What do UC schools look for?

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 they look for in the UC application?

Quality of your academic performance relative to the educational opportunities available in your high school. Outstanding performance in one or more specific subject areas. Outstanding work in one or more special projects in any academic field of study.

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 is the most important part of UC application?

Your grades and GPA are considered the most important elements of the UC application review process. For all UCs, a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required in the A-G courses for California applicants and a 3.4 minimum for non-residents.

Everything You Need to Know About the UC Schools

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 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.

What is the easiest UC school 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.

What is the lowest GPA to get into UC?

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. To see how to calculate your UC GPA, follow our instructions below.

Do UC schools look at 9th grade?

We count your total number of UC-approved A-G courses completed and in progress/planned in 9^th-12^th grade and calculate your UC GPA using the A-G courses you completed between the summer following 9^th grade and the summer following 11^th grade.

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.

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 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.

What is the UC 9 rule?

If you rank in the top 9 percent of your graduating class at a participating California high school, you will be eligible for the local guarantee.

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.

Can I get into a UC with a 3.5 GPA?

The minimum high school GPA requirement for in-state applicants is a 3.0, while it's a 3.4 for out-of-state applicants. Of the first-year students enrolled in fall 2022, 3.1% had between a 3.75 and a 4.0 GPA. UC Berkeley has a very detailed, extensive list of required high school coursework for all applicants.

Can I apply to UC with a 2.8 GPA?

You must earn at least a 2.40 GPA in your UC-transferable classes to meet UC requirements; California non-residents must earn at least a 2.80 GPA. However, UC Davis requires a minimum 2.80 GPA to be selected for admission, and many of our most popular programs may require a higher GPA.

Do UCs only look at 10 12 GPA?

What GPA do I use? For the UC's and CSU's you will use your 10-12 academic weighted GPA. For all other universities you will use your 9-12 total GPA, colleges will specify weighted or non-weighted. Where/When do I get a transcript?

Is a 3.7 UC GPA good?

A 3.7 GPA is a Grade Point Average of 3.7 on a 4.0 scale. It indicates that you've earned a predominantly A- average in your courses. A 3.7 GPA is considered to be a very good GPA and is often an indicator of strong academic performance.

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.

What is the cheapest UC school?

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 is the most popular major at UC?

Does UC care about essays?

Since there are fewer components to the application for admission, essays account for up to 35% of the admissions decision at the most competitive UCs, such as UC Berkeley and UCLA.

Do UC schools need essays?

There are eight essay prompts (called “personal insight questions”) on the UC application. UC requires students to answer four of the personal insight questions, and there's no right answer about which ones you choose. Each of the eight UC personal insight questions has a 350 word limit.

Do UC schools look at personal statement?

Most UC campuses require a personal statement in addition to a statement of purpose.