B.A. in World Arts and Cultures Admissions

If you are applying to UCLA for the first time, please read the information under “For New First Year and Transfer Applicants”.

If you are a current UCLA student who wants to major in World Arts and Cultures, please scroll down to “For Current UCLA Students”.

FOR NEW FIRST YEAR AND TRANSFER APPLICANTS:

New UCLA first year and transfer students are admitted to the major for fall quarter only. To be considered for admission, applicants are required to complete both the general University of California (UC) undergraduate application, as well as a department supplement.

UC Application Filing Period: November 1-30.

Applicants who have submitted their UC application and have listed World Arts and Cultures as their first choice major to UCLA will have access to the online supplemental application for World Arts and Cultures.

Once an applicant submits the UC Application indicating the World Arts and Cultures major as their first choice major to UCLA, their UC Application will be processed within 1-6 business days, excluding weekends and holidays. Once the UC Application is officially processed, applicants will use their UC Application ID to log into the online supplemental application. Undergraduate applicants must submit both the UC application and department supplement to be considered for admission into the major.

Supplemental Application Materials

The supplemental application for the Dance major is due on December 15 at 11:59pm PST, and includes the following specific departmental requirements:

  • Questionnaire
  • Unofficial Transcripts
  • Personal Statement
  • Sample Research Paper

For full details about requirements and instructions on submission as well as formatting guidelines, please refer to the Supplemental Application Worksheet below:

Supplemental Application Worksheet - World Arts and Cultures Major (425.37 kB)

All supplemental materials must be submitted through the online upload system; any physical materials submitted to the department will not be considered in the review process.

If you have any questions about the admission process, please email admissions@arts.ucla.edu.

***Please note that UCLA is closed for winter break from mid-December through the first week in January. We will respond to all inquiries submitted during this time upon returning.***

FOR CURRENT UCLA STUDENTS:

For current UCLA students who wish to major in World Arts and Cultures, applications are considered once a year. Current UCLA students who petition to change their major are required to meet with the Student Affairs Officer prior to application, but no later than the eighth week of fall quarter.

Deadline to register as a Change of Major candidate: December 1 at 4:00pm PST

Deadline to submit WAC application: December 15 at 11:59pm PST

Students may be interviewed as part of the application process. Review the Change of Major Application Worksheet below for more information about the application process and admission requirements:

Supplemental Application Worksheet - World Arts and Cultures Major (403.95 kB)

Should you have any questions after reviewing this information, please email wacdadmissions@arts.ucla.edu.

Frequently Asked Questions

The department offers scholarships of modest amounts to our continuing students. Some scholarships are being offered to new students through the UCLA Alumni Association. The Financial Aid Office works closely with all students who need financial assistance. A financial aid award generally consists of a combination of scholarships and grant money from UCLA and other sources, low-interest loans, and a work-study job during the academic year.

California community college students are strongly encouraged to complete IGETC requirements. All other transfer students are encouraged to make progress toward completion of the UCLA's School of the Arts and Architecture's general education and university proficiency requirements.

Beyond the IGETC/General Education courses, it is recommended that World Arts and Cultures students take additional courses offered in their area of interest (i.e. anthropology, art history, folklore, ethnic studies, gender studies, etc.). For more specific recommendations, please review the Transfer Admission Guide. There is also additional information and guidance for transfer students at arts.ucla.edu/apply.

The department personal statement that is submitted with the supplemental application, is distinct from the UC personal insight questions. Your audience for your UC responses are “general UC readers,” and your audience for the UCLA Arts supplemental essays are your department faculty. The department faculty do have access to your UC responses. In the event that the reviewing faculty want more information about an applicant, they may request to review your UC responses.

Check the department announcements posted via our social media outlets (Facebook and Instagram), the department's weekly newsletter, and flyers that are posted within the department for audition information.

Additional opportunities exist each year at WACsmash—an interdisciplinary showcase of artists within World Arts and Cultures/Dance. The show incorporates dance, film, live music and more created and produced by undergraduate students.

All current students are encouraged to attend classes here in WACD! Our department is highly trans-disciplinary, with no two students studying the exact same thing, and we embrace diversity of academic background and thought. Please be advised that upper level undergraduate courses may require certain pre-requisites, or permission of the instructor.

Also, please note that some departments do not permit undergraduates from attending graduate seminars. Arts and Architecture undergraduates may not apply graduate level coursework towards their major requirements. Be sure to check with your advisor before you invest your time. Permission to attend a WACD upper level undergraduate or graduate course is ultimately at the discretion of the instructor. Please ask the faculty for advice about whether the course is appropriate for you.

B.A. in Dance Admissions
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