@intricuit Entitled, far from it. I’m just trying to get some clarity into this process. Which to me seems more of a lottery. I appreciate the comments. I guess the wording and explanation by some colleges gives us a different interpretation of the process.
Unpredictable!
@medstu1324 
If you check the latest raking in uc website , you will see that UCD has higher ranking than UCSD .you should feel proud and happy for yourself .
Nothing about college admissions seems to “make sense” We are placing so much pressure on our young people to perform at high levels from 7th -12th, only to be disappointed and disenchanted by the college selection process. I would like to see HS counseling be a priority to help families navigate better especially if they haven’t been through the process before. I have self taught on MCA, a-g, capped, weighted vs weighted, EC, and more AFTER I found this forum. Navigating the college admissions world without all the knowledge that can be paid for by the wealthy creates the brokenness of the system and broken hearts of our kids.
The problem with online rankings is that it’s subjective. Davis has things that are great that SD doesn’t have, and SD has things that Davis doesn’t. It ultimately depends on what you want.
@zsshar Also for us STEM majors UCSD is FAR better than UCD… ESP. for neuroscience
For bio as well. Many great opportunities for biology majors here. SD is a powerhouse of biotech companies, with many companies by campus. There are also many hospitals near campus for pre-meds lookin for hours.
Gumbymom: Which UCs are the most stat-based?
Holistic admissions are difficult in that, as much as we try to make them measurable, they aren’t. A candidate with high stats and independent research may be rejected from a school who is looking for global, collaborative leaders. Instead, they might choose someone with slightly lower stats who was a leader of a non-profit. It is qualitative, not quantitative.
Also as much as schools accept you into the university and then into your major, remember that they have to fill all majors. Everyone can’t study CS and Neurobiology. They need students to study Judaic Studies and World Literature & Culture as well. UCSD is very transparent about letting students know that it is extremely competitive to get into an impacted major. They ask you to pick a non impacted major as your second choice and often accept students into their second choice or even give them no major and accept students as undeclared.
Actually that’s not true. UCSC does a lot of yield protection
@GoDogsGo If you look at the common data set, UCSB appears to be the most stats-driven. All the categories under academics (SAT, GPA, etc) are checked at “very important,” while non-academic indicators are down at merely “considered.” The 4 ranks are “not considered,” “considered,” “important,” and “very important.”
Any confirmation yet that decisions will be out tomorrow? I think UCLA and SLO come out tomorrow as well right? So confused, I don’t know why they can’t jut give a day and time! So frustrating…
@GoDogsGo:
Here is a breakdown of how UC’s review applicants. Other than UCSB which states 50% academics and 50% essays/EC’s etc… (subjective aspects), none of the UC’s actually list the %’s for each area of review.
- BERKELEY
- Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores
- Important: Extracurricular activities, Volunteer work, Work experience
- Considered: Character/personal qualities, First generation college student, State residency, AP/IBLH exam scores
- Note: Thorough review of academic performance; likely contribution to intellectual and cultural vitality of the campus; diversity in personal background and experience; demonstrated qualities in leadership, motivation, concern for others and community; non-academic achievement in the performing arts, athletics or employment; demonstrated interest in major.
- LOR's by invitation only as of 2017
Division (L&S, CNR, CoC, CED, CoE) matters for admission selectivity.
Within CoE (but not the other divisions), major matters for admission selectivity. Changing majors within the CoE after enrolling is not guaranteed, unless one is CoE undeclared.
Note that L&S admits students as undeclared; admission to capped majors (e.g. CS, economics, psychology, ORMS, statistics, art practice, and a few others) is by college GPA in prerequisite courses (and portfolio for art practice) after attending for a few semesters. The business major is in a separate division and admits students in a competitive holistic process. Frosh intending business majors begin in another division (usually L&S), take the business major prerequisites, and apply (usually in their second years). They also need to take prerequisites for a backup major in case they are not admitted to the business major. All students who apply to UC Berkeley and select a major within the College of Natural Resources are evaluated based on their application, not on the particular major they select. DAVISVery important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scoresImportant: Character/personal qualities, Extracurricular activities, Talent/ability, Volunteer workConsidered: First generation college student, Geographical residence, State residency, Work experience-
Note: Scholastic achievement most important, followed by school and community activities, academic interests, special circumstances, special achievements and awardsAdmission decisions are made based upon the qualifications of the applicant pool and the number of available spaces within each academic area:
• College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences admits by college
• College of Biological Sciences admits by college
• College of Letters and Science admits by division within the college
• (Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies; Mathematics and Physical Sciences; Social Sciences)
• College of Engineering admits by academic department
Students applying as “undeclared” or “undeclared/exploratory” are considered within the college/division to which they applied. IRVINEVery important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Extracurricular activities, Level of applicant's interest, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores, Talent/ability, Volunteer work, Work experienceImportant: Character/personal qualities, Class rankConsidered: First generation college student, Geographical residence, State residencyNote: Demonstrated record of academic preparation, educational engagement, talent and skills important.- Freshman Selection: UCI admits into the University first and then into the major. In the case that UCI is unable to accommodate all qualified applicants in their first-choice major, those students who indicate a valid alternate major may be offered admission in that major or Undeclared.
- LOS ANGELES
Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scoresImportant: Character/personal qualities, Extracurricular activities, Talent/ability, Volunteer work, Work experienceConsidered: First generation college student, Geographical residence, AP/IBHL exam scores-
Note: GPA, test scores, course work, number of and performance in honors and AP courses most important. Essay considered. Strong senior program important. Extracurricular activities, honors and awards also reviewed.For the College of Letters and Science, the applicant’s major is not considered during the review process. The Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science admits students by declared major, with more emphasis on science and math programs. The School of Nursing also places more emphasis on science and math programs and requires the submission of an additional supplemental application. The School of the Arts and Architecture; Herb Alpert School of Music; and the School of Theater, Film and Television admit students by declared major (within the school), and put more emphasis on special talents through a review of portfolios and/or auditions, which are the most significant admission factors for these schools.
Continuation of the UC application review:
- MERCED
*
-
Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores -
Important: Class rank, Extracurricular activities, Talent/ability -
Considered: Character/personal qualities, First generation college student, Geographical residence, Level of applicant's interest, Recommendations, State residency, Volunteer work, Work experience -
Note: Academic record and test scores determine eligibility.
*
-
RIVERSIDE
*
-
Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores -
Considered: Character/personal qualities, Extracurricular activities, First generation college student, State residency, Talent/ability, Volunteer work, Work experience -
Note: A fixed weight point system comprehensive review model that culminates in an Academic Index Score to determine admission for incoming freshmen.
*
-
SAN DIEGO
*
-
Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores -
Important: Character/personal qualities, Extracurricular activities, First generation college student, State residency, Talent/ability, Volunteer work, Work experience -
The campus does not admit students on the basis of academic major or choice of UC San Diego undergraduate college. Alternate majors are considered. Also note: Capped majors require additional pre-req coursesNote: High school course pattern, GPA, essay and test scores most important. Admission for out-of-state applicants more selective than for residents.
and specific GPA to be able to qualify to if changing majors.
*
-
SANTA BARBARA
*
-
Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores -
Considered: Character/personal qualities, Class rank, Extracurricular activities, First generation college student, Level of applicant's interest, State residency, Talent/ability, Volunteer work, Work experience -
Note: Eligibility established by high school GPA, course requirement, and SAT scores. Special consideration for disadvantaged students. - Freshman Selection:
College of Letters and Sciences: Choice of major is not considered in selection to the College of Letters and Science. The exceptions to this rule are dance and music performance majors. Both majors require applicants to complete an audition in late January or early February.
College of Engineering: Students are selected by major for all engineering and computer science majors. Only applicants with a solid background in advanced high school mathematics will be considered for admission to engineering. This includes high grades in all math courses through grade 11 and enrollment in pre-calculus or higher in grade 12. A student not selected for their first choice major will be reviewed for admission to an alternate major outside of the College of Engineering if one was selected.
College of Creative Studies:
Applicants to the College of Creative Studies submit a supplementary application in addition to the general UC Application, which is reviewed by Creative Studies faculty. Students are selected within Creative Studies majors only. Applicants not selected for Creative Studies will automatically be considered for admission to the College of Letters and Science.
- SANTA CRUZ
- Very important: Academic GPA, Application essay, Rigor of secondary school record, Standardized test scores, State residency
- Important: Character/personal qualities, Extracurricular activities, First generation college student, Geographical residence, Talent/ability
- Considered: Volunteer work, Work experience
- Note: Test scores, GPA in required subjects most important. Personal statement very important.
- Admission Selection: Important Note for Prospective Engineering Students: Choice of major does not influence the selection of first-year students, except for those applicants interested in a major offered by the Jack Baskin School of Engineering (BSOE). Freshmen who are interested in a BSOE program should be sure to indicate a BSOE proposed major. Students who do not indicate a BSOE program or who apply as undeclared might not be able to pursue a BSOE program.
Thanks Gumbymom. However, regardless of the written criteria, based on your personal experience and/or your memory of anecdotal evidence, which of the top UCs (Cal, UCLA, UCSD, UCSB, UCI and UCD) appear to be the most stat-driven? Thanks in advance (and sorry to be a pest)
@GoDogsGo: It is difficult to generalize since there will always be exceptions. The UC’s tend to be more GPA focused vs. test score focused but I think UCLA and UCI have been more stats driven in the past than other campuses. As the UC’s continue to become competitive along with the applicants, the UC’s have to look beyond the stats and find other factors to help differentiate applicants from one another.
Thanks!
where did you get that information @gumbymom
@Gumbymom Your eval criteria is extremely helpful. Thank you for taking the time to put that together.
Just one question: For Irvine and Santa Barbara, how would they know the class rank? Unless I’m missing it, I don’t see it in my DS’ application anywhere. Or was it on the application portal that my DS filled out that I’m not aware of? Thanks!
@sawadeeka: Class rank for the UC’s is basically ELC eligibility (top 9% of HS based on ELC benchmark GPA). ELC status is determined by the UC’s after students submit their applications. Using the self-reported academic record, the application will check to see if an applicant has met or exceeded the benchmark 9 percent GPA for his or her school and whether the student has completed the minimum course requirements.