UPDATED October 11, 2022
UCLA DEPARTMENT of ART
INFORMATION FOR GRADUATE (MFA) APPLICANTS
Fall 2023
Thank you for your interest in the UCLA Department of Art MFA Program. Admission to the program is by
recommendation of faculty and contingent upon final review and acceptance by the Graduate Division. All materials
must be submitted via the UCLA Online Graduate Division Application by the published deadline; incomplete
applications will not be reviewed. Please also review to the PORTFOLIO GUIDELINES MFA Art worksheet posted
at the Department of Art Website. The deadline for receipt of application materials is as follows:
Fall 2023: UCLA GRADUATE DIVISION APPLICATION AVAILABLE ONLINE
www.grad.ucla.edu/apply
January 9, 2023, 11:59pm PST: ONLINE GRADUATE DIVISION APPLICATION DUE
Required Application Sections - please see below for more information regarding the main
components of the MFA application.
Fellowship Application (optional). For applicants to the Graduate Opportunity Fellowship, please
note that the Personal Statement submitted in this application should include a description of your
contributions to diversity (see Personal Statement instructions below).
Application fee (non-refundable $135.00 fee for US Citizens and Permanent Residents; $155.00 for
all other applicants.) Please see https://grad.ucla.edu/admissions/faqs/ for information about
application fee waivers.
Submit online: www.grad.ucla.edu/apply
Due January 9, 2023, by 11:59pm Pacific Standard Time
UCLA GRADUATE DIVISION APPLICATION
www.grad.ucla.edu/apply
In addition to basic information about yourself and your academic history, the online Art MFA Graduate
Division Application requires the following components:
PLANS FOR GRADUATE STUDY (REQUIRED)
Select “Art MFA” from the dropdown menu of available majors.
Note: The application is dynamic sections listed below that are specific to the Art MFA
application will not appear until after you have selected “Art MFA” as your Major.
AREA OF STUDY (REQUIRED)
Indicate the area of study for which you intend your application to be considered. Descriptions
of areas of study and faculty biographies can be found here:
http://www.art.ucla.edu/graduate/areas.html
http://www.art.ucla.edu/faculty/index.html
UPDATED October 11, 2022
Note: Applicant materials will be reviewed for consideration for the area of study indicated. In
addition, if you believe your work and research interests also are suited for an alternate area of
study, you have the option to indicate a second area of study. Please note we cannot assure that
your application will be reviewed for this alternate area.
THREE REFERENCES with EMAIL ADDRESSES (REQUIRED, phone and address are optional)
Note: Please note that while a list of three references/recommenders is required, letters of
recommendation are not. Unsolicited reference letters will NOT be included in the review
process.
ARTIST STATEMENT (REQUIRED)
Prompt: Please use this section to submit a short statement about your artwork. The statement
should be no longer than 3000 characters (approximately 500 words). It is recommended that
you write your statement in a separate word processing program, then copy and paste it into the
space provided.
PORTFOLIO SUBMISSION (REQUIRED)
A maximum of 20 still images (REQUIRED); up to 12 minutes of Time-Based Work (in addition to
still images, as appropriate). Please refer to the PORTFOLIO GUIDELINES MFA Art worksheet
posted at the Department of Art Website for detailed instructions.
ACADEMIC HISTORY & TRANSCRIPTS (REQUIRED)
List previous schools attended, including GPA, dates attended, degree, and major. Upload copies
of unofficial transcripts and list any coursework currently in progress.
Note: you are not required to include transcripts for community college or study abroad
coursework, if completed prior to completion of your BA degree.
Note: Official transcripts will be requested in the Spring for applicants who are recommended for
admission.
AWARDS AND PUBLICATIONS (OPTIONAL)
RESUME/CV (OPTIONAL)
STATEMENT OF PURPOSE (REQUIRED)
The statement of purpose is an integral part of your application for graduate admission and
consideration for merit-based financial support. It is used to understand your academic
interests, and to evaluate your aptitude and preparation for graduate work, as well as your fit
with the proposed program of study. It is also used to assess your ability to write coherent and
convincing prose.
Instructions: Please respond to the following. Your statement can be up to 500 words in length
(approximately 1-page, single spaced, using 1-inch margins and 12-point font). You do not need
to answer every question; focus on the elements that you feel are most relevant to your
candidacy. It is recommended that you write your statement in a separate word processing
program, then copy and paste it into the space provided.
UPDATED October 11, 2022
What is your purpose in applying for graduate study in your specified degree program?
Describe your area(s) of interest, including any subfield(s) or interdisciplinary interests.
What experiences have prepared you for advanced study or research in this degree
program? What relevant skills have you gained from these experiences? Have your
experiences led to specific or tangible outcomes that would support your potential to
contribute to this field (examples: performances, publications, presentations, awards or
recognitions)?
What additional information about your past experience may aid the selection
committee in evaluating your preparation and aptitude for graduate study at UCLA? For
example, you may wish to describe research, employment, teaching, service, artistic or
international experiences through which you have developed skills in leadership,
communication, project management, teamwork, or other areas.
Why is the UCLA graduate program to which you are applying is the best place for you
to pursue your academic goals? If you are applying for a research master’s or doctoral
program, we encourage you to indicate specific research interests and potential faculty
mentors.
What are your plans for your career after earning this degree?
PERSONAL STATEMENT (REQUIRED)
The Personal Statement is an opportunity for you to provide additional information that may aid
the selection committee in evaluating your preparation and aptitude for graduate study at
UCLA. It will also be used to consider candidates for Graduate Opportunity fellowships.
Instructions: Please respond to one or more of the following prompts. Your statement can be up
to 500 words in length (approximately 1-page, single spaced, using 1-inch margins and 12-point
font). To be considered for a Cota-Robles or Graduate Opportunity fellowship, be sure to
describe your contributions to diversity. The University of California Diversity Statement can be
found online
Are there educational, personal, cultural, economic, or social experiences, not described
in your Statement of Purpose, that have shaped your academic journey? If so, how?
Have any of these experiences provided unique perspective(s) that you would
contribute to your program, field or profession?
Describe challenge(s) or barriers that you have faced in your pursuit of higher education.
What motivated you to persist, and how did you overcome them? What is the evidence
of your persistence, progress or success?
How have your life experiences and educational background informed your
understanding of the barriers facing groups that are underrepresented in higher
education?
How have you been actively engaged (e.g., through participation, employment, service,
teaching or other activities) in programs or activities focused on increasing participation
by groups that have been historically underrepresented in higher education?
How do you intend to engage in scholarly discourse, research, teaching, creative efforts,
and/or community engagement during your graduate program that have the potential
to advance diversity and equal opportunity in higher education?
How do you see yourself contributing to diversity in your profession after you earn your
advanced degree at UCLA?
UPDATED October 11, 2022
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE (OPTIONAL)
FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION (OPTIONAL)
The fellowship application pertains to campus-wide merit-based University awards. Award
descriptions and eligibility information can be found within the online application, and online
here:
https://grad.ucla.edu/funding/financial-aid/funding-for-entering-students/fellowships-grants/
For applicants to the Graduate Opportunity Fellowship Program (GOFP): Please note that the
Personal Statement submitted in this application will be considered in relationship to this
opportunity, and should include a description of your contributions to diversity. The University of
California Diversity Statement can be found here:
https://regents.universityofcalifornia.edu/governance/policies/4400.html
More information about the GOFP can be found here: https://grad.ucla.edu/funding/financial-
aid/funding-for-entering-students/graduate-opportunity-fellowship-program-gofp/
TEST SCORES
The Departmant of Art does not require GRE scores.
Applicants whose first language is not English must certify English Proficiency. More information
can be found here: https://grad.ucla.edu/admissions/english-requirements/
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS (OPTIONAL)
The Department of Art does not require any supporting documents.
Please refer to the PORTFOLIO GUIDELINES MFA Art worksheet posted at the Department of Art
Website for detailed portfolio instructions, as well as program information. Questions about the MFA
program or application requirements can be directed to artinfo@arts.ucla.edu.