UC San Diego Comprehensive Review Admission Process: Freshman Selection, Fall 2010

Link to detailed information about how UC San Diego determines freshman admission:

• Admission evaluation process
• Selection criteria for admission
• Selection process for admission
• Appeals process

Admission evaluation process

• Goal:
  

  Identify and admit students who are fully prepared to excel in the University's challenging academic environment. UC San Diego seeks to admit and enroll a student body that demonstrates strong academic achievement and exceptional personal talent - students who represent the broad diversity of talents, abilities, personal experience, and backgrounds characteristic of California.

• Application:
  At least 2 individuals review the admissions application, including the personal statement. Consideration is given for the specific factors, both academic and personal, used in the UC San Diego comprehensive review process. Admission is offered to applicants on the basis of their total comprehensive review score.
• Evaluation factors:
  

  Academic achievement constitutes approximately 74% of the overall comprehensive review score. The review also recognizes talent and creativity that may not be measured by academic achievement, but which demonstrate a student's ability to excel at UC San Diego and to contribute significantly to society following graduation. However, applicants with exceptional personal achievements and/ or life challenges who do not demonstrate strong academic accomplishments may not meet UC San Diego's selection criteria.

  Each of the following factors is given careful attention and awarded a numerical score:

  • Academic achievement
    • Uncapped Grade Point Average (GPA)
      One of the most important criterion considered is the uncapped GPA, including a maximum of 8 UC-approved Honors, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), or UC transferable college courses based upon the applicant's self-reported academic history.
    • Scores of all required exams
      • ACT Assessment plus Writing (scores must be from the same sitting)
        OR
        SAT Reasoning Test with critical reading, math, and writing
        AND
      • Two SAT Subject Tests in 2 different subject areas*
        • History/ social science
        • Literature
        • Mathematics (Level 2 only)
        • Science
        • Language other than English
        • All tests must be taken by December of the senior year.
        *May not be Writing or Math 1C
    • Number of "a-g" courses beyond the minimum
      Applicants who have self-reported completion and/ or enrollment in "a-g" courses beyond the minimum required for University of California eligibility.
    • Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC)
      Applicants whose transcripts are reviewed by the UC Office of the President and who have been designated eligible through the ELC program. These applicants are in the top 4% of their respective high school graduating classes.
  • Other factors
    
    • Educational environment
      A disadvantaged educational/ school environment indicates that the applicant attends a California high school that is among the 4th or 5th quintile of all California public high schools using the following academic indicators: high school completion rate, percentage of students enrolled in college preparation classes, percentage of students enrolled in Advanced Placement/ Honors courses, percentage of students admitted to the UC/ CSU, and percentage of students taking the SAT Reasoning Test or the American College Test (ACT).
    • Low family income
      Consideration will be given for applicants based upon family size and low income.
    • First generation college attendance
      Applicants for whom neither parent is a college graduate (2 year or 4 year).
    • Demonstrated leadership
      Extensive or recognized leadership roles in school and/ or community organizations/ activities.
    • Special talents/ achievements/ awards
      Noteworthy accomplishments in a public venue in visual and performing arts, communications, athletic endeavors, as well as demonstrated written or oral proficiency in a language other than the student's native language.
    • Community and volunteer service
      Demonstrated and substantial involvement in charitable work or community service.
    • Sustained participation in academic development preparation programs
      Consideration is given for active and sustained participation in programs designed to improve academic achievement and access to educational opportunities. The criterion will be measured by time and depth of participation, and by the academic merit of the program. Such programs include EAOP, MESA, Puente, Upward Bound, AVID, and many more.
    • Special circumstances/ personal challenges
      Circumstances which may be a positive or negative force in an applicant's life, and the applicant's response to unusual challenges, will be considered. These circumstances may include, but are not limited to, personal or family situation, the student's need to work full time, disability (physical or learning), veteran status, single parent household, foster care, personal growth, or life-altering event(s).

Back to top

Selection criteria for admission

• UCSD is a very selective campus, with a growing national reputation for excellence. The campus continues to receive far more applications from eligible students than it can accommodate. Thus, applicants must exceed the minimum UC eligibility criteria.
  • UC San Diego received approximately 47,037 freshman applications for Fall 2009.
  • Approximately 37.5% of these applicants were offered admission.
  • Enrollment goals are established annually.
  • The campus does not select students on the basis of academic major or choice of UCSD undergraduate college.
• While a combination of factors is considered in the comprehensive review of freshman applicants, academic achievement factors constitute approximately 74% of the comprehensive review score. Applicants with the strongest combination of academic, personal characteristics, and achievement factors will be admitted in sufficient numbers to meet the campus enrollment goals.
• UCSD assigns a numeric weight to each of its factors. Thus, students with high test scores, high grade point averages, and strong personal achievement factors are more likely to gain admission.
  • Applicants with strong test scores and lower GPAs may not meet the quantitative admission ranking in any given year.
  • Similarly, applicants with high GPAs and lower test scores may also fall below the range of those admitted, even with strong personal achievement factors.

Back to top

Selection process

Drawing upon the broad guidelines established by the Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools (BOARS), the UCSD Faculty Committee on Undergraduate Admissions has approved the following procedures for freshman selection which are implemented by the Office of Admissions and Relations with Schools.

Back to top

Appeals process

Questions? Contact Admissions and Relations with Schools, (858) 534-4831.