What extracurricular activities do UCs look for?

The top UC schools care about all extracurriculars or activities defined as those outside the classroom, including, but not limited to volunteering, sports, clubs, research, games such as chess or even poker, student competitions like Robotics or Science Bowl, gaming, religion and clubs or events, instruments, hobbies, ...

What do UCs look 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 ...

How much do UCs care about extracurriculars?

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 I fill out all 20 UC activities?

It's not necessary to fill in all 20 spots in the UC activities and awards section, but it's best to include as many as possible that are relevant, meaningful and important to you. The UC schools don't have preferences for any particular type or category of activity or award they are looking for.

Can you get into a UC without extracurriculars?

If you are unable to participate in extracurricular activities related to your major due to issues such as the need to work full-time to support yourself or your family, or hardships that restrict your ability or schedule, make sure you explain your situation in the UC Application and find other ways to show your ...

The Extracurricular Activities that Top Colleges Do/Don't Want to See

What do UC schools not look at?

No, the UCs do not look at your freshman year grades. In fact, the UCs use their own GPA system, aptly called “UC GPA,” that only includes sophomore and junior year grades.

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.

Is 10 activities enough for UC application?

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.

Can I put babysitting on my UC application?

Extracurriculars that you include on your application should be an important part of how you spend your time; if you spend 10-15 hours babysitting each week, it will look really good on your application. Admissions officers will see that you maintained your grades while showing up to your babysitting commitments.

Should I include PE in UC application?

Do not include non-academic courses, such as PE or health. High school courses must be completed with a letter grade of C or better (a grade of C- is acceptable and calculated as a C).

Is 7 extracurriculars enough?

How Many “Normal” Activities Should Students Have? The Goldilocks “just right” number of activities is 5 or 6. This is a good amount because it's achievable for most students without being overwhelming.

Do UCS care about volunteering?

The UC application evaluates students based on their achievement in special projects, leadership, and unique talents. They do not evaluate students based on how many community service hours they complete. Some kids love volunteering and develop long-term connections to one or two organizations in their community.

What happens if your extracurriculars don't match your major?

No, extracurricular activities(ECs) do not need to be related to your major or even to each other. They're based on your interests, and there's nothing wrong in having diverse interests.

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.

What do UCs care about 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.

Do UCs consider senior year grades?

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.

Do chores count as extracurricular activities?

So family responsibilities can be an EC but normal chores such as doing dishes every night isn't an EC.

Does the order of activities on UC app matter?

order of activities matter”. the activity is best suited. campus is using, it may rearrange the activities and awards differently from how your 6 Page 7 student chose to enter the information.

Is taking care of siblings an extracurricular activity?

Also, keep in mind that colleges understand when you have home and family responsibilities, and these also belong on the Activities list on your application. If you spend your afternoon taking care of your siblings or your grandparents or you have to help your parents in their business, list it. That counts.

How many essays do you write for UC app?

The Requirements: 4 out of 8 essays, 350 words each. The UC application sounds like a riddle. Every student must write four essays, but choose from eight prompts. The rules may be unfamiliar, but the game is the same: tell admissions something they don't know – and then do it three more times!

Is a club an extracurricular activity?

The good news is that almost anything you are productively involved in outside of the classroom can be considered an extracurricular activity. According to the Common App, extracurricular activities “include arts, athletics, clubs, employment, personal commitments, and other pursuits.”

How much do UC essays matter?

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.

What is the hardest UC to get?

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 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.