Does Common App not have UC schools?

Yes, University of California (UC) (UC) schools do not use the Common App; they have their own distinct, centralized application portal, the UC Application, where you can apply to multiple campuses with one submission. This separate platform, ApplyUC, handles applications for all nine undergraduate UC campuses, offering a streamlined way to apply to the system.

Are UC schools on the 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!

Why is UCLA not on the Common App?

Hello! To answer your question, no, UCLA does not accept the Common Application. UCLA is part of the University of California (UC) system, and all schools within this system use a separate application platform known as the UC Application. While this may seem inconvenient if you were hoping to use the Common App for all.

Why can't I find UC Berkeley on the Common App?

Unlike many schools in the US, UC Berkeley does not allow students to apply using the CommonApp. Instead, students must apply through the University of California application.

Which schools do not accept the Common App?

Some major universities that don't use the Common App include the University of California (UC) system (UCLA, Berkeley), California State University (CSU) system (SDSU), and MIT, often using their own portals like Cal State Apply or individual websites, while schools like Georgetown and some religious/military colleges also have separate systems, so always check each college's application page directly. 

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Where do top 1% send kids to college?

The "top 1%" of students, referring to those from the highest income brackets, tend to attend elite universities like MIT, Harvard, Stanford, Princeton, and Yale that consistently rank high in national and global lists, with some even having more students from the top 1% income bracket than the bottom 60% combined, according to The New York Times data. Top-ranked institutions like MIT, Princeton, Harvard, and Stanford are frequent top contenders in various 2026 rankings from U.S. News & World Report and Times Higher Education. 

What is the #1 hardest college to get into?

There isn't one single #1 hardest school, as it changes slightly by year and criteria, but Harvard University, Stanford University, MIT, and Caltech consistently rank among the top with extremely low acceptance rates (often 3-4%) and intense competition for spots, though other top global universities like Oxford and Tsinghua are also incredibly selective. Harvard is frequently cited as the hardest due to its high volume of applications and focus on global leadership potential, while Caltech is known for its extreme difficulty in STEM. 

Is UCLA not #1 anymore?

Yes, UCLA is no longer the #1 public university, losing the top spot to UC Berkeley in the 2026 U.S. News & World Report rankings after holding it for eight years; it's now ranked #2 among public schools and #17 overall nationally. The change comes as UC Berkeley took the #1 public university title, with both universities still highly ranked among all national institutions.
 

Why is UCSD not on the Common App?

Unfortunately for applicants, the University of California does not host applications on the Common App or the Coalition App. California has always done things its own way, like going test blind for the foreseeable future, so it isn't surprising that the California state schools have a different application system.

Is UCB or UCLA harder to get into?

UCLA is generally considered harder to get into than UC Berkeley due to having a lower overall acceptance rate and receiving more applications, making it the most selective UC, though both are extremely competitive and depend heavily on your major and profile. While UCLA often requires higher stats (especially GPA), Berkeley can be very competitive for specific programs like Engineering or Business, but might be slightly more holistic overall. 

What UC is easiest to get into?

The easiest University of California (UC) to get into, based on acceptance rates, is typically UC Merced, often exceeding 80-90%, followed by UC Riverside, UC Santa Cruz, and UC Davis, which generally have higher acceptance rates than the more competitive UCLA or UC Berkeley. These campuses offer more accessibility while still providing quality education within the UC system. 

Can a 3.7 GPA get you into UCLA?

Grade Point Average (GPA) The average GPA for admitted students at UCLA is an impressive 3.9 (unweighted), with the middle 50% of admitted students falling within a GPA range of 3.7 to 4.0. This statistic highlights the necessity for prospective students to maintain strong academic performance throughout high school.

What does 4 fingers mean for UCLA?

For UCLA, "4 fingers" or "Fours Up" is a hand signal representing the four letters in U-C-L-A, symbolizing school pride, victory, and the famous "8-clap" cheer (four fingers on each hand adding up to eight). It's used by athletes, fans, and recruits to show spirit, often after wins, and is synonymous with "Go Bruins!".
 

What is the 9% rule for UC?

The UC's 9% rule refers to two guarantee programs for top-performing California resident high school graduates: the Statewide Guarantee (top 9% statewide via a specific index) and the Local Guarantee (ELC) (top 9% in their specific high school). California residents in either group are guaranteed a space at a UC campus (though not necessarily their first choice) if they meet all requirements and space is available, with the index considering UC GPA and A-G course completion.
 

What are the big 3 UC schools?

Three University of California (UC) campuses are UC Berkeley, UCLA (Los Angeles), and UC San Diego, with other major ones including UC Davis, UC Irvine, UC Santa Barbara, UC Santa Cruz, UC Riverside, UC Merced, and the graduate-only UC San Francisco. These campuses offer diverse academic programs and unique campus cultures across California, from the Bay Area (Berkeley) to Southern California (UCLA, UCSD).
 

Is UC Davis not on the Common App?

Students can apply to all 9 of the undergraduate UCs, including UC Berkeley, UC Davis, UC Irvine, UCLA, UC Merced, UC Riverside, UC San Diego, UC Santa Barbara, and UC Santa Cruz. There is no application fee to use the Common App platform.

What are the top 3 hardest majors?

While subjectivity plays a role, Medicine, Engineering (especially Aerospace, Chemical, Biomedical), and Physics/Mathematics consistently rank among the top 3 hardest majors due to intense workloads, complex problem-solving, deep analytical skills, and demanding coursework, often involving advanced concepts in math, science, and critical thinking, with Chemistry and Architecture also frequently cited. 

Which school is harder to get into, UCSD or UCSB?

Based on recent acceptance rates, UCSD has historically been slightly harder to get into than UCSB, though both are very competitive UC schools, with UCSD often hovering around a ~27-30% acceptance rate and UCSB slightly higher, closer to ~30-33%. However, the difficulty can vary by major and year, and both require strong applications with excellent grades, test scores (if submitted), and extracurriculars to stand out. 

Is UCLA as prestigious as Berkeley?

Both UCLA and UC Berkeley are highly prestigious, but Berkeley often edges out UCLA in global research rankings, while UCLA frequently leads in U.S. national rankings for undergraduate experience and social mobility, creating a dynamic rivalry where prestige depends on the specific metric and field. Berkeley is often seen as having stronger research heft and engineering/STEM programs, while UCLA is praised for its vibrant student life and strong undergraduate focus, though both are considered top-tier public universities. 

What is the #1 university in California?

There isn't one single "number 1" university in California, as rankings vary, but Stanford University consistently ranks highest overall (private), while the University of California, Berkeley (UC Berkeley) is often named the top public university, closely followed by UCLA, with Caltech also a top contender. Stanford and Caltech are private powerhouses, while UC Berkeley and UCLA lead the public sector, with UCSD, UCSB, and others also highly ranked. 

What is the hardest program to get into at UCLA?

The hardest programs to get into at UCLA consistently include Nursing, Computer Science (within Engineering), Aerospace Engineering, and Film and Television, often having single-digit acceptance rates due to extremely high applicant numbers and limited spots, with Nursing frequently cited as the most difficult overall. 

What is the #1 party school?

For 2026, the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB), is widely ranked as the #1 party school by sources like Niche, based on student surveys about campus party scenes, access to nightlife, and Greek life, followed by schools like Florida State and Tulane. Other strong contenders often mentioned include the University of Wisconsin-Madison, USC, and the University of Alabama, with rankings varying slightly by publication and criteria.
 

Where do the 1% go to college?

The 1% of the wealthiest Americans disproportionately attend highly selective, elite universities, particularly Ivy League schools (Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Dartmouth, Brown, Penn, Columbia) and other top institutions like MIT, Stanford, Duke, and UChicago, where they make up a large percentage of the student body, often outnumbering students from the bottom 60% of income earners combined. Liberal arts colleges and prestigious public universities also attract many wealthy students, with specific examples including WashU St. Louis, UVA, UCLA, UC Berkeley, Vanderbilt, and Johns Hopkins.
 

What college is 100% acceptance rate?

Yes, many colleges have a 100% acceptance rate, often through open admissions policies, meaning they accept all applicants who meet basic requirements, including many community colleges, specialized career schools, and some online or regional universities like Broward College, Empire State University (SUNY), University of Maryland Global Campus, and Utah Valley University, though availability and specific programs vary. These institutions guarantee admission for qualified applicants, focusing on accessibility, with some examples including Delta State University, Montana State University Billings, and the Academy of Art University.