APPLYING TO THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA (UC) SCHOOLS

 

http://universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions

 

How to Apply

To help you keep track of everything you need to do through the application process, follow this checklist:

• Report your test results.
  You may self-report your SAT and/or ACT results in the application, and you also are required to submit official test scores. Please order score reports from the testing agency no later than December 2009 for fall 2010 admission.
• Provide your e-mail address.
  Most campuses communicate with applicants by e-mail. Provide a reliable e-mail account that you will check regularly and keep until you enroll. E-mail addresses must be no more than 35 characters.
• Consider your personal statement.
  The personal statement is an important part of your application for admission. The University uses it to learn more about you as an individual. Early on in the admissions process, review the questions that you will respond to in writing your statement, and give yourself time to write, revise, and thoroughly proofread your statement before adding it to your application.
• Apply for scholarships.
  Use the application for admission to apply for all scholarships administered by the University, including Regents scholarships. Many scholarship programs, including those administered by University alumni associations, require applicants to submit additional materials.
• Pay fees.
  Pay application fees with a credit card when you submit your application. If you want to pay later, ask the Application Processing Service to bill you.
• Print a copy.
  Keep a copy of your application receipt and personal statement for your files.
• Letters of recommendation.
  UC does not require or solicit letters of recommendation for undergraduate admission.
• Need help?
  If you have a question about the application process that is NOT technical, or if you have a question after you submit your application, call the application processing service at (800) 523-2048 (in California) or (925) 808-2181 (outside California) during normal business hours, or e-mail ucinfo@ucapplication.net.
  
  If you are having technical difficulties completing your application, call the Help Desk at (800) 914-8820 (in California) or (925) 808-2150 (outside California) during the hours listed below, or e-mail ucpath@ucapplication.net.

 

 

 

 

The Personal Statement

In reading your application, we want to get to know you as well as we can. There's a limit to what grades and test scores can tell us so we ask you to write a personal statement.

Your personal statement is your chance to tell us who you are and what's important to you. Think of it as your opportunity to introduce yourself to the admissions and scholarship officers reading your application. Be open, be honest, be real. What you tell us in your personal statement gives readers the context to better understand the rest of the information you’ve provided in your application.

A couple of tips: Read each prompt carefully and be sure to respond to all parts. Use specific, concrete examples to support the points you want to make. Finally, relax. This is one of many pieces of information we consider in reviewing your application; an admission decision will not be based on your personal statement alone.

Instructions and Prompts

• Respond to both prompts, using a maximum of 1,000 words total.
• You may allocate the word count as you wish. If you choose to respond to one prompt at greater length, we suggest your shorter answer be no less than 250 words.
• Stay within the word limit as closely as you can. A little over — 1,012 words, for example — is fine.

Prompt #1 

Describe the world you come from — for example, your family, community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.

Prompt #2

Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does it relate to the person you are?

Tips and Techniques

Start early.

Allow time for reflection, thoughtful preparation and revision.

Choose a topic for each essay.

Look critically at the information in your application: your grades, awards, activities and work experience, family and income. Anticipate questions an admissions evaluator will have after reading your application. The personal statement is your opportunity to answer those questions.

Compose your personal statement in a word-processing program.

Don't type it directly into the application. This way, you will have the opportunity to print copies for review.

Write in a natural style.

Present your information and ideas in a focused, thoughtful and meaningful manner. Support your ideas with specific examples. A personal statement that is simply a list of qualities or accomplishments is usually not persuasive.

Proofread.

In addition to checking your spelling, be sure your grammar is correct and your essays read smoothly.

Solicit feedback.

Your personal statement should reflect your own ideas and be written by you alone, but others--family and teachers--can offer valuable suggestions.

Copy and paste.

Once you are satisfied with your essays, save them in plain text (ASCII) and paste them into the space provided in the application. Proofread once more to make sure no odd characters or line breaks have appeared.  

 

 Submitting Transcripts

If you are admitted for the fall term, you must arrange to have final, official transcripts sent to the Admissions Office no later than July 15.

Freshman Applicants

If you are admitted, you must arrange to have an official, final high school transcript (showing your date of graduation) sent to the campus where you plan to enroll. Unless a campus requests it, do not send a sixth- or seventh-semester transcript.

 

Admissions Decisions

If you are a fall-term freshman applicant, each campus you applied to during the filing period will notify you whether you have been admitted generally between March 1 and March 31.

These notification dates apply only to applicants for the fall term who file during the November 1-30 filing period. Fall applicants who file late or applicants for winter or spring should contact the campus Admissions Office regarding admission notification periods.

Provisional Admission

Offers of admission are provisional until the campus receives your final official transcript and verifies successful completion of all coursework required for UC eligibility. Both the Subject Requirement and the Examination Requirement must be completed no later than the date of high school graduation. If any information on your application is found to be incomplete or inaccurate or your performance drops significantly during the senior year, the offer of admission may be revoked. Each campus provides newly admitted students with Conditions for Admissions that must be satisfied prior to enrollment at the University.