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Frequently Asked Questions about Graduate Admissions

  • Question: How can I obtain a paper application and/or printed admission material?   Top


    Answer: The Electrical Engineering Department does not offer a paper application or any printed materials. The application for admission is located on the UCLA Graduate Division website (www.gdnet.ucla.edu) and all admission and department information is located on the EE Department website (www.ee.ucla.edu). Many applicants find the EE Annual Report (http://www.ee.ucla.edu/about/annual-reports) a helpful reference.

 

  • Question: Can I apply for the PhD program even if I do not have my M.S. (part i)? Will it affect my chances of admission &/or funding (part ii)?   Top


    Answer: (Part i )Yes. Any student with genuine interest in pursuing a Ph.D. may apply directly for the Ph.D. program. If admission is not granted to the Ph.D. program, these students will automatically be considered for M.S. admission (assuming they do not already hold a M.S.). Students who are unsure of their educational goals are encouraged to apply for the M.S.
    (Part ii) All application files completed by the deadline are reviewed for admission consideration. All admitted students are considered for departmental funding.

  • Question: What is the minimum GPA for admission?  Top


    Answer: Entering students are expected to have completed the B.S. degree requirements with at least a 3.0 GPA in all coursework taken in the junior and seniors years. The overall GPA should also be at least a 3.0 GPA.
    Students entering the Ph.D. program are expected to have at least a GPA of 3.5 or higher in their M.S. degree or in their Junior and Senior years (if the applicant does not hold a M.S.).
    Admission to the UCLA Electrical Engineering Department is extremely competitive. GPA and GRE statistics for recently admitted applicants are listed here. 

 

  • Question: My background is not in Electrical Engineering. Am I still eligible for admission?  Top


    Answer: Due to the competitive nature of admission to the Electrical Engineering graduate programs, applicants with Electrical Engineering backgrounds have a slight advantage over other applicants. However, it is common for students in closely related fields to gain admission. Closely related fields are other branches of engineering, physics, mathematics, computer science, etc. Students with a background outside of these areas are encouraged to gain a strong background before applying for admission.

  • Question: What is the minimum GRE for admission?  Top


    Answer: There are no minimum GRE scores required for admission. However, most admitted applicants have GRE scores competitive with the average scores of recently admitted applicants. GRE and GPA statistics for recently admitted applicants is listed here.

  • Question: If I take the GRE multiple times, which score will be used for my application evaluation?   Top


    Answer: All scores will be reviewed. Only the most recent score will be used for admission consideration.

  • Question: I know the GRE has changed. My scores are on the old GRE scale. Am I required to retake the GRE? How will the new GRE be reviewed?   Top


    Answer: Students with valid scores (scores are valid for 5 years prior to application) are not required to re-take the GRE. All scores will be reviewed based on the scale at the time the test was taken.

  • Question: What is the minimum TOEFL for admission? How can I get a TOEFL waiver?   Top


    Answer: TOEFL is a university requirement for admission. The Electrical Engineering Department cannot recommend admission for any international applicant who does not meet the university TOEFL requirement. Details on the TOEFL/IELTS requirement are available on the UCLA Graduate Division’s website
    Students who meet the requirements for waiver do not need to request a waiver. The Electrical Engineering Department will automatically document files when TOEFL is waived.
    TOEFL & IELTS scores are considered valid for two years prior to application. Only the most recent attempt is used if multiple scores are submitted.

  • Question: If I have a bachelor’s degree and list Ph.D. (versus listing M.S.) as my degree objective will my chances of receiving funding increase?   Top


    Answer: All admitted students are considered for funding independently of their degree objective.

  • Question: When completing the graduate application I see an option to upload a resume and also a writing sample, are these required and used for admission review?  Top

    Answer: Applicants are invited to upload a resume/CV. The admissions committee and faculty will have the option to view this document if uploaded during the application process. The resume/CV is not a requirement and will not be accepted after the application is submitted. Writing samples are NOT required and are NOT reviewed by faculty or the admissions committee.


  • Question: What recommendation letter type should I select? TOP

Answer: Students applying to the Electrical Engineering Department should select the Electrical Engineering recommendation letter type.  If you selected the Graduate Division letter type and your recommender has already provided the letter, you may not correct it.  The Graduate Division letter type is acceptable but not preferred. 

 

  • Question: What is needed for recommendation letters and what is the recommendation letter process?  Top

    Answer: You will need to provide the name, email address, position title, institution or business, and telephone number of your recommenders when completing the online application process.

    Since hard copies of the letters of recommendation are not accepted, recommendations may only be submitted online.

    Applicants are able to send reminder emails to their recommenders and monitor the receipt of letters through the graduate application website.  Faculty are best able to determine your academic ability. At least two (2) letters must come from faculty/former instructors. The third letter may be from a work supervisor if the applicant prefers; However, it is the department's preference that the third letter also be from faculty/former instructor.


  • Question: When submitting my transcripts, should I send any degree certificates and/or copies of my degree?  Top


    Answer: Yes. If you have received your B.S. or M.S. degree at an institution in a country where degree certificates are issued, you must submit an official copy of the degree certificate in the original language AND as an English translation. Do not send the original certificate; obtain a properly certified copy instead. If you have attended more than one institution, separate official records should be submitted for each institution.


    Additional information on required materials is included on the UCLA Graduate Division website.

    You may send these yourself, or have the institution send them directly to the UCLA Electrical Engineering Department, at the following address:

    Electrical Engineering Department
    Office of Student Affairs
    420 Westwood Plaza
    57-127 Engineering IV Building
    University of California, Los Angeles
    Los Angeles, CA 90095-1594
    U.S.A.

    Attention: Admissions Coordinator

  • Question: How do I get financial aid? What forms of financial aid are available?  Top


    Answer:     Students are nominated and considered for departmental fellowships during the admissions process. Recipients will be notified of financial awards in April. All admitted students are automatically screened for departmental funding.
    You may also apply for non-UCLA support by contacting national, international, or private foundations directly. For a list of extramural funding sources, explore the list of funding opportunities provided by the UCLA Graduate Division website.

    First year students are not offered TA positions. Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) positions may be available upon consultation with the student's assigned advisor.

  • Question: How do you weight the different components of the application?  Top


    Answer: Applications are comprehensively reviewed during the admissions process. All aspects of the application are considered comprehensively for admission.

  • Question: How do I attain California state residency?  Top


    Answer: Visit the residency page on the Registrar's website for more detailed and important information regarding state residency and tuition.

  • Question: How can I check the status of my application?  Top


    Answer:     Applicants may check the status of their Letters of Recommendation though the UCLA Graduate Application website. Applicants to the Electrical Engineering Department will be notified by email once a status-check website is available.

  • Question: Can I apply for Winter or Spring admission?  Top


    Answer: No. The Electrical Engineering Department only accepts applications or Fall Quarter.

  • Question: I am an international student – what are my chances of admission?  Top


    Answer: Students are admitted based on their qualifications, rather than their country of origin. Therefore, all students have the same chances of admission.

  • Question: I am an international student – do I have to show proof of funding?  Top


    Answer:     U.S. immigration law requires that international applicants, if admitted, show documented evidence that sufficient funds to cover all fees, transportation, and living expenses are available for the first year of study at UCLA. This must be proved before a Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 or DS2019) before a visa can be issued.  Upon admission, students will receive information on the visa document process from DCISS. No proof of funding is required at the time of application.  

    All applicants are considered for departmental funding in the form of Fellowships and GSRs. These funds typically cover registration fees, non-resident tuition, and include a stipend. There are no additional steps (outside of the admissions application process) needed to be considered for departmental funding.

 

  • Question: If I am admitted and unable to attend, may I defer my admission?  Top


    • Answer:     Admitted students may renew their application for the following Fall. Students will be considered with a new applicant pool, and renewed applications will be reviewed by an admissions committee.

    An online application must be submitted for the next Fall by the regular application deadline.
    When filling out the application be sure to select "renewal" for the application type. Then indicate the quarter that you were previously admitted. That will prompt our Office of Student Affairs to pull your file from last year. When renewing an application, you do not have to pay the application fee (if application is renewed within 1 academic year of previous application).
    You might want to update your statement of purpose, or submit a resume, but it is not necessary. If you did not submit your final transcripts with your previous application, you will need to do so.  You may also wish to submit updated letters of recommendation.

  • Question: What are the institution and department codes for ETS (GRE, TOEFL, etc)?  Top


    Answer:
    GRE
    Institution Code = 4837
    Department Code = 1203

    TOEFL
    Institution Code = 4837
    Department Code = 66
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