UC Los Angeles

UCLA's primary purpose as a public research university is the creation, dissemination, preservation and application of knowledge for the betterment of our global society. In turn, the overall goal of UCLA’s University of California Leadership Excellence through Advanced Degrees (UC LEADS) program is to prepare tomorrow's leaders one scientist at a time.

Academic Year and Second Summer participants conduct an independent research project with a UCLA Faculty mentor and are professionally developed in our journal club, research talks, leadership seminar and various workshops.

Fee Waiver For Graduate School Applications

Applicants who participated in UC LEADS are eligible for a waiver of the application fee. In the Plans for Graduate Study panel of the UCLA Application for Graduate Admission, select and click UC LEADS from the Program Participation drop down menu. A letter from your home institution UC LEADS program verifying participation should be scanned and uploaded into that panel, or sent to your major program.

For more information about fee waivers, please see: https://grad.ucla.edu/admissions/faqs.

Undocumented Student Services

The Undocumented Student Program (USP), within the UCLA Bruin Resource Center (BRC), supports undocumented students by providing caring, personalized services and resources that enable students to reach their highest potential. Visit UCLA USP website for more information.