UCLA Secondary Overview
UCLA School of Dentistry places supplemental questions in AADSAS. The defining feature: extremely tight character limits (100–350 characters on most prompts). There is no room for storytelling fluff — every sentence must earn its place.
Full database page: UCLA Secondary Questions.
All UCLA Secondary Prompts
Required for all applicants:
- How do you deal with failure? (350 characters)
- How would you assess your ability to ask for help, and give one example of when you had to do so? (350 characters)
- Please LIST 3 ways you deal with stress. (100 characters)
- Are you making, or have you already made, a career change prior to applying to dental school? Please explain. (350 characters)
Conditional:
- If not currently enrolled: What have you been doing since graduation? (600 characters)
- DDS-PhD applicants: Future plans for your DDS-PhD career (600 characters)
How to Answer the Failure Prompt
Pick one specific failure, state what you did wrong, what you changed, and what you do differently now. Avoid vague "I learned resilience" endings.
Formula (fits ~350 characters): Situation → Your mistake → Concrete fix → Lasting habit.
Example direction: A failed exam or lab technique → sought tutoring / revised study method → measurable improvement. Keep it professional, not dramatic.
Stress List + Asking for Help
Stress (100 characters): Literally list 3 distinct methods. Example format: "morning runs, planned study blocks, weekly check-ins with mentors." No paragraphs.
Asking for help: Name the situation, who you asked, why it was hard, and the outcome. UCLA wants evidence of self-awareness and teamwork — critical in clinic.
Winning Strategy for UCLA
- Draft long, then cut ruthlessly to the limit
- Read aloud — if it sounds clunky at 350 chars, rewrite
- Be specific; generic wellness answers get ignored
- Submit early — UCLA is highly competitive and rolling
Also prep: USC Secondary Guide and Secondary Timeline.
