A general membership form and a culture night application do different jobs. One gets you into an association's updates; the other may put you in a cast, crew or intern program. Read the How to join note on a club page before deciding that an application is required for every part of the group. The Culture & Identity directory has 170 groups, including heritage associations, identity spaces and student publications.
Some associations welcome you at a meeting
Samahang Pilipino welcomes students without a Pilipinx background or knowledge of the language. It says general membership has no fee, application or audition. Its weekly newsletter carries meeting and event updates, so that is the first place to sign up. The group also runs community work, peer support and a cultural night; each gives you a different way to spend time there once you have met people.
Open Origins is open to students of any background who want to share heritage, learn about other traditions or take part in community service. Attend a meeting or event to become a general member. Its GroupMe and mailing list carry updates. If you want a recurring conversation about South Asian mental health, MannMukti holds general meetings every even-week Tuesday at the RISE Center. Its 2026–27 application is for joining the team, a separate step from attending a meeting.
For a community organized around East African culture, East African Student Association describes cultural nights, food festivals and workshops, plus mentorship and academic support. Its 2026–27 GroupMe is the route to updates. A club description can tell you what happens there; the join note tells you where to start.
Membership and program applications serve different purposes
Association of Chinese Americans focuses on Asian American bicultural identity through cultural, social and community projects. Its 2026–27 membership application opened September 29. Hanoolim uses a 2026–27 application for students joining the group; it also produces Korean Culture Night. For Taiwanese Student Association, the posted membership application is the way in. TASA keeps its membership application open year-round and offers a mailing list and Discord for updates.
Other forms are for a smaller role inside an association:
- KASA asks general members to complete a membership form and community agreement. Its Family Program has a separate early-fall application.
- Indian Student Union has a general membership form and newsletter; students who want its intern program apply separately.
Start with the membership route if you want to see regular events before taking on a program commitment.
Culture nights have their own signups
A show can require more planning than general club membership. Samahang Pilipino's cultural night brings performers and behind-the-scenes committees to Royce Hall, while its general membership stays open. Vietnamese Student Union lists applications for dance, drama cast and general staff for its January 17, 2027 culture night at Royce Hall. Its newsletter covers other events, so you can follow the union without joining the production.
United Khmer Students uses a mailing list and Messenger group for events. Its culture night interest form and 2026–27 internship application are separate. Nigerian Students Association describes a community centered on Nigerian culture and issues; the tryouts GroupMe on its page is specifically for its dance team. If a performance is your reason for joining, check the production form and its date before relying on the general club channel.
Identity spaces offer different kinds of participation
ShaQTI holds events and meetings for South Asian LGBTQ+ students and allies and says all students are welcome. Its application is for the leadership team. Transgender UCLA Pride is a social space for trans, nonbinary and gender-questioning undergraduates and graduate students, with mentorship and advocacy branches. Message its Instagram account for meeting details and the group chat. Lavender Alliance serves LGBTQ+ students and others of Chinese descent or from Greater China; it asks prospective members to fill out a member application.
If you would rather make something, OutWrite publishes queer voices and offers both a mailing list and a guest submission form. La Gente covers issues affecting Latine communities and takes staff through a fall UCLA Student Media application. Pacific Ties covers news, opinion, arts and culture relevant to APIDA communities. Contributors can apply through its site or submit work directly. Reading an issue before applying will give you a better sense of the work each publication wants.
Transfer and international students have their own starting points
Transfer Leadership Coalition brings transfer organizations, campus leaders and allies together to share information and advocate for transfer students. Its meetings, about four per quarter, are open to all transfer students. TransferMed supports pre-health transfers with guidance on clinical exposure, research and academic planning. It recruits at the start of each quarter through an info session and written application; its interest form sends recruitment updates.
Chinese Union describes airport pickups, phone and bank setup, and freshman chats for international students adjusting to a new city. Singapore Students' Association holds weekly casual gatherings and cultural events for Singaporeans and interested students. Its membership-card form and mailing list are clear ways to connect. These groups solve different first-quarter problems, so start with the one whose regular activity you would use.
This week is for ordinary meetings
- Pick a regular activity. Choose a general meeting, publication or social group you would return to after the first event. Check its club page for the current form or chat.
- Keep general membership and special roles separate. A culture night, intern program or dance team can have its own signup. Put that deadline on your calendar if it is the part you want.
- Try the ordinary meeting. Ask what members do between major events and where new people get updates. A normal week tells you more about the commitment than a showcase does.