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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. In 2005, UCSC received over 28,000 applications for 3,000 places in the freshman class and 900 in the transfer class.
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 for information and reservations for campus tours and transfer workshops. If you do not have Internet access, 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 (see pages 36–40). 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, see
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-six percent of the students who entered as first-year students in 2001 graduated after four years; 66 percent of those who entered in 2000 graduated after five years; and 70 percent of those who entered in 1999 graduated after six years. In recent years, students who entered as first-year students 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 on the Institutional Research web site at planning.ucsc.edu/irps/retengrad.asp.
The University of California Application for Undergraduate Admission and Scholarships may be accessed through 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.
If you do not have web access, you can either e-mail ucinfo@ucapplication.net or call (831) 459-4008 to have a printed application mailed to you.
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 2007 |
November 1–30, 2006 |
| Winter quarter 2008 |
July 1–31, 2007 |
| Fall quarter 2008 |
November 1–30, 2007 |
| Winter quarter 2009 |
July 1–31, 2008 |
Application
Fees
The application fee is $60 ($70 for international nonimmigrant applicants) to apply to one campus of the university. For each additional campus you select, you must pay an extra $60 fee ($70 for international nonimmigrant applicants). These fees are subject to change and are not refundable. The online application includes payment instructions.
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 U.S. citizens and permanent residents only.
Students who qualify for fee waivers and who select more than four campuses must pay $60 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. No more than one year of ESL-type courses 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, chemistry, and physics. Advanced laboratory science courses that have biology, chemistry, or physics as prerequisites and offer substantial additional material may be used to fulfill this requirement. The final two years of an approved integrated science program may be used to fulfill 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, composition, and culture. Courses in languages 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. A single year-long approved arts course from a single VPA discipline: drama/theater, music, 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 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.
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: www.act.org/aap/scores/howrequest.html
(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 90 semester units (135 quarter units) or more 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 (see 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 see admissions.ucsc.edu/campustours to make a reservation. If you do not have Internet access, please call (831) 459-4008.
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.eduor the International Admissions Specialist, Office of Admissions, University of California, Santa Cruz, 1156 High Street, Santa Cruz, CA 95064.
Students whose native language is not English must certify proficiency in English by one of the following methods: earning a score of 220 or higher on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (minimum 550 if paper-based TOEFL; minimum 83 if Internet-based TOEFL), or earning a minimum score of 7.0 on the International English Language Testing Service (IELTS) exam, or completing two transferable English composition courses with grades of B or higher. 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 $60 application fee, 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 system-wide requirements in American History and Institutions and the Entry Level Writing Requirement (see 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.
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, gender identity, pregnancy (pregnancy, childbirth, and medical conditions related to pregnancy and childbirth), disability, age, medical condition (cancer-related), ancestry, marital status, citizenship, sexual orientation, or status as a Vietnam-era veteran or 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 at (831) 459-2462. 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—at (831) 459-2089. 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 and ADA Compliance Resolution officer, at (831) 459-4446. 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). This policy applies to all employment practices, including recruitment, selection, promotion, transfer, merit increase, salary, training and development, demotion, and separation.
This policy is intended to be consistent with the provisions of applicable state and federal laws and university policies. 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 the UCSC Policy on Sexual Assault and Procedures for Reports of Sexual Assault(s) and Sexual Harassment should contact Rita E. Walker, Title IX/Sexual Harassment Officer, 119 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.
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