ucla mph personal statement

Prepare to Apply

Here we’ll offer guidance on how to approach the common components of all health school applications.  For application process and timeline information specific to your profession of interest, click on the appropriate profession in the menu on the top of the page.

For guidance on how to become a strong candidate before entering the application process, refer to the Pre-Health at UCLA Checklist .

The Year Before You Plan to Attend Health School

• Gather Letters of Recommendation .
• Continue with your volunteer, work or research activities .  Seek out opportunities to develop your leadership skills by initiating new ideas, programs, and leading others toward a common goal.
• Prepare for the entrance exam (varies by profession).
• Attend relevant pre-health events including pre-health workshops, Information Sessions and the Health School Fair (April) to meet representatives from your schools of interest. Follow @PreHealthUCLA on Facebook and check Handshake for details.
• Determine each school’s prerequisites.  If you need help with your academic planning, meet with an academic advisor .
• Order and collect official transcripts from ALL colleges and universities that you have attended.
• Begin writing your personal statement .

Application Process

Expand the following sections for helpful guidance regarding the common components of the application process.  Some sections are currently under construction.

How to Prepare for an Entrance Exam

View “Med Mentor Mondays: Crucial Tips to Ace the MCAT

Hear the perspectives of the Med Mentors at UCLA , medical students at David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) at UCLA, about effective MCAT study strategies.

How to Ask for Letters of Recommendation

Asking for Letters of Recommendation

Before you ask.

• Make sure to have all the proper forms required for the school, program, or award.
• Draft a list of your accomplishments, achievements or personal characteristics that you would like the letter writer to address.
• Update and revise your resume, as it pertains to the current goal.
• Draft a personal statement or brief explanation of why you are applying to this program and school.

Whom Should You Ask?

Professors who have taught you, supervisors, advisors who know you very well, person in the profession whom you have shadowed or with whom you’ve worked. Letters of recommendation should not be written by relatives, friends, roommates, or anyone who does not know you well enough to write a strong and personalized letter.

When determining whether or not to ask someone to write a letter, you should be able to answer “yes” to the following questions:

• Can they speak to my strengths within the scope of our relationship?  (i.e., Can a professor speak to your academic, writing, research, and/or critical thinking skills?  Can a practitioner whom you’ve shadowed speak to your professionalism, curiosity, commitment to the profession, other attributes that would make you a successful practitioner?)
• Have I performed well in the capacity in which they know me? (i.e., Did you receive good grades in a professor’s course?  Did you meet or exceed expectations as an intern or volunteer?)
• Send an e-mail, follow up with a phone call
• Go to office hours or schedule an appointment
• Ask if there is anything the letter writer would like you to bring (resume, copy of paper, list of achievements, personal statement, etc.)

What to Bring

• Your letter to the author, explaining what the letter is for and thanking them for their time
• Copy of targeted resume
• List of accomplishments, skills or personal characteristics you’d like the author to address
• Confidentiality Waiver
• Additional forms required (if any)

If you are not using an electronic filing service (such as Interfolio) and are requesting the author to mail the letters directly to the schools, provide stamped, addressed envelopes.

When to Ask

• At least 2 months before the deadline, but earlier is better.
• Let them know what the deadline is and exactly how to submit the letter.
• Try to avoid high traffic times for requesting letters (late Fall Quarter and late Spring Quarter) or times when professors/staff may be leaving for summer or winter breaks.
• START EARLY – Make it a point to start building relationships with professors, supervisors, mentors and professionals as early as possible.
• If you have not heard from the letter writer, send a friendly reminder one week prior to the deadline (e-mail or phone call).
• Send a thank you letter after they have submitted the letter (or as part of your gentle reminder)
• Inform the writer of the outcome of your application, once complete.

For more information regarding Graduate and Professional School,  download Chapter 4 of the UCLA Career Guide.

View the “Med Mentor Monday: Letters of Recommendation” (Fall 2020)

Hear the perspectives of the Med Mentors at UCLA, medical students at David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) at UCLA, about asking for Letters of Recommendation and writing Thank You Letters.

How to Write Your Personal Statement

Writing Your Personal Statement

Graduate programs may ask you to submit a Personal Statement, a Statement of Purpose, or both. Both documents are opportunities to set yourself apart and demonstrate what makes you unique from other applicants who may have similar grades, scores, and extracurricular experiences. There are some key differences between a Personal Statement and a Statement of Purpose.

Personal Statement

• Storytelling of experiences related to who you are & how they shaped your interest in the field.
• Tell a Story: For personal statements, engage the reader, use a writing style that is fresh and active. Don’t be afraid to use dialogue and descriptive language. Back up statements with examples and details.
• Have an Angle: Even if your life has been less than dramatic, you still have a story to tell. The best approach to the “angle” is to find a theme than can unify all of your paragraphs.
• Pay Special Attention to Your “Lead”:  In the first paragraph, you will either grab attention or you will lose it. Use the lead to set the tone and direction for the statement. Note: the lead can, but does not have to be an attention grabbing story. The goal of the lead is for the readers to know who you are and what your goal is by the end of the first paragraph.

Statement of Purpose

• Focuses on your reasons for applying; include professional & intellectual & research interests and the expertise you have gained
• Show That You Know Something: The main section explains what you know and who you are. Show knowledge of your field (e.g., a specific research focus) or your profession. Show how you will impact the field, or what has impacted you in the pursuit of your field.
• Focus on Your Specific Research or Professional Interests Within a Particular Field: Detail how your academic and professional experiences have developed those research or professional interests and prepared you to pursue them at a higher academic level. Include courses, experts whose work you admire or aligns with your interests, and factors such as internship opportunities or opportunities provided by the school’s location.
• Your Research Interests & the Program: Explain how your research interests can be pursued at this particular institution in this particular program.

Tips for the Writing Process: * Remember that the personal statement should be personal. Use this opportunity to stand out from the crowd. Who are you? How is your story different from others? * Avoid repeating information they already know from your application or resume. * Start several months before the application is due so you have time to write multiple drafts. * Have multiple people read it and offer their feedback. Since there is no objective “right” or “wrong” way to write a statement, it will beneficial to hear the perspectives of various people.

View the “Anatomy of a Personal Statement” Webinar (Winter 2020)

Hosted by the UCLA Career Center.  Presented by Dr. Shirag Shemassian of Shemassian Consulting.

The content is relevant for personal statements for any type of health professional school, though the examples are targeted toward medical school.  The recording starts abruptly a few minutes into the presentation.  Stay tuned after the presentation for a live audience Q&A regarding various aspects of the application process.

Where can I get assistance with writing my Personal Statement?

The  Undergraduate Writing Center  can give feedback on your writing, including grammar and syntax.  For feedback on content,  schedule Pre-Health Advising appointment at the UCLA Career Center.  In addition, the UCLA Career Center has books on the subject and often offers workshops as well.

Each April-September medical students at David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) at UCLA review students’ medical school personal statements via the Application Essay Feedback Initiative (AEFI).  Details will be posted here and on the Pre-Health at UCLA Facebook page on an annual basis once the program is launched.

We recommend getting feedback from as many people as possible as there is no objective “right” way to write a personal statement.  You may consider asking for feedback from professors, TA’s, mentors, healthcare professionals, relatives, and peers.

How to Prepare for the Interview

View “Med Mentor Mondays: Medical School Interviews” (Summer 2020)

Hear the perspectives of the Med Mentors at UCLA, medical students at David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) at UCLA, about preparing for and putting your best foot forward during medical school interviews.

How to Choose Schools & Programs

View “Med Mentor Mondays: Where Should I Apply?”

Hear the perspectives of the Med Mentors at UCLA, medical students at David Geffen School of Medicine (DGSOM) at UCLA, about how to decide which programs to apply to.

See this helpful resource: AMCAS Choose Your Medical School Tool

From The AAMC American Medical College Application Service ®

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Application Review

Admissions requirements.

To be considered for admission to the EMPH program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, comparable in standard and content to a bachelor’s degree from the University of California
• Cumulative undergraduate grade-point average of at least 3.0 (Please contact a program representative to discuss your eligibility if you do not meet this requirement)
• Three years of professional work experience in any industry

Application Materials:

• Applicants do NOT need to complete a SOPHAS application
• Major = ‘ E xecutive Master of Public Health MPH (Weekend Program)’
• Apply Term = ‘Fall’
• $135 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents
• $140 for all other applicants
• Upload unofficial transcripts to online application to begin review process
• Mail physical, official transcripts to the EMPH program office (see address below) OR electronic transcripts may be submitted to the EMPH program office ( [email protected] ) ONLY if they are sent directly from the university.
• Upload to the online application
• Focus on your professional goals and reasons for pursuing an EMPH. Describe any experience from your career in contributing to the fields of healthcare or public health. Discuss your objectives after you receive your EMPH.
• Discuss the personal experiences that brought you to apply for an EMPH, focusing on any challenges or barriers that have influenced your decision.
• Résumé should show a minimum of three years of professional experience.
• Letters may be from professional or academic sources on letterhead
• Self-reported scores can be submitted to the online application
• Have testing service send official scores directly to UCLA (ETS School code: 4837)
• See University Policies and Requirements

*We recommend that you notify our office once you have begun the application process. Please email us at [email protected] , or call 310-267-5600.

Click here for a printable pdf of the Application Checklist

EMPH Program Mailing Address

EMPH Program UCLA Fielding School of Public Health 650 Charles E. Young Drive South, 31-299 CHS Los Angeles, CA 90095

Admission Requirements

How to apply, admissions timeline, admissions appeals.

• Request Information

The online Master of Healthcare Administration from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health offers four starts each year, in the summer, fall, winter and spring.

Upcoming start date

Summer 2024: July 1, 2024

Application deadline: May 20, 2024

Admissions Requirements

To be considered for admission to the online MHA program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, comparable in standard and content to a bachelor’s degree from the University of California
• Cumulative undergraduate grade-point average of at least 3.0. (Please contact a program representative to discuss your eligibility if you do not meet this requirement)
• Three years of professional work experience in any industry

Application Materials

• UCLA Graduate Division online application
• Applicants do NOT need to complete SOPHAS application
• Nonrefundable application fee, submitted with application:
• $135 for U.S. citizens and permanent residents
• $155 for all other applicants
• Official copies of transcripts from each institution attended
• Upload unofficial transcripts to online application to begin review process
• Mail physical, official transcripts to the MHA program office (see address below) OR electronic transcripts may be submitted to the MHA program office ( [email protected] ) ONLY if they are sent directly from the university.
• Statement of purpose
• Upload to the online application
• Focus on your professional goals and reasons for pursuing an MHA. Describe any experience from your career in contributing to the fields of healthcare administration or public health. Discuss your objectives after you receive your MHA.
• Personal statement
• Discuss the personal experiences that brought you to apply for an MHA, focusing on any challenges or barriers that have influenced your decision. 
• Professional résumé
• Résumé should show a minimum of three years of professional experience.
• Three letters of recommendation
• Letters may be from professional or academic sources on letterhead
• TOEFL or IELTS scores (international applicants only)
• Self-reported scores can be submitted to the online application
• Have testing service send official scores directly to UCLA (ETS School code: 4837)

MHA Program Mailing Address:

Request brochure.

Fill out the fields to download a program brochure and request more information about the online Master of Healthcare Administration from the UCLA Fielding School of Public Health. You can also contact a program representative with your questions by calling toll-free at (877) 819-5033 .

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  Program Head To Head: MHA vs MPH vs MBA

Sample Personal Statement Public Health (MPH)

by Talha Omer, MBA, M.Eng., Harvard & Cornell Grad

In personal statement samples by field.

In this article, I will be providing a sample grad school personal statement in the field of public health. It is written by an applicant who got accepted to Masters’s program in Public Health (MPH). Variations of this personal statement got accepted at the University of North Carolina, Columbia University, and Emory University. This example aims to show how prospective applicants like you can seamlessly weave your passion, skills, and relevant experiences into a compelling narrative.

In writing this personal statement, the applicant has drawn upon key insights from a number of my previous writings on personal statements. You are also welcome to use my previous writings to help you write your personal statement. 

In those posts I’ve discussed the  art of constructing a captivating personal statement for grad school , and I’ve highlighted the  pitfalls to avoid  to ensure your statement leaves a positive impression.

I’ve also shared valuable tips on  structuring your personal statement for clarity and readability, not to mention  how to create a powerful opening  that grabs attention from the start. And let’s not forget about maintaining brevity while effectively telling your story, as well as offering a vast range of  personal statement examples  from different fields for reference.

And yes, do not forget to explore my  8-point framework  that anyone can use to self-evaluate their personal statement. Complementing this, I’ve also created a  7-point guide  to help you steer clear of potential traps and missteps in your personal statement.

I encourage you to explore these topics in depth, as they will be useful while we explore the sample personal statement for public health.

In this Article

1) Research the Program:

2) outline your mph personal statement:, 3) start with a compelling introduction:, 4) showcase your public health achievements and interests:, 5) unveil your public health motivations:, 6) highlight unique qualities for public health:, 7) addressing potential weaknesses or gaps:, 8) write a persuasive conclusion:, sample personal statement for public health masters (mph), my feedback on this sample.

• My In-depth Feedback on this Sample 

What do you Write in a Personal Statement for MPH?  

Writing a personal statement for a Master of Public Health (MPH) program requires careful consideration of your career aspirations, an organized outline, and a compelling introduction. The steps below will guide you to create a well-structured and captivating narrative that effectively presents your unique journey towards public health.

Before applying to an MPH program, conduct a thorough examination of its specifics. Explore the program’s website, paying attention to its mission, curriculum, faculty expertise, and unique opportunities such as fieldwork experiences or community partnerships. Tailor your personal statement to emphasize relevant qualifications and match the admission requirements.

Attend informational sessions, connect with current students or alumni, and familiarize yourself with faculty research. Reflect on how the program aligns with your career goals in public health and infuse this understanding into your personal statement to showcase your commitment and compatibility.

Organize your content for a well-structured personal statement. Begin with a captivating anecdote or statement about public health, followed by your academic achievements and related work experience. Highlight projects, skills, and honors that underscore your commitment to public health.

Express your motivations for pursuing advanced studies in public health and articulate your long-term goals. Highlight unique strengths like leadership, analytical, or community engagement skills. Address any potential issues honestly, explaining the situation and remedial actions.

End by reaffirming your passion and qualifications for public health and your eagerness to join the program. This structured approach ensures a compelling, coherent narrative.

Grab your reader’s attention with an engaging opening. A significant experience, a compelling quote, or a statement about your passion for public health can effectively hook the reader.

For instance: “When I volunteered at a local health clinic, I saw first-hand the impact of social determinants on health.”

Introduce the core theme of your personal statement, possibly your drive for public health, reasons for pursuing advanced studies, or the unique skills you bring.

Example: “This experience solidified my desire to delve deeper into public health through graduate studies.”

Detail academic and professional accomplishments that demonstrate your readiness for the program.

For instance: “During my internship at a local health department, I contributed significantly to a community vaccination campaign, enhancing my understanding of health promotion.”

Discuss key achievements such as successful projects, publications, or recognitions. Explain how these experiences have prepared you for advanced studies and influenced your public health interests, showcasing your passion and expertise.

Articulate your motivation for pursuing an MPH program.

You might share: “My interest in public health was sparked when I worked on a project addressing childhood obesity in my hometown. Since then, my focus on public health studies and relevant internships have deepened my resolve to improve community health.”

Outline your goals, such as aspiring to influence health policy or public health practice, and discuss how the program aligns with these goals.

Strengthen your personal statement by emphasizing personal qualities suited to an MPH program. Highlight traits like leadership, problem-solving abilities, or a commitment to social justice, providing concrete examples:

“For example, as a health promotion volunteer, I led a team to implement a successful community nutrition program, demonstrating my leadership and community engagement skills.”

Confront any weaknesses or gaps in your application honestly. If you had a period of low grades due to personal issues, briefly mention it, emphasizing what you learned from the experience.

“Despite a challenging semester, my subsequent performance in advanced public health courses and my successful community project at my recent internship prove my dedication and capacity for this program.”

Summarize key points in your conclusion, such as your strong interest in public health, the skills you’ve honed, and your career aspirations.

For example: “My academic experiences, internships, and ongoing commitment to public health have equipped me well for this program.”

Express your enthusiasm to contribute to the field, stating, “I am excited to bring my passion and expertise to your program, working towards creating healthier communities.”

Reaffirm your alignment with the program, highlighting its distinct features that attract you, concluding with a confident statement of your readiness to excel in their program.

The countryside is said to be beautiful, with the melodious chirping and tweeter of birds, seas of high clouds in the palatial sky, and a feeling of a cool-tempered breeze dancing through tall swaying trees and flowing streams with evergreen meadows. Still, my village was quite the contrary. The beauty of nature was polluted with weapons of warfare.

I opened my eyes in a town that was rife with internecine disputes. The first voice I heard was the heart-wrenching cacophonic sound of machine guns and missiles. Despite living amid meadows, I saw decapitated human heads and torn skulls. My relatives were illiterate and fought over trivial issues. For example, generational wars ensued if the enemy tribe’s donkey came grazing in another tribe’s fields. Villagers believed “two eyes for an eye and thirty-two teeth for a tooth”.

It is well said, “As the company, so the colour”. As a result, I also craved power and became a part of that barbaric culture. I always wanted to join the military, the most privileged post in our community. On the contrary, my father, who was literate in our village, saw our bleak future in the town. Subsequently, on his orders, we migrated from country to city life. Relocating to a cosmopolitan city transformed me from a power-hungry person to the saviour of humanity. I reformed my mindset from a tribal savage to a civilized individual.

One day while roaming the city, a powerful blast ripped through the massively crowded, killing indiscriminately. I swiftly moved towards safety, and on the way, I encountered many people running for their lives. Sirens of ambulances and police vehicles echoed in my ears. I was deeply shocked at the nightmarish scenes. How gruesome and heart-wrenching it was. I saw pools of blood peeping out of the bodies of the injured. Scattered body parts were scattered everywhere, and human flesh was pasted on the walls. I saw screaming mothers and frantic relatives searching for their beloved. So many innocent people were killed by the wild beasts cloaked in human skin, far worse than my uncivilized villagers. Ambulances carried the critically injured to the hospital. Yet, many survived because of the endless endeavours of “Doctors, the saviours of humanity”.

In those brutal circumstances, a doctor made all the difference. The lives of seriously wounded depended on the skills of emergency surgeons and physicians. The absence of doctors simply meant death. Since that very day, I have developed a deep love for this profession. Only doctors, not bureaucrats, politicians, military officers, or engineers, could save lives. From there on, I strived hard to qualify for a prestigious medical college and became a doctor.

Gandhi once said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” Similarly, my life has been a story of exemplary philanthropy. During my 8th grade, I taught underprivileged students. Nowadays, I treat indigent patients in my I.C.U. Ward. At college, I loved serving the sick and needy while I was serving as the Chairman of the Patients’ Welfare Organization. This association of students worked day and night under pitiful conditions in underdeveloped government hospitals.

Moreover, being a committed health activist, I worked during national disasters such as floods, earthquakes etc. I implemented various community strategies to engage volunteers at flood camps during these times. Due to these tactics, I successfully provided 90% coverage to children under five against nine deadly diseases, including Polio.

Furthermore, during my senior year, I organized a relief camp for the Rehabilitation of the victims of drought in the Sahara. I secured $1.7 million in aid, including edibles and emergency medicine. My team of senior doctors and I treated over 700 children suffering from Pediatrics diseases. During this time, I was exposed to people who lived in extreme poverty. I saw women and children with multiple infectious diseases. I saw the unhygienic environments in our hospital wards, where patients were prone to many hospital-acquired disorders.

I also saw levels of extreme malnutrition in children. The kind you have seen in the scenes of B.B.C. documentaries on African countries. It was heartbreaking that 824 children died from preventable diseases. 

Considering all the public health-related problems and the associated mortalities, I felt a need for time to become a public health professional to help people stay alive and increase life expectancy. Using health awareness, I want to reduce child mortality through continuous vaccination programs and family planning. In addition, I desire to eradicate infectious diseases that spread through the air, water, and unhygienic hospital environment.

It was well written on the wall of our research institute that medicine aims to prevent disease and prolong life. The ideal of medicine is to eliminate the need for a physician. In this journey in the medical field, being an active health professional, I also proved myself to be a social reformer. I opened a library with the assistance of my family and friends in our war-torn village. The library was a torch bearer for many inquisitive villagers who started sending their children to schools. Though at a snail’s pace but our literacy is perpetually increasing. 

I am an extrovert, and it’s exciting to move to a different country and meet people from different backgrounds. I aim to get professional and technical knowledge about various public health layers, such as program management, health research and disease surveillance. Using this skill set, I will serve in my country, nipping diseases in the bud at their primary occurrence level.

Moreover, I believe in good global philosophy and eradicating children’s malnutrition from my society. Similarly, providing universal healthcare saves everyone, and one of the best aspects of healthcare reform is to start emphasizing prevention. Martin Luther King Jr once said, “Of all the forms of inequality, injustice in health care is the most shocking and inhumane.”

• Hook and Introduction (4/5): The imagery you used to describe the harsh realities of your village effectively captures the reader’s attention and sets the stage for your transformational journey.
• Background and Motivation (4.5/5): Your personal history is very impactful and your motivation to transform from a person with a violent mindset to a saviour of humanity is convincingly presented. However, the transition could be slightly more detailed to clearly convey this change in you.
• Relevance and Competency (4/5): Your work in various challenging environments and your dedication towards community service underline your competencies and your commitment to public health. However, make sure to highlight academic achievements and theoretical knowledge that you’ve gained and how it supports your practical work.
• Passion and Personal Drive (5/5): Your passion for public health is well demonstrated through the various initiatives and projects you’ve been a part of, as well as the life-changing events you’ve witnessed. The depth of your experiences and your commitment to improving health conditions in your community is compelling.
• Program Fit and Future Goals (4/5): Your future goals are well-aligned with the field of public health. It might be beneficial to specifically mention how this MPH program fits into your plan and how you intend to use the knowledge gained from this program to further your goals.
• Conclusion (4/5): Your conclusion effectively ties your story together. However, adding a final, focused statement on your immediate goal of joining the MPH program and your long-term vision of improving public health in your home country could be more impactful.

Overall, I’d rate your personal statement as 4.3/5. It is compelling and emotionally charged, highlighting your dedication to public health. However, it would benefit from more specific connections between your past experiences, your present aspirations, and the MPH program you’re applying to. Remember to articulate what unique qualities or perspectives you can bring to the program and how the program will help you achieve your long-term goals.

My In-depth Feedback on this Sample  

• Introduction: Your opening paragraph effectively sets the scene by illustrating the contrasting landscape and realities of your village. However, this part of the introduction is somewhat lengthy, and it may be more impactful to move sooner into the realities of warfare and conflict that were part of your upbringing. This would provide a more immediate hook for readers.
• Background and Challenges: You’ve described the challenges of your early life, including tribal conflicts and violence. You present a clear picture of a tough upbringing and the motivation that led you to seek a different path. The section could be improved by highlighting a few defining moments or experiences that influenced your decision to migrate and pursue education.
• Transferable Skills: Your transformative journey from a conflict-ridden region to becoming a doctor demonstrates perseverance, adaptability, and resilience. While these are valuable transferable skills, it would be beneficial to also include the academic and professional skills you’ve gained that are directly relevant to the field of public health.
• Passion and Goals: The story about the bombing incident and how it influenced your decision to become a doctor is very powerful and effectively shows your passion. However, you should also clarify how these experiences led to your specific interest in public health, not just medicine.
• Relevant Experiences: You’ve done an excellent job describing your various experiences working with underserved communities, disaster relief, and even establishing a library in your village. Each of these experiences speaks to your commitment to public health. However, you could strengthen this section by detailing some of the skills and knowledge you gained from these experiences and how they’ve prepared you for an advanced degree in public health.
• Program Fit and Future Aspirations: You clearly articulate your future aspirations in public health. However, there’s a lack of specificity about the program to which you’re applying. Detailing how this particular program will help you meet your goals would make your case more compelling.
• Conclusion: Your conclusion nicely ties together your past experiences, current motivations, and future goals. However, a more direct statement about your desire to join the program you’re applying to and a reflection on the benefits you anticipate from it would make the conclusion stronger.

Overall, your personal statement is strong and paints a vivid picture of your journey. However, adding more concrete examples of skills you’ve acquired, highlighting the influence of specific events on your career choice, and a clearer connection between your experiences and the program you’re applying to could make your statement even more powerful.

If you want me to review, critique, and give detailed feedback on your personal statement, then please share your email with us [email protected]

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When to apply to ucla grad programs.

Most departments and schools have deadlines in November and early December for the following Fall term (nearly a year in advance).

Be sure to consult your specific  UCLA graduate program for the specific deadline for your proposed major. Applications to some programs may be considered if received after a program’s stated deadline, provided that the enrollment limitations have not been exceeded.  Fellowships and other financial support depend on availability of funds.

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After the first renewal the application fee must be submitted with each subsequent application. If you applied and were admitted more than one year ago, you must submit a new application, the application fee, and all required materials.

Readmission

If you have ever registered as a graduate student at UCLA, whether you completed a graduate program or not, complete all parts of the application. The application fee must be submitted with the application.

Formal application for readmission is not required of a student returning from an official leave of absence. If you are currently registered as a graduate student at UCLA, do not proceed with the application.  Instead, please contact your Student Affairs Officer to submit a Graduate Petition for Change of Major/Classification.

Readmission with Departmental Recommendation

If you are returning to your graduate program to take an examination or to file a thesis or dissertation, and you have already spoken to your chair about your plans, select Readmit w Dept Rec.

Education Abroad Program

If you are applying to UCLA as an Education Abroad Program reciprocity visitor, be sure to select EAP from the dropdown menu at Application Type in the application.  Complete all parts of the application.

Application Fees

$135.00: U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents

$155.00: All other applicants

Applicants to the Global Executive MBA for Asia Pacific, Master of Financial Engineering and Master of Science in Business Analytics programs pay an application fee of $200.00.

The application fee is devoted to the administrative cost of processing all applications received, and is not refundable under any circumstances, regardless of the outcome, the date of filing, time of review, or if, for whatever the reason, the application is withdrawn.

Application Fees, Fee Deferrals and Fee Waivers

Fee Deferrals

Public Policy and International Affairs Fellowship Program (PPIA) Applicants

Applicants who are sponsored by the Public Policy and International Affairs Fellowship Program are eligible for a deferral of the application fee. In the application, on the Plans for Graduate Study page, select PPIA under Program Participation. In the Supporting Documents Upload section of the application, upload a letter from the program officer verifying sponsorship.

Fee Waivers

Waivers of the $135.00 application fee are available for applicants who a) participate(d) in one of these programs or b) demonstrate financial need as described below.

Program Participation

Participants in the following programs are eligible for fee waivers. In the application, on the Fee Waiver page, select one or more of the programs in which you participated and upload a letter from the program director confirming your participation.

American Political Science Association Ralph Bunche Summer Institute Scholars Cal-Bridge Initiative California Alliance for Minority Participation (CAMP) California State University (CSU) Sally Casanova Pre-Doctoral Scholars Program Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute (CHCI) Florida A&M University Graduate Feeder Scholars Program (FAMU GFSP) Gates Millennium Scholars Guardian Scholars Louis Stokes Alliances for Minority Participation (LSAMP) McNair Scholars Maximizing Access to Research Careers (MARC) Mellon Mays Undergraduate Fellowship Program (MMUF) Minority Biomedical Research Support (MBRS) Medical Scientist Training Program UCLA (MSTP) National GEM Consortium NIH Blueprint ENDURE NIH-BUILD NIH-PREP PhD Project Research Initiative for Science Enhancement (MBRS RISE) Superior Opportunity for Maximizing Access (SOMA) STAR UCLA (STAR) Summer Institute for Emerging Managers and Leaders (SIEML) Summer Programs for Undergraduate Research (SPUR) UCLA Anderson Pathway Programs UC-HBCU Initiative UC Leadership through Advanced Degrees (UC LEADS)

Need-based Fee Waivers

Waivers of UCLA’s application fee are available for U.S. citizens, Permanent Residents and others who demonstrate financial need by meeting the following criteria:

• They are enrolled in a college or university and submit proof of receiving need-based financial aid,
• or they meet income limits and submit their U.S. income tax form ( with Social Security number redacted ).

If you are currently enrolled in a college or university, and receiving need-based financial aid (if not a U.S. citizen or Permanent Resident, this financial aid must come from the state of California):

• Submit a statement from your Financial Aid officer confirming all of the above and stating that payment of UCLA’s $135.00 application fee would be a financial hardship.

If the Financial Aid officer cannot provide such a statement, submit a statement from the Registrar confirming current registration and enrollment and the most recent FAFSA Expected Family Contribution or similar financial aid document.

If you meet all of these criteria, select Fee Waiver in the application, upload the statement from your Financial Aid officer and submit the application.

If you are not currently enrolled in a college or university:

Your adjusted gross income (or that of your family) as given on your U.S. Federal Income Tax return must be less than the figure in the table below, based on the size of your family (including yourself).

• Submit a copy of your 2022 U.S. Federal Income Tax return. Provide either your own form 1040, if you are independent, or a copy of your parent’s or guardian’s 2022 Federal Income Tax return, if listed as a dependent.

Redact or block out all U.S. Social Security numbers before submitting the document!  If a U.S. Social Security number is visible on the document, the UCLA Division of Graduate Education cannot accept it.

Income limits for applicants not currently enrolled in a college or university:

Family Size           Family Income (inc. applicant)    (maximum adjusted gross income on U.S. tax return

If you meet these criteria, select Fee Waiver in the application, redact U.S. Social Security numbers wherever they appear in your income tax return, and upload the tax return, and submit the application.

Benefits-based Fee Waivers

Waivers of UCLA’s application fee are available for U.S. citizens, Permanent Residents and others who can demonstrate financial need by submitting a benefits stub from their local municipality showing proof of receiving the following benefits within the last 90 days:

• California Tribal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) Program
• Refugee Cash Assistance (RCA)
• General Assistance/Relief (GA/GR)
• Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI)/Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• California Veterans Cash Benefit (CVCB) Program

In the application, on the Fee Waiver page, select the benefit provided in the drop down menu and upload a letter confirming receipt of the designated benefit within the last 90 days.

Redact or block out any personally identifiable information (Social Security number, Medical information, Health insurance policy number or subscriber ID, Driver’s license number or state ID, etc.) before submitting documents.

Statement of Purpose

Your statement of purpose will be used in conjunction with your application for consideration for graduate admission and financial support. Specific requirements (individual majors may have 500, 1,000 or 1,500 word limits; this information is in the application and on the each program’s website) and prompts are listed in the application and include

• What is your purpose in applying for graduate study in your specified degree program? Describe your area(s) of interest, including any subfield(s) or interdisciplinary interests.
• What experiences have prepared you for advanced study or research in this degree program? What relevant skills have you gained from these experiences? Have your experiences led to specific or tangible outcomes that would support your potential to contribute to this field?
• What additional information about your past experience may aid the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and aptitude for graduate study at UCLA?
• Why is the UCLA graduate program to which you are applying is the best place for you to pursue your academic goals? If you are applying for a research master’s or doctoral program, we encourage you to indicate specific research interests and potential faculty mentors.
• What are your plans for your career after earning this degree?

Personal Statement

The Personal Statement is an opportunity for you to provide additional information that may aid the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and aptitude for graduate study at UCLA, including your contribution to diversity. The statement will also be used to consider candidates for the Cota-Robles & GOFP awards, which provide financial support to graduate students who make significant contributions to diversity. In the word’s of the University of California Diversity Statement , “Diversity” – a defining feature of California’s past, present and future – refers to the variety of personal experiences, values, and worldviews that arise from differences of culture and circumstance. Such differences include race, ethnicity, gender, age, religion, language, abilities/disabilities, sexual orientation, gender identity, socioeconomic status, geographic region, and more.” The complete text of this statement can be found online.

Instructions to respond to one of more of the following prompts, including at least one prompt speaking to your contributions to diversity, are provided in the application and include a 500 words limit (approximately 1-page, single spaced, using 1-inch margins and 12-point font):

• Are there educational, personal, cultural, economic, or social experiences, not described in your Statement of Purpose, that have shaped your academic journey? If so, how? Have any of these experiences provided unique perspective(s) that you would contribute to your program, field or profession?
• Describe challenge(s) or barriers that you have faced in your pursuit of higher education. What motivated you to persist, and how did you overcome them? What is the evidence of your persistence, progress or success?
• How have your life experiences and educational background informed your understanding of the barriers facing groups that are underrepresented in higher education?
• How have you been actively engaged (e.g., through participation, employment, service, teaching or other activities) in programs or activities focused on increasing participation by groups that have been historically underrepresented in higher education?
• How do you intend to engage in scholarly discourse, research, teaching, creative efforts, and/or community engagement during your graduate program that have the potential to advance diversity and equal opportunity in higher education?
• How do you see yourself contributing to diversity in your profession after you earn your advanced degree at UCLA?

Criteria for Admission

The faculty of each graduate program evaluate applicants who meet the minimum requirements and recommend a selection from among them. The number of qualified applicants to graduate programs at UCLA far exceeds the number of students who can be admitted.

The general requirement for admission for a U.S. student  is a bachelor’s degree from a regionally accredited institution, comparable in standard and content to a bachelor’s degree from the University of California. Graduate admission through the regular process requires an overall scholastic average, including any post-baccalaureate study, of B (3.0 on a 4.0 scale) or better, or its equivalent if the letter grade system is not used. However, through the “Dean’s Special Action” (DSA) process, departments are able to admit applicants who do not meet this  GPA  requirement when other aspects of the applicant’s file suggest readiness for graduate study. The DSA process requires no additional action on the applicant’s part; it is at the department’s discretion to initiate it. Prospective applicants are encouraged, however, to see section 500.4.B on page 6 of UCLA’s Guidelines for the Graduate Admissions Process & Codification of Policies Governing Admission  for more information about the DSA process.

Degrees which are not considered comparable include those granted on the basis of work completed at institutions which are not fully accredited and those granted on the basis of nonacademic prior learning, test scores, or other than organized supervised coursework in academic subjects.

An international student whose post-secondary education is completed outside of the U.S. is expected to hold a degree representing completion of at least four years of study with above average/very good scholarship from a university or university-level institution.

Application Requirements

Applicants, including U.S. citizens and Permanent Residents , who do not hold a bachelor’s or higher degree from a university located in the United States or in another country in which English is both the spoken language of daily life and the medium of instruction, or who have not completed at least two years of full-time study at such an institution, please consult English Requirements .

Please review:

• Materials to Be Uploaded into the Application or Sent to the Department/Program/School Transcripts, Statements, and Letters of Recommendation.
• Program specific forms
• Requirements for International Applicants Includes English language requirements, required academic records, and visa procedures.

Review and Notification

Submitted application materials are reviewed by faculty admissions committees in each major program who select the best qualified applicants. These admissions committees base recommendations for admission upon a careful comparison of applications, and this may take considerable time. Diversity, Inclusion and Admissions, therefore, cannot guarantee that the applicant will receive a response, favorable or unfavorable, on or before any specific date. The applicant, moreover, should not construe a lack of response as an intention to act favorably on the application.

If you receive an email about a discrepancy, please don’t worry. If you applied to UCLA before (or were an employee or a student), there may be a mismatch between your name or other personal data on the application and what is already in UCLA’s database. Many of these discrepancies (such as a name change) are resolved by the Division of Graduate Education staff without further need for communication, and the situation does not impede review of your application by the program. If you receive the discrepancy email a second time, please respond using the contact information in the email.

Notification

When a decision is made, applicants receive an email, directing them to the Division of Graduate Education’s application site and the option Decision Status. Applicants sign in using the email address used to create their application account ( not the User Name) and their application password to read the official decision letter.

If admitted, the conditions of admission and information and instructions concerning registration (via a link to the Statement of Intent to Register and a Statement of Legal Residence) will be included as part of the offer of admission letter, which can be printed out from the Division of Graduate Education site. (International applicants: please read Visa Procedures/Financial Verification .)

Only official notification from the dean of the Division of Graduate Education constitutes approval of admission.

Regarding April 15 th

Although sometimes casually referred to as such, April 15 th is not a deadline for graduate decision notification. Rather it is the date in the Council of Graduate Schools (CGS) Resolution before which no signatory institution may pressure an admitted applicant to accept an offer of admission with funding.

CGS implemented this date to insure that admitted applicants have the opportunity to consider multiple offers of funding, instead of feeling the need to grab the first offer presented.  This is not a deadline by which institutions must reply to all applicants; CGS specifies that “Programs and/or institutions are free to make offers of admission and of financial support after April 15 if they choose to do so.”

If you wish to read more about the Council of Graduate Schools resolution re: April 15th .

As indicated above, and because of the decentralized nature of the graduate admissions process (applications are reviewed by individual faculty committees in the more than 100 academic and professional graduate majors offered), UCLA cannot guarantee a response to your application by a certain date.

Concurrent and Articulated Degree Programs

Both the concurrent and articulated degree programs have the potential of allowing the student to acquire two degrees in less time than normally required if the courses of instruction are taken in sequence.

View a list of concurrent and articulated degree programs at UCLA.

UCLA Fees and Living Expenses

• UCLA Fees and Living Expenses Sample budget for most programs, subject to change.

Campus Resources and Information

• Residence for Tuition Purposes Information about how to establish California residence for tuition purposes.
• Student Health Insurance Plan (SHIP) The University requires, as a condition of registration, that all graduate and professional students, including international students (on nonimmigrant visas), have medical insurance coverage that meets the University’s minimum requirements.
• UCLA Housing There is a variety of both University and privately-owned housing available to UCLA graduate students. University housing consists of off-campus apartments for married, single parent and single graduate students.
• Student Parking Information Student parking assignments are made on a need-based point system that considers such factors as class standing and commute distance, and favors those students who demonstrate the greatest need. If you wish to obtain an individual parking permit, you must submit a Student Parking Request form prior to the quarterly deadlines.
• Summer Session The UCLA Summer Sessions offer approximately 500 undergraduate and graduate courses each summer. Up-to-date information on course offerings, policies, and fees is available on the Summer Sessions and Special Programs website by mid-January each year.
• Disabled Student Services The University of California, Los Angeles actively encourages persons with disabilities to apply for admission. Federal Law (Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973) prohibits the University from requesting disability related information prior to admission. However, at any time, applicants are welcome to contact the Center for Accessible Education to obtain information regarding access, programs and available services.
• Program Requirements Official listing of degree requirements by program.
• General Catalog UCLA online catalog.

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How to Write a Great Personal Statement for the Global MPH

May 15, 2019

Imperial College London’s School of Public Health is renowned for conducting world-class research on today’s most pressing public health issues. No matter how compelling your research findings are, it is essential to communicate them clearly in order to promote positive change.

The same principle applies to your personal statement for the Global Master of Public Health (MPH) program . This personal statement is a chance to make the case that you belong at Imperial. Making that case clearly and effectively can be as important as your academic and professional qualifications.

Many students get anxious about this portion of the application, or worry that their writing skills aren’t up to the task. Our advice? Don’t panic!

You don’t have to be an outstanding writer to craft a great personal statement. Your task is to provide Imperial’s reviewers with the information they’re looking for in 1500 words or less. Let’s break the key points down into three specific areas: your past, present, and future.

1. Past: your background in public health

Start by introducing yourself. You’ve already provided a CV with your application, so this is an opportunity to put your experience in context. Tell us how and why you became interested in public health, the skills you’ve developed, and what you’re most proud of in your studies and career. Don’t be afraid to let your personality shine through!  

Key points:

• Previous academic and professional experience
• Relevant exposures to public health related work and research
• Areas of interest in healthcare and why they interest you

Examples from the MPH Class of 2018-19:

“Throughout my years at University and recent postgraduate studies, I have worked in a pharmacy as a pharmacy/ dispensing assistant, in both community and hospital settings with the latter being involved with cancer clinical trials. These roles have greatly advanced my knowledge of patient care, different treatment options and health awareness strategies within the NHS and local CCGs.”

“I worked on a retrospective study to examine the trends and outcomes of aortic valve replacements performed on veterans from 2005 to 2015. Prior coursework in statistics equipped me to interpret data analyses. I co-authored two abstracts. I often considered how researchers contribute towards reducing health inequities in specific populations.”

2. Present: why you are applying to the Imperial College MPH

After you’ve introduced yourself, explain your motivation for your application. What is driving you to take your career in public health to the next level, and why is the Imperial Online MPH right for you? Make a compelling case why you are applying to this program, specifically, and why now is the right time.

• Your motivation for your professional and/or research career in public health
• Why you are applying for the Online MPH program, specifically

Examples from MPH Class of 2018-19:

“My healthcare background has given me the drive to move my career from disease treatment to increasing awareness of disease prevention. With an increasing life expectancy and an uncertain national healthcare budget, prevention of poor health from preventable diseases has never been more imperative.”

“I am particularly interested in studying at Imperial College London due to its Public Health Policy Evaluation Unit, as the research areas of the unit match my own areas of interest for future research which include big healthcare data, healthcare access and health policy; within these areas I have an interest in mental health, cancer and primary and secondary care.”

3. Future: goals for your research at Imperial and your career beyond graduation

Finally, show that you have a specific vision for your time at Imperial and your post-MPH career. Include a short proposal (150 words or less) for a research project that you would be interested in carrying out as part of your dissertation over approximately a three month period. This gives the team more of an idea of your research interests and motivation to undertake the online Global MPH program. If you are accepted, you will not be required to carry out the proposal from your application. If you’d like to pursue the proposal from your application as part of your research portfolio, you can.

Key Points:

• Your future career goals
• Your proposed research area

“I believe the course will be able to provide an opportunity to obtain a more in-depth knowledge within these areas, but also developing a strong theoretical understanding of health policy, epidemiology and research methods, which I will give me the underpinning knowledge to undertake a PhD in Public health evaluation and policy in the future.”

“I aim to perform research to evaluate and improve the effectiveness and accessibility of health services for chronic conditions in low-income communities.”

__________________________

One last piece of advice: write an honest statement that gets across your true character and motivations, rather than writing something you think the panel will want to hear. Imperial’s goal in requesting these personal statements is to get to know prospective applicants on a personal level. Focus on providing a clear account of who you are, why you’re applying, and what you plan to do during and after the program.

The Global MPH offers the opportunity to get a world-class graduate degree in public health from one of the top 10 universities in the world (QS World University Rankings 2019). The program is affordable, flexible, and 100% online. As such, it attracts a diverse, highly-qualified group of students from across the globe. With a great personal statement, you can significantly increase your chances of joining the next cohort!  

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Lakers News: Anthony Davis Achieves Shocking Personal Record In Year 11

• Author: Ricardo Sandoval

In this story:

In Sunday's 124-108 season finale victory against his former team, the New Orleans Pelicans, Los Angeles Lakers superstar center Anthony Davis broke a personal record.

Sunday's game marked Davis's 76th contest in the 2023-24 season, the most he's played throughout his 11-year career.

Davis's goal ahead of the year was to play in all 82 games. Even though he didn't reach that goal, coming up six games short in today's NBA is a huge accomplishment. Davis was a menace every time he stepped onto the court, averaging 24.7 points per game on 55.6% from the field, 12.6 rebounds, 3.5 assists, 2.3 blocks, and 1.2 steals in 35.5 minutes of action.

Davis's previous record was 75 games, which he hit in back-to-back seasons in 2016-2017 and 2017-2018, while still in New Orleans. Davis has been ridiculed and chastised for his lack of time on the court. Fans all over social media even laughed at him for saying his goal was to play all 82 games. Not only did he play 76 contests, but he also played through nagging injuries he suffered this season. And guess what? The 31-year-old suffered a minor injury on Sunday, but he will be out there on Tuesday to play-in tournament for the seventh seed. He is much tougher than people credit him; however, casuals are lazy and instead call him 'soft' or 'street clothes.'

The hate and bashing will continue to come his way, but that's okay. Davis will get back up and be there for his team when needed.

The nine-time All-Star will look to establish his dominance once again this postseason.

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