UCSC Admissions - Information for First-Year Students Not Offered Admission

Information for First-Year Students Not Offered Admission
(March 15, 2008)

Overview of UC Santa Cruz's Selection Process
Frequently Asked Questions About the Admissions Process
Options for Freshmen Who Were Not Offered Admission
Appeal Information - Fall 2008

Overview of UC Santa Cruz's Selection Process

UC Santa Cruz received over 27,000 freshman applications for fall 2008. The freshman enrollment target for fall 2008 is 3,700 students. This enrollment target reflects nearly the same number of enrolled freshmen as the previous year. UC Santa Cruz remains selective in its admissions process.

Admission offers were made to students based on a comprehensive evaluation of their application, as set forth by the UC Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools, and our campus Academic Senate Committee on Admissions and Financial Aid. Applicants were selected following an extensive review process that evaluated the applicants' academic achievement, accomplishments, and other information contained in their undergraduate application. Applications were reviewed for UC-eligibility, completion of required college preparatory course work (a-g pattern of courses), required test scores, and demonstrated academic and non-academic achievements. The following faculty-approved criteria were taken into consideration.

Computation of the Freshman Comprehensive Review Score - Fall 2008

As stated in the Freshman Admission and Selection guide, UC Santa Cruz calculated a comprehensive review score on all UC-eligible freshman applicants. A total of 10,000 points was possible based on the 14 Academic Senate-approved criteria. Below is the formula for each criterion:

Test Scores - added together (ACT converted to SAT-R score), including doubling the best individual exam score, and then dividing by two for a maximum of 2,400 points.
Courses Completed/Planned - if total UC-approved courses is between 48 and 53 semesters, award 100 points; if total UC-approved courses is 54 semesters or greater, award 200 points.
Honors Courses - if senior-year honors courses are 8 semesters, award 100 points; if senior-year honors courses are 9 or greater, award 200 points.
Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC) - if identified as ELC-eligible, award 200 points.
Quality of Senior Year Program of Study - if total UC-approved, senior-year courses is 12 or 13 semesters, award 100 points; if total UC-approved, senior-year courses is 14 semesters or greater, award 200 points.
Academic Opportunities in California High Schools - if student is attending a California high school that is in the lower two quintiles of the Academic Performance Index (API), award 400 points (if points are awarded under this criterion, no points can be awarded under criterion #14).
Performance in Academic Subject Areas - if student has excelled in one or more specific subject areas (minimum of four years, demonstrated progression to the highest level available, only A grades), award 250 points.
Achievements in Special Projects - if student has earned significant recognition on an academic special project (must be recognized at levels beyond the high school), award 125 or 250 points, with the higher points awarded when the recognition is national or international.
Improvement in Academic Performance - if student has an increase of at least one full grade point between the sophomore and the junior year, award 100 points.
Special Talents, Achievements, and Awards - if student has earned significant recognition of a special talent, achievement, or award (must be recognized at levels beyond the high school), award 250 or 500 points, with the higher points awarded when the recognition is national or international.
Participation in Educational Preparation Programs - if the student indicated participation in educational preparation programs that were listed in the UC application (or programs of a similar nature to those programs), award 200 points.
Academic Accomplishments Within Life Experiences - if student has demonstrated academic accomplishment despite some personal circumstances or life experiences (as discussed in the personal statement), award 100, 200, 300, or 400 points, with higher points awarded for the achievement attained weighed against the significance of the information presented. Additionally, 300 points are awarded if the student’s parents are not university/college graduates.
Geographic Location - if student comes from designated counties in California (as determined by the faculty), award 100 points (if points were awarded under criterion #7, no points will be awarded under this criterion).

Frequently Asked Questions About the Admissions Process

How many freshman applications did you receive this year?

27,840, approximately 14% higher than last year.

How many freshmen did you offer admission to this year?

We admitted 20,152 students to enroll a class of 3,700 students. Our enrollment target matches the number of freshmen who enrolled for fall 2007.

How many freshmen did you deny admission to this year?

7,670 freshman applicants were denied admission.

Were UC-eligible students denied admission?

Since we are a selective campus, the majority of our denied freshmen were UC-eligible.

How did you make your admissions decisions?

We employed a faculty-approved comprehensive review of the freshman applicants. Our selection guide is on the web if you'd like to review the different factors that we take into consideration. The guide is available as a link through the my.ucsc.edu, or on www.admissions.ucsc.edu/apply/freshman_guide.cfm.

What was the average GPA of your admits?

Our mean GPA for freshman admits was 3.70, although the GPA is only one component of our Comprehensive Review Score.

What were the average test scores of your admits?

Our mean SAT Reasoning scores were: Critical Reading 582, Mathematics 602, Writing 586, and Total 1771. Our mean ACT scores were: Reading 26, Mathematics 26, and English/Writing 25, Comprehensive 25. Our mean SAT Subject scores varied depending on the examinations taken by the applicant. Test scores comprise only one component of our Comprehensive Review score.

If I was not selected, may I appeal the decision?

UC Santa Cruz does not set aside space in our class for students who appeal admissions decisions. Every application has been reviewed using our selection process. Although few appeals will likely be granted due to enrollment constraints, students who choose to appeal should follow the procedure listed below. The appeal deadline will be strictly enforced.

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Options for Applicants Not Offered Admission

Applicants who have not been offered admission at UC Santa Cruz may wish to consider the following options:

UC Santa Cruz is committed to assisting students in transferring from a California Community College. At the transfer level, we give highest priority for admission to community college students who present a well-planned course of study and a competitive grade point average, and who apply at the junior level. If, after considering all of your options for higher education, you decide to enroll at a California community college, we urge you to contact the Transfer Center at that college for assistance in planning a course of study that will lead to successful transfer in the future.

The University of California maintains a strong relationship of advising and articulated course agreements with the California community college system. A listing of transfer centers within the state can be found at www.cccco.edu/divisions/ss/transfer/trans_resources.htm.

A transfer center adviser or community college counselor can help you plan an appropriate transfer program that will allow you to complete your studies at the University of California.

UC Santa Cruz offers transfer advising services in-house at the UC Santa Cruz admissions office as well as at many California Community Colleges throughout the state. Please visit our advising services page to learn more about the planning assistance services we offer.

Appeal Information - Fall 2008

To appeal our denial you must present new information that was not contained in your original application and personal statement. If there is nothing new or compelling, an appeal may not be appropriate. If your senior year grades have gone down, an appeal is not appropriate. To appeal you must submit the following:

A complete transcript including 7th semester grades. An unofficial transcript is acceptable. A complete set of required test scores is also needed to review an appeal.
A single letter of recommendation (optional) from a source who can speak to your academic strengths. All information must be received in one packet, postmarked by April 4, 2008. Faxed appeals or e-mail appeals will not be given consideration. Appeals filed by someone other than the student, or appeals that are incomplete, will not be given consideration. Decisions will be communicated no later than April 16, 2008, and students will be required to meet the May 1 acceptance deadline.