UC Application Verification
Sounds like the UC Application verification requests went out earlier this week. UCs should be notifying applicants using multiple methods (email and postal mail, plus text message if the applicant opted in on the application) to ensure receipt of the request. Typically all of the requests go out on the same day, so dig around the email account you used for the UC Application (double check your spam folder and other locations, such as the Promotions tab for Gmail), keep an eye on your mailbox, and look through your text messages from unknown senders.
Below is the official information regarding the application verification from the UC Counselors and Advisers Bulletin – December 2023:
UC application verification
As in previous years, UC selects a random sampling of applicants who are required to verify information in their application. The selection and notification take place in mid-December. Applicants are notified by postal mail, email and text message that they have been selected for verification along with instructions on how to meet the requirements. Applicants are asked to provide original documentation to verify one item from the following sections on the UC application: academic history, honors and awards, extracurricular activities, volunteer work and community service, special program participation, employment or information contained in the personal insight responses.
The instructions sent to the selected applicants detail how to complete the process as well as a list of appropriate documentation. Appropriate documentation could include official transcripts, a letter from a teacher, counselor or coach on letterhead or a copy of a certificate or award. Letters from a counselor, teacher or a coach can be emailed to the UC Application Center directly from the counselor, teacher or coach. The deadline to respond is January 31, 2024. Failure to respond to the request by the deadline will result in cancellation of the application.
According to one source from 2010 (includes description of the verification process), verification requests go out to approximately 1% of the applicant pool (randomly selected freshman and transfer applicants).
If you receive a request, respond before the stated deadline; not responding will cause you to be rejected by all UCs. Carefully review the instructions for examples of acceptable verification documents. If you cannot provide proof for the selected item, choose “unable to verify” and offer a clear explanation of the reason(s). If the explanation is deemed acceptable, the UCs will choose a different item to verify.
The verification process does NOT delay review of your UC Application. Your application is being reviewed separately by each UC campus. The verification results are checked before admission decisions are released.
Remember that this is a data verification request; anything that can definitively prove your participation will do (within the parameters of the instructions). There’s no need to go out of your way to get glowing recommendation letters since the people reviewing the verification forms do NOT make admission decisions.
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