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UC

University of California, Santa Cruz

Santa Cruz, CA
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Admit Rate
66%* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)Accessible
GPA Range (UC-Capped)
3.86 - 4.22
Cost of Attendance
$41,179
$75,379 out-of-state
Test Policy
Doesn't use SAT/ACT‡ (source: University of California admissions (system-wide) · 2026-27 · accessed Sep 23, 2026)

System-wide UC policy; one application covers all nine campuses.

Data sourced from IPEDS, Institutional Website, for the record as a whole — figures marked with a star are sourced separately, as noted at the bottom of the page. Testing policy and deadlines checked against the college's own pages on Oct 18, 2026.

Preparation

Helpful high school preparation
AP Computer Science AAP Calculus AB/BCAP Environmental ScienceAP Biology

This is helpful preparation, not a formal admission requirement. For UC and CSU schools, admission is based on completing the A-G course requirements, not this list.

Admissions

How admission works here

Where you apply
UC Application. School admissions page
Test scores
SAT and ACT scores aren't considered in admission. System-wide UC policy; one application covers all nine campuses. University of California admissions (system-wide)
GPA levels
UC's minimum GPA to be eligible: 3.0 for California residents and 3.4 for non-residents, in your a-g classes. This is the systemwide minimum, not what a campus typically admits: see the campus's GPA range at the top of the page. UC admissions site
Which grades count
Your a-g grades from 10th and 11th grade, with an extra point for each honors semester (up to 8). UC admissions site
Guaranteed spot
Top California students (top 9 percent statewide, or of your own high school) are offered a spot at a UC campus with space if they aren't admitted where they applied. UC admissions site
California residents
California residents get priority, and every campus also admits out-of-state students. UC admissions site
Essays
Personal Insight Questions: answer 4 of these 8 (350 words max each). School admissions page
Deadlines
Regular Decision November 30. University of California admissions (system-wide dates)
Overall
66%* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)

My Fit uses this overall rate to classify your chances here.

Mid-50% Unweighted GPA
3.62 - 3.96
Mid-50% UC-Capped GPA
3.86 - 4.22
Doesn't use SAT/ACT
Top 10 majors
  1. 1Computer Science
  2. 2Psychology
  3. 3Business Economics
  4. 4Cell and Molecular Biology
  5. 5Film/Video and Photographic Arts (other)
  6. 6Sociology
  7. 7Political Science
  8. 8Game and Interactive Media Design
  9. 9Cognitive Science
  10. 10Biology

Ordered by how many students graduated in each, 2023-24. Source: U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS Completions survey). Names are the federal categories, so University of California, Santa Cruz may call a major something slightly different.

Applying

Application Deadlines† (source: University of California admissions (system-wide dates) · 2026-27 · accessed Sep 20, 2026)
Regular Decision
November 30 · Non-binding
Essays and application
Fall 2027
Applies through UC Application

UC first-year admission requirements

UC systemwide
15
year-long a-g courses
3.0
UC minimum GPA to be eligible, California residents
3.4
UC minimum GPA to be eligible, non-residents
Grades
  • California applicants must earn at least a 3.0 GPA and nonresidents must earn a minimum 3.4 GPA in all A-G or college-preparatory courses to meet this requirement.
  • Please note, UC will calculate your official UC GPA when you submit your application for admission.
  • As a public institution, we prioritize admission for California residents. However, all of our campuses offer admission to out-of-state students.
How your UC GPA is calculated

UC has a specific way to calculate the grade point average (GPA) it requires for admission.

  1. 1
    Convert your grades to grade points
    • Convert the letter grades earned in all A-G courses completed between summer after 9th grade through summer after 11th grade to grade points: A=4 points, B=3 points, C=2 points, D=1 points. (Pluses and minuses don't count.)
  2. 2
    Add an extra point for each honors semester
    • Give yourself an extra point for each semester of a UC honors-level course, with a maximum of 8 points between 10th and 11th grades.
    • For 10th grade, you cannot use more than 4 honors points.
    • Grades of D or F in an honors course do not earn an extra point.
    • One college course = one grade = one honors point.
  3. 3
    Add up the points and divide
    • Add up all the points to find out your total grade points.
    • Divide your total grade points by the number of letter grades earned in courses taken between the summer after 9th grade through summer after 11th grade.
    • This is your UC GPA (for example: 3.57). Do not round up or down.
Out-of-state applicants
In calculating an out-of-state student's GPA to determine if the 3.4 minimum has been met, UC will grant honors weight for AP or IB courses only, but not for school-designated honors courses. The weight is given to letter grades of A, B, or C.
The required courses (a-g)

You need to complete a minimum of 15 college-preparatory courses (A-G courses) with a letter grade of C or better. You must complete at least 11 of these courses prior to the beginning of your last year of high school.

a
History2 years

one year of world history, cultures or historical geography (may be a single yearlong course or two one-semester courses), and one year of U.S. history or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of civics or American government

b
English4 years

Four years of college-preparatory English that include frequent writing, from brainstorming to final paper, as well as reading of classic and modern literature.

c
Mathematics3 years

Three years of college-preparatory mathematics that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry; a fourth year of math is strongly recommended.

d
Science2 years

Two years of college-preparatory science, including or integrating topics that provide fundamental knowledge in two of these three subjects: biology, chemistry, or physics.

e
Language other than English2 years

Two years, or equivalent to the 2nd level of high school instruction, of the same language other than English are required. A third year of course work is recommended.

f
Visual and performing arts1 year

One yearlong course of visual and performing arts chosen from the following disciplines: dance, music, theater, visual arts or interdisciplinary arts

g
College-preparatory elective1 year

One year (two semesters) chosen from courses specific to the elective (G) subject area or courses beyond those used to satisfy the requirements of the A-F subjects.

Guaranteed spots for top California students
  • If you rank in the top 9 percent of California students according to our updated Statewide Index you will be eligible for the Statewide Guarantee.
  • If you rank in the top 9 percent of your graduating class at a participating California high school, you will be eligible for the local guarantee.
  • Meeting minimum requirements to qualify for admission is not the same as meeting eligibility for guaranteed admission.
If you're applying from out of state
  • You must earn a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.4 or better in the 15 college-preparatory courses (A-G courses), with no grade lower than a C.
  • Letters of recommendation are not required.
  • We require you to self-report your grades when filling out your application.
  • UC does not require official transcripts to be sent with the application; however, you must refer to your transcript to ensure the information you enter is accurate.
Test scores
  • UC does not consider SAT or ACT test scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. Test scores submitted as part of the application may be used as an alternate method of fulfilling minimum requirements for eligibility or for course placement after matriculation at UC.
Official tools

Quoted from the system's own pages, read 2026-09-19. The pages we read don't state an admission year. These rules can change, so check the official pages before you plan your courses. Each campus, and each major, may add its own requirements.

Main essay

Personal Insight Questions

350 words max each

Answer 4 of these 8.

  1. 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. 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. 3“What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?”
  4. 4“Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.”
  5. 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. 6“Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.”
  7. 7“What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?”
  8. 8“Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?”

Prompts are quoted from the school's own page, read 2026-09-19. Schools change their prompts and word limits every year, so check the school's site for the current list before you start writing.

Check the current prompts on the school's site

Music & Sports Tracks

Sports

NCAA Division III
Varsity sports (7)
BasketballGolfSoccerSwimming and divingTennisTrack and field and cross countryVolleyball
U.S. Department of Education, Equity in Athletics data (2024-25)
How music and sports fit into an application

Internships & Programs

Scholar Immersion Program (SIP)

UC Santa Cruz

Who can apply
High school students who won't have graduated by summer
Cost
Paid
Deadline
Feb 26, 2027
Where
Santa Cruz, CA
Official page

California State Summer School for Mathematics & Science (COSMOS)

University of California

Who can apply
Completing grades 8 to 12 by the summer (a campus page says through grade 11, so confirm)
Cost
Paid · $5,793 (2027)
Deadline
Feb 5, 2027
Where
UC Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, San Diego or Santa Cruz
Official page

Academics

Flagship Programs

Computer Game Design (B.S.)Genomics and BioinformaticsAstrophysics and Astronomy

Career & Major Pathways

Primary Disciplines
Biological SciencesPsychologyComputer ScienceEnvironmental StudiesSocial SciencesLiteratureArt and Digital MediaEconomics
Interdisciplinary Pathways
Environmental StudiesCognitive ScienceBioinformaticsGames and Playable Media

Cost

In-state cost of attendance
$41,179* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)
Out-of-state cost of attendance
$75,379* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)

This is the full yearly cost before any financial aid. What your family would actually pay is in the Financial Aid section. Cost figures are approximate, so confirm current numbers on the college's website.

Tuition only (part of the cost above)
In-state $16,005* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)Out-of-state $50,205* (source: College Scorecard · 2024)

Financial Aid

What families actually paid, by household income

Average for students who received federal aid. Your own figure depends on your family's finances and the aid this school offers you.

Under $30,000
$8,717
$30,001 – $48,000
$10,613
$48,001 – $75,000
$14,418
$75,001 – $110,000
$18,986
Over $110,000
$33,323

College Scorecard (latest.cost.net_price.public.by_income_level.*), 2024

Estimate what your family would pay

Every school is required to publish a net price calculator. It asks about your family's finances and returns an estimate for you specifically, which is worth more than any average on this page. Your school counselor and the college's financial aid office can also help.

Scholarships and merit aid

UC Santa Cruz does not provide institutional merit scholarships, so admitted families should rely on need-based aid estimates rather than assuming a merit discount off the sticker price.

Campus

Campus Fit

Location
Santa Cruz, CA· Small City
Undergraduates
17,940
Setting
Small City
In a fraternity or sorority
Not publicly reported
Living on campus
Not publicly reported

*College Scorecard (U.S. Department of Education) · 2024

†University of California admissions (system-wide dates) · 2026-27 · accessed Sep 20, 2026

‡University of California admissions (system-wide) · 2026-27 · accessed Sep 23, 2026

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