student Association officer. Connecting with transfers on and off campus made me discover my community at UCLA.
Why did you choose to attend UCLA?
Ever since I was in elementary school, I knew that I wanted to go to college when I grew up. However, during high school, I was struggling academically due to a personal situation. I was unmotivated to go to college as a result, however with the help of my amazing high school counselor, I learned about the transfer route. Immediately after high school, I started taking courses at my local community college. Opening my UCLA acceptance letter was truly an emotional and impactful moment for me and my family. I am proud to be a student at the #1 Public University in the United States!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. Are there major changes to key FAFSA and CADAA application dates?
A. The 2024/2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) application opened on December 31, 2023 (instead of October as in previous years). The California Dream Act (CADAA) application will become available to filers in January 2024. The priority application deadline is March 2, 2024.
The delayed FAFSA and CADAA applications launch will only impact the 2024/25 academic year. In future years, the FAFSA and CADAA applications are expected to open on October 1.
The Simplified FAFSA will:
1. Expand the access to Federal Financial Aid.
2. Reduce the number of questions asked.
3. Enhance data sharing with the Internal Revenue Service to ease the applicant’s experience.
The CADAA application will also undergo similar major changes and improvements.
More information, including FAFSA FAQ and CADAA FAQ can be found on the general FAFSA Simplification Act FAQ page.
Q. What steps do applicants need to take to withdraw their application?
A. Applicants must log in to the UCLA myApplication site to submit their withdrawal request. We are unable to process requests sent via email.
Q. Do transfer applicants need to update their fall and winter courses and grades?
A. After applying, transfer students are required to update both their grades and courses. Final grades from the previous term and all in-progress and planned courses for all terms before students expect to enroll must be reported. Students should log into their application and complete the Transfer Academic Update (TAU).
Q. Is it possible for applicants to change their major?
A. Yes, but it is limited to certain majors and the deadline is January 31. Students can change their major to any major in the Samueli School of Engineering or any major in the College of Letters and Science, with the exception of Communication. Current applicants should submit their change of major request via our contact form.
Q. Where should transcripts and letters of recommendation be sent?
A. Applicants do not need to submit transcripts at the time that they apply unless specifically requested.
Admitted students will be required to submit final transcripts through spring 2024 by July 1, 2024. Upon receiving transcripts we will verify that the courses and grades match the information reported in the academic history section of the UC application. The expectation is that students will continue with the same level of academic achievement through spring 2024.
Supplemental materials, such as letters of recommendation, portfolios, etc. are only required and considered as a part of the supplemental application for the following specialty schools: School of Arts & Architecture, School of Music, School of Nursing, and School of Theater, Film & Television. Additional information, including submission deadlines, can be found on the supplemental application procedures page.
Additional Resources
Transfer Academic Update (TAU)
Due January 31, 2024, for transfer applicants.
FAFSA & Scholarships
The priority deadline for applicants to submit is March 2, 2024.
UCLA Admission Representative
Connect with your UCLA admission representative.
Assist (CA colleges only)
The official course transfer and articulation system for California's public colleges and universities.
UC Quick References for Counselors
View information, resources, and support for you to help your students get to UC.
UCLA First Year International and Transfer Guides
Downloadable guides for first-year, international, and transfer applicants.
University of California A-G Course List (CA high schools only)
Find a specific institution's A-G course list. view associated schools within a school district or network. List of online schools with A-G course lists.
Upcoming Events
Freshman Admission Presentations (offered monthly)
Save the Date! Registration for these events will be available soon:
- Student Transfer Outreach and Mentorship Program (STOMP) Conference: Friday, April 19
- Freshman Bruin Day (admitted student event): Saturday, April 13
- Transfer Bruin Day (admitted student event): Saturday, May 11
For more information on our events, visit UCLA Admission Events