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What is the application
deadline? The online application (http://www.gdnet.ucla.edu/gasaa/admissions/applicat.htm)
is due on December 1. Supporting materials (2 sets of official
transcripts and certified English translation if necessary; supplemental
form; three letters of recommendation—form and narrative, statement of
purpose, writing sample, GRE scores, TOEFL if applicable) should arrive
on or before December 15 or the Monday after if December 15 falls on a
weekend.
Where should I send my
supporting materials? Mail to Department of Sociology,
Attn.: Graduate Admission, UCLA, 264 Haines Hall, 375 Portola Plaza,
Box 951551, Los Angeles, CA 90095-1551. If you use expedited services,
e.g., Fedex, omit the Box number.
I missed the deadline,
can I still apply? It depends on how late it is. Call
310-825-1026 or email
dietrich@soc.ucla.edu to inquire.
What are the
Institution and Department codes for the GRE and TOEFL tests?
The institution code for UCLA for the GRE is 4837,
the department code is 2102.
The institution code for UCLA for the TOEFL is 4837
and the department code is 96.
Can I send parts of the
supporting documents separately or must all materials arrive in one
package? Mailing everything
in one package is preferred but transcripts and letters of
recommendation can be mailed separately.
Can I send my
supporting materials before I submit the online application?
Yes.
Can I send my
supporting materials electronically?
No. They must be mailed or can be delivered in person.
How should I package
the supporting materials? Use staples for documents that are
longer than one page such as the writing sample, statement of purpose.
Do not put documents in folders, binders, plastic covers or use spiral
bindings for your writing sample. Make sure your name is on all loose
pages. Do NOT write your social security number on your documents.
Is it a problem if one
or two items of my supporting materials (e.g., GRE or TOEFL scores or
recommendation letter) arrive after the deadline? If they
arrive within two to three weeks after the December 15 deadline and all
other supporting materials arrived on time, we will accept them and your
application will be considered. If they are more than two to three
weeks late and/or other supporting documents are missing as well, your
chances of being considered for admission are greatly reduced. If all
supporting materials are received and only one letter of recommendation
is missing at the end of our review period, we will consider your
application at that point. We accept photocopies of the GRE and TOEFL
scores as long as they are replaced by the original test reports within
four weeks of the December 15 deadline.
Can I send more than
three letters? Yes but note
that quantity does not substitute for quality.
How long should my
writing sample be? A minimum
of five pages. There is no upper
limit. If you send a thesis, it’s advisable to send all chapters rather
than select one or two chapters. Average length is about 15-30 pages.
What kind of writing
sample would be best? The
committee uses the writing sample to assess your writing skills,
analytical ability, and creativity. You should pick a piece of writing
that best reflects your ability. An academic research paper is better
than a more journalistic paper.
What do I do if I do
not have a writing sample? You
must write an academic essay on the topic of your choice of at least
five pages double-spaced.
Can I send a
co-authored paper? Yes, but
we prefer a single-authored paper. If you send a paper co-authored with
a professor ask the professor to explain your involvement in and
contribution to the paper. If the paper is co-authored with other
students, provide the same kind of explanation.
Can I send more than
one writing sample? Yes.
How do I find out
whether or not all my supporting materials have arrived and my
application is complete? Within two weeks of the December 15 deadline you will receive an
email acknowledging receipt of your materials. If you do not hear from
the department by the end of December, feel free to follow up. Please
note that the department does not enter the information on the Check
Application Status maintained by the Graduate Division Admission’s
Office.
When are decisions
made? Usually by the middle
of February. The department will notify you unofficially via email a
few days after decisions have been made. Official notifications will be
sent by the Graduate Admissions Office via email notification somewhat
later.
What is the Minimum
GPA? 3.0.
What is the average
GPA? 3.66 for all
applicants; 3.76 for admitted students.
Which GPA should I
report on the application?
Compute your GPA for your junior and senior year, i.e., the last 60
semester units, or last 90 quarter units, completed in undergraduate
status. Use a four-point system (A=4, B=3’ C=2, D=1). Ignore pluses and
minuses, unless the grade points are clearly stated on your transcript.
If your school uses another system, and it cannot be converted to a
four point GPA, leave the GPA boxes blank. This applies in particular
to most international institutions.
What is the required
minimum TOEFL score? 560 on
the paper and pencil test or 220 on the computer based TOEFL test. On
the internet-based TOEFL (TOEFL iBT): Writing, 25; Speaking, 24;
Reading, 21; Listening, 17; Total minimum passing score: 87. For the
IELTS overall band score of at least 7.0 is the minimum
required.
Are GRE and TOEFL
scores out of date? GRE
scores must have been taken within the last five years. TOEFL scores
must have been taken within two years of the date of your application.
What are the required
minimum GRE scores? There
are no minimum requirements.
What are the average
GRE scores?
Verbal (2006): 577 for all reviewed; 643 for
admitted.
Quantitative (2006): 656 for all reviewed: 712 for
admitted.
What parts of the GRE
scores and/or of the other application materials are given more weight?
We do not weight any part of the GRE scores or individual
application items nor do we use formulas based on GREs or GPAs to make
decision. All applications will be reviewed and rated in comparison to
the other applications. We use a holistic approach to arrive at
decisions.
Can I be exempted from
the GRE or TOEFL requirement? No. We do not consider
applications without GRE scores.
The TOEFL score is mandatory for international
applicants unless you 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 and the medium of
instruction, or you have completed at least two years of full-time study
at such an institution. If you qualify for an exemption and several
years have passed since you actively used English a recent TOEFL score
may be helpful for our Admissions Committee to better evaluate your
current level of proficiency in comparison to other international
applicants. If you meet the criteria for an exception it will
ultimately be up to you to decide whether or not a new TOEFL score would
strengthen your application.
Can I apply to more
than one department at the same time?
No.
How many applicants are
admitted? How many enter the program? Each year we get about
200 applications, and aim for an incoming class of about 20. Of course
we admit more than one in ten, because many students who apply to UCLA
also receive attractive offers from competing departments.
How many international
students do you admit and fund? The number varies from year
to year. We do not have quotas for admitting and/or funding
international students or any other category of students.
Can the application fee
be waived and if so how do I obtain a waiver? Current McNair
Scholars and students currently receiving need-based financial aid can
apply for a waiver of the application fee but must mail a letter from
the McNair Director and/or their Financial Aid Office verifying their
status and stating that payment of the fee would be a financial
hardship. The request for a waiver should be sent directly to the
Graduate Division’s Admissions Office Box 951428, LA, CA 90095-1428.
International applicants are not eligible for fee waivers or deferred
payment of the application fee. Please note that without an approved
waiver or the application fee payment you application will not be
released to the department.
Do you accept
applications for winter and/or spring admission?
No. We only review once a year for fall admission.
As an international
applicant who has no or few personal financial resources and needs
financial support, why must I send the completed Confidential
Financial Statement form with my other application materials?
This form is not required for consideration of your application for
admission and/or financial support and can be submitted soon after you
are notified of your admission. However, it is required if you want to
obtain a student visa upon accepting an offer of admission. Along with
documented evidence of sufficient funds it tells the Graduate Admissions
Office that you qualify for a visa and allows UCLA to mail you an I-20
form that you need to take to a US consulate or embassy in your
country. If at the time of application you do not have any personal or
other extramural fellowship funds available then enter 0 in the relevant
sections. It is advisable to have some personal funding in case the
departmental award does not cover the minimum amount.
As of April 2007, incoming international applicants
must have available funds of $44,377(amount subject to change) from all
sources. For more details and the form please go to http://www.gdnet.ucla.edu/gasaa/admissions/antexp.htm.
Will you
accept/consider students who did not major in Sociology?
Yes.
Can I apply if I only
want to get the M.A. degree?
UCLA’s small and highly selective graduate program in sociology is
devoted to young scholars who seek the Ph.D. degree. Most aspire to
careers in research and university-level teaching. The master's
degree is earned as part of the process of completing the requirements
for the Ph.D., and from time to time students do decide to not continue
with their studies beyond the M.A.
Do I have to have an
M.A. or M.S. degree before I can apply for your Ph.D. program?
No.
Can I apply for the
doctoral degree without pursuing the M.A. degree from UCLA?
No. Our students must complete the
M.A. requirements first. If you have an M.A. degree in sociology from
another institution read the next question and answer.
Will I have to get
another M.A. degree or repeat M.A. requirements if I already have an
M.A. degree? If you have a master's degree in sociology
you have the option of submitting your previous MA work (a research
paper of no more than double-spaced 50 pages which can be based on the
M.A. thesis written at another university and the transcripts from the
M.A. institution) for review and approval within the first three
quarters in the program. In this review, the Department will determine
whether or not you may proceed directly to preparation for the field
examinations, whether additional courses need to be taken for breadth
purposes, whether the submitted paper needs additional work, or whether
an additional paper needs to be done, and whether theory and methodology
sequence requirements have been adequately satisfied. If your prior
M.A. degree is accepted you do not need to complete our M.A.
requirements and can focus on the Ph.D. requirements. If you do not
submit your materials to our review within the first three quarters, we
assume that you opted to complete our M.A. requirements. If your
degree is in another discipline, you will have to complete our M.A.
requirements though there is a possibility that some relevant courses
from your prior M.A. could be counted by petition.
Will my previous M.A.
course work count? If you completed and received your M.A.
degree, please see the previous answer. If you have taken graduate
courses but did not complete your MA degree, you can petition to
transfer credit for two appropriate courses or 8 units onto your UCLA
transcript. If the petition is approved these courses will count toward
your UCLA M.A. course requirements. In addition, the department may
consider petitions to waive courses based on equivalent graduate courses
taken elsewhere.
Is there a preference
for students with masters over those with bachelor degrees?
No. Admission is approved on the basis
of your B.A. or B.S. degree, even if you already have a Masters degree.
Do you give preference
to California residents in admission and awards?
No.
How does resident
status affect my finances? California residents pay only
in-state registration fees. U.S. citizens and permanent residents who
are not California residents must pay non-resident tuition in the first
year, in addition to out-of-state registration fees. However, they can
be reclassified as California residents for tuition purposes after the
first year and if approved, will no longer be charged nonresident
tuition. For more information about this, go to
http://www.registrar.ucla.edu/residence/. International students
cannot become California residents for tuition purposes and must
continue to pay non-resident tuition until they advance to Ph.D.
candidacy (i.e., completed all course and program requirements except
the dissertation). Thereafter, there will be a 100% reduction of
non-resident tuition (but not of registration fees) for a total of three
years.
What is the ratio of
in-state/out-of-state graduate students in the sociology department?
The answer to this question is complicated because of the
link between California residency and tuition. After one year of
residency in California, U.S. citizens or permanent residents may become
California residents and be eligible for lower tuition rates. Upon
entering our program we expect all admitted out-of-state students to
follow the necessary steps that will qualify them to become residents
for tuition purposes in their second year. In Fall 2006 about one
quarter of all enrolled students in our program were non-residents, most
of whom were foreign students who cannot become residents for tuition
purposes. Thus all U.S. citizens and/or permanent residents from
out-of-state will be nonresidents for one year only. We do not take
state residency into consideration as a criterion for admission. We aim
to admit the best international and national graduate students.
What makes an applicant
competitive in the selection process? We are looking for
bright, imaginative, and highly motivated students who have a deep and
abiding interest in doing sociology. The ideal applicant ranks
uniformly high on all indicators (GRE scores, grade point average,
recommendations from faculty, stature of undergraduate institution, the
quality of written work, and the persuasiveness of the statement of
purpose) of particular skills and shows exceptional promise of success
in our program and as a future sociologist. Decisions are based on
merit, promise, and fit with the program.
Can you give me an idea
about my chances of being admitted into your program and/or offered
funded given my particular background? No. Decisions are
made on a comparative basis by a committee whose members and assessments
may vary from year to year. Without seeing the complete application in
the context of the other applications, it is difficult to make an
assessment.
What kind of jobs do
your Ph.D. graduates obtain? Most of our graduates obtain
positions as faculty members at other universities and colleges. Many
of them accept postdoctoral positions first before they start these
positions. Recent graduates have accepted positions at other University
of California campuses (UCB, UCI, UCSD, UCD, the University of
Wisconsin-Madison, Yale, Indiana University, Johns Hopkins University,
University of Massachusetts-Amherst, University of Washington,
University of Kansas, SUNYs, and various California State Universities
as well as four-year college such as Pitzer, Loyola Marymount, Mt.
Holyoke, Grinnell, Beloit. Non-academic positions have included
research oriented positions at Rand Corporation in Santa Monica and
Pittsburgh, the Census Bureau, CDC, LA County Urban Research Division.
How can I contact
current graduate students and/or faculty to get their perspectives for
my upcoming decisions? You can email the students who provide
their email addresses on our website and faculty directly. For faculty
email addresses click on their names in the “People” section. For
students who have been admitted to our program we encourage them to
attend our "visiting day" (usually in March) or visit separately around
this time. During visiting day, admitted students will be able to talk
to faculty and graduate student so they can make an informed decision as
to which offer of admission and support to accept.
Do I need to contact a
faculty member to sponsor or support my application?
No.
Can I pursue interest X
in your program? The section about field exams contained in
the program description on our web site will give you an idea as to
which subspecialties are well represented in our department. Please
also read through the list of faculty and students and their interests
(“People”) to get a sense of the work being done in the department.
What is the time to
completion for the PhD and is it reduced because of my prior MA?
Our normative time to degree is six years and no more than two of
these years can be devoted to completing the MA requirements. The
actual time to degree varies, depending on individual circumstances. If
your prior MA is approved within the first year in the program, it can
shorten the time to degree.
Are all students
funded? Yes.
How much financial
support is usually given to incoming students? Award offers
have typically been for five years at varying levels of support that
include one or two years of fellowship (stipend, fees, and non-resident
tuition for the first year if needed) and three or four years of
assistantships. The level of support has ranged from $16,000-20,000
(2007-08).
Can international
students receive teaching assistantships? Yes. However
international students whose native language is not English must take a
campus-administered Test of Oral Proficiency (TOP) and pass it at 7.1 or
above before they can be appointed as a TA. For more information on the
UCLA’s TOP test visit
http://www.oid.ucla.edu/units/top/.
Do you offer
nonresident tuition fellowships to international students?
Yes. Our award offers to international students include
non-resident tuition for the first year and occasionally for the second
year. Each year thereafter, international students who have not
advanced to Ph.D. candidacy compete for a pool of nonresident tuition
funds administered by the Department. Some foreign students are able to
cover their nonresident tuition through other fellowships or research
assistantships that include tuition remission benefits. International
students should be aware of the possibility that after the first year
they may need to fund nonresident tuition through personal and/or
non-UCLA resources.
How is funding
allocated? All students who are admitted are considered for
departmentally funded awards and campus-wide fellowship programs for
which they are eligible and applied. Decisions are made by a committee
and based on merit. Our Admissions and Awards Committee determines
annually what kind of support packages to offer and at what level. An
application for departmentally funded awards (stipend, fees, tuition,
assistantships) is not necessary in order to be considered. Campus-wide
awards require an application for consideration and nomination.
Recipients are selected by committees appointed by the Graduate Division
or the FLAS centers upon the department’s nomination and
recommendation. Please see our section on Graduate Student Funding for
more information.
Is there a TA training program and are there
opportunities to teach at the University?
We have a TA training course (Soc. 495) that is required of
all first-time TAs in the department. Most of our students will have an
opportunity to be a TA. TAships are part of our award packages. A
typical award offer to newly admitted students includes two or three
years of assistantship which generally means a TAship. Continuing
students who have used up their guaranteed awards can apply annually for
TAships though appointments in the TA title is limited to twelve
quarters. Some of our students have also had opportunities for TA
employment in other campus units (e.g., Communication Studies, Women’s
Studies, Honors Program). Advanced students with the requisite prior TA
experience have opportunities to teach a lower division course during
one of the summer sessions or through other campus programs.
What is expected of
teaching assistants in your department?
Teaching assistants in our department are appointed at 49% time
and are expected, on the average, to spend 20 hours per week during the
quarter carrying out their TA responsibilities. These responsibilities
include attending the lectures of the course they are assigned to,
holding three discussion sections per week with an average section
enrollment of 25 students, grading papers and exams, and other duties as
determined by the instructor.
Are there opportunities
for research assistantships?
Yes. Some professors have funding that
allows them to employ research assistants. Our graduate students can
also explore opportunities with faculty in other departments or research
units on campus. There is no central job bulletin board for open
research assistant positions. Students interested in research
assistantships should inquire with individual faculty and campus
research centers directly.
Are registration fees
and/or tuition waived for TAs or RAs?
Employment as TAs, Graduate Student Researchers (GSRs=research
assistants), or Readers for 10 hours a week or more (25% time or more)
entitles students to receive a reduction of registration fees, called
fee remission benefits. This applies equally to domestic and
international students. Fee remission benefits include payment of the
educational and registration fees as well as the mandatory health
insurance premiums. Students are responsible for paying the
miscellaneous fees. GSRs employed at 45-50% time are also eligible for
non-resident tuition remission benefits, i.e., full payment of
non-resident tuition. Tuition remission is not available to TAs.
Can I work full-time
while pursuing graduate studies?
Graduate students are allowed to work no more than 50% time on
campus or the equivalent of 20 hours per week. Appointments in academic
apprentice personnel titles (TAs, GSRs) cannot exceed 18 quarters of
which no more than 12 quarters can be as a TA. We do not recommend that
our students work full-time off campus. It may be difficult if not
impossible to work full-time and simultaneously attend classes and
complete course work.
I'm interested in
pursuing a concurrent program for a Ph.D. in sociology and in another
field. Is this possible? Yes. It is called an “individually
designed articulated degree.” For information about how to pursue two
degrees simultaneously, read the information on
http://www.gdnet.ucla.edu/publications.html under "Publications and
Forms", page 14 of Standards and Procedures for Graduate Study at UCLA,
under section "Articulated and Concurrent Degree Program." You would
have to be admitted into one of the two programs first and after
entering the program, receive approval from the other program, your home
department, and the Graduate Division for your individually designed
articulated degree.
Where do your graduate
students live? Many of our entering students live in
the Weyburn Terrace Housing Complex for the first two years. The
department has a limited number of guaranteed spaces each year and can
nominate entering students for them. After the first two years, most
move to off-campus rentals within 5-7 miles from campus. UCLA also has
other off-campus apartment complexes for single and students with
families for which graduate students can apply on a
first-come-first-served basis. For more information on UCLA apartments
go to
www.housing.ucla.edu. This site has also a link to UCLA’s Community
Housing Office (www.cho.ucla.edu.)
that offers listings of private off-campus housing, including rental
vacancies and posted roommate notices and provides useful general
information about neighborhoods.
What is the student/faculty ratio in the
sociology graduate department? We currently have 48 faculty
members, 13 Emeriti, and 8 joint appointments (faculty whose
appointments are in other departments) and an average enrollment of 108
(2006-07), not counting students on an approved leave of absence. The
actual faculty/student ratio varies from faculty to faculty, depending
on match of interests.
Is graduate school at
UCLA fun? Yes, it rocks.
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