Undergraduate Admission
Degree – B.A.
Dance
World Arts and Cultures
Step 1: Complete the UC Application
Students who wish to apply to the School of the Arts and Architecture (Architecture and Urban Design, Art, Design | Media Arts, Ethnomusicology, Music, and World Arts and Cultures/Dance) must complete the University of California's Application for Undergraduate Admission filed between November 1–30. Students may apply directly online from the University of California website.
Students who wish to be considered for majors in the UCLA School of the Arts and Architecture, MUST select an SOAA major as their first choice major to UCLA in order to participate in the portfolio/audition review process.
Step 2: Departmental Supplemental Requirements
After the UC application has been filed, applicants are required to submit a Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance supplemental application. Beginning in January, applicants for the World Arts and Cultures/Dance major at UCLA will be emailed detailed instructions for, and a link to, the online supplemental application. This material is due in
mid-January (applicants will be notified of the exact date), and will include the following specific departmental requirements:
Questionnaire
Personal Statement
Two Letters of Recommendation
Unofficial Transcripts
Sample Research Paper
Other Evidence of Creativity
You have the option to include evidence of creative work in alternate genres and forms, such as: a short story, a collection of poems, or visual materials—fine art, photography, design, sculpture, sound/music or video.
Audition (Dance applicants only): Applicants may audition in person or by video. Applicants who reside within 200 miles of UCLA are required to audition on campus. All applicants are strongly encouraged to audition in person if at all possible. Applicants are requested to perform a one-minute piece of your own choreography in a style most comfortable to you. You may show studio or in-performance work.
All supplemental material must be submitted through the online upload system; any physical material (with the exception of Letters of Recommendation) submitted to the department cannot be considered in the review process. A World Arts and Cultures/Dance supplemental application worksheet is available for PDF download, which includes detailed instructions on submission as well as formatting guidelines:
UCLA Department of World Arts and Cultures/Dance Supplemental Application Worksheet
Students are accepted into the department based upon evidence of creative talent and academic achievement. A faculty committee recommends admission decisions. Successful candidates must also meet eligibility requirements for the University of California.
Step 3: Official Notification
Freshman applicants are notified in March of their admissions status; transfer applicants receive notification April.
Admitted freshmen must notify the University of their plans to attend the School of the Arts and Architecture by no later than May 1; admitted transfer students must notify the University by June 1.
Graduate Admissions
Degrees -
Cultural and Performance - M.A., Ph.D.
Dance - M.F.A.
A complete outline of admissions and degree requirements, are available on the World Arts and Cultures website and accessible on the Graduate Division webpage.
The Department of World Arts and Cultures accepts applications for the fall quarter only. Admission to the department is based on acceptance by the UCLA Graduate Division and a faculty review of the applicant's work. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree from an acceptable institution, with a minimum GPA of 3.0 for the last two years of upper-division coursework.
Step One: UCLA Application for Graduate Admission
Complete and file the UCLA Application for Graduate Admission(AGA), which is due in December (please check department website for specific deadlines). This application will include such materials as statement of purpose, letters of recommendation and unofficial transcripts.
Step Two: Supplemental Requirements
To be completed in addition to the Application for Graduate Admission.
Biographical/Purpose Statement (submitted through AGA)
Three (3) Letters of Recommendation (submitted through AGA)
Two (2) Official Transcripts (from each college or university at which work has been completed)
MFA Dance Applicants ONLY: Audition
Applicants are asked to submit three pieces of work (approximately 15 minutes total): present one live solo performance at the audition; the remainder should be on video (DVD), and should include a group piece (trio or larger). It is preferred that one piece not include the applicant/choreographer in the performance. The choreography should show a range of approaches to movement, thematic development and originality of ideas.
Culture and Performance ONLY: Sample Papers
A research or term paper (for the M.A. program) or Master's thesis or substantial research paper (for the Ph.D. program), as well as evidence of other creative work relevant to the degree program.
Culture and Performance ONLY: GRE
The General Test of the Graduate Record Examination, sent directly by the testing agency to our Department (select Dept Code 2499), is required.
International Applicants ONLY
Students whose native language is not English are required to submit scores received on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) as part of their application. A TOEFL score of at least 560 on the written exam (220 on the computer-based test), or an IELTS Overall Band score of at least 7.0 are the minimum requirements for applicants.
In addition, students whose native language is not English must take the English as a Second Language Placement Examination (ESLPE) on arrival at UCLA and, beginning in their first term in residence, take any English as a Second Language courses needed as determined by the results of the ESPLE. Because such courses may not be applied toward the minimum course requirement, students who are required to take them should expect to spend additional time at the University.
More information about the supplemental application process, including all relevant forms and audition guidelines may be found on the World Arts and Cultures department website.
