How to Get Into UC San Diego

UC San Diego is a n/a university located in San Diego, CA. With an acceptance rate of 65.0%, it is considered moderately competitive.

The University of California, San Diego, founded in 1960, has achieved remarkable prominence in just over six decades. Built around the Scripps Institution of Oceanography and inspired by dreams of creating "the MIT of the West," UCSD has become a world leader in science, engineering, and innovation...

Competitiveness

Classification

Moderately Competitive

Student Population

N/A

Retention Rate

N/A

Graduation Rate

N/A

Academic Profile of Admitted Students

Required Materials

• Common Application or School Application

  Complete the application with personal information and essays

• High School Transcript

  Official transcripts showing all coursework and grades

• Standardized Test Scores

  SAT or ACT scores (check if test-optional for recent years)

• Letters of Recommendation

  Usually 2-3 letters from teachers, counselors, or mentors

• Personal Essays

  Application essays and supplemental questions

Additional Considerations

• Application Deadlines

  Early Decision/Action typically November 1-15, Regular Decision January 1-15

• Application Fee

  Most universities charge $50-100 application fee (fee waivers available)

• Processing Time

  Decisions typically released in March-April for fall admission

• International Students

  May require TOEFL/IELTS scores and additional documentation

Academic Excellence

• • Aim for SAT scores above 1150 (current average)
• • Maintain a GPA of 3.25+ to be competitive
• • Take challenging coursework (AP, IB, honors courses)
• • Show consistent academic improvement over time
• • Excel in your intended major's prerequisite courses

Stand Out from the Crowd

• • Develop unique extracurricular activities and leadership roles
• • Write compelling essays that showcase your personality
• • Demonstrate genuine interest in the university and program
• • Get strong letters of recommendation from teachers who know you well
• • Consider applying Early Decision/Action if the school is your top choice