Can I get into UCLA with a bad GPA?
It is definitely possible to get accepted to UCLA even with a not-so-great GPA. The key is to focus on other factors that can strengthen your application. For example, you might have excelled in extracurricular activities which demonstrate leadership and commitment, or have exceptionally strong essays.
Grade-Point Average Requirement
California residents are eligible for admission to the University of California with a 3.0 grade-point average; nonresidents are eligible with a 3.4 GPA.
California applicants must earn at least a 3.0 GPA and nonresidents must earn a minimum 3.4 GPA in all A-G or college-preparatory courses to meet this requirement.
GPA of 3.2 or higher earned in transferable courses. Completion of the following course requirements by spring prior to transfer: Two transferable courses in English composition or critical thinking and writing. One transferable math course that has a prerequisite of intermediate algebra or higher.
The average admitted GPA for the College of Letters & Science at UCLA is 4.2. For the Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science, the average admitted GPA is over 4.3.
You should also have a 3.9 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as UCLA, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application.
GPA Requirements
The minimum high school GPA requirement for in-state applicants is a 3.0, while it's a 3.4 for out-of-state applicants. Out of the first-year students enrolled in fall 2022, 3.1% had between a 3.75 and a 4.0 GPA.
UCLA requires a minimum college GPA of 2.4 - this is on a 4.33 point scale. In addition, UCLA requires a minimum high school GPA of 3.7.
UCs do look at courses you take in freshman and senior years; the grades and rigor of your coursework are considered in context of your overall curriculum. But freshman and senior year grades are NOT included in the GPA calculation. UC-approved Honors, AP, IB and community college courses are weighted.
UCs also count classes only from the beginning of sophom*ore year, including the preceding summer, through the summer after junior year. The minimum GPA to be considered for undergraduate, first-year admission to a UC is a 3.0 for California students and a 3.4 for out-of-state students.
Can I get into UCLA with 3 B's?
If they are a CA resident, to get into UCLA they need to be in the top 2–5% in their class. As an out of state student, at minimum you need a 3.4 minimum GPA, which is doable. even with a few Bs. With good scores in SAT/ACT it is still possible, but hard.
A 3.2 GPA is a grade point average that falls between a B and a B- on the 4.0 grading scale commonly used in the United States. It represents a moderately good academic performance, indicating that the student has maintained above-average grades but may have some room for improvement.
| GPA and test scores of middle 25%-75% students | |
|---|---|
| High School GPA | 4.18 - 4.32 |
| ACT English Language Arts | 30 - 35 |
| SAT Evidence Based Reading & Writing | 670 - 760 |
| SAT Mathematics | 690 - 790 |
There are only three factors that UCLA ranks as being “very important” to their admissions process: rigor of secondary school record, GPA, and application essays. Factors rated as “important” are: talent/ability, character/personal qualities, extracurricular activities, volunteer experience, and work experience.
University of California: Los Angeles is extremely selective with an acceptance rate of 9%. Students that get into University of California: Los Angeles have an SAT score between 1290–1510* or an ACT score of 27–34*. Regular applications are due November 30.
UCLA will not consider SAT or ACT scores for admission or scholarship purposes. If you choose to submit test scores as part of your application, they may be used as an alternative method of fulfilling minimum requirements for eligibility or for course placement after you enroll.
Furthermore, UCLA's academic programs, faculty, research opportunities, and campus resources are all highly competitive, leading to a high volume of applications. As a result, the university is able to be selective in its admissions process, leading to a lower acceptance rate.
What GPA is required for USC? Applicants' GPA when applying to USC should ideally be between 3.75 and 4.0 to be strong candidates. Having less than this will require compensating by having outstanding extracurricular activities or personal statement.
| Major | Applicants | Admit Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Applied Linguistics | 36 | 64% |
| Applied Mathematics, Pre | 226 | 37% |
| Arabic | 3 | 67% |
| Art History | 147 | 52% |
UCLA requires a minimum of 3.4 GPA for non-California residents and no grades lower than a C in required high school courses. This translates to 35 IB points and ABB in A levels. Of course, to stand a competitive chance of admission, it is necessary to consider the average GPA rather than the minimum.
Does UCLA look at your major?
For freshmen applying to a major in the College, your choice of major will neither help nor hurt your prospects for admission. In fact, a large number of freshman applicants apply as undeclared. The UC application allows you to choose an alternate major, but we only guarantee the review of first-choice majors.
In the end, UCLA needs to assess its academic practices with respect to objective standards of academic excellence. There is no question that UCLA tolerates grade inflation. Whether it is prepared to address its consequences remains to be seen.
Is a 2.8 GPA good? A 2.8 GPA means that you've earned mostly Bs and B-s in your classes, assuming an unweighted GPA. You're below the national average for high school GPA, so you can expect to be somewhat limited in the number of schools where you have a high likelihood of acceptance.
The UC application formula only “counts” courses from 10th and 11th grade. But the UC's will still see your grades from 9th grade.
At a minimum, you must earn a 3.0 GPA or better (3.4 for nonresidents) in all college preparatory courses. No grades can be lower than a C.
