UC Admissions: Breaking down the fun fact
by: Claresta Audrey Tjandra
The University of California, or as known as UC is a group of highly prestigious public research universities in California. Established in 1869, UC has grown to include over 280,000 students and 227,000 staff and faculty members. Is attending one of the UC Schools your dream? If that's the case, be ready to explore what it takes to get into the most prestigious UC schools. Check out these pointers to save yourself a seat at one of the well-regarded UC campuses by nailing the admissions!
All-in-one application
With their own application system, My UC Application, you can apply to all nine UC schools. This means that when applying to UC Schools, you won't need the Common App.
Be aware that for every UC school you apply to requires its own $80 application fee.
Each school to which you apply considers your application independently, therefore the decision of one school will have no influence on the decision of another. Each campus will assess your application without knowing the status of your application at other campuses.
Standardized-test-blind approach
The University of California Board of Regents unanimously decided in May 2020 to no longer require the ACT and SAT as part of admissions and scholarships applications up until Fall 2023. Simply put, your ACT or SAT scores will not be required to submit.
The decision has been in the works for years, with the goal of improving the fairness of the admissions process for students. However, test scores may be used for reasons other than admissions, such as course placement, but only after you have enrolled in a UC school.
A UC-specific standardized test is now in development, and it is possible that it will replace ACT and SAT scores after 2025, but this has yet to be confirmed.
Broad academic areas
At the UC campuses, STEM, the humanities, and the social sciences are all considered as strong fields. Nevertheless, the nine UC campuses provide over 850 degree programs and 160 academic areas, so any major you choose is likely to be offered at one of the UCs.
Each UC school has its unique set of academic strengths. For instance, UCLA is known for its Psychology program, while UC Berkeley, home of 10 Nobel Laureates, excels in their STEM programs. UC Riverside, which is ranked 88th in the US News & World Report 2021, has one of the most prestigious entomology and agriculture departments. UC Santa Cruz, on the other hand, boasts one of the best marine biology programs in the US.
Easiest UC School to get into
Founded in 2005, UC Merced is the easiest UC School to get into. You can get into the first American research university of the 21st century with an acceptance rate of 72%. As it is still a newer school, UC Merced has a much smaller enrollment than other UC Schools.
With a 57% acceptance rate, UC Riverside ranks second as the easiest UC School to get into. It is also noted for being a very diverse school that welcomes all students.
Hardest UC School to get into
UC Berkeley and UCLA are the most competitive of the UC colleges, with acceptance rates well below 20%. Both campuses are the most selective and well-respected of the nine UC campuses.
Despite the low acceptance rate, there are a number of solid reasons to apply. One of them is the location, with Berkley standing about a 20-minute drive from San Francisco while UCLA lying in the heart of Los Angeles. With these prime locations, students could gain greater access to a number of internships and job opportunities.
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