WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO KNOW
Joining Our Community
ADMISSIONS
The admission process for UC Santa Cruz reflects the academic rigor and preparation needed for admission to a major research institution and is based on a system of holistic review. As we consider each individual application - and rest assured, we do consider each one - we look beyond grades. We spend time evaluating your academic and personal achievements and preparation in light of the opportunities available to you and your demonstrated capacity to contribute to the intellectual life on our campus. Fall Admission Deadline: November 30 of the previous year Winter Admission Deadline (only open for transfers in certain majors): July 31 of previous year
CALIFORNIA FRESHMEN
Minimum Qualifications
Complete 15 college-preparatory courses ("a-g" courses), with at least 11 finished prior to the beginning of your senior year. To view your school's a-g course list, visit hs-articulation.ucop.edu/guide. The 15 courses are: a. History/social science, 2 years b. English, 4 years, or local language for students whose curriculum is not in English. c. Mathematics, 3 years d. Laboratory science, 2 years e. Language other than English, 2 years f. Visual and performing arts, 1 year g. College-preparatory elective, 1 year (chosen from the subjects listed above or another course approved by the university) Earn a grade-point average (GPA) of 3.00 or better in these courses with no grade lower than a C.
UC Santa Cruz does not use standardized exam scores (ACT/SAT) in our holistic review and selection process. Like all UC campuses, we consider a broad range of factors when reviewing a student's application, from academics to extracurricular achievement and response to life challenges. No admission decision is based on a single factor. Exam scores may still be used to meet area b of the a-g subject requirements as well as the UC Entry Level Writing requirement.
SELECTION BY UC SANTA CRUZ
As a selective campus, UC Santa Cruz is unable to offer admission to all UC-qualified applicants. UC Santa Cruz offers admission to freshman applicants according to the selection policy described here:
Professionally-trained Admissions readers conduct an in-depth review of your academic and personal achievements.
Computer Science
Students interested in computer science must select the major as their first choice on the UC Application. Applicants are encouraged to have a solid background in advanced high school mathematics. A student not selected for computer science may be reviewed for admission to an alternate major if one was selected.
U.S. Freshmen from Outside California
The qualifying and selection criteria for students from outside California are similar, except that a minimum GPA of 3.40 is required, instead of 3.00.
International Freshmen
UC has slightly different admission requirements for international students. In addition to qualifying for UC via the process described above and achieving a minimum GPA of 3.40, international students must meet other requirements specific to their home countries. UC Santa Cruz also has an English Proficiency Requirement. More information is available on UC international requirements for specific countries.
English Proficiency
We require all applicants who attend a school in a country where English is not the native language or whose language of instruction in high school (secondary school) was not English to adequately demonstrate English competency as a part of the application process. In most cases, if less than three years of your secondary schooling was with English as the language of instruction, you must meet this requirement.
TRANSFER STUDENTS
Many students do not begin their career as freshmen, but choose to enter the university by transferring from a community college or another four year institution. When making transfer admission decisions, top priority is given to qualified junior transfers from California community colleges.
There are minimum requirements for transfer to the University of California and for 45 of our majors that require specific course requirements to ensure timely degree completion.
Complete at least 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of UC-transferable coursework.
Complete the following UC-transferable course pattern with minimum C (2.00) grades. Each course must be at least 3 semester units/4 quarter units: 1.) Two English composition courses 2.) One course in mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning 3.) Four courses from at least two of the following subject areas: arts and humanities, social and behavioral science, and physical and biological sciences Earn at least an overall UC GPA of 2.40, but higher GPAs are more competitive. Complete required lower-division courses with the required grades/GPA for the intended major. All diplomas are identical, whether you begin as a student right from high school or attend another college or university first!
UC SANTA CRUZ BY THE NUMBERS
UNDERGRADUATES
Women
47.3%
Men
48.0%
Other
4.7%
UNDERGRADUATE ETHNICITIES, FALL 2022
African American
4.6%
American Indian
0.6%
Asian American/Pacific Islander
29.4%
Chicanx/Latinx
27.1%
European American
31.7%
International
4.5%
Not Stated
2.1%
FALL 2022 ENROLLMENT
Undergraduates
17,492
Graduates
1,976
Total Enrollment
19,478
NUMBER OF COUNTRIES REPRESENTED BY FALL 2023 APPLICANTS
U.S. STATES AND TERRITORIES REPRESENTED BY FALL 2023 APPLICANTS
2023 ADMISSION RATE
Freshmen
62.8%
Transfers
65.0%
UNDERGRADUATE FRESHMEN AND TRANSFERS, FALL 2022
ADMITTED FROSH FALL 2023 PROFILE
4.0 or higher GPA
63.4%
3.5 to 3.99 GPA
31.7%
3.49 or lower GPA
5.0%
Mean GPA
3.48
TRANSFER ENROLLMENT FACTS
3,528
transfer students presently enrolled
1,357
new transfer students entered fall 2022
1,536
re-entry students (aged 25 and over for undergraduates and 29 and over for graduate students)
92
Number of California Community Colleges with at least one fall 2022 admit
3.48
Mean GPA for admitted transfers, fall 2023
Admissions Requirements and Statistics