What are the UC's looking for in applicants?

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 ...

What do UC schools look for the most?

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.

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.

What kind of students does UC want?

We look for persistence, passion, and a desire to give back. It doesn't matter whether you're the first in your family to attend college or you're the latest in a long tradition of educational excellence: You stand up and you stand out. Keep in mind that at Berkeley we receive far more applications than we can admit.

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.

73 Questions With A Former IVY LEAGUE ADMISSIONS OFFICER | New York Times Published Author

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.

Which UC is hardest to get into?

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.

What are the easiest UC to get into?

UC Merced, with an acceptance rate of 87%, is the easiest UC school to get into. It's the UC system's newest campus, offering 25 majors and 18 graduate programs. Its three schools focus on engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and art.

What are UC schools looking for in essays?

The UC application essays are your way to give admissions staff a sense of your personality, your perspective on the world, and some of the experiences that have made you into who you are. The idea is to share the kinds of things that don't end up on your transcript.

Which UC is the most applied to?

UCLA is the most applied to school in the US because it has one of the most recognizable brand names in the world. UCLA symbolizes top notch academics and athletics and also has a beautiful campus.

Do UC schools look at recommendations?

UC does not require (nor read) letters of recommendation at the time of application. A campus may ask for them later as part of a supplemental review, so be sure to check your email.

Why is it so hard to get into UCs?

Why Are the UC Schools Hard to Get Into? Admission to UC schools is competitive and for good reason: students flock to the UCs because of their high rankings and exceptional academic quality.

Do UC schools look at common app?

The University of California (UC) schools are often dream universities for many students aspiring to pursue further education in the United States. Unlike the majority of US institutions, UC schools do not do not use the Common App, but instead have their own application system!

What is the top 9 guarantee at UC?

All seniors graduating from California high schools who are in the top 9% statewide will be guaranteed acceptance to one UC campus (Merced).

Do UC schools look at legacy?

Do the UCs look at legacy status? So here's the thing, no. They say very clearly: “Per long-established UC Regents policy, UC forbids legacy admissions and does not grant preferential admission to the children of alumni or donors.”

What do UCs care about the most?

While academic achievement is the most important criterion the UCs consider, majority of the UCs also pay attention to applicant achievements outside of the classroom. Given how competitive the top UCs are, extracurricular activities are also a way for you to distinguish yourself from other highly qualified applicants.

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.

Do essays matter for UC?

So, what's the takeaway here for you, a future UC applicant? Simple: the essays matter more than ever before. Your writing will be your main opportunity to differentiate yourself from swarms of other well-qualified applicants.

Can I get into a UC with a C?

To meet minimum admission requirements, you must complete 15 yearlong high school courses with a letter grade of C or better — at least 11 of them prior to your last year of high school.

Which UC is least competitive?

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.

Can you get into a UC with one C?

GPA requirement

In order to be considered for admission, applicants must have earned a minimum GPA of 3.0 (3.4 for nonresidents) in all A-G courses completed in grades 10 and 11, with no grade lower than a C.

Which UC is the cheapest?

Which UC school is most affordable? UC Merced is the cheapest UC school. Students paid an average annual net price of $13,549 in 2021-2022 at UC Merced, according to NCES. In contrast, the most expensive UC school is UC Berkeley, which charged an average annual net price of $19,257 that same year.

What grades matter for UC?

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 ...

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.