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 qualities 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 not look at?

All UC campuses other than UCSD, UCLA, and UC Merced will not consider SAT/ACT testing for admission. UCSD, UCLA, and UC Merced will be test-optional, so you can submit your scores if you choose, but it will not hurt you if you do not submit test scores.

What is the UC 9 rule?

If you rank in the top 9 percent of California students according to our updated Statewide Index you will be eligible for the Statewide Guarantee.

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 UC Berkeley receives far more applications than it can admit.

Everything You Need to Know About the UC Schools

What is 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?

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.

Do UC schools look at 9th grade GPA?

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 schools look at 9th grade?

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.

Is 10 activities enough for UC?

Compile a comprehensive list of the activities you want to include: While the Common App requires you to tailor your list to include only 10 activities, the UC application has space to list up to 20 activities and awards.

Do UC schools look at race?

Since the consideration of race in admissions was banned in California 27 years ago by Proposition 209, the University of California has adjusted its admissions practices to comply with the law while continuing to aggressively pursue avenues for increasing diverse student applications, admissions, enrollment, and ...

What do UCs care about the most?

Your grades are the most important thing the UCs consider when it comes to your application.

What is the hardest UC campus 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.

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.

Do UCs care about 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 ...

Does UCLA admit based on major?

Students are generally only evaluated for their first choice major, and must apply for a specific major. Students must have a minimum GPA of 3.2, some majors have stricter requirements. Students coming from California-based community colleges have additional resources available.

Can I get into a UC with a 3.5 GPA?

UC has a specific way to calculate the grade point average (GPA) it requires for admission. 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.

Can I get into a UC with a 3.6 GPA?

UC requires a 3.0 GPA for admission, but the lowest GPA on the Statewide Index is 3.6.

Do UC schools look at SAT?

UC will not consider SAT, ACT of SAT Subject Test scores when making admission decisions or awarding scholarships. If you choose to report test scores as part of your application, they may be used as an alternative method of fulfilling minimum requirements for eligibility or for course placement after you enroll.

Is a 3.7 GPA good in 9th grade?

A 3.7 GPA is above average, so you don't need to worry too much about improving your GPA—you should still have a good shot at getting into most schools.

Is a 2.7 GPA good in 9th grade?

Is a 2.7 GPA good? This GPA means that you've earned an average grade of a B- across all of your classes. Since a 2.7 GPA is lower than the national average of 3.0 for high school students, it will limit your options for college. 3.95% of schools have an average GPA below a 2.7.

Does UC Berkeley look at 9th grade?

Tip #3.

You should strive to do as well as possible, starting in 9th grade. The UC application formula only “counts” courses from 10th and 11th grade. But the UC's will still see your grades from 9th grade.

How do you make a UC essay stand out?

Try to think of your responses as painting a full picture of you as a person and imagine how an admissions committee member might imagine you when reading your essays. Choose to answer questions that help you stand out and provide insight into the person you will become given the opportunity to be a UC student.

Do UC essays need a hook?

Crafting a Strong Hook (but don't be too clever!)

An impactful hook is vital for any essay, and UC PIQs are no exception. A strong hook can make the difference between readers engaging with your entire essay and merely skimming through it.

Does UC care about essays?

Essays are a critical component of your application to the University of California (UC) system. Since the UC system no longer considers standardized tests, like the SAT, ACT, AP, or IB examinations, when reaching admissions decisions, there are fewer data points with which admissions officers can assess candidates.