What do UCs care about?

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 qualities do UCs 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 the UCs want to see?

Quality of your senior-year program as measured by the type and number of academic courses in progress or planned. Quality of your academic performance relative to the educational opportunities available in your high school. Outstanding performance in one or more specific subject areas.

What do the UC schools value?

What type of students do UCs want?

Identification by UC as being ranked in the top 9 percent of your high school class at the end of your junior year (Eligible in the Local Context, or ELC). Do you live in California? Did you graduate in the top 9% of your class with a GPA above 3.0? Have you completed your A-G requirements?

Everything You Need to Know About the UC Schools

Do UCs accept C grades?

You need to earn a grade of C or better in each course or a Pass (P) grade if pass is equivalent to a C (2.00).

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.

What is the hardest UC to get into?

The odds of getting into the UC system can drastically differ depending on which campuses a student applies to. UCLA and Berkeley are the most competitive campuses, with just 10% and 17% of California applicants, respectively, admitted to each in 2021.

What does top 9% mean for UC?

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 is the hardest UC to get into ranked?

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 the UCs 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.

Do UCs care a lot about essays?

Do not waste your 350 words on writing style. The UCs don't even score answers on grammar. (They do score on what you write, though, so do make sure your writing is clear and easy to understand.) Your big focus should be on the information that matters to your UC admissions readers.

How do UCs look at 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.

What do UC schools look 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 UCs give rejection letters?

Yes, they do. Once UC admissions decisions are released, you will get a status update on your applicant portal. Once you click “view status update,” it will either display an acceptance letter, a waitlist letter, or a rejection letter.

Do senior grades matter for UC?

It's crucial to maintain a consistent academic performance in grade 12 to avoid jeopardizing any potential acceptance. UC schools reserve the right to rescind an admission offer if a significant drop in your performance is observed during your senior year.

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 UCs compare you to your school?

Your 12th grade courses, and your pattern of grades over time. Any college preparatory, honors, AP, or IB courses you have taken. They also care about how well you have performed on AP or IB exams. Your achievements are compared to other applicants from your school, to help understand you in context.

What is the nicest UC?

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.

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.

What's the easiest UC to get into?

UC Merced is the easiest school to get into. It has an acceptance rate of 87%.

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.

Is 7 extracurriculars enough?

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 look at teacher recommendations?

Since UC does not accept recommendation letters, the essays are the best way for applicants to reflect on and highlight who they have become during their journey of self-discovery, what they value, why attending UC is a good fit, and how attending the institution will shape their future.

Should I fill out all 20 activities?

Answer: We don't recommend listing 20 activities just because you have the space to do so. It's most important that your activities “have meaning, illustrate interest and/or demonstrate leadership.” If you're thinking of adding an activity that doesn't clearly fit within these categories, it's best not to include it.