UCs

What are UCs?

The UC system is a public funding higher education system that offers undergraduate and graduate programs. It is composed by 9 undergraduate/graduate campuses and one campus for graduates ONLY. UCs are well known for being research schools, and are recognized as the best public university system in the world.

Campuses:

Campuses are in order from Northern to Southern.

UC Davis
UC Berkeley
UC San Francisco (Graduate ONLY)
UC Merced
UC Santa Cruz
UC Santa Barbara
UCLA
UC Riverside
UC Irvine
UC San Diego

What do they Offer?

The UC campuses offer a majors and minors in the fields of Mathematics, Art, Architecture, Languages and Literature, Health, Humanities, Agriculture/Natural Resources, Engineering, Humanities, and Social Sciences, just to name a few. You can click here to check what campuses offer your major of interest. These campuses beside offering bachelor's programs, they also offer Master's and Ph.Ds.

At a UC campus you are also able to participate in research, and in study abroad programs. However, these opportunities might look different at different campus, to find more information about this programs, you can contact the office of admissions of the school.

Like the other universities, UCs also offer extracurriculars like clubs and athletics . However, the list of teams and clubs depends on the campus.

How Do I Choose One?

Visit their websites and explore the location, climate, student life and what majors they offer.

How Can I Pay?

The average cost of attending a UC campus is approximately $34, 700-$36,700. However, you can receive financial aid from FAFSA or the Dream Act, to reduce this cost. Other parts of your financial aid like Cal grants and scholarships can help you too.

To explore more the cost click here.

Where and When I Apply?

To apply to any of the campuses you will need to finish the UC application by November 30th the latest. There is a fee waiver in the application that you can obtain if your family makes under $40,000 and if you don't apply for it you can apply for other fee waivers (ask Ms. Ostos), or you can pay $70 per campus.

Requirements to Apply?

To apply to any UC you must have completed all of your A-G requirements, having a minimum of 15 A-G courses. You will also need to have a GPA of a 3.0 or higher, and SAT/ACT scores are not needed.

For this application you will not be ask to add letter of recommendations at all.

UC Freshman Requirements

Application:

The application has 7 parts to it:

The first part will ask you questions about you and your background.
Second part will ask you to choose your campus and major. If you apply to the fee waiver you will be able to apply to 4 campuses for free. When choosing majors you will choose two, one will be the major you really want and the second one the major that you want but is not your top choice. They do this in case your top major is full but the school still wants you to attend there and they can offer you a spot in your 2nd choice.
Third part will ask you to report the high school(s) you attended, and your semester grades, so have your transcript with you and be honest about your grades.
The fourth part will ask you to report your test scores. You can report your AP scores, if you have taken and pass them, or you can add your SAT scores is you took it. However, SAT scores are optional, meaning, you don't need to report them.
Fifth step will ask you to add your extracurriculars and awards. In this part you can add about your activities at home. For example, babysitting, care giving to an elderly family member, or helping siblings with school, etc.
Sixth part will help you to apply for scholarships and support programs
Lastly, you will be ask to pick 4 out of 8 questions to write personal essay, known as PIQs.

Once you have completed all sections, revised it and submit.