Admissions

(Note: applicants can view the status of their materials online at http://www.gdnet.ucla.edu/gasaa/admissions/applicat.htm by clicking "Application Status." Due to the high volume of materials received, your application may not be updated immediately.)

For the 2012-13 admissions cycle--supplementary materials can be uploaded via the Graduate Division application site, including transcripts. Either method (upload or mail to the department) is honored by the Philosophy Department.

The Philosophy department at UCLA admits graduate students for the PhD program only, entering in Fall Quarter. The Department restricts admission to students whose records and credentials give evidence of capacity and resolve to do superior work in philosophy at the graduate level. A substantial background in philosophy is desirable, though we recognize that many students acquire their interest in graduate study in philosophy without having completed the equivalent of an undergraduate major in the field; exceptionally promising students with such a background may be admitted, subject to the condition of strengthening their preparation in the deficient area as soon as possible. Applications from women and members of minority groups are strongly encouraged.

 

The application process consists of two steps.

Step 1: Submit online application, fees, and other forms to the Graduate Division. (For further information, see the Graduate Division's admissions website here.)

Step 2: Upload online OR send the following supplemental materials to:

The Graduate Counselor - Admissions
UCLA Department of Philosophy
Box 951451, Dodd 321
Los Angeles, CA 90095-1451

  1. Two official transcripts from each institution attended (only if you have not uploaded them to the Grad Division site already).
  2. Three letters of recommendation.
  3. A brief statement of purpose. (1-2 pages)
  4. A sample of your written work. (You should submit no more than two short papers. No paper should be longer than 20 pages. Please do not submit samples not in English).
  5. Official scores from the aptitude portion of the GRE.
    (The advanced test in philosophy is not required . We will not accept GRE scores older than 5 years).
  6. Applicants who are not native speakers of English should submit official TOEFL scores. (We require a minimum score of 560 on the paper and pencil test, 220 on the computer-based test, or 87 on the internet-based test (TOEFL), or Overall Band Score of 7.0 (IELTS)).
    To be eligible for a teaching assistantship at UCLA, applicants whose first language is not English must take the Test of Spoken English (TSE) and pass it with a score of 200. The TSE is administered by the Educational Testing Service at the TOEFL centers in the applicant's home country. Additional information for foreign applicants can be found here.

 

The deadline for receipt of the application and all supporting materials is JANUARY 10, 2013. Applications not complete by the deadline cannot be guaranteed full consideration.

(Please note: The University will be closed approximately from December 22, 2012 and will reopen Wednesday, January 2, 2013. The department will process mail received during the holiday closure the first weeks of January.)

The GRE should be taken no later than the December test date. Transcripts from domestic institutions should be requested at least one month in advance; those who have studied at foreign universities should consult the "Application for Graduate Admission" for specific information required on their transcripts from those schools.

Specific program requirements can be found here. The UCLA GENERAL CATALOG 2011-12 is available online here.

We also strongly encourage you to apply for extramural funding. The following websites feature links to fellowship databases and other useful information:

Funding for Entering Graduate Students
Funding for Graduate Students and Postdoctoral Scholars