Transferring into UCLA (24.0% transfer rate) is actually easier than freshman admission (9.0%). Community college students with strong GPAs have a real path here.
24.0%
Transfer Accept Rate
9.0%
Freshman Accept Rate
2.7x
Easier Than Freshman
Top Feeder Schools for UCLA
These schools send the most transfer students to UCLA each year.
#
School
Annual Transfers
1
Santa Monica College
1,200+
2
Pasadena City College
450+
3
De Anza College
380+
4
Diablo Valley College
320+
5
Irvine Valley College
280+
How to Transfer to UCLA: Step by Step
1
Research Requirements
Check UCLA's transfer admission page for minimum credit hours, prerequisite courses, and GPA requirements.
2
Maintain a Strong GPA
Transfer admission is heavily GPA-based. Aim for a 3.5+ GPA at your current institution.
3
Complete Prerequisites
Take the general education and major prerequisites that UCLA expects.
4
Write a Compelling Essay
Explain why you want to transfer and why UCLA specifically.
5
Get Strong Recommendations
Ask professors who know your work well.
6
Apply on Time
Transfer deadlines are often earlier than freshman deadlines.
Transfer Cost Savings
Starting at a community college and transferring can save significant money. Here's a rough estimate.
Path
Estimated 4-Year Cost
4 years at UCLA (out-of-state)
$197,612
2 years CC + 2 years UCLA
~$114,806
Savings
~$82,806
4 years at UCLA (in-state)
$60,812
2 years CC + 2 years UCLA (in-state)
~$40,406
CC tuition estimated at national average (~$5,000-$8,000/yr). Actual costs vary by state.
Transfer to UCLA
Transferring into UCLA (24.0% transfer rate) is actually easier than freshman admission (9.0%). Community college students with strong GPAs have a real path here.
UCLA transfer acceptance rate: 24.0% (vs 9.0% freshman rate — 2.7x more accessible).
Top Feeder Schools
#
School
Annual Transfers
1
Santa Monica College
1,200+
2
Pasadena City College
450+
3
De Anza College
380+
4
Diablo Valley College
320+
5
Irvine Valley College
280+
UCLA Transfer FAQs
What is UCLA's transfer acceptance rate?
UCLA's transfer acceptance rate is 24.0%. The freshman acceptance rate is 9.0%, so transfers face better odds than freshman applicants.
What GPA do I need to transfer to UCLA?
With a 9.0% freshman acceptance rate, UCLA typically expects transfer applicants to have a college GPA of 3.7+ with strong A's in transferable coursework. Stronger GPAs offset weaker high school records for transfer admits.
What schools transfer the most students to UCLA?
Top feeder schools for UCLA transfers include Santa Monica College, Pasadena City College, De Anza College. Community colleges in the same state are often the strongest transfer pipelines because of articulation agreements and credit-transfer guarantees.
When are UCLA transfer application deadlines?
Most US colleges including UCLA accept fall transfers (March-April deadlines) and many also accept spring transfers (October-November deadlines). Check UCLA's admissions page for the exact dates each cycle.
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