If you’re curious about what the University Of California San Diego Acceptance Rate is, the article presents a detailed guide on the University Of California admission exercise.
The University of California system used to have Berkeley and UCLA as the most important schools. This is still true in 2023, but other campuses are also getting harder to get into. UC San Diego is a big example. Now, all the students who get in are from the top 10% of their high school class, and their average grades are above 4.0. So, it’s not surprising that the UCSD acceptance rate has gone down in recent years.
If you want to go to UCSD, it’s tough. They don’t care about test scores anymore. They want you to have really good grades and write really good essays. You need almost perfect grades and your essays need to show who you are and what you think.
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UC-San Diego: Acceptance Rate – 2024
UCSD got 130,830 applications for the Class of 2027, which is almost the same as the 131,226 they got last year. They haven’t told us the acceptance rate for this year yet. But last year, the acceptance rate for the Class of 2026 was 23.7%. We think the acceptance rate for the Class of 2027 will be pretty close to that.
In previous years, the UC San Diego acceptance rate was as follows:
- Class of 2025: 34%
- Class of 2024: 38%
UC San Diego Admissions – Grades & Class Rank
The University of California System has adopted a test-blind policy. Therefore, SAT and ACT scores are not considered. For the Class of 2026, the mid-50% GPA range was 4.12-4.30. Typically, every single entering student placed in the top 10% of their high school cohort.
Admissions Trends & Notes
- 84,910 applications to the Class of 2027 came from California residents.
- 23,951 applications were from non-resident American students.
- 21,969 applications were from international students.
- UCSD remains test-blind for the foreseeable future.
- The number of applications declined for the first time in 20 years in the 2022-23 cycle.
Who Gets Into UC-San Diego?
Let’s look at the demographics of UC-San Diego undergraduates:
Most UCSD Diego students hailed from the Golden State and paid in-state tuition. The total geographic breakdown is as follows.
- Percent from other U.S. States (non-residents) – 9%
- Percent from other countries (non-resident, international) = 16%
- Percent from San Francisco/Bay Area: 12%
- Percent from San Diego County: 23%
- Percent from Los Angeles/Orange Counties: 34%
- Percent from Other California Counties: 6%
Looking at ethnic identity, the breakdown of the entire Triton student body is as follows:
- Asian American: 38%
- Hispanic: 21%
- African American: 3%
- International: 16%
- Caucasian: 19%
The breakdown by gender reveals an almost perfectly even split between male and female students.
- Male: 48%
- Female: 51%
The top fields of study among current students were as follows:
- Biology: 18%
- Economics: 7%
- Psychology: 8%
- Cognitive Science: 6%
- Mathematics: 7%
UC-San Diego’s Yield Rate
UC-San Diego’s yield rate—the percentage of accepted students who elect to enroll, divided by the total number of students who are admitted was 17%. This is far lower than many other elite public institutions, UT-Austin, UNC Chapel Hill, UGA which are above 40%.
How UCSD Rates Applicants
UC San Diego places high importance on three factors in their admissions process: the rigor of the secondary school record, GPA, and application essays. Other factors rated as “important” include talent/ability, character/personal qualities, extracurricular activities, volunteer experience, and state residency.
Since UC San Diego is now test-blind, their holistic review process has become even more significant. Each application is reviewed by at least two individuals.
In the words of the admissions office: “Our goal is to identify and admit students who are fully prepared to excel in our challenging academic environment. We’re looking for students who represent strong academic achievement, exceptional personal talent, and the broad diversity of abilities, personal experience, and backgrounds characteristic of California.”
Being recruited as an athlete to join one of UC San Diego’s 23 Division I sports teams can also be advantageous. Many incoming students are designated as “recruited athletes,” and the university has nearly 600 total varsity athletes.
Tips for Applying to UC-San Diego
If you plan on joining the 130,000+ Triton hopefuls for the next admissions cycle, you should know the following:
- While a holistic process, UC San Diego does not offer interviews.
- UC San Diego does not consider “demonstrated interest” in the admissions process.
- Make sure to dedicate sufficient time and effort to the supplemental essays required by UC San Diego. There are eight total prompts. Applicants respond to 4. Each response in limited to maximum of 350 words.
1) Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.
2) Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.
3) What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
4) Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
UCSD Acceptance Rate (Continued)
5) Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
6) Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.
7) What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?
8) Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?
Summary of UCSD Acceptance Rate 2024
Getting into UCSD has become more challenging than ever. You need nearly perfect grades in at least 10 honors, AP, or IB courses, or even a perfect record. And this high standard isn’t just for out-of-state applicants; even in-state students must have excellent academic records and other strong qualities.
Because of these tough requirements, it’s really important for all students to create a balanced list of colleges. This list should include both schools you’re aiming for and ones where your admission is more likely. It’s a good idea to work with an experienced admissions professional who knows the latest trends and strategies for the colleges you’re interested in.
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