The schools of the University of California are widely recognised as among the greatest public universities in the country.
The Regents of the University of California, a 26-member group established by the California Constitution, oversee the UCs. While each University of California campus is distinct and has its own personality, they all provide many of the same benefits. They’re all well-regarded, selective, research-oriented universities because they’re part of the UC system. STEM, the humanities, and the social sciences are all areas where they excel. UC students are also varied and welcoming of differences. The most prestigious and well-regarded of the UC colleges are UC Berkeley and UCLA.
UC Merced is not attempting to compete directly with the other UC schools. It’s the newest UC campus, with a much smaller student body than the others.
Make sure you fill out the application correctly when you’re applying to one or more of the UC schools. There is a lot to know about the UC application, from the time that you decide to apply to one of the UC schools, until the time that you submit your final application component.
Find out when the most crucial UC application deadline is, which documents you must provide to complete your application, if you need to submit a separate application for each UC school, and how to make sure every component of your application sets you apart from the crowd in this guide!
COVID-19 Changes at the University of California
The University of California system declared that during the Fall 2020 semester, approximately all of its classes would be virtual due to the coronavirus. Nursing students and students who need to do lab work as part of their degree requirements would be the only possible exceptions.
In May 2020, the University of California Board of Regents unanimously decided to eliminate the ACT and SAT from admissions applications. The decision was taken in part because of the coronavirus pandemic, but the modifications will last long after the outbreak has passed. Here’s how the changes will be rolled out:
- When giving Regents or Government’s scholarships, SAT and ACT exam scores will not be taken into account. As of right now, it appears that this alteration will last beyond the COVID-19 epidemic.
- UC will become a test-blind institution for California students in the fall of 2022 and 2023. This implies that your ACT or SAT results will not be considered by the admissions committee. Test scores may, however, be sought for reasons other than admissions, such as assessing scholarship eligibility and selecting which classes a student should enrol in.
- The ACT and SAT will be phased out for all California students beginning in Fall 2024. Instead, students will take a UC-specific standardised exam.
However, foreign and out-of-state students are anticipated to remain test-optional until at least 2024, and any choices made beyond that will be made at a later date.
Important Information for Applicants to the University of California
It’s critical to learn crucial details regarding the UC application as soon as possible so that you have enough time to gather and submit all of the necessary paperwork before the deadlines.
- Application for University of California: University of California application UC application (universityofcalifornia.edu) (Click here for the application). So if you’re looking for an application for UC Berkeley, UC Davis, etc., you’ll find it here.
- You may submit your application by clicking the “Submit” button at the end of your application after you’ve finished it. You must transmit SAT/ACT results directly to the UC school(s) that you are applying to.
- If you miss a deadline, your application may not be considered. Examine the dates and deadlines:
Read More About Dates and deadlines | Dates & deadlines | UC Admissions (universityofcalifornia.edu)
How to Apply to the University of California (UC) Schools
Application to UC colleges involves five basic phases. Starting your application as early as August 1 will provide you more time to complete all steps and less pressure to make the deadline. Since all UC schools use the same application, the steps are the same regardless of which UC school you’re applying to (and you only need to submit one application, even if you apply to multiple UC schools).
The first step is to sign up for an account
It is the first step in the process of applying to UC schools. Apply now | UC Admissions (universityofcalifornia.edu). This stage will just take a few minutes because you only need to fill out general information like your email, name, and whether you’re applying as a beginner or a graduate student.
The second step is to fill up the UC application
After establishing an account, you’ll be sent directly to the application’s commencement. Application to the University of California includes sections such as:
- Your background and demographic questions which includes your date of birth and contact information, the language(s) you speak, the family income, and if you qualify as a California resident.
- Colleges and Majors, this is your choice of the school(s) you wish to attend. It’s possible to apply to as many or as few of the nine UC schools listed below, including all nine. Keep in mind, however, that each UC school you apply to will charge you a separate cost of $70.
$80 for international students.
Here are the UC schools:
- UC Berkeley
- UC Davis
- UC Irvine
- UC Los Angeles
- UC Merced
- UC Riverside
- UC Santa Barbara
- UC Santa Cruz
- UC San Diego
Selecting a major is the next step in the process. Because UC schools have significantly varied majors, you’ll need to do this for each school separately if you’re applying to more than one UC school. The “alternative major” option is available at some schools if your first choice of major is not available on that campus.
- History of academics as part of this section, you’ll need to list your high school(s), any classes you took, whether they were honours or AP, and the grade you received. It’s a lot like filling out a transcript with all of your information.
- Test scores -In this section, you’ll input your test scores for any standardised tests you’ve taken. In the same vein, test results are now optional for University of California schools, but they will still be reviewed if you submit them. You should only report your highest overall score from a single test date, if you enter test scores. Your application’s test score section will also inquire about AP, IB and TOEFL examinations, as well as IELTS and other international tests on separate pages.
- Activities & Recognition All of the activities outside of class will be discussed in this section.
There are six different types of categories:
- Educational preparation programme
- Awards
- Volunteering/community service
- Extracurricular activities
- Other coursework
- Relevant work experience
The app explains which activities belong in which categories, so you don’t have to worry about having enough activities to fill all of them, or even most of them. You can add up to five different classes/activities/jobs/awards/etc. to each category.
- Programs & Scholarships
You’ll pick your eligibility for many scholarship categories, such as ethnicity, career plans, and job experience, in this part.
- Personal Reflections
In this area, you’ll answer the questions about your personal statement. Four of the eight questions in the personal statement must be answered. There should be a minimum of 250-350 words each response.
The third step is to pay the application fee and submit your application to the school
In order to submit your application, you must do it between November 1 and 30. In order to submit your application, you’ll first need to provide some basic demographic information, including the state in which you reside legally. Once you’ve entered all of your information, you’ll review it to make sure it’s accurate. Once everything is in place, you’ll need to pay the fees associated with the project.
The fourth step consists of the following: (Optional) Your Standardized Test Scores are Due
Test scores are self-submitted when you complete your University of California application. However official score reports must be sent to each UC institution to which you’re applying. The AP exams and SAT Subject Tests are optional, but you can submit your scores if you have taken them.
If you need more information, we have tips on how to send ACT and SAT scores to institutions.
Checklist for Applicants to the University of California
To summarise, everything you need to submit when applying to a UC institution is listed here. Your application will not be evaluated until all of the items listed below have been received by the schools.
- Application fee of $70 for each school to which you apply
- (Optional) SAT/ACT results
- (Optional) Supplemental Materials
UC Admissions: What They’re Looking for and How to Impress Them
When it comes to what they look for in applications, the UC schools don’t hold back. UC applications that stand out in each of the categories are described below.
The Courses You Took
Two criteria are considered by UC admissions authorities when reviewing your transcripts: the actual courses you took and how tough they were. A UC school’s priority is to ensure that you’ve taken the courses necessary to succeed as a college student at one of their schools.
Overall, it is advisable to enrol in more classes in your intended major. This shows UC schools that you’re committed to the subject and capable of handling higher-level coursework in it by demonstrating your knowledge of it.
In addition, the University of California considers the difficulty of the classes you took. If you’re interested in a more challenging class than standard level, they’re specifically seeking for honours, AP, or IB courses.
Grades and awards
To get into a UC school, you must not only take the coursework they need, but also perform well in those classes. It’s not enough to have good marks; you also need to have an decent overall GPA. In order to get admitted to any UC campuses as a non-resident, you need to have a minimum GPA of 3.4. If you want to get into UC, you’ll want your transcript to be as good as possible with a high GPA and record of tough classes.
You’ll want to strive for the top of the GPA range for the school(s) you’re applying to.
Standards of testing
It’s worth repeating that SAT and ACT scores are now optional, but will still be taken into account in the coming years if you submit them. This means that high marks on standardised tests can still aid you in the application. However, you’ll want to strive high for the best chance of getting into UC colleges, regardless of your SAT or ACT scores.
Fourthly, extra-curricular activities
Additionally, you should consider your extracurricular activities when filling out your UC application. You must stress your passion and leadership qualities if you want to succeed in extracurricular activities.
Statement of Purpose:
The statement of purpose format is going to be a difficult task for many students. Students need to answer questions about their professional and personal experiences, as well as why they want to study abroad. They also need to explain why they chose the country they did and what they hope to gain from the experience. Your suitability for the program is not just limited to your achievements. Whether or not you have the potential to become a part of the student community plays an important role in deciding if you’ll be able to fit in at your chosen institution. To read more detailed information refer the:
Statement of Purpose (ucsd.edu)
Overview of UC Schools Applications
If you’re applying to a UC school, you need to know every step of the application process. You need to submit your transcript and any additional materials your specific school and major require. SAT and ACT scores are now optional, but for the next several years they’ll still be considered if you decide to submit them.
How can Rostrum help you?
If you want the best chance of getting into your dream UC school, your application should be as excellent as possible in each of these areas. The finest college application is one that is well-crafted.
We’re here to assist. It’s a combination of our data-driven, unique admissions techniques and the expertise of world-class admissions counsellors. There are hundreds of students we’ve helped get into their top pick colleges, including state colleges and Ivy League . We aim to help you get into the colleges of your dreams.
