UC San Diego is a part of the University of California system and one of the most popular of them. A number of its programs are ranked as one of the top ten by U.S. News and World Report; American Politics, Behavioral Neuroscience, Plasma Physics and Multi-media are some of those programs. UCSC also has nationally ranked graduate programs like Political Science, Theater & Dance and Economics. Students who apply to UCSD apply to one of six colleges, each of the colleges has its own educational philosophy and students are encouraged to make their decisions based on matching their own philosophies and interests with the three college that they list on their application (Roger Revelle, Thurgood Marshall, Earl Warren John Muir, Thurgood Marshall or the newest college that focuses on culture, art and technology – Sixth College). For example, Earl Warren (Governor of California and U.S. Supreme Court justice has the philosophy, “Toward a Life Balance” and balance personal responsibility and public. Students take a course in common, have access to the honors program, and can become involved internships that will prepare them for graduate study. Each college has different general education requirements. Students can declare any major, regardless of the college they end up residing in.
The “Tritons” are a Division II school with 23 collegiate teams. UCSD is located on a beautiful campus overlooking the city of San Diego. Freshman housing is guaranteed and off-campus housing can be right on the beach! Lots of students go surfing in their free time.
William Stiles, an admissions officer at UCSD felt that the intimacy of the six colleges is a factor that contributes to the higher retention rate of African-American and Latino students at UCSD, because are more closely supported and advised through the system.
Even so, there are only 1.5% African-American Students, 12.2% Latino/Chicano and American students (additionally there are 48.6% Asian, 26.7% White and less than 1% Native American – 12% Undeclared). Some of the low numbers of African-American and Latino students are attributed to the admissions standards (considered very competitive) and the reality of education in urban centers in this country. UCSD uses a point system for admissions and evaluates applicants’ 10th and 11th grade years for admission (https://doorways.cop.edu/list). Students must meet minimum requirements (3.4 GPA in “a-g requirements”, ACT plus Writing or SAT I AND 2 SAT II tests in two different areas). Admissions Criteria – 77% of the criteria is based on gpa and exams, and 23% of the criteria examines a student’s education environment, family income, 1st generation status, leadership and special talents, volunteer/community service, education prep program participation and special circumstances or personal challenges. For out of state applicants (3% of population), AP BUT NOT honors courses contribute to a student’s application. 37.3 % of applicants are admitted and the mean weighted GPA is 4.06 (admit rate is lower for students with lower GPAs – less than 1% for students whose GPAs are lower than 3.0). Another contributing factor to school’s high retention rate has to be that STUDENTS ARE ALREADY PERFORMING WELL ACADEMICALLY IN HIGH SCHOOL!!! It appears that students have a higher rate of acceptance when they transfer from CA community colleges (establish residency) at 95%! Students submit their own grades and the application period is November 1-30.
Tuition for out-of-state applicants is $20,608 more than the $23,760 for CA residents. 50% of admitted students receive financial aid, but many grants are
CA state based. Applications are submitted January 2 – March 2.