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Frequently Asked Questions about UCLA Extension

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate contacting us

  1. Can I take your intensive programs without a student (F-1) visa?

Tourist (B-1/B-2) visas are accepted for the American Culture and Communication (ACC) course. This part-time course is designed for people who are coming to the United States on a short-term basis for business or pleasure. Full-time study in a 3- or 4- week program requires an F-1 visa.

  1. How will you decide my class level in the intensive programs?

You will take a placement test on the first day of school. The test consists of reading, writing, listening, and grammar questions. Based on your test score, you will be placed in the correct class level (Beginning, Intermediate, or Advanced.

  1. Who will be my classmates (age, nationality, etc.)?

Your classmates will be international students from all over the world. We have students from 30 different countries enrolled in our intensive English programs. The average age of our students is 25.

  1. Will I be automatically admitted to UCLA if I study in your English program?

No. Admission to full-time study at UCLA requires a separate application process. Even if you are studying in the most advanced levels of our intensive programs, you need to follow UCLA's admission and departmental requirements and meet all application deadlines.

  1. What is the difference between UCLA and UCLA Extension?

The University of California , Los Angeles (UCLA) is a comprehensive research university, with a long tradition of public service. It is organized into academic divisions that include colleges and professional schools, where students earn bachelor's , master's, and doctoral degrees.

UCLA Extension is the academic division responsible for continuing education and other instructional programs accessible to those who are not earning degrees. UCLA Extension students may enroll in individual courses or in sequences that lead to certificates in professional and academic fields.

  1. How long does it take to learn English?

There is no correct answer to this question. It depends on the student's motivation, the length and intensity of the lessons, and on the student's exposure to English outside of class. Generally, a student starting at the lowest level of our courses will need about a year of intensive study before he/she can start considering applying to college.

  1. Will I pass the TOEFL after I complete your English program?

It depends on what you mean by "passing." Every college or university has a different TOEFL requirement. While the ALC offers TOEFL preparation courses to upper level students, we feel that all our courses help you improve your score. Your rate of improvement depends not only on how seriously you study in class but also on how much you use English outside the classroom. Most students who complete the most advanced level of our Academic Intensive Program tend to score between 530 and 600 on the paper-based TOEFL ( pBT ) or 71 and 100 on the Internet-based TOEFL ( iBT ).

  1. If my English is already advanced, will your English courses still be useful for me?

It depends on what you call advanced. Generally, advanced students whose scores are below 100 on the Internet-based TOEFL ( iBT ) still benefit from the high level vocabulary, essay development, and critical thinking skills taught in our courses. In addition, you can choose specialized elective courses, such as Business English, Slang, Drama, etc., to expand your knowledge of English in specific areas.

  1. Do I get a certificate after I finish your program?

Yes, you will receive a completion certificate at the end of the term if you attend a minimum of 80% of your total course hours and complete your courses with a passing grade (A, B, C or P).

  1. Is there an application deadline?

Yes. Space in our program is limited. Therefore, applications should be submitted at least eight weeks before the program start date. Review the Dates and Fees for more information.

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate contacting us here .

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