Freshman Admission and Selection 2010-11

The selection process for first-year students at UC Santa Cruz requires that you have the rigorous academic preparation needed for admission to a major research institution. Admission to UCSC involves two parts: eligibility to the University of California and selection by UC Santa Cruz. Meeting minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee selection to UC Santa Cruz, and many UC-eligible students are not selected for admission to the campus. Students are encouraged to achieve well beyond the minimum eligibility requirements to enhance their chances for selection.

UC Santa Cruz Freshman Admissions Guide

Currently, there are three ways to establish eligibility for admission to the University of California. First, students can achieve “eligibility in the statewide context.” Second, students ranking in the top 4 percent of their class in participating high schools may gain admission through what is called “eligibility in the local context.” Finally, students with very high test scores may be eligible by examination alone. You can find more detailed information by visiting: universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/freshman.

Eligibility in the Statewide Context

To achieve eligibility, students must take some standardized tests and must achieve a minimum GPA (3.00 for state residents; 3.40 for non-state residents) in their college-preparatory classes known as the “a–g” courses.

More specifically, you need:

a. History/Social Science, two years

b. English, four years

c. Mathematics, three years (four years recommended)

d. Laboratory Science, two years (three years recommended)

e. Language Other than English, two years in one language other than English (three years recommended)

f. Visual and Performing Arts (VPA), one year

g. College Preparatory Electives, one year

If you attend an accredited high school in California, you can check the courses at your school that may satisfy the “a–g” pattern by consulting ucop.edu/doorways. The web site also has general information for applicants who do not attend an accredited California high school.           

Establish an Acceptable Grade Point Average (GPA).
• California resident minimum GPA: 3.00
• Nonresident minimum GPA: 3.40

The GPA is only calculated on courses meeting the “a–g” requirements in the 10th, the 11th, and, if completed, the 12th grade. See the UC Eligibility Index chart for further information.

You must also complete the examination process.
By December of your senior year at the latest, you must take either the ACT or SAT exams. Specifically:

1. The ACT Assessment plus Writing or the SAT Reasoning Test. The scores you report for each section of the SAT (critical reading, mathematics, and writing) must be from the same sitting. UCSC Code for ACT: 0460. UCSC Code for SAT: 4860.
2. Two SAT Subject Tests in two different subject areas. Choose from history, literature, mathematics (Level 2 only), science, or language other than English.

Eligibility in the Local Context (California Residents Only)

If the university determines that you are in the top 4 percent of your high school class by the end of your junior year, then you will be notified at the beginning of your senior year that you have achieved ELC status—eligibility in the local context. To remain eligible, you then need to apply to the UC in November and complete the Examination Requirement and the remaining courses in the Subject Requirement.

Eligibility by Examination Alone

You must satisfy the same examination requirement as described in “Eligibility in the Statewide Context,” above, but your test score total must meet a specific threshold. To qualify this way, you must achieve a minimum UC Score Total—calculated according to the Eligibility Index instructions—of 410 (425 for nonresidents). In addition, you must earn a minimum UC Score of 63 on each component of the ACT or SAT Reasoning Test and on each SAT Subject Test.

You may not use an SAT Subject Test to meet these requirements if you have completed a transferable college course in that subject with a grade of C or better.

As a selective campus, UC Santa Cruz is unable to offer admission to all UC-eligible applicants. UCSC offers admission to freshman applicants according to the selection policy described below.

Changes to eligibility requirements, effective fall 2012
Beginning with freshmen entering the UC system in fall 2012, eligibility requirements will change. The same number of “a-g” courses and the same GPA will be required. However, you will need to complete 11 of the 15 “a-g” courses by the end of your junior year. Also, SAT Subject Tests will no longer be required for admission, although you may still submit these scores for consideration as part of your application, as with AP scores. The Subject Tests may also be recommended for certain majors.

To compute your "UC Score," visit the following web site.

Selection Policy for UC Santa Cruz

The faculty of the University of California, Santa Cruz, wishes to articulate the freshman selection policy it will use for the fall 2010 quarter. Listed below are the 14 UC-approved criteria that a campus may consider in selecting students for admission.

UC Santa Cruz will calculate a score for each freshman applicant. For each of the 14 criteria, a specific point total is noted. A total of 9,200 points is possible. The higher the score, the more likely the student is to be admitted to UCSC.

Grade-point average (GPA)
Recognizing the connection between university success and high school GPA, the faculty will award up to 4,400 points in this area. The GPA is calculated on all “a–g” courses taken in the 10th and 11th grades, with an extra grade point awarded for an approved honors course in which a grade of C or higher is earned. The maximum GPA computed is 4.40.

Test scores
The UC-required examinations are a strong predictor of university success. The faculty will award up to 2,400 points from the following: the best score from the ACT plus Writing or the SAT Reasoning Test (single sitting), and two SAT Subject Tests in two different areas chosen from the following: history, literature, mathematics (Level 2 only), science, or language other than English.

Courses completed/planned
The faculty values students who have challenged themselves by taking more than the minimum subject requirements and will award up to 200 points in this area. Courses meeting UC’s “a–g” requirements will be considered, including those in mathematics and languages other than English taken during seventh and/or eighth grades.

Improvement in Academic Performance
The faculty will award up to 100 points for recent improvement in academic performance. Students showing improvement in grades from their sophomore year to their junior year by at least one full grade point will be given consideration in this area. Only courses in the “a–g” subject areas will be calculated for this purpose.

Special Talents, Achievements, and Awards
The faculty values students who have shown the promise to contribute to the intellectual vitality of the campus and will consider awarding up to 200 points in this area. Students who have earned significant recognition at the state, national, or international level in a particular field, such as visual and performing arts, written communication, student government, athletics, or community service, or who have demonstrated exceptional leadership potential, will be considered under this criterion.

Related Information

Fall quarter: November 1-30

The online application explains the filing process and instructions for submitting your application. If you require a paper application, you may e-mail the UC Application
Processing Service at ucinfo@ucapplication.net. In the e-mail, be sure to mention that you are a freshman applicant and state the reason why you cannot apply online.

Admission to Majors in the Jack Baskin School of Engineering
While all freshman applicants are considered for admission to the UC Santa Cruz campus under the selection criteria previously described, acceptance into an engineering major is based on high school grade point average, courses completed in mathematics and sciences, scores on standardized tests, and/or the personal statement. Details on the admission process for the Jack Baskin School of Engineering can be found at soe.ucsc.edu/admissions.

Financial Aid and Scholarships
If you are concerned about your ability to meet educational costs, you should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can download the form, or file electronically online by visiting fafsa.ed.gov (UCSC School Code for FAFSA: 001321).

Campus Tours
Student-led campus tours are offered year-round on weekdays and selected Saturdays. Reservations are required and may be made online at admissions.ucsc.edu/campustours.

Other Contact Information
Office of Admissions
admissions@ucsc.edu
(831) 459-4008

Campus Tours
visits@ucsc.edu
(831) 459-4008

Financial Aid and Scholarship Office
(831) 459-2963
UCSC School Code for FAFSA: 001321

Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP)
eop@ucsc.edu
(831) 459-2296

Disability Resource Center (DRC)
drc@ucsc.edu
Voice: (831) 459-2089
TTY: (831) 459-4806

Housing Office
housing@ucsc.edu
(831) 459-2394

Guide for Parents and Guardians

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