How to Send SAT Scores To the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA)? A Complete Roadmap with IvyStrides

We at IvyStrides have worked with enough bright, curious, college-bound students to know that “dream school” means different things to different people. For some, it’s an Ivy League name on a sweatshirt. For others, it’s a campus that feels alive with ambition. University of California, Los Angeles? It’s both.

There’s something magnetic about Westwood. Maybe it’s the light that sharp California brightness that fills classrooms and film sets in equal measure. At UCLA, students don’t just enroll. They contribute, compete, invent, and lead.

But let’s not romanticize too quickly. Admissions at UCLA are serious, and so are their standards. And while they’ve officially gone test-blind, that doesn’t mean the SAT has left the room.

So here’s the real question we’ll help you answer:

Should you send your SAT scores to UCLA, and if so, how do you do it?

This guide isn’t about guesswork. It’s about clarity. And as always, at IvyStrides, clarity is what we give you before strategy even begins.

Why UCLA? Why Now?

Walk across UCLA’s campus, and the first thing you’ll notice is the pace, not frantic, not slow, but purposeful. There’s motion everywhere. A robotics prototype is being tested near Boelter Hall. A film student rehearsing on the lawn outside Royce. A debate spilling out of Bunche Hall that feels more like a podcast than a class.

UCLA isn’t just the most applied-to university in the country. It’s a place where undergraduates lead research, and where data science, neuroscience, and screenwriting live on the same quad. Where you can sit in a classroom taught by a Pulitzer winner in the morning, and pitch your capstone to venture-backed founders by sunset.

It’s not designed to impress. It’s designed to equip.

Consider this:

• The Samueli School of Engineering is one of the top 10 in the U.S., and undergrads get hands-on experience from the start.

• The School of Theater, Film, and Television has alumni whose names roll during the Oscars.

• The Anderson School of Management runs summer startup labs that take student ideas into the real world.

• And the David Geffen School of Medicine is not just elite, it’s integrated into UCLA’s broader academic fabric, offering mentorship even to pre-med undergrads.

And then there’s the setting.

UCLA sits between the canyons of Bel-Air and the pulse of Westwood. In 10 minutes, you can move from a late-night coding lab to a jazz recital, from a political science lecture to a sunset hike in the Santa Monica Mountains. The scale feels right. The momentum? Even better.

What UCLA Looks for in Applicants

UCLA isn’t interested in over-polished applicants. It’s drawn to students who’ve taken initiative when no one asked them to. Who’ve tried something bold and learned something honest from the outcome.

You don’t need to be a founder or a prodigy. But you do need to show that you’re not coasting. That you’ve thought critically, failed curiously, and kept building.

At IvyStrides, we help bring these decisions to the surface in your essays, your activities, and even your strategy around standardized testing.

Join our Common App Essay Coaching program, which helps students move from blank page to standout story.

Should You Send SAT Scores to UCLA in 2025? Here’s What to Know

Let’s clear up one thing right away: UCLA is test-blind, not test-optional, and not test-required.

That means the admissions office won’t look at, consider, or evaluate your SAT or ACT scores for admission decisions. Even if you send them, they won’t be reviewed during your file read. This policy applies to all University of California campuses and is expected to remain in place through at least Fall 2026 admissions.

So why are we even talking about sending scores?

Because “test-blind” doesn’t mean “test-useless.”

When It Still Makes Sense to Send SAT Scores

We’ve had students ask, “If UCLA won’t review my SAT, is there any reason to send it?”Sometimes, yes, here’s when it actually helps:

• Scholarships (External or Private): Many national merit scholarships and private awards, including some that students apply for after admission, still consider SAT scores as part of eligibility.

• Honors Programs & Research Tracks: While UCLA’s admissions won’t review your score, select post-admit programs may request standardized testing for placement or evaluation. These aren’t common, but they exist particularly in STEM and research-heavy disciplines.

• Other Schools on Your List: If you’re applying to UCLA + other non-UC universities, it might be more efficient (and cost-effective) to send scores to all schools in one batch via the College Board. In that case, UCLA receives them anyway.

When You Should Not Send SAT Scores

There are also very real situations where sending your scores does more harm than good, even symbolically.

Here’s when we advise students to skip it:

• Your score is below 1250. It’s not a bad score, but it’s not competitive enough to support external merit-based aid, nor is it worth including if UCLA won’t consider it.

• You’re applying only to UC schools. None of them will evaluate SAT/ACT for admission. No need to pay for reports that won’t be used.

• You have stronger parts of your application. If your GPA, AP scores, essay, and extracurriculars already speak volumes, you don’t need a test score to back them up.

Sending a score tells the reader something, and if that signal isn’t strong, it’s better left out.

If it does, we’ll show you how to send it right. If it doesn’t, we’ll help you double down where it counts.

You can find practice exams and prep on our SAT Practice Test Portal.

How to Send SAT Scores to UCLA (With Deadlines & Tips)

If you’ve decided your SAT score adds value, don’t just send it; send it right. Here’s how to do it step by step, with every detail that matters (and none that don’t).

Step 1 - Log In to Your College Board Account

To send your SAT scores, you’ll need to go straight to the source: collegeboard.org. Once you’re logged in, look for the section labeled “Send Scores.”

If you’ve taken the SAT more than once, this is where you’ll see all your available test dates. You’ll be able to select which score(s) to send, and to whom.

Step 2 – Use UCLA’s SAT Code: 4837

Every college and university has a unique score-reporting code with the College Board.UCLA’s code is 4837. 

College Code ensures your scores are routed to UCLA Undergraduate Admissions, not another UC campus or graduate department.

You can also select multiple UC campuses while you’re in the College Board portal. If you’re applying to, say, UC Berkeley or UC San Diego along with UCLA, you only need to send one report; it gets shared across all UCs you’ve applied to.

Step 3 - Select the SAT Test Dates You Want to Send

If you’ve taken the SAT more than once, this is where the “Score Choice” option becomes essential. The College Board allows you to select which test dates to report. For UC schools, superscoring doesn’t apply, so send your strongest single-day score.

If your March score was stronger than your June score? Send March. No mixing and matching sections.

Step 4 - Confirm, Pay, and Track Submission

The College Board allows four free score reports if you send them within nine days of taking the SAT. After that, it’s $14 per report.

Once you submit your selections, you’ll get a confirmation page and a reference number. That doesn’t mean UCLA has received your scores yet, just that the College Board has begun processing.

Delivery typically takes 1–2 weeks, but during peak deadlines, it can take longer.

Don’t wait until the last minute. If you’re aiming for UCLA’s Regular Decision deadline, send scores no later than December 10 to ensure safe delivery.

Important Deadlines to Remember

Here’s a quick breakdown of the tentative timeline you should keep in mind:

What	Date
UC Application Deadline	November 30
Final SAT Test Date to Send Scores	December 7 (recommended)
SAT Score Sending Deadline	December 15 (latest safe window)

Sending scores after this window may not align with external scholarship deadlines or post-admit program reviews.

Want to get a better idea of your academic fit? Use our SAT Calculator to see if your scores align with UCLA’s average range.

SAT Score Sending: Common Mistakes and Fixes

Even students who’ve nailed the SAT can trip up on the score-sending process. It’s not hard, but it is easy to mess up if you don’t know where the fine print hides. Here are the most common errors we see, and how to avoid them.

Mistake 1 - Sending Scores Too Late

Just because UCLA is test-blind doesn’t mean timing doesn’t matter. If you’re sending scores for scholarships, honors programs, or other schools, you can’t afford to cut it close.

The College Board can take 1–2 weeks to deliver your scores. During deadline season, delays are common, and they’re silent. No email. No alert. Your score just doesn’t show up on time.

Always send your scores at least 10–14 days before any scholarship or reporting deadline. For December SAT, that means sending immediately after scores are released.

Mistake 2 - Entering the Wrong Code

You’d be surprised how many students send their scores to “University of California” instead of UCLA specifically. 

UCLA’s SAT code is 4837. Nothing else. Double-check the code before you hit send. And make sure the name on your College Board account matches your UC application, especially if you have a hyphenated last name or a nickname.

Mistake 3 - Misunderstanding “Test-Blind”

We’ve heard it plenty:“If they don’t look at my SAT score, then sending it won’t hurt, right?”

Technically? Maybe. Strategically? It absolutely can.

If your score doesn’t strengthen your overall story, don’t send it. At IvyStrides, we help students make that call clearly.

What to Do If Your Score Isn’t Showing Up

You’ve sent your scores. You’ve got your confirmation. But UCLA’s portal still says “not received.”

Here’s what to check first:

• Log into College Board → View Score Sends → Make sure UCLA (code 4837) is listed.

• Verify that your UC application name and date of birth match your College Board account.

• Wait at least 7–10 business days from the time of sending before escalating.

If it still doesn’t appear, you can resend or contact the College Board for confirmation and UCLA Admissions for a manual match. Keep screenshots of every score sent confirmation. It’s your best proof if something goes sideways.

Why UCLA Still Stands Out (for U.S. and International Students)

There’s no shortage of excellent universities in the U.S., but few balance reach, rigor, and relevance like UCLA does, especially at the undergraduate level.

More than 12,000 international students call UCLA home not just for education, but for research, startup ecosystems, and cultural life that runs deep.

Here’s what sets it apart for international students. 

You get:

• A globally respected degree (especially in STEM, humanities, and social impact fields)

• Access to U.S. job markets through OPT and CPT pathways

• A diverse student body that doesn’t just “tolerate” difference, but thrives on it

Affordability & Financial Aid

UCLA’s value-to-cost ratio is among the best in the country, especially for California residents, but also for many out-of-state and international students. For families with financial need, need-based aid and scholarships can substantially reduce the cost, and for international students, while federal aid isn’t available, many third-party scholarship options still consider SAT scores, academic records, and leadership.

At IvyStrides, we’ve worked with students from Bengaluru to Dubai to Toronto, helping them understand UC admissions timelines, document prep, test strategies, and more.

If you’re worried about affordability, let us help you identify merit-based and region-specific scholarships that fit your background and goals.

How IvyStrides Gets You UCLA-Ready (Without the Guesswork)

Applying to UCLA isn’t just about filling out forms. It’s about showing up with a plan, a profile, and a purpose. At IvyStrides, we make sure you have all three.

Here’s how we break it down:

Phase 1: SAT Strategy - For the Scores That Still Matter

We focus on:

• Sectional improvement with deep-dive drills

• Smart retesting timelines for superscore leverage

• Custom score strategy - send it only when it adds value

Phase 2: Profile Building That Speaks Volumes

UCLA reads between the lines. So we help you build a profile that says more than a transcript ever could.

• Highlight your strengths with intention.

• Showcase real-world impact, not résumé padding

• Craft a cohesive narrative - across essays, activities, and extras

Phase 3: Application Execution - Clean, Clear, On Point

Execution is where most students get stuck.

You get:

• A personalized UC timeline

• Essay feedback that cuts through noise

• A checklist built for clarity and zero guesswork

Ready to build a UCLA application that actually gets read? Let IvyStrides show you how.

Consult one of our counselors today!

FAQs: What Else Should You Know About Sending SAT Scores to UCLA?

Does UCLA accept SAT Subject Test scores?

No. The University of California system no longer considers SAT Subject Tests for admission, placement, or scholarship purposes. The College Board discontinued these tests, and UCLA does not request or accept them.

Can SAT scores help with UCLA scholarships, even if they’re not used for admission?

Sometimes, yes, especially for private or external scholarships. While UCLA won’t use your SAT score for merit aid decisions, third-party awards may. If you’re applying for those, keeping a strong score on file can help.

If I’ve already sent my SAT scores to UCLA, can I cancel or withdraw them?

Unfortunately, no. Once your SAT score report is sent through the College Board system, it can’t be retracted. That’s why we recommend sending only if the score helps your profile or supports another application goal.

Do international students have different SAT score policies at UCLA?

No. The test-blind policy applies to all applicants, regardless of citizenship or country of education. However, English proficiency scores (like TOEFL or IELTS) may still be required for international students educated outside English-speaking countries.

What if I want to use my SAT score after admission - for placement or honors programs?

Some academic departments or honors tracks may request additional information, including test scores, after you’re admitted. In these cases, your SAT score might come back into play. It’s not required, but it can be helpful, especially in STEM disciplines.