UC Santa Cruz Acceptance Rate | Requirements, SAT/ACT Scores, GPA, & Admission

Do you want to know the acceptance rate of UC Santa Cruz? Do you want ant to apply to the school? If yes, continue reading to know more.

It was founded in 1965. The University of California, Santa Cruz, affectionately known as UC Santa Cruz or UCSC, is one of ten colleges that make up the University of California. 

It has an acceptance rate of 52%, making it one of the best schools in California. It is renowned for its studies and courses in computer and information science, business and economics, cell and molecular biology, psychology, environmental studies, film/video, and photographic arts. 

UCSC has a student-to-faculty ratio of 25.1. 21.3% of the school class has less than 20 students. UCSC’s distinguished faculty includes Professor Emeritus of Astronomy and Astrophysics, 2013 National Medal of Science winner Sandra Faber, and Professor Harry Knoller for his discovery of the ribosome.

In 2021, UCSC was her #3 public university in the United States for students focused on impacting the world. The school also has a reputation for its green environmental policy and high academic influx from minority communities.

What to know about UCSC

UC Santa Cruz, a public university 75 miles south of San Francisco, has a 52% acceptance rate. 

Only Berkeley has a higher percentage of students who go on to earn doctorates than the other universities of California.

 UC Santa Cruz was given a Phi Beta Kappa chapter in recognition of its strengths in the liberal arts and sciences and has a student-to-faculty ratio of 24 to 1. 

The university has a reputation for having politically engaged students and a progressive curriculum since it was founded in 1965.

The Santa Cruz Banana Slugs are an independent team that competes in NCAA Division III. 

Do you intend to apply to UC Santa Cruz? You should be aware of the average SAT/ACT scores, and GPAs of admitted students are included in the admissions statistics.

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What is UCSC Acceptance Rate?

The acceptance rate at UC Santa Cruz for the 2018–19 admissions cycle was 52%. 

This indicates that UC Santa Cruz’s admissions process is competitive because 52 out of every 100 applicants were accepted.

Undergraduates can choose from 59 majors, while graduates can enroll in 41 academic concentrations. 

A 51.3% acceptance rate for Fall 2020 was recorded. The university received 55,800 college applications, including those from in-state and out-of-state students. 

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We projected the acceptance rate for the 2021–2022 academic year based on the historical trend chart, which displays acceptance rates from prior years. 

The University of California-Santa Cruz’s overall acceptance rate trend has been declining. 

However, the University of California-Santa Cruz’s overall acceptance rate trend has been declining when compared to averages from prior years:

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What is UCSC Transfer Acceptance Rate in 2024?

Numerous requirements must be satisfied before transferring between colleges, and you must follow the specific requirements.

Transfer shock affects some people, which is the propensity for students’ GPAs to momentarily decline during the first and second semesters at a new institution.

 While some people bounce back quickly from the temporary setback caused by the shock, others never do and question whether the transfer increased their chances of achieving their objectives.

The acceptance rate for transfers at UC Santa Cruz is 58.5%. 

You can be accepted because the university has one of the highest transfer acceptance rates among American universities. 

Although UC Santa Cruz has a high acceptance rate for transfer students, other criteria must be satisfied.

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Is UCSC Hard to get into?

The acceptance rate at the University of California-Santa Cruz is still 52%. 

Undergraduates can choose from 59 majors, while graduates can enroll in 41 academic concentrations.

We projected the acceptance rate for the 2021–2022 academic year based on the historical trend chart, which displays acceptance rates from prior years. 

The University of California-Santa Cruz’s overall acceptance rate trend has been declining. 

However, the University of California-Santa Cruz’s overall acceptance rate trend has been declining when compared to averages from prior years:

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Does UCSC require test scores in 2024?

Test-optional admissions will be available at all UC schools starting with the 2020–21 admissions cycle. 

Although not necessary, applicants may submit their SAT or ACT scores. 

Beginning with the admissions cycle for 2022–2023, the University of California will implement a test-blind policy for applicants who reside in the state. 

During this time, out-of-state applicants will still have the option of submitting their test results.

 86% of the admitted students to UC Santa Cruz submitted their SAT scores during the 2018–19 admissions cycle.

According to admissions data, most admitted students to UC Santa Cruz scored in the top 35% nationally on the SAT. 

50% of applicants to UC Santa Cruz received scores for the evidence-based reading and writing section between 590 and 680, while 25% received scores below 590 and 25% received scores above 680. 

50% of admitted students received math scores between 600 and 710, 25% received math scores below 600, and 25% received above 710. 

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Although SAT scores are no longer required, UC Santa Cruz still considers applicants with SAT scores of 1390 or higher to be competitive.

Test-optional admissions will be available at all UC schools starting with the 2020–21 admissions cycle. 

Although not necessary, applicants may submit their SAT or ACT scores. 

Beginning with the admissions cycle for 2022–2023, the University of California will implement a test-blind policy for applicants who reside in the state. 

During this time, out-of-state applicants will still have the option of submitting their test results. 

33% of admitted students to UC Santa Cruz submitted ACT scores during the 2018–19 admissions cycle.

The majority of the admitted students to UC Santa Cruz score in the top 26% nationally on the ACT, according to the admissions data. 

25% of those accepted to UC Santa Cruz had ACT composite scores above 30, and 25% had ACT composite scores below 24, with the middle 50% of applicants receiving a score between 24 and 30.

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UCSC SAT Requirements 

All UC schools, including UC Santa Cruz, will no longer require SAT scores for admission starting with the 2020–21 admissions cycle. 

Please be aware that UC Santa Cruz does not take the optional SAT essay section into account for applicants who submit scores. 

They will consider the highest score from a single test date; UC Santa Cruz does not super score SAT results. 

Admission to UC Santa Cruz does not require passing any subject tests.

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UCSC ACT Requirements 

All UC schools, including UC Santa Cruz, will no longer require ACT scores for admission starting with the 2023–24 admissions cycle.

 Please be aware that UC Santa Cruz does not consider the optional ACT writing section for applicants who submit scores. 

They will consider your highest combined score from a single test administration; UC Santa Cruz does not super score ACT results.

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What are the Admission Requirements for UCSC in 2024

The University of California, Santa Cruz, has a selective admissions process with above-average grades and standardized test scores, and it accepts about half of the applicants. 

However, like all of the University of California institutions, UC Santa Cruz uses a holistic admissions process and does not require students to take a test, so the admissions committee looks at more than just academic performance. 

Students must submit four brief personal insight essays as part of their application. 

Students can easily apply to multiple institutions within the University of California system with one application since UC Santa Cruz is a part of that system. 

Even if their grades and test results are a little below average, students who demonstrate a special talent or have an engaging story to tell frequently receive special consideration

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Transfer Requirements for UCSC

To be eligible to transfer to UC Santa Cruz, students must complete the following by Spring 2022:

  •  Must have completed at least 90 quarter credits or 60 semesters of UC performance modules.
  • Earn a C(2.00) or better in the following UC Transferable Course Patterns: Each course must contain at least 3-semester units / 4 quarter units. This includes lectures on mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning, his four techniques from at least two of the following areas:
  • Two courses: Social and Behavioral Sciences, Natural and Life Sciences, Arts and Humanities, and English Writing.
  • Earn an overall UC GPA of at least 2.40. A higher GPA is more competitive
  • Complete the required subdivision courses with the required grade/GPA for the desired major.

Other requirements are:

  • Completion of general education courses at UC Santa Cruz or IGETC.
  • Completion of an associate’s degree for transfer.
  • Join Honors Program.
  • Honorable appearance.

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What GPA do you need to get into UCSC (UC Santa Cruz)?

UC Santa Cruz requires you to be in the middle of your high school class with a 3.55 GPA. A mixture of A and B grades is required, with relatively few Cs. You can compensate for a low GPA by enrolling in challenging courses like AP or IB programs.

How to Apply to UCSC in 2024

Complete the online application and submit it to apply to UC Santa Cruz. 

You will be prompted to select the University of California campuses you want to apply to because the application is the same for all of them. 

The admissions application doubles as a scholarship application.

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Alternative to UCSC

  • Boston college, chestnut hills 
  • Drexel University, Pennsylvania
  • Lafayette College, Easton
  • Buckner University, Lewisburg
  • Haverford College, Pennsylvania 

Frequently Asked Questions 

What GPA do I need to transfer to UC Santa Cruz?

The minimum GPA required for transfer eligibility consideration at UC Santa Cruz is 2.4 out of 4.0. For non-residents, the minimum GPA required is 2.8. However, exceeding these as a resident or non-resident makes you more likely to be accepted.

What are the transfer requirements for UC Santa Cruz?

A minimum GPA of 2.4 for residents and 2.8 for non-residents is required. You must also submit official transcripts from previous colleges attended. How difficult is 

Is it to transfer to UC Santa Cruz?

Admission to UC Santa Cruz is very easy as the transfer rate is 58.5%. This rate favors students wishing to transfer from other California community schools. There are also considerable opportunities for participants from other institutions in the United States and abroad.

Can he transfer to UCSC as a sophomore? 

Yes, I can. To do this, you must meet the lower-class requirements of your desired degree program as much as possible.

Conclusions

I’m confident that you are better prepared with the knowledge you need to obtain that transfer into UC Santa Cruz now that you must have learned everything from this article. 

Fortunately for you, 58.5% of applicants to UC Santa Cruz are accepted as transfers. 

With a high transfer rate, there are many opportunities to take advantage of.

References 

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