Admission

Undergraduate admission to the University of California is based on two principles: that the best predictor of a student’s success in the university is high scholarship in previous work and that the study of certain subjects gives a student good preparation for university work. Minimum admission requirements are the same for each UC campus, but each sets additional standards when the number of qualified applicants exceeds capacity. Last year UCSC received over 26,000 applications for 3,400 places in the freshman class and 1,100 in the transfer category.

If you are considering applying to UC Santa Cruz, the Office of Admissions wants to help you learn more about the campus and its distinctive educational programs. Admissions counselors from UCSC visit many high schools and community colleges throughout California and are available to answer your questions about Santa Cruz.

If you are able to visit the campus, you may wish to take a student-led tour or attend a transfer workshop. The Office of Admissions offers tours on weekdays and selected Saturdays, and reservations are required. Visit our web site admissions.ucsc.edu/campustours to view a current Campus Tour schedule, then call (831) 459-4008 or e-mail ucscvisits@ucsc.edu to make a reservation. When reserving a space on a tour either by e-mail or by telephone, you will need to provide the date and time that you wish to take the tour, your party name and size (no more than five in one party, please), and a phone number and e-mail address where you can be reached. For information and reservations to attend a transfer workshop, please call (831) 459-4008.

The University of California, Santa Cruz, has taken positive steps to increase the diversity of the student population, including applicants coming from educationally and/or economi-cally disadvantaged backgrounds, disabled persons, and re-entry women and men, in its academic programs (Advising). The university does not discriminate on the basis of handicap, race, color, ancestry, religion, national origin, age, sexual orientation, or gender in admission to or participation in its programs, activities, or services.

Educational Opportunity Programs at UCSC are designed to encourage students from educationally and/or economically disadvantaged backgrounds to prepare for and enter the university.

Admission by Exception. Special consideration may be given to some applicants who do not meet standard admission requirements. Admission by Exception is limited to a small percentage of those considered for admission each quarter. Such factors as academic accomplishments in light of a person’s life experiences and/or special circumstances, socioeconomic background, special talents and/or achievements, contributions to the community, and the quality of the applicant’s personal statement are taken into consideration when reviewing applicants seeking Admission by Exception.

Graduation rates. The following graduation-rate information is listed in compliance with the 1990 Title I: Federal Right-to-Know Act, Section 103. Forty-five percent of the students who entered as freshmen in 1998 graduated after four years; 61 percent of those who entered in 1997 graduated after five years; and 67 percent of those who entered in 1996 graduated after six years. In recent years, students who entered as freshmen took an average of four and one-half years to graduate, and students transferring to UCSC as juniors averaged two and one-half years. These graduation rates are well above the national averages.

In accord with the Education Amendments of 1976, Section 493A, more detailed information regarding retention is available from the Office of Planning and Budget, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064.

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Admission Procedures

The University of California Application for Undergraduate Admission and Scholarships is available online at UC’s PATHWAYS web site at www.ucop.edu/pathways.

To apply online, you must have access to the web via a computer that meets certain minimum requirements. Details are available online. The application can also be printed from the following web address: www.ucop. edu/pathways/getapp.html.

In addition to the application, PATHWAYS includes a wealth of information for prospective UC students about undergraduate education, admission, and financial aid.

Paper applications are also available at the counseling office of any California high school or community college or from the Admissions Office of any UC campus. Applications are available about four weeks before the opening date of the filing period.

Submit your completed application form to

University of California
Undergraduate Application
Processing Service
P.O. Box 4010
Concord, CA 94524-4010

If requested, transcripts and supporting materials should be sent directly to the campus.

Application Filing Periods

You should submit an application for admission during the filing period for the quarter in which you want to attend the university. Enrollment opportunities for winter are more limited than for fall. Check with the Office of Admissions to see if UCSC is accepting applications for winter quarter.

Application Fees

The application fee is $40 to apply to one campus of the university. For each additional campus you select, you must pay an extra $40 fee. These fees are not refundable. A check or money order made payable to the Regents of the University of California should be included with the application form.

Fee Waivers

The University of California will waive application fees for up to four campuses for qualified students who otherwise would be unable to apply for admission. To be accepted for the fee waiver program, you must meet specific requirements related to your family income and size. The fee waiver program is for United States citizens and permanent residents only.

Students who qualify for fee waivers and who select more than four campuses must pay $40 for each additional choice.

There are several ways to apply for a fee waiver, as described below. To qualify you must meet the same income and family-size guidelines, regardless of the application method you use.

An online fee waiver form is available to applicants who apply for admission on the web using PATHWAYS. PATHWAYS can determine if an applicant is eligible for the fee waiver program as soon as the online fee waiver form is complete.

• High school students: Use the College Board fee waiver. It is available from your school counselor.
• EOPS community college students: If you are enrolled in Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS) at a California community college, obtain a fee waiver authorization from the EOPS Office.
• Other applicants: Qualified students may obtain a UC fee waiver authorization at a UC campus Admissions, Relations with Schools, or Educational Opportunity Programs Office. When requesting a fee waiver authorization, be prepared to answer questions about your gross family income and family size.

If you are unable to obtain a UC fee waiver authorization due to time constraints, you may attach a letter to your application for admission stating your gross family income and the number of family members supported by that income, and requesting consideration for an application fee waiver.

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Preparing for University Work

A carefully planned program of high school courses provides you with excellent preparation for university work. If you did not complete the basic required courses in high school, you should take equivalent classes at a community college, state university, or private school before transferring to UC. (See requirements for transfer students.) This background can give you a definite edge in your undergraduate studies and provides an opportunity to do advanced preparation for your chosen field. Most important, if you master certain basic skills and subjects before entering UC, you substantially increase your chances of success at the university.

As a prospective university student, you should give priority to completing the basic subject courses required for admission—the see “a–g” requirements. In addition, you should give careful thought to the general field of study, if not the specific major, you want to pursue at the university. If you can make this decision in advance, you can take additional high school or college courses related to your field. Your school counselor or an instructor can help you select the courses you need.

You should understand, however, that the “a–g” and transfer-student requirements are minimum entrance standards. Completing the required courses with satisfactory grades will not automatically prepare you for university-level work in every subject, much less in your major. Many entering students discover to their dismay that they are not adequately prepared for basic courses, such as English composition and calculus, which they may be expected to take in their freshman year. Also, many undergraduate majors, particularly those in sciences and mathematics, require more preparation than that necessary for admission. A lack of preparation can cause problems for students who do not decide on a major until after they enter the university or for those who prepare for one major but later change to another.

For these reasons, you should take a thorough academic program in high school—or the equivalent through a combination of high school and college-level classes—that will prepare you beyond minimum levels of competence in reading, writing, and mathematics. A student who is well prepared for university work will have taken four years of English in high school, four years of mathematics, including a course in the senior year, two to three years of a language other than English, two to three years of laboratory science, two or more years of history and social studies, and one or more years of visual or performing arts. A yearlong high school course is generally equivalent to a semester or quarter of college work.

Reading. Many students are not prepared for either the kinds or amounts of reading demanded at the university. You should become proficient in reading and understanding technical materials and scholarly works. You should learn to read analytically and critically, actively questioning yourself about the author’s intentions, viewpoint, arguments, and conclusions. You should also become familiar, and comfortable, with the conventions of standard written English and with various writing strategies and techniques. Your reading experience should include original works in their entirety, not just textbooks and anthologies, and should encompass a wide variety of forms and topics.

Writing. Effective critical thinking and proficiency with written language are closely related, and both are skills that every university student must master. By university standards, a student who is proficient in English composition is able to (a) understand the assigned topic; (b) select and develop a theme by argument and example; (c) choose words that aptly and precisely convey the intended meaning; (d) construct effective sentences, ones that economically and successfully convey the writer’s ideas and display a variety of structures; (e) demonstrate an awareness of the conventions of standard written English, avoiding such errors as sentence fragments, run-on sentences, faulty agreements, and improper pronoun references; and (f) punctuate, capitalize, and spell correctly.

Before attending the university, you should take English courses that require the development and practice of these skills. You must take the equivalent of four years of high school English composition and literature courses that stress expository writing—the development of persuasive critical thinking on the written page.

Mathematics. Many undergraduate majors require preparation in mathematics beyond that necessary for admission to the university. All majors in the physical and biological sciences, engineering, and mathematics require calculus. Many majors in the social sciences require statistics or calculus, and some require both. If you have selected a major that requires either calculus or statistics, you should expect to take that course during your freshman year. Transfer students selecting such a major should take the course before transferring.

You should prepare yourself for university calculus courses before entering UCSC. In addition to the three years of high school mathe- matics required for admission, you should take the equivalent of a year of precalculus mathematics. Your high school math courses should include (a) basic operations with numerical and algebraic functions; (b) operations with exponents and radicals; (c) linear equations and inequalities; (d) polynomials and polynomial equations; (e) functions and their graphs; (f) trigonometry, logarithms, and exponential functions; and (g) applications and word problems.

Subject Requirement

a. History/social science—two years required. Two years of history/social science, including one year of U.S. history, or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of civics or American government; and one year of world history, cultures, and geography.

b. English—four years required. Four years of college preparatory English that include frequent and regular writing, and reading of classic and modern literature. Not more than two semesters of ninth-grade English can be used to meet this requirement.

c. Mathematics—three years required, four years recommended. Three years of college preparatory mathematics that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry. Approved integrated math courses may be used to fulfill part or all of this requirement, as may math courses taken in the seventh and eighth grades that your high school accepts as equivalent to its own math courses.

d. Laboratory science—two years required, three years recommended. Two years of laboratory science providing fundamental knowledge in at least two of these three disciplines: biology (which includes anatomy, physiology, marine biology, aquatic biology, etc.), chemistry, and physics. Laboratory courses in Earth sciences are acceptable if they have as prerequisites or provide basic knowledge in biology, chemistry, or physics. The appropriate two years of an approved integrated science program may be used to fulfill this requirement. Not more than one year of ninth-grade laboratory science can be used to meet this requirement.

e. Language other than English—two years required, three years recommended. Two years of the same language other than English. Courses should emphasize speaking and understanding and include instruction in grammar, vocabulary, reading, and composition. Courses in a language other than English taken in the seventh and eighth grades may be used to fulfill part of this requirement if your high school accepts them as equivalent to its own courses.

f. Visual and performing arts discipline (VPA)—one year required. One year of visual and performing arts chosen from the following: dance, drama/theater, music, and/or visual art.

g. College preparatory electives—one year required. One year (two semesters), in addition to those required in “a–f” above, chosen from the following areas: visual and performing arts (non–introductory level courses), history, social science, English, advanced mathematics, laboratory science, and language other than English (a third year in the language used for the “e” requirement or two years of another language).

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Admission as a Freshman

The university considers you a freshman applicant if you have graduated from high school and have not enrolled in a regular session at any college or university. If you attend a summer session immediately after graduating from high school, you are still a freshman applicant.

The admission and selection process for freshmen to UC Santa Cruz reflects the academic rigor and preparation needed for admission to a major research institution. The following information describes two phases of the admission and selection process. The first is establishing eligibility. The three pathways to achieving eligibility are described below. However, meeting the minimum eligibility requirements for the university does not guarantee you admission as a freshman. Students are encouraged to achieve well beyond these minimum requirements to enhance opportunities for selection, the second phase of the admissions process. (See the discussion of selection criteria for more information.)

California Residents

There are three pathways to satisfying the university’s minimum eligibility requirements for freshman students: eligibility in the statewide context, eligibility in the local context, and eligibility by examination alone.

Eligibility in the Statewide Context
Eligibility in the statewide context is the pathway by which most students attain UC eligibility. To be eligible in the statewide context you must satisfy the subject, scholarship, and examination requirements described below.

Subject requirement. To satisfy this requirement, you must complete the 15 units of high school course work. (A unit is equal to an academic year, or two semesters, of study.) These courses are also known as the “a–g” subjects or requirements.

At least 7 of the 15 units must be taken in your last two years of high school.

California high school students. If you attend high school in California, the courses you take to fulfill the subject requirement must be certified by the university as meeting the requirement and must be included on your high school’s UC-certified course list. Your counselor or principal will have a copy of this list. In addition the lists are available online at www.ucop.edu/pathways/infoctr/.

Scholarship requirement. The scholarship requirement defines the grade-point average (GPA) you must attain in the “a–g” subjects and the SAT I (or ACT) and SAT II test scores you must earn to be eligible for admission to the university.

If your GPA is 2.8 or above, you satisfy the minimum scholarship requirement if you achieve the test score total indicated in the Eligibility Index.

The university calculates your GPA in the “a–g” subjects by assigning point values to the grades you earn, totaling the points, and dividing the total by the number of “a–g” course units. Points are assigned as follows: A=4 points, B=3 points, C=2 points, D=1 point, and F=0 points.

Only the grades you earn in “a–g” subjects in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades are used to calculate your GPA. Courses you take in ninth grade can be used to meet the subject requirement if you earn a grade of C or better, but they will not be used to calculate your GPA.

Honors courses. The university assigns extra points for up to 4 units of university-certified honors-level and advanced placement courses taken in the last three years of high school: A=5 points, B=4 points, C=3 points. No more than 2 units of UC–approved honors-level courses taken in the 10th grade may be given extra points. A grade of D in an honors or advanced placement course does not earn extra points.

The courses must be in the following “a–g” subjects: history, English, advanced mathematics, laboratory science, and foreign language, and they must be certified as honors courses by the university. In these fields, and in the fields of computer science, social science, and the visual and performing arts, courses that are designed to prepare students for an Advanced Placement Examination of the College Board or a Higher Level Examination of the International Baccalaureate, and college courses that are transferable to the university, are acceptable honors-level courses.

D and F grades. D and F grades in the “a–g” courses must be repeated or validated. Consult your counselor to determine how these grades can be improved and how the university will use them in evaluating your scholarship record. Grades for repeated courses in which you initially earned a grade of C or better will not be used.

Examination requirement. You must submit the following test scores:

• Either the Scholastic Assessment Test I: Reasoning Test (SAT I) or the American College Test (ACT). The verbal and mathematics scores on the SAT I must be from the same sitting. The ACT composite score must be submitted.
• Three Scholastic Assessment Test II: Subject Tests (SAT II), including Writing, Mathematics Level 1 or Level 2, and one test in one of the following areas: English literature, foreign language, science, or social studies.
  

Eligibility Index: California Residents

*Test score total equals [SAT I composite score] + [2 x (SAT II Writing score + SAT II Mathematics score + third required SAT II score)]. SAT I composite is highest combined mathematics and verbal scores from a single sitting. Highest individual SAT II scores, from any sitting, will be considered. An ACT to SAT I conversion table is provided below.

ACT to SAT I Conversion Table

Eligibility in the Local Context
Under the eligibility in the local context (ELC) pathway, the top 4 percent of students at each participating California high school are designated UC eligible and guaranteed admission to one of UC’s nine general campuses.

To be considered for ELC, you must complete 11 specific units of the subject requirement by the end of your junior year. With the assistance of each participating high school, the university will identify the top 4 percent of students on the basis of GPA in the required course work.

The 11 units include 1 unit of history/social science, 3 units of English, 3 units of mathematics, 1 unit of laboratory science, 1 unit of language other than English, and 2 units chosen from among the other subject requirements.

The university will notify ELC students of their status at the beginning of their senior year. If you are designated UC eligible through ELC, you must submit the university’s undergraduate application during the November filing period and complete remaining eligibility requirements—including the subject and examination requirements—to enroll.

ELC students are guaranteed a spot at one of UC’s nine undergraduate campuses, though not necessarily at their first-choice campus.

To satisfy the minimum requirements for eligibility by examination alone, you must achieve a composite score of 31 or higher on the ACT, or a total score on the SAT I of at least 1400. In addition, you must earn a total score of 1760 or higher on the three SAT II: Subject Tests, with a minimum score of 530 on each test.

You cannot qualify for admission by examination alone if you have completed 12 or more units of transferable course work at another college or university following high school graduation, or if you have taken transferable college courses in any subject covered by the SAT II: Subject Tests.

Eligibility Index: Residents of Other States

*Test score total equals [SAT I composite score] + [2 x (SAT II Writing score + SAT II Mathematics score + third required SAT II score)]. SAT I composite is highest combined mathematics and verbal scores from a single sitting. Highest individual SAT II scores, from any sitting, will be considered. The ACT to SAT I conversion table above may be used to substitute for an SAT I score.

Nonresidents

There are two paths to UC eligibility for nonresidents at the freshman level. The first is the same as described above under Eligibility in the Statewide Context and the second is the same as described above under Eligibility by Examination Alone, with the following exceptions.

Scholarship requirement. Your grade-point average in the “a–g” subjects must be 3.4 or higher, and the following Eligibility Index for Residents of Other States applies:

Eligibility by examination alone. You must earn a composite score of 31 or higher on the ACT, or a total score on the SAT I of at least 1400. Your total score on the three SAT II: Subject Tests must be at least 1850, with a minimum score of 530 on each test.

Examination Arrangements

Registration forms and information about the required tests may be obtained from the following addresses:

For the SAT I and SAT II:

Web: www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/sat/scores/sending.html
(800) 728-7267

For the ACT:
Web: http://www.actstudent.org/scores/
(319) 337-1313

Test fees should be paid to the testing services, not to the University of California.

When you take any of the required tests, you must indicate at that time that you want your scores to be reported to the UC Santa Cruz Office of Admissions. Your scores will be regarded as official only if they are reported directly to the Admissions Office by the testing services. The Educational Testing Service school code for UC Santa Cruz is 004860.

High School Proficiency Examination

In lieu of the regular high school diploma, the University of California will accept the following:

• Certificate of Proficiency, awarded by the State Board of Education upon successful completion of the California High School Proficiency Examination
• Proficiency tests from other states
• General Educational Development (GED) Certificate

However, all other university admission requirements—subject, scholarship, and examination—must
be met.

Transfer Credit

Transfer credit may be granted to a freshman applicant for an acceptable college course taken while still in high school if an official transcript is received from the college that conducted the course.

Transfer credit is also granted for each College Board Advanced Placement Examination completed with a score of 3, 4, or 5 and for each International Baccalaureate Higher Level Exam completed with a score of 5, 6, or 7.

Selection Criteria

Once they have established eligibility for admission, students will be selected on the basis of academic preparation and achievement, as assessed by review of the following factors:

1. High school grade-point average* calculated on courses completed in the “a–g” subject areas, with additional grade points given for UC–approved honors courses, College Board Advanced Placement courses, International Baccalaureate Higher Level courses, and transferable college courses completed
2. Test scores on the SAT I or ACT and the three required SAT II tests
3. The number of, content of, and performance in courses completed, in progress, or planned in academic subjects beyond the minimum eligibility requirements
4. The number of UC–approved honors courses, College Board Advanced Placement courses, International Baccalaureate courses, and transferable college courses completed, in progress, or planned

In addition to the above, freshmen may be selected on the basis of academic and personal achievement, promise, and experience—as assessed through a comprehensive review of all information provided on the application, including academic performance as described above—plus the following:

1. Outstanding performance in one or more academic subject areas, special projects, or programs
2. Talents, achievements, experiences, or interests that will contribute to the vitality and educational environment of the campus
3. Special circumstances or personal challenges, especially as they relate to the social or educational environment, that have affected the applicant’s life experience

*Definition of grade-point average: Grade points are computed according to the standard that the letter grade A equals 4 points, B equals 3 points, C equals 2 points, D equals 1 point, and F equals no points. Your grade-point average is determined by dividing the total number of acceptable units you have attempted into the number of grade points you earned on those units.

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The University of California defines a transfer applicant as a student who has been a registered student in a college or university or in college-level extension classes following high school graduation. Summer session attended immediately following high school graduation is excluded in this determination. If you are a transfer applicant, you cannot disregard your college record and apply for admission as a freshman.

Admission requirements are different for California residents and nonresidents. Nonresidents must meet higher scholarship requirements.

UC Minimum Eligibility Requirements: California Residents

1. If you were eligible for admission to the university when you graduated from high school—meaning you satisfied the subject, scholarship, and examination requirements—you are eligible to transfer to the university provided you have earned a C (2.00) average in UC–transferable course work.
2. If you met the scholarship and examination requirements but did not satisfy the subject requirement, you must take UC–transferable college courses in the missing high school subjects to be eligible to transfer. A grade of C (2.00) or better must be earned in each of the required subject areas, and an overall C (2.00) average is required in all UC–transferable work.
3. If you did not meet the scholarship and examination requirements as a freshman, you must do the following:

   a. complete 60 semester (90 quarter) units of UC–transferable course work;
   b. attain an overall grade-point average of at least 2.40; and
   c. complete a course pattern that includes the following requirements. A grade of C (2.00)
       must be earned in each of the required courses in this pattern.

(1) Two UC–transferable college courses (3 semester or 4–5 quarter units each) in English composition
(2) One UC–transferable college course (3 semester or 4–5 quarter units) in      mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning
(3) Four UC–transferable college courses (3 semester or 4–5 quarter units each) chosen from at least two of the following subject areas: arts and humanities; social and behavioral sciences; and physical and biological sciences.

UC Minimum Eligibility Require-ments: Residents of Other States

If you met the requirements for admission as a nonresident freshman (see above), you must have a grade-point average of 2.80 or better in college courses that are accepted for transfer credit by the University of California. If you are a nonresident applicant who graduated from high school with a grade-point average of less than 3.40 in the “a–g” subjects or did not meet the Eligibility Index for Residents of Other States required for freshman admission, you must have completed at least 60 semester units (90 quarter units) of UC–transferable course work with a grade-point average of 2.80 or better and have completed the subject requirements for California residents outlined above.

Selection Criteria

UC Santa Cruz gives highest priority to junior-level transfers from California community colleges. UC intercampus transfers have second priority, followed by other advanced-standing applicants. UC Santa Cruz does not accept students who have completed 90 transferable semester units (135 quarter units) or more. Students who have earned all of their credits at community college are not affected by this limit because UC accepts a maximum of 70 semester units (105 quarter units) in transfer from community college.

Once they have established eligibility for admission, students will be selected primarily on the basis of academic performance and preparation, as assessed by a thorough review of the following:

1. Grade-point average for all UC–transferable courses
2. Completion of and performance in lower-division prerequisite courses in the applicant’s proposed major
3. Completion of a specified pattern of courses that meet general education requirements
4. Participation in academically selective honors programs and performance in honors courses

Other factors that may be assessed include:

1. Outstanding performance in one or more academic subject areas, special projects, or programs
2. Talents, achievements, experiences, or interests that will contribute to the vitality and educational environment of the campus
3. Special circumstances or personal challenges, especially as they relate to the social or educational environment, that have affected the applicant’s life experience

Credit for Courses Taken Elsewhere

The university gives unit credit to transfer students for courses they have completed at other accredited colleges and universities, including courses taken at recognized institutions outside of the U.S. To be accepted for credit, your courses must be comparable to those offered at the university, as determined by the campus Admissions Office. The UCSC department sponsoring your major decides which transfer courses may be used to satisfy major requirements.

Because a total of 70 semester units (105 quarter units) of credit toward a university degree may be earned at a community (two-year) college, only subject credit will be granted for courses taken in excess of these amounts.

Applicants will not be considered for admission if they have completed more than 90 semester units (135 quarter units) of UC– transferable credit because it is not usually possible for these students to complete a bachelor’s degree within UCSC graduation requirements. Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate Higher Level (IBH) credit is permitted to exceed the 90 semester unit maximum by the number of AP or IBH units granted.

Opportunities to take courses at UCSC as a nonmatriculated student are available through Summer Session, Concurrent Enrollment through UC Extension, and Intersegmental Cross-Enrollment.

UC Santa Cruz Transfer Services

The Admissions Office provides information and services to all students who wish to transfer to UC Santa Cruz, including transfer workshops and student-led tours of the campus.

Workshops include information on entrance requirements for transfer students, how courses taken at other colleges or universities will fulfill UCSC’s general education requirements, and how to prepare for your major. Other topics discussed in the workshops include academic programs and resources available at UCSC, student life, financial aid, Educational Opportunity Programs, Services for Transfer and Re-Entry Students, and housing options.

Transfer workshops and guided tours happen year-round and both require advance reservations. Please call the Admissions Office, Cook House, at (831) 459-4008 to make a reservation.

In addition, UCSC counselors make regular visits to many community colleges in California. Check with your counseling department or transfer center to determine whether a UCSC counselor will be visiting your community college.

Admission of International Students

The University of California welcomes applications from international students. The academic credentials of applicants from other countries are evaluated in accordance with the general regulations governing admission.

UC Santa Cruz accepts applications from international students for the fall quarter, and students should begin application inquiries a year before the quarter of desired admission. Openings for the winter quarter may be limited. If you are interested in applying for winter, check with the Office of Admissions. For information, write to the International Admissions Specialist, Office of Admissions, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064.

Students whose native language is other than English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the Advanced Placement Exam in International English Language (APIEL). A minimum score of 220 (computer-based) or 550 (paper-based) is required on the TOEFL. A minimum score of 3 is required on the APIEL. Students interested in enrolling in an intensive English-language program to improve proficiency can apply to English Language and International Programs, UCSC Extension, 1101 Pacific Avenue, Suite 200, Santa Cruz, CA 95060, (831) 427-6638. Web:www.ucsc-extension.edu/main/english/.

A financial certificate and official academic records will be required if admitted to the university. Generally, nonimmigrant students must provide documentation that sufficient funds will be available to cover nonresident tuition, educational fees, and living expenses. The university does not have financial assistance for international students.

For information about services for international students, see Office of International Education.

Readmission

If you are an undergraduate who wants to return to UC Santa Cruz after an absence of a portion of a quarter or more, you must file an Application for Readmission. The application form is available from your college office and should be filed, along with the nonrefundable $40 application fee, with the Office of Admissions during the appropriate period:

If during your absence you attended another UC campus, an official transcript must be submitted to the Office of Admissions before your application will be sent to your college for approval. If you attended another collegiate institution, your UCSC college may require a transcript. If you left for health reasons, clearance from the Cowell Student Health Center is required. You must pay all outstanding bills owed to the university before you will be permitted to register.

Admission to Special Categories

For information on applying for admission in the categories described below, please contact the Office of Admissions, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064, (831) 459-2131.

Applications from students interested in pursuing a second baccalaureate or limited-status program will be considered as campus enrollment allows. Priority is given to applicants who have not yet had the opportunity to complete a bachelor’s degree.

Second Bachelor’s Degree

If your educational goals have changed substantially since receiving your bachelor’s degree, you may be eligible to pursue a second undergraduate degree in an established major at UCSC.

You must meet regular university admission requirements, and your experience or previous scholarship record must show potential for academic success in your proposed area of study. Additional selection criteria may be applied. Admission is also subject to approval by the appropriate department and the selected college.

For a second degree, you must fulfill major and residence requirements, as well as system-wide requirements in American history and institutions and Subject A. You must enroll for at least three quarters and are usually restricted to six quarters total.

Limited Status

If you have already completed an undergraduate degree and you have a particular reason to take specific undergraduate university classes, you may be eligible to enroll in a nondegree program as a limited-status student.

Your proposed program of study must either prepare you for graduate or professional school or satisfy some definite educational need or interest. Participants generally enroll full-time for a specified period that does not exceed three quarters. You must meet regular university admission requirements, and your experience or previous academic record must show potential for success in your proposed program. Additional selection criteria may be applied. Admission is subject to approval by the appropriate department or college.

High School Honors

If you are an outstanding local high school student, you may be able to enroll concurrently in high school and in regular courses at UC Santa Cruz during your senior year.

To participate in the High School Honors Program, you must apply during your junior year and meet special admission standards. You may enroll only in courses that do not duplicate those available in your high school. You receive full university credit for all approved courses completed.

In this program, you pay reduced fees and are entitled to use student services except those offered by the Cowell Student Health Center.

Nondiscrimination and Affirmative Action Policies

The University of California, in accordance with applicable federal and state law and university policy, does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability, age, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), ancestry, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or status as a covered veteran (Vietnam-era veteran, special disabled veteran, recently separated veteran, or any other veteran who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized). The university also prohibits sexual harassment. This nondiscrimination policy covers admission, access, and treatment in university programs and activities.

Grievance procedures have been established to process student complaints alleging violation of these regulations or university policies. Inquiries concerning sex discrimination and sexual harassment may be addressed to the Title IX officer. Inquiries concerning disability may be addressed to the director of the Disability Resource Center, who serves as the 504/ Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) compliance officer for student programmatic access. Student complaints related to discrimination in academic areas are reviewed in conformity with the procedures established by the Academic Senate, and inquiries may be directed to the director, Student Judicial Affairs. Students may also refer to the campus Student Policies and Regulations Handbook, Section 115.00, for procedures and resource persons regarding grievances. The Student Policies and Regulations Handbook may be accessed via the web at www2.ucsc.edu/judicial/.

The University of California prohibits discrimination against or harassment of any person employed by or seeking employment with the university on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, or status as a covered veteran (Vietnam-era veteran, special disabled veteran, recently separated veteran, or any other veteran who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized).

University policy is intended to be consistent with the provisions of applicable state and federal law. The University of California is an affirmative action/equal opportunity employer. The university undertakes affirmative action to assure equal employment opportunity for underutilized minorities and women, for persons with disabilities, and for covered veterans (Vietnam-era veterans, special disabled veterans, recently separated veterans, or any other veterans who served on active duty during a war or in a campaign or expedition for which a campaign badge has been authorized).

Employment-related discrimination complaints from student employees are processed in conformity with appropriate personnel policies. Inquiries regarding the university’s equal employment opportunity policies may be addressed to the Equal Employment Opportunity/ Affirmative Action Office, (831) 459-2349.

Sexual Harassment/Title IX
The university cherishes the free and open exchange of ideas and enlargement of knowledge. To maintain this freedom and openness requires objectivity, mutual trust, and confidence; it requires the absence of coercion, intimidation, or exploitation. The principal responsibility for maintaining these conditions must rest upon those members of the university community who exercise most authority and leadership: faculty, managers, and supervisors.

The university has therefore instituted a number of measures designed to protect its community from sexual and other forms of harassment. Students, faculty, and staff who want information, advice, to file a complaint, and/or copies of UCSC’s Sex Offense Policy and Procedures for Reports of Sexual Assault(s) and Sexual Harassment should contact Rita E. Walker, Title IX/Sexual Harassment Officer, 29 Clark Kerr Hall, (831) 459-2462 or via e-mail at rew@ucsc.edu. For detailed information about the services of the Title IX/Sexual Harassment Office, visit the web site at www2.ucsc.edu/title9-sh/. The Title IX/SHO is also available to investigate other violations of Title IX.