The University of California
University of California
The University of California is home to over 220,000 students including undergraduate and graduate students across a total of ten campuses. The UC's have 700 majors, exposure to research, study abroad and access to internships. The University of California is very competitive and admit the top 12.5% of California's high school graduates. Students must meet the "A-G" Subject Requirements, the examination requirement and meet the academic eligibility requirements. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee you a place within the system, major or campus. Admissions to the UC’s is highly competitive and highly selective. Please keep in mind, that the UC’s are impacted and there are more applicants than spaces available each year. Remember, that many campuses are very selective and admit students with higher qualifications then the minimum required.
A-G Requirements for UC Universities
A grade of "C" or better in the following college preparatory courses are required for admissions. Visit University of California website and look under freshman admissions requirements.
Complete a minimum of 15 college-preparatory courses (a-g courses), with at least 11 finished prior to the beginning of your senior year.
Earn a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better (3.4 if you're a nonresident) in these courses with no grade lower than a C.
When can I apply? Application opens - August 1, 2025
Personal Insight Questions:
Instructions: You will have 8 questions to choose from. You must respond to only 4 of the 8 questions.
Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.
Answer any 4 of the following 8 questions:
- Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.
- Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.
- What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
- Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
- Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
- Describe your favorite academic subject and explain how it has influenced you.
- What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?
- What is the one thing that you think sets you apart from other candidates applying to the University of California?
Important Deadlines
- University of California applications become available August 1st.
- UC Applications can be officially submitted between October 1 - December 1, 2025
- Application deadline is December 1
- Apply at www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/
- Do not skip the demo at UC Online application tour/instructions: www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/apptour
- Make sure you have a copy of the following before beginning your application:
- a copy of your unofficial Culver City HS transcript/Community College transcripts
- Your Social Security number/AB540 students do not need to have a SS# to apply
- Parent income information for qualifying for the fee waiver.
- Check with individual campuses for supplemental applications such as Engineering, Architecture etc.
- Parents’ residency information- know the date they moved to California.
- Activities/Awards
- Citizenship Status: If you’re not a U.S. citizen, see Mrs. Valverde about AB540.
- Statewide Student ID # located on your HS transcript lower left hand corner
Can I appeal my admissions decision to a UC campus?
- If you are denied admissions to a UC campus, you may appeal their decision if you have new and compelling information that was not originally on the UC application.
- New information could be a serious illness, documented personal/family hardship. You may write an essay and ask for up to three letters of recommendation.
- Deadline to appeal is usually by April 15th. **Double check with individual campuses.
- Please keep in mind, that only a very small percentage of students who appeal their decision for admission get their admissions decisions reversed.
What is comprehensive review:
Each campus sets goals that specify the number of new first-year and transfer students expected to enroll for the fall term. To meet those goals, campuses select from tens of thousands of well-qualified applicants using a variety of factors. Context is key and is a cornerstone of UC's comprehensive review process.
Using a process called comprehensive review, evaluators look at multiple factors beyond courses and grades to evaluate applicants' academic achievements in light of the opportunities available to them and the capacity each student demonstrates to contribute to the intellectual life of the campus.
To guide the campuses in their comprehensive review of applicants, UC faculty developed the factors listed below. All campuses place the highest importance on academic achievement in evaluating applications. However, the evaluation process and specific weight (if any) given to each factor can differ from campus to campus and year to year.
Factors they consider
The following criteria provide a comprehensive list of factors campuses may use to select their admitted class. Based on campus-specific institutional goals and needs, admissions decisions will be based on a broad variety of factors:
- Academic grade point average in all completed A-G courses, including additional points for completed UC-certified honors courses.
- Number of, content of and performance in all A-G subject areas beyond the minimum requirements.
- Number of and performance in UC-approved honors and Advanced Placement courses.
- Identification by UC as being ranked in the top 9 percent of their high school class ("eligible in the local context," or ELC).
- Quality of a student's senior-year program, as measured by the type and number of academic courses in any A-G subject area in progress or planned.
- Quality of their academic performance relative to the educational opportunities available in their high school.
- Outstanding performance in one or more academic subject areas.
- Outstanding work in one or more special projects in any academic field of study.
- Recent, marked improvement in academic performance, as demonstrated by academic GPA and the quality of coursework completed or in progress.
- 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.
- Completion of special projects undertaken in the context of a student's high school curriculum or in conjunction with special school events, projects or programs.
- Academic accomplishments in light of a student's life experiences and special circumstances.
- Location of a student's secondary school and residence.
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