How do I get a good UC application?

Your extracurriculars are another important part of your UC application. The key to strong extracurriculars is to emphasize your passion and leadership skills. You can do this by pursuing extracurriculars in a field related to your future major, sticking with them, and achieving leadership roles in them.

How can I increase my chances of getting into a UC?

Get good grades in those hard classes. You don't have to be perfect, but you will need to do well. We've seen students with C's or even a D get into Berkeley, but it's the exception that proves the rule. You should strive to do as well as possible, starting in 9th grade.

What looks good on a UC application?

Special talents, achievements and awards in a particular field, such as visual and performing arts, communication or athletic endeavors; special skills, such as demonstrated written and oral proficiency in other languages; special interests, such as intensive study and exploration of other cultures; experiences that ...

How to prepare for UC application?

What is the biggest factor in UC admission?

Academic grade point average in all completed A-G courses, including additional points for completed UC-certified honors courses. Your grades are the most important thing the UCs consider when it comes to your application.

University of California Admission Tips!

What do UC schools look for in essays?

Keep in mind

It's about getting to know your personality, background, interests and achievements in your own unique voice. Use the additional comments field if there are issues you'd like to address that you didn't have the opportunity to discuss elsewhere on the application.

Which UC is the easiest to get into?

Most likely, they're offered a place at Merced or Riverside, the easiest of the UCs to get into and the ones with the lowest enrollment rates — in 2022, 92% of in-state applicants to Merced were admitted, but just 1 in 10 accepted a spot.

Do UC schools look at Common App essay?

The UCs don't ask you to share your Common App essay but honestly, this question is pretty much the same as prompt 7 on the Common App. This essay is much shorter, however, most students can utilize their Common App essay here.

What GPA does UC look at?

California applicants must earn at least a 3.0 GPA and nonresidents must earn a minimum 3.4 GPA in all A-G or college-preparatory courses to meet this requirement.

How many essays do you write for UC application?

The University of California application allows candidates to apply to all UC campuses at once and consists of eight essay prompts—more commonly known as the “Personal Insight Questions.” Applicants must choose FOUR of these questions to answer and are given a total of 350 words to answer each question.

What do UC schools not look at?

UCs do look at courses you take in freshman and senior years; the grades and rigor of your coursework are considered in context of your overall curriculum. But freshman and senior year grades are NOT included in the GPA calculation. UC-approved Honors, AP, IB and community college courses are weighted.

Which UC is prettiest?

Which UC campus is the nicest? Four UC schools made California.com's most beautiful college campuses list. These include UCLA, UCSC, UCSB, and UC Berkeley. Each offers a unique setting, from redwood forests to breathtaking ocean views, stand-out architecture, and impressive gardens.

How do you make a UC essay stand out?

Having driven, goal-oriented, and passionate students is a huge plus for a university. So if this is you, be sure that your essay conveys not just your interest but also your deep and abiding love of the subject. Maybe even include any related clubs, activities, and hobbies that you've done during high school.

What is the UC 9 rule?

The Statewide Index identifies California-resident students in the top 9 percent of California high school graduates and offers these students a guaranteed space at a UC campus, if space is available.

Does UC look at senior grades?

UCs do look at the courses you take in senior year and take the rigor into consideration when evaluating you for admission; but as long as you maintain satisfactory grades (typically an unweighted B average, with no non-passing grades, is sufficient), your performance in your senior year courses will NOT affect your ...

What is the hardest UC to get into ranked?

The three most difficult schools to get into — UCLA, UC Berkeley and UC Irvine — also have the highest enrollment rates, which is defined as the percentage of admitted students who chose to attend the school.

Do UC schools look at 9th grade grades?

The UCs look at your GPA starting from the summer after freshman year to the summer after junior year, so no freshman or senior grades are part of this grade calculation.

Do UC's accept D's?

You can graduate with Ds, but you cannot go to college with Ds. Colleges will give you ZERO credit for the class, just like you got an F. This is true no matter what the class is, even if it is not a required class.

Can I get into UCLA with a 3.5 GPA?

Academic Preparation

The average GPA of admitted transfer students is above 3.5 and admitted students have completed most or all major preparatory courses. We give highest priority to applicants from California community colleges and other UC campuses. UCLA admits students for fall quarter only.

Should UC essays be straightforward?

However, it's worth reiterating: keep your writing straightforward in the PIQs. The UCs themselves say, “We want to hear the students' everyday voice [using] language that reflects who they are.” As you revise, focus on clarity. Ask your coaches or reviewers where you're writing is confusing.

Are UC essays more direct?

The writing task for UC essays is simpler and more direct, so it's a perfect starting place. Additionally, students are in a better place developmentally to write the Personal Statement in August than in June. The summer before senior year is a time when students' brains are growing.

What should you avoid in UC PIQ?

Keep it professional. Watch your grammar. Don't use slang or make puns, don't abbreviate words and don't use acronyms. Avoid using shortcuts you would use while texting, and don't ever use hashtags.

What is the most popular major at UC?

What is the lowest GPA UC will accept?

The minimum GPA to be considered for undergraduate, first-year admission to a UC is a 3.0 for California students and a 3.4 for out-of-state students. Any applications with GPAs below those will not be considered.

Which UC has the least students?

UC Merced, which opened in 2005, is the newest of the UC campuses and has the smallest enrollment. It has around 8,000 undergraduates. UCLA, which has the largest undergraduate enrollment, has over 30,000.