Transfer Applicants

Moses Aubrey, a fourth-year UCLA Student and Herb Alpert School of Music/LACC transfer Scholar, performs at the signing ceremony. Photo: Nick Lie Photography

Explore our programs

Learn how to apply

Email School of Music admissions

Connect with a student ambassador

A message from Herman Luis Chavez (class of 2022):

On behalf of The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music, I welcome you to explore transfer admissions at one of the premiere music schools in the nation. We pride ourselves on our high musical excellence and strong transfer community. You’ll find a home among our dozens of ensembles, music and sound scholars, and fellow transfer students. Our transfer students are an important community throughout our programs and across the university. I acknowledge your resilience and hard work in pursuing your academic goals at UCLA. Transferring takes determination, passion, and growth. To me, being a transfer student means redefining what a college student looks like; when you come to UCLA, you’ll have the opportunity to do just that.

Whether you are a prospective student or an admitted transfer, I highly encourage you to become involved with the transfer community at UCLA. Here, you’ll find that transfers band together—whether you’re visiting the Transfer Student Center for transfer-oriented events, volunteering with the Transfer Student Representative, or jamming out with your fellow School of Music transfers at Schoenberg Hall, the transfer community is there to organize with you, study with you, and create with you. As a transfer, you are breaking boundaries. Transfer students write their own narratives, and I know you will bring much-needed perspectives to our musical community at UCLA. I am empowered to welcome you to consider The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music your next academic home as you continue on your journey of forging your own path through music.

In Strength and Solidarity,

Herman Luis Chavez
B.A. Ethnomusicology, Class of 2022
USAC Transfer Student Representative, 2021-2022

Thinking of applying, but not sure where to start? Visit the UCLA Undergraduate Admission Transfer Admissions page! This is where you will find all minimum academic requirements to apply, like minimum GPA and transferable coursework. Be sure to also check out the UCLA Transfer Admission Guide.

Martha Gonzalez

Martha Gonzalez transferred from Pasadena City College to UCLA in 1993 and studied ethnomusicology. She's had quite the career since. She's won a Grammy, completed a Ph.D., taken a faculty position at Scripps College, and is a recipient of the MacArthur Foundation's coveted "genius grant."

An Unconventional Genius: Martha Gonzalez (Ethnomusicology, 1999)

Antonio Estrada

Antonio Estrada studied at several community colleges in Sacramento before transferring to the School of Music. A Dean's Medal recipient, Antonio is launching a career in the music industry.

Transfer Student Blazes Trails for Others

Herman Luis Chavez

Herman Luis Chavez (he/they/él), transferred from Colorado State University to UCLA to study Ethnomusicology and Comparative Literature. Herman graduated in 2022 and is now continuing his studies under the auspices of the prestigious Marshall Scholarship. Herman's advice? "Visit the Transfer Student Center just as often as you practice your instrument. Which is to say, at UCLA, your community becomes your music."

Meet Herman Luis Chavez, Undergraduate Commencement Speaker 2022

Kim Mendez

Kim Mendez transferred from Pasadena City College to complete their degree in music performance from The UCLA Herb Alpert School of Music. They went on to complete a master's.

Meet Kim Mendez, Graduate Commencement Speaker 2022

Transfer Student Representative

The USAC Transfer Student Representative Office addresses the collective needs of all UCLA transfer students. The Representative functions as a facilitator of transfer resources, providing advocacy and support for this group’s unique needs. They also are responsible for bringing transfer students’ concerns to the administration and the Undergraduate Students Association Council.

Transfer Student Center

The Transfer Student Center is UCLA's central hub for all things transfer! The TSC is committed to serving the diverse population of transfer students at UCLA and the needs particular to this community. They help students hit the ground running by connecting them to the university system and offering support and the tools they need to achieve their desired goals at UCLA and beyond.

Transfer Leadership Coalition

The TLC is a collective of student organizations, leaders, and transfer allies who work collaboratively to support the transfer student community at large. They strive to foster transfer receptive culture at UCLA. The three primary goals of the TLC are to bring transfer students together to share information, collaborate, and advocate.

Center for Community College Partnerships

The Center for Community College Partnerships (CCCP) develops and strengthens academic partnerships between UCLA and California community colleges. Through a multi-faceted approach with efforts at the student, faculty and administrative levels, CCCP works to increase the academic preparation and competitiveness for community college transfer students, particularly those who are first generation, low-income or historically underrepresented. CCCP also helps community colleges to develop a transfer-sending culture, and the university to develop a transfer-receptive culture.

Bruin Resource Center

The BRC serves all UCLA students, with a particular focus on current and former foster youth, students with dependents, students in recovery, formerly incarcerated, and undocumented students. The BRC also offers programs that promote holistic development and education of the student and the larger campus community, such as the Intergroup Dialogue Program. The majority of students employed by the BRC are transfer students.

Academic Advancement Program

The Academic Advancement Program, known on the UCLA campus as AAP, is the nation’s largest university-based student diversity program. AAP promotes academic achievement and excellence through academic advising, peer learning and collaborative learning workshops, mentoring to prepare students for graduate studies and professional schools, summer bridge programs for entering freshmen and transfer students, and scholarships for enrolled students.

Resources for

Welcome

Alumni Profiles

UCLA Transfer Resources