University of California Admissions Requirements

The University of California's nine undergraduate campuses utilize a common application. (UC San Francisco is for graduate students only.)

https://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/

Applications can be submitted between November 1 and November 30 each year (no exceptions), but students can begin working on their application as early as August.  A student can apply for as many campuses as they like with this one application (a charge applies for each campus, however).  Personal statements are required, but letters of recommendation not.  In some situations, UC Berkeley has asked for selected students to provide a letter after the application process is completed.  Campuses will not otherwise accept letters of recommendation.  RHS recommends launching your application through CaliforniaColleges.edu. Step-by-step directions are on this link. For help with your UC essays, check out the following link with helpful information:

• University of California Essay Prompts and Directions
• How to Write Great UC Essays (Examples of All Personal Insight Questions Included) — Shemmassian Academic Consulting

Click here for the minimum admissions requirements to the UC campuses.  Please note: These campuses are highly competitive schools. Students are unlikely to be admitted with the minimum requirements.  The most desired schools consistently average over a 4.0 GPA with SAT freshman acceptance.   In general, students should be in the top 9% of their graduating class, involved in their community and school, and take rigorous courses throughout high school, including their senior year.  Your counselor can help you map out an Academic Four-Year Plan to be prepared for UC Admissions. The following is a link to the Freshman Admit Data for each UC Campus: Fall 2022 UC Admissions Data.

The UC system is no longer requiring or considering SAT and ACT scores in admissions.  Scores may be used in course placement once admitted, however. Click here for SAT and ACT links.