UC Freshman Admissions 101
Here’s a crash course on how the UCs review freshman applications (what the UCs say they want to see and what the process is like). The information is not presented in any particular order. Anything marked with * requires you to do something on the UC Application, so pay attention to those if you are applying this October/November.
All UCs are using holistic review EXCEPT Merced, Riverside, and Santa Barbara (these three campuses are using some variation/combination of quantitative and qualitative evaluation).
All applications are reviewed online. If you think the UNSOLICITED materials you mailed to the admissions office will impress (or even reach) the application readers, think again.
Each application is usually read by at least two people (students who are not UC-eligible are usually checked by one person to see if there were any application errors, additional reviews are required when scores from the application readers differ by more than a predefined value for the holistic review campuses).
Admission evaluation is contextual at ALL UC campuses, some refer to it as “individualized evaluation,” meaning you are evaluated in your own context (available opportunities, hardships, talents, family background, etc.). Every campus provides some form of contextual information to its application readers, usually including percentage of students receiving free lunch at your school (signifies socioeconomic status of your community); average GPA range of, number of AP/Honors/A-G courses completed by, and percentage of passed AP exams by past applicants from your school (historical data/trends); number of A-G courses offered at your school (available opportunities), etc.
* You should explain any anomalies in your academic records, such as improving or declining grade trend, inconsistent academic performance, excellent grades but terrible AP exam scores or vice versa, one or more C or non-passing grades, etc.
* For academic enrichment programs (Educational Preparation Programs), you should explain 1) time/depth of involvement; 2) academic progress as a result of your participation; and 3) the intellectual rigor of the program.
* For the awards and honors you received, be sure to explain 1) how competitive the award is and 2) the selection process.
* Hardships you should mention/explain include 1) learning differences/disability/medical conditions; 2) disadvantaged socioeconomic status (such as low-income/first-generation); 3) difficult family situations (divorce, foster care, abuse, etc.). Provide adequate context and keep the focus on how you responded to and/or overcame your circumstances.
* The UCs are interested in your capacity to contribute, so when applicable, you should discuss experiences and/or achievements that demonstrate promise of leadership and/or contribution toward the cultural/intellectual vitality of the campus community.
* In your PIQ answers, you should develop a well-defined purpose from your academic schedule and extracurricular participation that supports your academic interest (such as your college major or educational plan) and/or future aspiration (such as a life or career aspiration).
* It’s important for you to provide some contextual information about your geographical location IF you live in a rural area or a small town (basically if you are NOT living in a city or a suburb). Explain any restricted or lack of access to educational resources.
The application verification (occurs between December and January) does NOT delay the admission evaluation process. The applications selected for verification are read and evaluated along with everyone else but the decisions are held until the verification clears.
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