What kind of students 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?

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 do UC schools not look at?

Test Scores Section

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 grades do UC schools 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 9% UC rule?

The updated Statewide Index is used to determine eligibility for the statewide guarantee. 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 The UC Schools Are Looking For (An Ex-UCLA Admissions Officer Tells All)

Do UC schools care about class rank?

Class rank from the high school is not used at all for UC admissions. UC ELC “top 9%” is based on the student's UC-recalculated HS GPA >= a benchmark UC-recalculated HS GPA determined for the student's high school based on a recent previous class.

Can I get into a UC with a 3.6 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 UCLA with a 3.5 GPA?

Academic Preparation

The average GPA of admitted transfer students is above 3.5 and admitted students have completed most or all major preparatory courses. We give highest priority to applicants from California community colleges and other UC campuses. UCLA admits students for fall quarter only.

Do UC's accept D's?

Grades of D

A grade of D (including plus/minus) in a transferable course will count toward the number of transferable units you have completed. However, you must earn a grade of C or better when completing the seven-course pattern. And, in most cases, grades of D do not satisfy major or general education requirements.

Do 9th grade grades matter for UC?

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.

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.

Do UC schools look at 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.

Which UC has the least students?

UC Merced is the smallest, with about 8,000 undergraduate students.

Do UC schools look at 12th grade grades?

Even though the UCs won't use your senior-year grades to determine your acceptance, you will report your 12th grade classes and the UCs want to know that you'll continue to challenge yourself--that you're not just hoping to sail through 12th grade with easy classes.

Do UC schools 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 ...

Which UC is easier to get into?

Which UC school is easiest 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.

Will one C affect college?

Will one “C” ruin my GPA in high school? While receiving a “C” will impact your GPA, it will certainly not ruin it. That “C” won't ruin your chances of getting into college either. However, how leniently colleges view the “C” will largely depend on what grade you received it in.

Do UC's look at extracurricular activities?

Almost anything you do outside of the classroom can count as an extracurricular activity so Recreational sports can be listed. The UC's aren't looking for particular activities. Rather, they are looking for commitment and accomplishment in your activities.

What GPA does UC look at?

The minimum GPA to be considered for undergraduate, first-year admission to a UC is a 3.0 for California students and a 3.4 for out-of-state students. Any applications with GPAs below those will not be considered.

Can I get into UCLA with 3 B's?

You might find yourself asking – “What GPA do you need to get into UCLA?” UCLA candidates must additionally meet the UCLA GPA requirements for admission in-state. Students must have a 3.0 GPA or higher, while out-of-state students must have a 3.4 GPA or greater.

Does UC look at freshman grades?

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.

What is the lowest GPA UCLA will accept?

Grade-Point Average Requirement

California residents are eligible for admission to the University of California with a 3.0 grade-point average; nonresidents are eligible with a 3.4 GPA.

Does UC look at weighted or unweighted GPA?

UC's mostly use your weighted capped GPA but they will look at your unweighted GPA. (If you have more questions or need clarifications ask down below in the comments). For context, I applied as a sociology major. I also completed 6/8 of the AP courses offered at my school, and took 8 honors courses.

Can I get into a UC with a 3.9 GPA?

The recommended GPA requirements to get into Berkeley are between 3.90 and 4.0. You will need a very high GPA and will likely be graduating in the top 10% of your class in order to get into UC Berkeley.

Can I go to Harvard with a 3.6 GPA?

Of course it's possible. The mean HS GPA of admitted students to Harvard is never a 4.0. You must prepare a strong enough outlier application to win admission, strong enough to beat 24 other applicants out of 25.