Admissions Policies

As a premier public institution, the University of California seeks to enroll, on each of its campuses, a student body that demonstrates high academic achievement and exceptional personal talent, and that encompasses the broad diversity of backgrounds characteristic of California.

UC reviews each application in two steps:

1. Eligibility
   First the University determines if the student has met the minimum requirements to be considered for admission. These requirements, which are different for freshman and transfer students, are designed to ensure that all eligible students are adequately prepared for University-level work.
   
2. Selection
   When campuses receive applications from more eligible students than they can admit — as is most often the case — they use factors that go beyond the minimum admission requirements to select students. This process is called "comprehensive review."

Because the level of competition for admission to certain campuses is very high, not everyone can be admitted to his or her first choice. Look at the section on freshman selection to get an idea of the qualifications of the applicants at each campus or, if you’re a transfer applicant, review the selection criteria used by individual schools and programs.

Eligibility, Admissions and Testing Studies

In October 2003, UC President Robert C. Dynes appointed a broadly based study group to focus on an array of eligibility and admissions issues facing the University. The group met several times and concluded its deliberations in March 2004. A second study group was convened in December 2004. The 2004-05 group will focus on identifying and examining emerging issues in eligibility and admissions and reviewing UC's progress in implementing the recommendations of the original study group.

University of California | 2004-05 Eligibility and Admissions Study Group
University of California | 2003-04 Study Group Report

Admissions testing has also been under review. The UC Academic Senate's Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools (BOARS) examined how the University used standardized tests in its admissions processes and in January 2002 suggested several changes in policy with regard to admissions tests. Last summer, both ACT and the College Board announced plans to revise their existing national tests in ways that are in accord with the BOARS recommendations.

• UCOP | Rethinking Admissions Tests
• UCOP | New Admissions Testing Requirements - for students entering UC in fall 2006.
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