UCSB considers 13 holistic review factors to review your achievements and personal qualities in the context of the opportunities and/or challenges you have experienced. We do not compare your application with any other applicant, regardless of school or location.
What looks good on UC applications?
There are six categories:
- Award or honor.
- Educational preparation programs.
- Extracurricular activities.
- Other coursework (classes outside UC’s “a-g” core subject areas)
- Volunteering/community service.
- Work experience.
Is UC Santa Barbara hard to get into?
Admissions Overview
UC Santa Barbara admissions is selective with an acceptance rate of 37%. Students that get into UC Santa Barbara have an average SAT score between 1230-1460 or an average ACT score of 28-34. The regular admissions application deadline for UC Santa Barbara is November 30.
Does UC Santa Barbara look at demonstrated interest?
UCSB does not look at “demonstrated interest”—or the degree to which you show a university you are interested in attending—in the admission process.
What do you need to get into UCSB?
How to Get Into UCSB
- A 1460 or higher on your SAT.
- A 33 or higher on your ACT.
- A 4.18 or higher GPA (but mandatorily a 3.0/3.4 or higher if you’re in-state/out-of-state)
- A’s in plenty of challenging AP, IB, or honors courses.
- Strong letters of recommendation.
- Extracurriculars that demonstrate your passions.
Do UCs actually read essays?
And, yes, your application will be read start to finish. A lot of people ask: did you really read every single essay? Yes, each and every word! One of the biggest UC application tips, is to use the application to explain things like a drop in grades.
Is it harder to get into UCSB or UCSD?
If you’re looking at acceptance rate alone, then UC Santa Barbara is more difficult to get into. However, each college is looking to fill its incoming class with a variety of students with different strengths, backgrounds, etc.
What is the easiest major to get into UCSB?
Actuarial Science
10 Easiest Majors to Transfer into UC Santa Barbara
| MAJOR | ADMIT RATE | |
|---|---|---|
| 1. | Actuarial Science | 77% |
| 2. | Art History | 60% |
| 3. | Comparative Studies – Language, Society, Culture | 64% |
| 4. | Statistical Science | 78% |
What major is UCSB known for?
The most popular majors at University of California–Santa Barbara include: Social Sciences; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Mathematics and Statistics; Multi/Interdisciplinary Studies; Communication, Journalism, and Related Programs; Psychology; Visual and Performing Arts; Natural Resources and Conservation;
Does UCSB look at freshman grades?
3. Personal Life Accomplishments. UCSB doesn’t just look at academic accomplishments to bring in our freshman class. We look at your extracurricular activities and accomplishments in light of the opportunities available to you.
What GPA do I need for UCSB?
With a GPA of 4.12, UCSB requires you to be at the top of your class. You’ll need nearly straight A’s in all your classes to compete with other applicants. Furthermore, you should be taking hard classes – AP or IB courses – to show that college-level academics is a breeze.
Do the UCS care about demonstrated interest?
We spend time evaluating your academic achievements in light of the opportunities available to you and your demonstrated capacity to contribute to the intellectual life at UC.
What is the easiest UC to get into?
The easiest UC schools to get into include UC Santa Cruz, UC Riverside, and UC Merced, all of which have acceptance rates over 50%.
Can you get into UCSB with a 3.4 GPA?
Remember that UCSB has a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 for California residents and a 3.4 for out-of-staters. But in order to be a competitive candidate, you should strive for a weighted GPA of 4.17, the average at the university.
Who gets into UC Santa Barbara?
Focus on achieving at least a 4.17 GPA in high school by taking the most challenging classes. The UCSB requires a minimum 3.0 GPA for California residents, and for out-of-state applicants, it is 3.4. To increase your chances of selection, you need to have an above the average GPA score.
What makes a UC applicant stand out?
Such as a leadership experience for UC Prompt 1, or something about your creative side for UC Prompt 2, or a specific talent or skill for Prompt 3, or a challenge you faced for Prompt 5, or a do-good volunteer or job experience for Prompt 7.
Does applying to more UCs hurt your chances?
Admissions Process
In fact, according to UC’s website, applying to more than one UC campus increases significantly the chances of being admitted to UC. Of course, it’s important to keep in mind that an application fee is required for each campus you apply to.
Do senior grades matter UC?
UCs do look at courses you take in senior year and take the rigor into consideration when evaluating you for admission; but as long as you maintain satisfactory grades (typically an unweighted B average, with no non-passing grades, is sufficient), your performance in your senior year courses will not affect your
Does UC fact check?
There’s a lot of that, where I don’t think students who take the chance and lie on their application realize that we do fact-check at the end of the day. We are getting your official transcript, so if you’re lying, you’re just putting yourself in unnecessary danger.
How do you answer questions on UC application?
The Do’s and Don’ts of Answering UC Personal Insight Questions
- Prepare in advance: DO!
- Choose questions based on what you think the reader will like: DON’T!
- Relate your past experiences to the person you are today: DO!
- Repeat the same stories: DON’T!
- Proofread your work and ask for edits: DO!
Do UC require personal statements?
When the University of California application opens Aug. 1, some students may notice a change: UC has done away with the two personal statement essays that it used to require. Applicants will now be asked to give short answers to four personal insight questions.
