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Your chancing factors
Unweighted GPA: 3.7
1.0
4.0
SAT: 720 math
200
800
| 800 verbal
200
800

Extracurriculars

Low accuracy (4 of 18 factors)

UC San Diego acceptance rate?

Hey there! I'm thinking about applying to the University of California San Diego. What is their acceptance rate, and how difficult is it to get in? Any tips or advice from current students or recent admits for increasing my chances?

a year ago

Hey! UC San Diego is a competitive university, and its acceptance rate varies from year to year. For the most recent admissions cycle, the acceptance rate was around 30%, but it's essential to keep in mind that this figure can change. The range in the last few years has been from 24-34%. Getting admitted to UCSD requires strong academics, extracurriculars, and personal statements.

A few tips and pieces of advice to improve your chances at UCSD:

1. Academics: Ensure your course rigor is strong by taking challenging courses such as AP or Honors classes, if your school offers them. Aim for a high GPA and consider UCSD's test-blind policy (they don't consider the SAT/ACT in admissions).

2. Extracurriculars: Focus on creating a "spike" in your application by demonstrating deep involvement and passion in a few extracurricular activities, instead of trying to participate in as many as possible. Aim for high-quality extracurriculars, preferably Tier 1 or Tier 2 activities, to stand out. For more on the 4 Tiers of Extracurricular Activities, check out this CollegeVine article: https://blog.collegevine.com/breaking-down-the-4-tiers-of-extracurricular-activities/

3. Essays: Since UC schools don't require separate personal statements and letters of recommendation, the UC Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) are your only opportunity to showcase your personality, experiences, and perspectives. Make sure to choose prompts that you connect with, tell unique and compelling stories, and focus on how you've learned or grown from your experiences.

For advice on writing the PIQs, check out this article: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-university-of-california-essays

4. Interest demonstrations: Since UCSD, like other UC schools, doesn't offer Early Decision or Early Action, start researching the campus, programs, and opportunities available to show genuine interest. If you get the chance to visit the campus or attend webinars, do so. You could mention specific resources and how you plan to take advantage of them in the PIQs.

5. Applying for a major: Some majors at UCSD are offered through different colleges within the University, and each college may have different requirements. Research the specific college and major requirements for your intended field and ensure you tailor your application accordingly.

Keep in mind that the admissions process is holistic, so even though you might be strong in one or more aspects, there is no guaranteed recipe for success. Still, by focusing on these areas, you can maximize your chances of getting accepted to UCSD. Good luck!

a year ago

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