Hello! I'm currently a junior and I'm considering the University of California for further studies. Anyone here who has experience applying to this university? What's the application process like and when do I need to start working on it?
You'll apply to any University of California (UC) campus through the UC application system, which can be found on the UC website. The application form is quite comprehensive and provides a lot of room for you to detail your academic and extracurricular achievements.
The application system opens on August 1, but the application submission period starts on October 1 and ends on November 30. You're encouraged to start your application early so you have plenty of time to gather all the required information and carefully write your responses to the Personal Insight Questions.
The UC application includes the following components:
1. Biographical and Contact Information: This includes basic identification details, mailing address, and the language spoken at home, etc.
2. Academic History: You'll need to enter details about your high school or secondary school, list all courses and grades from 9th through 11th grade (and planned for 12th grade), and if applicable, details from any colleges or universities attended. Include honors, AP, IB, or other advanced courses taken during these years.
3. Test Scores: For the entry year 2024-25, UCs no longer consider SAT or ACT scores in admission decisions.
4. Activities & Awards: This is where you'll list and briefly describe up to 20 extracurricular activities, work experiences, or awards you've received.
5. Personal Insight Questions: You'll be presented with 8 questions and you'll have to respond to any 4 of them. Each response is capped at 350 words. These questions allow the admissions team to get to know you better and understand your unique experiences, qualities, and interests.
6. Scholarship Information (Optional): If you're a California resident, you have the option to fill out this section to be considered for scholarships.
7. Apply to Campuses and Majors: You'll pick which UC campuses you're applying to and what major(s) you are interested in at each campus.
After you submit your application, some campuses might request a supplemental application, but that’s relatively rare.
Remember, each UC campus evaluates your application independently from the others you apply to. So you could get accepted into every UC you apply to, or only one, or none at all. Make sure to apply to a variety of campuses to better your chances. Best of luck with your application!
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