UCSD Acceptance Rate and Admissions 2023/2024
Founded in 1960, the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) is a public research institution and one of the top universities in the United States with its main campus in La Jolla, California. UCSD consists of twelve undergraduate, graduate, and professional schools as well as seven undergraduate residential colleges.
The public research institution is one of the most applied-to institutions in the United States. It is also ranked as one of the best research universities with numerous publications. Getting admitted into the University of California, San Diego is tricky due to the high number of applicants and low acceptance rate.
Prospective students of the University of California, San Diego must meet the admission requirements and familiarize themselves with UCSD’s acceptance rate, admission process, and other conditions.
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UCSD Acceptance Rate 2024
Known as the percentage of applicants a college accepts in an admission year. UC San Diego’s acceptance rate is 23.7% for the undergraduate class of 2026. The institution accepts many domestic and international students, making the admission process more competitive.
Typically, international students experience lower college acceptance rates than domestic applicants. Furthermore, the acceptance rate for UC San Diego varies between colleges.
To boost your chances of getting accepted into UC San Diego, you need to understand how the institution accepts in-state and out-of-state as well as international students.
UCSD Acceptance Rate for International Applicants
According to the UCSDadmissions website, international students have an impressive acceptance rate. This can be attributed to the fact that fewer international students apply to the University of California, San Diego than domestic students.
UC San Diego Transfer Acceptance Rate
The University of California, San Diego’s transfer acceptance rate is 58%. Out of 19,711 applicants, 11,267 was admitted.
Across all schools in the UC system, it’s normal for the transfer admit rate to be higher than that of freshman admissions. While transferring from a community college might seem hard, it’s a smart way to save money.
What GPA is required for UC San Diego?
UC San Diego has a specific way to calculate the grade point average (GPA) it requires for admission.
California residents must earn a GPA of 3.0 (or better) with no grade lower than “C.” Non-California residents including International applicants must earn a GPA of 3.4 (or better) with no grade lower than a “C.”
In reality, students admitted to UC San Diego have GPAs that exceed these minimums.
Before UC schools started ignoring standardized test scores, applicants used to complement their below-average GPA with their SAT/ACT scores, the only way to do that now is by taking challenging courses such as AP/IB classes to get additional points.
Is SAT required for the University of California, San Diego?
The University of California, San Diego does not require you to take either take the SAT or ACT before getting accepted. However, students may still include that information on their application. If your SAT or ACT scores are at the top of the scale, consider submitting them to strengthen your UC San Diego application.
What is the average SAT score for UC San Diego?
The average SAT score composite at the University of California, San Diego is between 1260-1480, and an ACT of 25 to 31. Although there are no fixed UCSD SAT score requirements, falling within or above the average range is a great way to boost your chances of acceptance.
Although submitting your SAT or ACT is completely optional, however, the scores may only be considered for admission if submitted.
Breakdown of UC San Diego Acceptance Rate
In the Fall of 2022, the University of California, San Diego received 131,245 applications, out of which 31,160 was admitted representing a 23.7% acceptance rate.
Also, the acceptance rate for international students was impressive with a good number of freshmen identifying as Asian, African, Hispanic, or Latino. These numbers are not related to the acceptance rate for UC San Diego, but they do show that UCSD is a diverse campus.
UC San Diego Admission Process 2024
The University of California, San Diego admission process varies depending on the level of education, programs offered, and nationality. However, candidates with a minimum of 3.8 GPA can apply to study at the University of California, San Diego.
Also, note that UC San Diego’s GPA requirements tend to be higher for out-of-state students. The UCSD GPA requirements for non-residents state that these students must earn at least a 4.0 with no grades below a B. Despite the lack of UC San Diego’s SAT requirements, out-of-state applicants also report higher test scores than their in-state counterparts.
University of California, San Diego Admission Timeline
The admission process starts in the fall season right before the year you want to join. Generally, the deadline for UC San Diego admission application is November 30.
Documents Required for UC San Diego
To study at the University of California, San Diego you must first and foremost meet the admission requirements. Thereafter, apply to the school before the application deadline. In addition to the general admission requirements, you must also meet the specific subject requirements.
Although the admission application process may vary for local and international students, some of the requirements may apply to both. Below are some of the general UCSD admission requirements:
- Completed Common Application.
- High school transcript.
- One Teacher Evaluation (core academic teacher or other non-relative who can speak directly to the student’s academic aptitude, potential, and classroom performance )
- SAT or ACT score, if available and you wish them to be considered, or other test results like PSAT, if available.
- TOEFL, IELTS, MET, or Duolingo, etc. scores (for non-native speakers of English)
- Official college transcripts (for high school students dual enrolled in a college or university).
UC San Diego Application Fee
The University of California, San Diego has an application fee of $70 for each UC campus ($80 for international and non-immigrant applicants). You can make your payment either by credit card or by mail, just be sure to follow the instructions in the application.
Popular Majors at UC San Diego
The most popular majors among UC San Diego students are:
- Computer Science
- Economics
- Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Anatomy
- International Studies
University of California, San Diego Tuition & Fees
To study at the University of California, San Diego you will need to spend a huge sum of money. The cost varies depending on the level of study, major or program, number of credit hours taken, and the school or college you wish to study. Some additional fees include incidental fees, educational supplies, accommodation costs, etc.
Undergraduate fees are $60,576 – $68,526Â for out-of-state students and $29,550 – $37,500Â for in-state students.
UC San Diego Scholarships
There are a number of financial aid available to students studying at the University of California, San Diego. These financial supports may be awarded based on need, academic merit, background, specific talents, or professional interest.
Conclusion
The acceptance rate is an important factor to consider when seeking admission to the University of California, San Diego. Also, understanding UC San Diego’s acceptance rate and admission requirements are important as it helps you to plan on how to pursue your program and make the right decisions.
