California

Deadline for UC applications is quickly approaching. Here’s your guide to all 9 schools

College application deadlines are quickly approaching. During this time, high school seniors are juggling end of semester exams, senior events and homework — making it a stressful time.

Applications opened on Aug. 1 and the deadline is around the corner.

When is the University of California application deadline?

Nov. 30 is the official University of California application deadline for the fall 2023 admission.

Can I apply to multiple UC schools at the same time?

Yes, you can apply to all or just one of the the UC campuses using the same application.

What are the UC application requirements?

University of California application requirements are posted to its official website. To apply, each prospective student must create an account on the University of California website. Applicants who are considering applying should have at least a 3.0 GPA and non-resident students should have at least a 3.5 GPA.


SAT and ACT test scores are not required to apply and are not used to determine scholarships. The application will also require students to answer four insight questions. The questions require short answers of 350 words or less, and help give insight into a student’s personal life.

How much does it cost to apply to UC schools?

UC application are $70 per application and $80 for international and non-immigrant students.

Some students may qualify for a fee waiver and will have the opportunity to receive four applications waved. After completing your family size and income, the application will automatically alert you if you are eligible for a fee waiver.

When are students notified of acceptance to UC?

Students can expect notification in March.

How many UC schools are in California?

There are nine UC schools throughout California with undergraduate programs. University of California, San Francisco, offers graduate and professional programs only.

Here are the acceptance rates, national rankings, student populations and community information on the nine undergraduate campuses in the University of California system:

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How we did this story

The acceptance rates and national rankings were gathered through U.S. News and World Report, which releases an annual list of college rankings. The Bee also referenced Niche, a national college guide based, for additional information on the communities and populations.

University of California, Berkeley

Acceptance rate: 2021 acceptance rate of 15%
National ranking: No. 20
School Population: Roughly 30,000 undergraduate students.
In-state tuition and fees: $14,226
Out-of-state tuition and fees: $43,980

Popular majors: Computer science, economics and cellular biology

About the neighborhood: Berkeley is nestled between the Bay Area’s metropolitan city and Northern California’s scenic national parks. The university is located in Berkeley, a suburban town near San Francisco. The city has a population of about 117,000 residents.

University of California, Davis

Acceptance rate: 2021 acceptance rate of 49%
National ranking: No. 38
Undergraduate population: Roughly 30,000
In-state tuition and fees: $14,740
Out-of-state tuition and fees: $44,494
Popular majors: Research and experimental psychology, economics, management sciences and information systems

About the neighborhood: Just outside of California’s state capital is UC Davis. The town is highly agricultural and hosts a weekly farmers market that has won multiple awards. Davis has a smaller population of roughly 66,000 people, but Sacramento is just a short 20 minute car ride away.

University of California, Irvine

Acceptance rate: 2021 acceptance rate of 29%
National ranking: No. 34
Undergraduate population: Roughly 28,000
In-state tuition and fees: $13,985
Out-of-state tuition and fees: $43,739
Popular majors: Biology, computer science and managerial economics
About the neighborhood: Settled in the heart of Orange County, UC Irvine students are in close proximity to Southern California’s beautiful coastal towns like Newport Beach and Laguna Beach. For students that need to fly home, John Wayne Airport is a short 10 minutes away from the campus. Irvine, California, is a city of about 300,000 people and offers plenty to do like shopping and the popular Irvine Spectrum Center or coastal hikes through Crystal Cove State Park.

University of California, Los Angeles

Acceptance rate: 2021 acceptance rate of 11%
National ranking: No. 20.
Undergraduate population: Roughly 31,000
In-state tuition and fees: $13,804
Out-of-state tuition and fees: $44,830
Popular majors: Economics, sociology and biology

About the neighborhood: UCLA is located in the west side of Los Angeles. In Brentwood, California, UCLA neighbors some of the richest neighborhoods in Los Angeles like Bel Air and Beverly Hills. Its location gives students access to beaches, museums and a vibrant night life. For a late night snack, Diddy Riese cookies is popular destination among students.

University of California, Merced

Acceptance rate: 2021 acceptance rate of 87%
National ranking: No. 97.
Undergraduate population: Roughly 8,000
In-state tuition and fees: $13,680
Out-of-state tuition and fees: $43,434
Popular majors: Biology, psychology and business

About the neighborhood: Merced is known as the “gateway to Yosemite” in the Central Valley of California. The city’s population is roughly 89,000 people, giving it a mid-size city feel. The city has lots of outdoor activities to offer from hikes in the Sierras, to fishing and golfing.

University of California, Riverside

Acceptance rate: 2021 acceptance rate of 66%
National ranking: No. 89
Undergraduate population: Roughly 22,000.
In-state tuition and fees: $14,276
Out-of-state tuition and fees: $45,302
Popular majors: Business, research and experimental psychology and biology

About the neighborhood: Riverside is in close proximity to many of California deserts like Joshua Tree, Palm Springs and the Coachella Valley. The college is in a suburban town with a population of around 317,000 people. Its location is great for day trips to San Diego, Los Angeles and Orange County.

University of California, San Diego

Acceptance rate: 2021 acceptance rate of 34%
National ranking: No. 34
Undergraduate population: Roughly 30,000.
In-state tuition and fees: $15,348
Out-of-state tuition and fees: $46,374
Popular majors: Biology, cognitive science and international studies

About the neighborhood: San Diego is a vibrant beach college town bordering Baja California. The area is a top destination for surfers, but there are also plenty of activities for others. The city has a population of around roughly 1.3 million people.

University of California, Santa Barbara

Acceptance rate: 2021 acceptance rate of 29%
National ranking: No. 32
Undergraduate population: Roughly 22,000.
In-state tuition and fees: $14,450
Out-of-state tuition and fees: $44,204
Popular majors: Sociology, economics and communications

About the neighborhood: The area is a popular day trip destination for LA folks since the drive is about two hours. The area is popular among retirees, but because of the university there is also a young spirit in the city. The population is roughly 88,000 people. There is a vibrant night culture on State Street and Isla vista is a popular destination for UCSB students.

University of California, Santa Cruz

Acceptance rate: 2021 acceptance rate of 59%
National ranking: No. 83
Undergraduate population: Roughly 16,000.
In-state tuition and fees: $14,634
Out-of-state tuition and fees: $45,660
Popular majors: Computer science, psychology and cellular biology

About the neighborhood: Santa Cruz is another beach town along California’s coast. The quiet town is unique for its tree canopy. The area is also a popular surf town destination with annual surf competitions hosted in the city.

This story was originally published November 4, 2022 at 7:00 AM with the headline "Deadline for UC applications is quickly approaching. Here’s your guide to all 9 schools."

JP
Jacqueline Pinedo
The Sacramento Bee
Jacqueline Pinedo was a reporter on The Sacramento Bee’s service journalism team.
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