Latino Admissions Up by 8.3%, Underrepresented Groups Reach 37% of Admissions.
The University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA), has announced a notable increase of 4.7% in admissions of California students for the fall 2023 term compared to the previous year, as reported by the UCLA Newsroom. This surge includes the enrollment of 163 more freshmen and 475 additional transfer students. The admissions landscape has witnessed a sweeping transformation, with UCLA extending offers to nearly 12,800 high school seniors and 6,180 prospective transfer candidates.
Diversity and inclusivity have emerged as defining features of this admissions cycle as the campus takes notable strides in addressing historical underrepresentation. Particularly remarkable is the upswing in admissions of Latino students, a group that has traditionally faced challenges in terms of campus representation. The admission of California Latino freshmen registered an impressive 8.3% increase, welcoming 196 more students into the fold. This elevation translates to Latino students comprising 28% of all admitted freshmen, up from 26% in the preceding year.
While the proportion of African American and American Indian students admitted remained unchanged, standing at 8% and 1%, respectively, the collective percentage of admitted California freshmen from historically underrepresented backgrounds climbed to 37%, a marked ascent from the 35% recorded in the previous year. This achievement marks a significant milestone for UCLA, with the 37% figure representing the highest proportion of underrepresented students admitted in over three decades.
Gary Clark, UCLA’s interim vice provost for enrollment management and executive director of undergraduate admission, expressed enthusiasm about the institution’s efforts to broaden access and opportunity for students from diverse backgrounds. He affirmed, “These numbers reflect our commitment to broaden access and opportunity for in-state students consistent with the goals set by the California Legislature and the University of California system.”
UCLA’s commitment to socio-economic diversity is also evident in the admitted student body. Nearly one-third of admitted California freshmen are first-generation college students, while an impressive 46% of prospective community college transfer students come from similar backgrounds. The admissions process also welcomed 39% of California freshman admits from low-income families, a statistic mirrored by 52% of admitted transfer students.
A partnership with the California Community Colleges system has significantly contributed to the increase in the admission of transfer students. The admission of transfer students from this community college system grew by approximately 9%, an expansion from 5,190 to 5,665 compared to the previous year. A noteworthy 35% of all California admitted transfer students hail from historically underrepresented groups.
Clark emphasized the university’s commitment to transfer students, highlighting their unique contributions to the institution. He stated, “Transfer students who are admitted to UCLA are highly accomplished and ready to contribute and thrive in our community.”
