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Undergraduate Admission
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 23,000 applications for 3,000 places in the freshman class
and 900 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 at admissions.ucsc.edu/campustours
or call (831) 459-4008 for more information. 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 economically disadvantaged backgrounds,
disabled persons, and re-entry women and men, in its academic programs
(go to Undergraduate Academic
Program for more information). 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. For a description
of these programs, go to the Educational
Opportunity Programs section.
Admission by Exception.
Special consideration may be given to a limited number of applicants
who do not meet standard admission requirements. Admission by Exception
is granted to a very 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-nine percent of the students who entered
as freshmen in 1999 graduated after four years; 65 percent of those
who entered in 1998 graduated after five years; and 65 percent of
those who entered in 1997 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.
The University of California Application for Undergraduate Admission
and Scholarships may be accessed online at UC’s PATHWAYS web
site at admissions.ucsc.edu.
To apply online, the computer you use must meet certain minimum
requirements. Details are available online. The application can
also be printed from this web site if you are unable to apply via
the web.
In addition to the application, the above site includes a wealth
of information for prospective UC students about undergraduate education,
admission, financial aid, and various topics of interest.
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.
pplication
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.
Quarter of Attendance
|
Filing Period |
| Fall quarter 2005 |
November 1–30, 2004 |
| Winter quarter 2006 |
July 1–31, 2005 |
| Fall quarter 2006 |
November 1–30, 2005 |
| Winter quarter 2007 |
July 1–31, 2006 |
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 subject to change and 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 certain students who otherwise would be unable
to apply for admission. To qualify for the fee waiver, you must
meet specific requirements related to your family income and size.
The fee waiver 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. The online application can determine if an
applicant is eligible for the fee waiver as soon as the necessary
form is complete.
Other methods for waiving the application fee are listed below.
- 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.
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. (Requirements for transfer students are
explained in the Admission as a Transfer
Student section.) 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
“a–g” requirements section.
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.
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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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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 mathematics
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.
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. Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements
for the university does not guarantee you admission as a freshman.
Students are encouraged to achieve well beyond the minimum requirements
to enhance opportunities for selection to the university.
Information regarding the admission and selection process for UC Santa
Cruz can be accessed at admissions.ucsc.edu.
This site provides information on establishing UC eligibility for
both residents and nonresidents of California. If you are unable to
access the online information, please call the Admissions Office at
(831) 459-4008.
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
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.
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.
The admission and selection process for transfer students reflects
the academic rigor and preparation needed for admission to a major
research institution. UC Santa Cruz gives highest priority to junior-level
transfers from California community colleges.
Information regarding the admission and selection process for UC
Santa Cruz can be accessed at admissions.ucsc.edu.
This site provides information on establishing UC eligibility for
both residents and nonresidents of California. If you are unable
to access the online information, please call the Admissions Office
at (831) 459-4008.
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 UC Santa Cruz 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 UC Santa Cruz 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 UC Santa Cruz as a nonmatriculated
student are available through Summer Session, Concurrent Enrollment
through UC Extension, and Intersegmental Cross-Enrollment. (go to
the Intersegmental
Cross-Enrollment section for more information)
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.
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 admissions@ucsc.edu
or 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: ucsc-extension.edu/eli.
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 the
Office of International Education
section.
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
online at advising.ucsc.edu/student/read
and from your college office. The completed application should be
filed, along with the nonrefundable $40 application fee (subject
to change), with the Office of Admissions during
the appropriate period:
Quarter of Attendance
|
Filing Period |
| Fall quarter |
November 1–July 31 |
| Winter quarter |
July 1–October 31 |
| Spring quarter |
October 1–January 31 |
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 UC Santa Cruz 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.
For information on applying for admission in the categories described
below, please contact the Office of Admissions at admissions@ucsc.edu
or 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 systemwide requirements in American history and institutions
and Subject A (go to the section on Graduation
Requirements for more information). 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 student attending a high school in Santa
Cruz County, 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.
Student-Related
Matters
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), ancestry, marital status,
citizenship, sexual orientation, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran,
special disabled veteran. 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 student programmatic 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/.
Employment-Related Matters
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, gender identity, pregnancy (including childbirth and medical
conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth), physical or mental
disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics),
ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship,
or status as a covered veteran, special disabled veteran, recently
separated veteran, Vietnam-era 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 form sexual and other forms of harrassment.
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 Harrassment should contact
Rita E. Walker, Title IX/Sexual Harrassment 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
Harrassment 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.
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