Undergraduate Admissions

The Department of Design | Media Arts only accepts freshman and transfer applications for the fall quarter of each academic year. The University of California filing period for admission applications is November 1–30 of the year prior to admission. The portfolio and supplemental application materials are due January 15 to the department. You must complete the University of California application in order to be considered for admission. DO NOT only complete the department supplemental application and portfolio.

* Acceptance is based on evidence of creative talent and academic achievement.
* A portfolio of images of student's original work is required. A document detailing portfolio requirements and the departmental supplemental application may be downloaded from the PDF download menu on the right.

Who can apply?

* High school graduates
* Students transferring from California community colleges or other accredited universities

How do I apply?

* The University of California uses a single online application–the Application for Undergraduate Admission and Scholarships–for all nine undergraduate campuses. The system generally becomes available in late September of each year.
* While UC prefers that prospective students apply online, a paper version of the application may be downloaded, printed, and submitted by mail. Applicants are encouraged to read the instructions booklet before completing the application and must not submit it before the appropriate filing period begins.
* For general questions regarding the admissions process, please refer to the University of California Admissions website or the UCLA Undergraduate Admissions website.

The Department of Design | Media Arts application review process for transfer students is as follows:

* Primary consideration for admission will be given to each applicant's portfolio.
* Overall academic and personal accomplishments will be considered secondary to the creative portfolio.

Once a student is admitted, the department will evaluate which transferring courses from the previous institution may be applied towards the major. Prospective transfer students are encouraged to complete the following design fundamentals equivalent courses at their initial institution prior to application:

* Color Theory
* Drawing
* 2-D, 3-D Form
* Design History

Transfer applicants from California community colleges must ensure their courses are transferable the the University of California system. Students should use the online ASSIST resource to determine whether their courses meet UC transfer requirements. ASSIST is an online student-transfer information system that shows how course credits earned at one public California college or university can be applied when transferred to another.

UCLA only admits transfer students from four-year institutions who are applying at the junior level (minimum 60/90 semester/quarter units; maximum 90/130 semester/quarter units). Prospective transfer students do not have the option of disregarding any previous transferable coursework. Thus, a senior at a four-year institution is not likely to be admitted.

Change of majors applications will be considered only for current UCLA students who have successfully completed one quarter at UCLA and are in good academic standing. The number of accepted applicants is based on the current total enrollment of undergraduates in the department. If there is no additional enrollment space for a specific quarter, change of major applications will not be considered. It is possible that change of majors applications will not be considered every quarter. The next application date will be spring quarter 2009 for consideration of admission for the fall 2009 quarter. Please check with the Design | Media Arts admissions counselor as to whether the department is accepting applications for upcoming quarters. Students may not apply for admission more than two times during their residency at UCLA. Previous coursework in Design | Media Arts does not guarantee admission.

The department prefers that students have fewer than 90 units at the time of application to ensure a normal degree completion time. Students with more than 121 units (excluding AP and Design | Media Arts courses) will not be considered. The portfolio is considered most heavily in the admission process and will be reviewed by the senate faculty of the department.

The deadline to apply for a change of majors is the fourth week of the quarter before the change of majors is to begin. More information on the change of majors process, the application cover page, and the portfolio requirements may be downloaded from the PDF download menu on the right side of this page.