Frequently Asked Questions
for Prospective Students
How do I request an Announcement/Catalogue to UCLA's School of Public Health?
In the interest of reducing our environmental impact, we prefer not to mail you our official School of Public Health announcement. It is available online.
Can I enroll in courses in UCLA’s
School of Public Health without being a registered student?
No. Students must be admitted to UCLA with a degree objective in order to enroll in classes. Courses can be taken at UCLA Extension or through UCLA Summer Sessions without formal admittance.
Can I attend the School of Public Health part-time?
No. All degree programs are full-time and all classes are held during the daytime.
What is the difference between the MPH and MS?
The MS is an academic degree designed for students who desire to specialize in methodology. In general, the MS programs are more research oriented and quantitatively based than the MPH programs. As such, MS programs tend to include extra research modules and more mathematically based coursework.
How do I request an application to UCLA’s
School of Public Health?
All application materials for the School’s graduate programs are available on the web. The application is available online for electronic submission at www.gdnet.ucla.edu and at www.sophas.org.
How many applications does the
school receive? How many applicants enroll in the Fall?
Each year about 1,000 applications are submitted to the School of Public Health for admission to the various departments and degree programs. Approximately 250 new graduate students enroll in the School each Fall.
When can an applicant call to see if his/her
application is complete?
An applicant may inquire on the status of his/her application materials
AFTER February 15th.
When are admissions offers made to the
applicants?
This varies by department and degree program. Typically, admissions offers
are made by mid March.
Can I apply to more than one degree? Can I apply to more than one area of concentration/department?
You may/can apply to one degree and area of concentration. If your choice of concentration/department feels that you are a strong candidate but would be better fit for another department, they may forward your application to the department, but this is not guaranteed.
What type of course work preparation do
I need to apply to the School?
Students in public health come from all disciplines, although most come from the biological and/or social sciences. Because quantitative methodology is an important part of the M.P.H. curriculum, it is strongly recommended that a basic college-level mathematics course (i.e., linear algebra, calculus) be taken before entry. It is highly recommended that a statistics course also be taken if possible.
What are the institution and department codes for the GRE for students applying to UCLA’s School of Public Health? How long are GRE scores valid for admission to UCLA?
Report your GRE score to the UCLA, School of Public Health using GRE code 4225. If you have already taken the GRE and have reported your score only to UCLA using code 48337, you should contact ETS and ask them to report your score to the School of Public Health specifically using code 4225.. GRE test scores are valid for five years.
In addition to the letter of recommendation on SOPHAS, are my recommenders required to submit another set to the UCLA graduate division?
Your letters should be submitted to SOPHAS only.
In addition to the Statement of Purpose on SOPHAS, am I required to submit one with UCLA application?
Your Statement of Purpose should be submitted to SOPHAS only.
UCLA graduate school requires 2 sets of transcripts.
You need to send one set of transcripts to the school of public health (disregard the two sets the grad school application asks for), and one set should be mailed to SOPHAS.
Can I apply if my gpa is below 3.0?
If there is something important that happened (poverty, illness, excessive work, etc.), which affected your grades go ahead and state it, but write it affirmatively, that is, in a way that shows your perseverance.
Does the School offer spring admissions?
No. Applications are only accepted for the Fall quarter.
I’ve worked in public health for several years, but my undergraduate grades were not very strong. What can I do to increase the competitiveness of my application?
First, note that we are looking mainly at your upper division (last 2 years of college) GPA. A couple of bad grades won’t really hurt your application. Be sure to focus on your work experience in your Statement of Purpose. Find letter of recommendation writers who can relate your professional work experience to potential for excellence in the classroom. If you have more questions, you should contact a staff member from the program to which you hope to apply. Contact information is available at www.ph.ucla.edu/student_affairs.html
How will I know if UCLA has received my application from SOPHAS yet?
Log into your SOPHAS application and look at the “Status” box on the right side of your screen. Click on “School Designations” to find out if your completed application has been sent to UCLA - School of Public Health.
Who should I call if I have technical issues with the SOPHAS application?
You should contact SOPHAS directly at sophas@sophasinfo.org
Phone: (617) 612-2090
When is my application file reviewed?
We will begin reviewing applications as they are delivered to us from SOPHAS, so it may be in your best interest to apply in advance of the December 1st deadline. The majority of applications are reviewed in January and February.
I have submitted my application before the deadline however I have not taken the GRE test yet. Does that mean that mean I have met the deadline?
Keep in mind, you might have met the deadline, however, we cannot submit incomplete applications for review.
Who makes admission decisions?
Admission decisions are made by a committee made up of faculty members from the program to which you have applied.
Where should list my presentations and publications on SOPHAS?
You should list them in the Relevant Honors and Awards section.
Is there a different application procedure for international applicants?
International applicants will follow the same instructions as domestic applicants, but should pay special attention to standardized test requirement and transcript submission procedures. Complete instructions are available at www.gdnet.ucla.edu/gasaa/admissions/INTLREQT.HTM
What are the institution and department codes for the TOEFL for international students applying to UCLA’s School of Public Health? How long are TOEFL scores valid for admission to UCLA?
Please use Institution Code 4837, and Department Code 50 when requesting that test scores be forwarded to UCLA. Please use Code 5688 when requesting that test scores be forwarded to SOPHAS. TOEFL test scores are valid for two years from the date taken.
Do I have to take the TOEFL exam if I have been taught in the English language in my country?
Only if you have a degree from the following countries: Australia, Canada – excluding Quebec, New Zealand and United Kingdom.
I graduated from a University in the US, but I am an international student. Do I need to take TOEFL test?
Because your have graduated in a US university you do not have to take the TOEFL exam.
Can I submit the confidential financial statement after you make a decision of me for admission?
Yes, you can. Just keep in mind, there might be a delay in processing your Visa.
Do I need to supply an additional copy of my transcripts directly to UCLA's School of Public Health? Or is this only submitted after acceptance.
You need to submit your transcripts with the application.
Who can I contact if I need assistance
with my application or have additional questions?
Prospective applicants who have additional questions about UCLA School of Public Health should call the Student Affairs Office at (310) 825-5524, send an e-mail to Sukhwinder Sagoo, or visit the School’s website at www.ph.ucla.edu. For questions about a specific department and/or degree program, contact the Department Student Affairs Officer. For questions about the SOPHAS application process, please call (617) 612-2090, send an e-mail to sophasinfo@sophas.org, or visit www.sophas.org.
What are the average GPA and GRE scores of incoming students schoolwide?
GPAs for admitted students for Fall 2009 ranged from 2.36-4.0, with the average being 3.58.
GREs for admitted students for Fall 2009 ranged and averaged respectively: Verbal 290-800 (567 average) and Quantitative 290-800 (701 average).
What is the cost to attend UCLA’s School
of Public Health?
The fee structures for our students vary, depending on the student's residency status and the student's degree program.
The annual fees for students enrolled in our M.S. and Ph.D. degree programs can be found at:
http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/fees/gradfee.htm
The annual fees for students enrolled in our M.P.H., Dr.P.H., and D.Env. degree programs can be found at:
http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/fees/pubhlthfee.htm
What about financial aid?
UCLA has various types of financial aid, including graduate fellowships and scholarships, federal traineeships, need-based scholarships and loans. In order to apply for any type of financial assistance the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) must be submitted. The FAFSA is available beginning January 1st of each year and is due March 2nd. Please visit the FAFSA web site for applications and additional information at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Support based solely on merit is available in the form of fellowships, traineeships, teaching assistantships, and graduate student researcher positions. For more information, visit http://www.gdnet.ucla.edu/asis/entsup/finsup.htm
Does the school offer open-houses?
Yes, please refer to the recruitment schedule for dates and times. Open houses are a great way to meet students and faculty as well as gaining helpful information regarding the school.
Do you offer deferrals?
UCLA does not offer deferrals. You must re-submit both SOPHAS and UCLA graduate application for the following year.
Can I transfer in any credits toward
the Master’s degree?
A maximum of 8 quarter credits may be accepted towards the Master’s
degree; however, the course curriculum must be reviewed and approved.
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