Applying to the University of California

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Applying to the University of California
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Make Sure You are Eligible

• The University makes every effort to provide a
  place on one of its campuses for all California
  resident applicants who meet the minimum
  admission requirements and file an application
  during the appropriate filing period, Nov 1-30.
• Check eligibility here

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Eligibility is only the Minimum

• Check the Eligibility Index located in the
  application to make sure you meet minimum
  qualifications.
• This index does not assure admission, but is the
  minimum you need to apply.
• Select several campuses that include your
  reaches, targets, but also safety choice.

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Consider Choices

• Most Competitive UCB, UCLA, UCSD
• If you only apply to these three schools you may
  be denied at all three so consider other
  campuses.
• UCMerced and UC Riverside are campuses with the
  most probability for acceptance.

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Use the Online Application

• Read the UC application online at
  http//www.ucop.edu/pathways/appctr.html
• The online application allows you to work on the
  application over several sessions and can often
  catch errors.
• The University prefers that applicants use the
  online application for admission.
• It helps you file a more accurate and complete
  application by using error messages to highlight
  common mistakes and missing information before
  you file. Privacy guards help ensure your
  information stays secure.

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Apply Between Nov 1-30

• Fill out and send your application early in
  November. Dont wait until the last minute.
• Be sure to print out your electronic receipt for
  online version.
• No application will be considered if postmarked
  after November 30.
• Print a copy of your application.

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Send Test Scores

• Make sure you have completed both SAT I and SAT
  Subject Tests in two different subject areas no
  later than the December SAT test date.
• Make sure to order your test scores sent from the
  Educational Testing Service to each of the UC
  campuses you are applying to in order to complete
  your application. Failure to do so will postpone
  or cancel any admission decision.

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After You Have Applied to the University of
California

• The Application Status website allows you to
  review your personal/background information,
  campus and major choices, and test score and
  revise portions of your application.
• The information will be online four to five weeks
  after you submit your application.

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• Freshmen will be selected on the basis of
  academic and personal achievement, as assessed
  through a comprehensive review of all information
  provided on the application.

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Assessment factors include

• achievement in academic enrichment programs,
• other evidence of intellectual or creative
  achievement, extracurricular accomplishment,
• personal qualities such as leadership or
  motivation and likely contribution to the
  intellectual and cultural vitality of the campus.

• weighted and unweighted high school GPA,
• the depth and breadth of academic preparation,
  including quality of the senior year program,
• scores on required standardized tests,

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• All achievement will be considered in the context
  of the opportunities the applicant has had and
  the ways in which the applicant has responded to
  them.
• Demonstrated interest in the major may be
  considered in the selection of students for
  professional schools and colleges.

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University of California Comprehensive Review

• University of California campuses that have more
  qualified freshman applicants than spaces
  available use a process called comprehensive
  review to ensure that each application is fairly
  and thoroughly evaluated.

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• Each students records are analyzed not only for
  grades and test scores important baseline
  indicators of academic potential but also for
  accomplishments beyond the classroom that
  illustrate qualities such as leadership,
  intellectual curiosity and initiative. These
  qualities play an important role in student
  success in an academic environment as rigorous
  and challenging as that of UC, and can be
  demonstrated through a variety of achievements
  and experiences.
• Each application is given the same thorough
  reading by one or more evaluators who draw on 14
  criteria for selecting freshman students

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Review Criteria

• 1. Academic grade point average in all completed
  "a-g" courses, including additional points for
  completed University-certified honors courses.
• 2. Scores on the  ACT Assessment plus Writing or
  SAT Reasoning Test, and two SAT Subject Tests.
• 3. Number of, content of and performance in
  academic courses beyond the minimum "a-g"
  requirements.
• 4. Number of and performance in
  University-approved honors courses and Advanced
  Placement, International Baccalaureate and
  transferable college courses.

• 5. Identification by UC as being ranked in the
  top 4 percent of the student's high school class
  at the end of his or her junior year ("eligible
  in the local context" or ELC).
• 6. Quality of the student's senior-year program,
  as measured by the type and number of academic
  courses in progress or planned.
• 7. Quality of the student's academic performance
  relative to the educational opportunities
  available in his or her high school.

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• 8. Outstanding performance in one or more
  academic subject areas.
• 9. Outstanding work in one or more special
  projects in any academic field of study.
• 10.Recent, marked improvement in academic
  performance, as demonstrated by academic GPA and
  the quality of coursework completed or in
  progress.

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Review Criteria cont.

• 12. Completion of special projects undertaken in
  the context of the student's high school
  curriculum or in conjunction with special school
  events, projects or programs.
• 13. Academic accomplishments in light of the
  student's life experiences and special
  circumstances.
• 14. Location of the student's secondary school
  and residence.

• 11. Special talents, achievements and awards in a
  particular field, such as
• visual and performing arts,
• communication or athletic endeavors
• special skills, such as demonstrated written and
  oral proficiency in other languages
• special interests, such as intensive study and
  exploration of other cultures
• experiences that demonstrate unusual promise for
  leadership, such as significant community service
  or significant participation in student
  government
• or other significant experiences or achievements
  that demonstrate the student's promise for
  contributing to the intellectual vitality of a
  campus.

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• All campuses use the same selection criteria to
  evaluate applications however, the weight of
  each factor and the specific evaluation process
  differ from campus to campus.
• Students who demonstrate strong academic
  performance and have challenged themselves to the
  best of their ability and circumstances will
  continue to receive the highest priority in
  admissions.

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Freshman Selection by Campus

• Each UC campus designs its own method for
  evaluating the factors considered
  incomprehensive review. For the most current
  information on how each campus selects its
  freshmen, visit these websites
• Berkeley Freshman AdmissionDavis Application
  Criteria for Freshman Selection ProcessIrvine
  Freshman Selection Criteria at UC IrvineLos
  Angeles Freshman Selection Merced Freshman
  Selection at UC MercedRiverside Freshman
  selection at RiversideSan Diego The UCSD
  Comprehensive Review ProcessSanta Barbara
  AdmissionsSanta Cruz Freshman Admission and
  Selection

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Policies and Procedures for Evaluating Freshman

• Link to this chart

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Freshman Admission Profiles

• The Freshman Admission Profiles summarize the
  academic qualifications of applicants and
  admitted freshmen to each UC campus for fall
  2008. To view profiles for a particular campus,
  use this link.

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University of California Admissions Report

• While the University continues to offer more
  admission spots to a greater number of
  applicants, the fact that the college-age
  population and number of applicants to UC is also
  growing has resulted in greater selectivity among
  the highly qualified students who apply, said
  Susan Wilbur, UCs director of undergraduate
  admissions.

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Instructions and Prompts for Fall 2009

• Respond to both prompts, using a maximum of 1,000
  words total.
• You may allocate the word count as you wish. If
  you choose to respond to one prompt at greater
  length, we suggest your shorter answer be no less
  than 250 words.
• Stay within the word limit as closely as you can.
  A little over1,012 words, for exampleis fine.

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• Prompt 1 (freshman applicants)
• Describe the world you come from for example,
  your family, community or school and tell us
  how your world has shaped your dreams and
  aspirations.
• Prompt 2 (all applicants)
• Tell us about a personal quality, talent,
  accomplishment, contribution or experience that
  is important to you. What about this quality or
  accomplishment makes you proud and how does it
  relate to the person you are?

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Tips and Techniques

• Start early.
• Allow time for reflection, thoughtful
  preparation, and revision.
• Choose a topic for each essay.
• Look critically at the information in your
  application your grades, awards, activities and
  work experience, family and income. Anticipate
  questions an admissions evaluator will have after
  reading your application. The personal statement
  is your opportunity to answer those questions.
• Compose your personal statement in a
  word-processing program.
• Don't type it directly into the application. This
  way, you will have the opportunity to print
  copies for review.
• Write in a natural style.
• Present your information and ideas in a focused,
  thoughtful and meaningful manner. Support your
  ideas with specific examples. A personal
  statement that is simply a list of qualities or
  accomplishments is usually not persuasive.

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• Proofread.
• In addition to checking your spelling, be sure
  your grammar is correct and your essays read
  smoothly.
• Solicit feedback.
• Your personal statement should reflect your own
  ideas and be written by you alone, but
  others--family and teachers--can offer valuable
  suggestions.
• Copy and paste.
• Once you are satisfied with your essays, save
  them in plain text (ASCII) and paste them into
  the space provided in the application. Proofread
  once more to make sure no odd characters or line
  breaks have appeared. (If you submit a paper
  application, attach a copy of your personal
  statements. In the upper right corner of each
  page, write your name and date of birth, and the
  words "Personal Statement.")
• Ask advice of whomever you like, but do not
  plagiarize from sources in print or online, and
  do not use anyone's published words but your own.