UCSC Acceptance Rates by Major

Hi, I'm currently in the process of researching colleges and UCSC is on my list. I figured acceptance rates might vary by major, does anyone have any info on this? Like how difficult is it to get into different departments? Thanks in advance!

Sure, I can provide some context into this subject. UC Santa Cruz, like many colleges, does not publicly release acceptance rates broken down by specific department or major. This is largely because colleges assess applicants based on a holistic review system, where they consider all parts of an applicant's profile rather than just their intended major.

What we do know is that some programs at UCSC can be more competitive due to their popularity or specific admission requirements. For instance, computer science and engineering programs are traditionally competitive across many universities, and UCSC is no exception. However, it's important to understand that indicating a highly competitive major on your application does not necessarily decrease your overall chances of getting into the college.

Remember that UC Santa Cruz, like all other UC schools, practices a comprehensive review process in its admissions, which means it considers multiple factors beyond your intended major - things like your GPA, course rigor, extracurricular activities, and essays. My advice would be to focus primarily on these aspects of your application, as these will play a major role in your chances of admission.

However, if you find a specific department or program you're interested in, a potentially helpful approach would be to reach out to the department directly or check their website for more specific information, as they may be able to provide you with more detailed admission statistics or advice.