UC Schools and Letters of Recommendation

How important are letters of recommendation in the UC schools admissions process? Who would you suggest I ask for letters from? Professors, coaches, counsellors?

The University of California (UC) system takes a unique approach to letters of recommendation. Most applicants will not need to submit any letters of recommendation. The application process is designed so that your grades, test scores (if you choose to submit them), personal insight responses, extracurricular activities, and any additional information you provide can tell the whole story of you as an applicant.However, there is an exception - for a small portion of applicants, the UC system might specifically request letters of recommendation as part of its "augmented review" process. This generally happens when the admissions officers feel extra information could be useful in making a decision.

If you do happen to be one of the students selected for the augmented review process and are asked to provide letters of recommendation, choose individuals who know you well and can provide insights into your academic strengths, commitment to learning, personal character, or ability to contribute to the community. They could be teachers, community leaders, or coaches, but keep in mind that UC recommends that at least one letter be from a teacher of an academic subject. The letters should provide a greater understanding of who you are beyond grades and test scores.

However, unless specifically requested by the UC system, you should not send in any letters of recommendation. The admissions officers have a vast number of applications to review and additional documents could potentially slow down the process. Stick to the requested application components and ensure each of those are strong and reflective of your abilities and character. The UC schools provide ample opportunity within their application to showcase your achievements, skills, and strengths.