How To Get Into Ucsd

There are plenty of other activities available in the UCSD area besides the beach. The Birch Aquarium, which is less than a mile from campus, has over 60 marine habitats to explore. The nearby University Towne Center provides students with a variety of options for their free time—including shopping centers, coffeeshops, and restaurants offering the freshest seafood you can imagine.

How to Get Into UCSD: Requirements and Strategies

Learn the UCSD acceptance rate, average GPA, and application requirements to improve your UCSD admissions odds

Part 1: Introduction

Part 2: UCSD admissions requirements

Part 3: 2023–2024 UCSD personal insight questions

Part 1: Introduction

If your child loves the sun and dreams of receiving a world-class education alongside an intentional, diverse community of ambitious peers, they should consider applying to the University of California, San Diego. One of the top-ranked public universities in the nation, UCSD is a premier place for students to explore their academic interests and prepare for lives of innovation and influence.

Founded in 1960 as part of the University of California system, UCSD offers a student experience you won’t find at any of the other eight UC campuses. When students enroll at UCSD, they join one of eight residential colleges—each with its own neighborhood, general education requirements, and unique traditions. UCSD students experience the strong sense of belonging offered by small colleges while enjoying the resources of a large public research university.

In the classroom, students learn from professors who are inventors, researchers, and leaders in their fields. UCSD’s faculty members are winners of Nobel Prizes, Academy Awards, Pulitzer Prizes, and National Humanities Medals. With nearly half of UCSD classes containing less than twenty students, undergraduates easily receive individualized attention and mentorship from these esteemed professors.

On any given day, a UCSD student might start the morning by exploring the history of music in the U.S.—from hillbilly music to hip-hop—as part of the Sixth College’s core GE sequence. After class, they could wander and appreciate the Stuart Art Collection, a campus-wide exhibition featuring many of today’s greatest artists. In the afternoon, they might research climate change at the Scripps Institution of Oceanography—one of the oldest and largest centers for ocean science research. To make a perfect end to the day, they could visit a museum or enjoy a twilight concert at historic Balboa Park.

And after UCSD? Graduates join an alumni network including over 200,000 leaders, innovators, and world-changers. UCSD alumni have climbed career ladders in nearly every industry, securing roles as state senators, congressmen, U.S. ambassadors, astronauts, CEOs, Emmy-winning TV writers, and New York Times bestsellers.

With all this national and worldwide acclaim, it’s no surprise that over 100,000 applicants vie for UCSD admission each year. Your child will need a strong application strategy in order to compete against the other high-achieving students applying to UC San Diego. In this guide, we’ll explore the UCSD average GPA, acceptance rate, and requirements in order to help your student boost their UCSD admissions odds.

UCSD ranking

• Forbes: 21
• Niche: 65
• U.S. News & World Report: 34
• Wall Street Journal/Times Higher Education: 20

Where is UCSD located?

UCSD resides in the La Jolla community of greater San Diego—an area well-known for its pristine beaches and vibrant community life. Sitting about 100 miles south of Los Angeles and 20 miles north of the Mexico-United States border, San Diego offers rich history and diversity for students to enjoy.

San Diego attracts more than 30 million tourists each year with landmarks such as the San Diego Zoo, Balboa Park, the Gaslamp Quarter, and the San Diego Navy Base—home to the largest naval fleet in the world.

But San Diego is more than a tourist hotspot. It’s also the home of many industry clusters which offer advantageous internship and networking opportunities for UCSD students. Some of the largest business sectors in San Diego include military defense, international trade, and research and manufacturing. UCSD students and alumni commonly involve themselves in the fields of biotechnology, pharmaceuticals, biomedical device production, and life sciences, to name a few.

UCSD setting

UCSD’s 1,976-acre suburban campus is located in the beautiful La Jolla neighborhood, which has a wealth of small boutiques and waterfront restaurants for its residents and visitors to enjoy. Within minutes of leaving campus—by car or bike—students can reach the Pacific Ocean. La Jolla beaches provide something for everyone. Students can sunbathe at Black’s Beach, stroll along Scripps Pier, swim in the La Jolla Cove, or explore the La Jolla Tide Pools.

There are plenty of other activities available in the UCSD area besides the beach. The Birch Aquarium, which is less than a mile from campus, has over 60 marine habitats to explore. The nearby University Towne Center provides students with a variety of options for their free time—including shopping centers, coffeeshops, and restaurants offering the freshest seafood you can imagine.

While the surrounding communities have much to offer, UCSD students don’t have to leave campus in order to be entertained—there are many on-campus events and activities for them to enjoy. One beloved UCSD tradition is the Sun God Festival—featuring musicians, carnival games, vendors, and student booths. In addition, each of the residential colleges hosts its own unique student events, some for specific college members only but many others open to the whole UCSD community.

UCSD student population

Note: 2021-2022 population numbers are the latest published.

• Undergraduate students: 33,343
• Graduate and professional students: 8,542

UCSD acceptance rate

Below are admissions statistics for the class of 2027:

• Applications: 130,841
• Acceptances: 32,314
• Matriculants: ~7,000
• Acceptance rate: 24.7%

UCSD tuition and scholarships

The 2023–2024 UCSD cost of attendance (i.e., tuition, room, board, and fees) is $39,591 for California residents and $72,165 for non-residents.

48 percent of UCSD undergrads receive need-based financial aid, and the average first-year award is $21,339. The average merit-based aid award is $10,236.

Who gets into UCSD?

Typically, 100 percent of students accepted to UCSD ranked within the top ten percent of their graduating high school classes. If your child wants to earn a place among the quarter of UCSD applicants who receive an offer of admission, they’d be wise to see how they match up to the incoming class profile for 2023.

• UCSD average weighted GPA:
  • 25th percentile: 4.11
  • 75th percentile: 4.29

  UCSD has not yet released student demographics for the class of 2027, but we can still take a look at the most recent demographics from their website:

  • California residents: 72.6%
  • International students: 16.1%
  • Asian-Americans make up the largest student demographic with 37.9% of the class. The next largest groups are Chicano or Latino students (20.9%), white students (19%), and Black students (3%).

  Because UCLA, along with the other UC schools, no longer accepts standardized test scores, there is no testing data for the most recently accepted class. Below are the average ACT and SAT scores for UCSD’s class of 2024:

  • UCSD average ACT score:
    • 25th percentile: 29
    • 75th percentile: 34
    • 25th percentile: 1330
    • 75th percentile: 1510

    The most popular majors for students enrolled at UCSD are biology, mathematics, economics, international or global studies, and computer science.

    Part 2: UCSD admissions requirements

    Students hoping to attend UCSD must compete against many other high-achieving applicants to prove they’re the best academic and personality fit for the UCSD community. There are three main methods they can use to achieve this aim—succeed in rigorous coursework, go in-depth with extracurriculars, and write stand-out UC college essays.

    UCSD’s “A-G” course requirements

    The UCSD average GPA makes it clear that in order to be a successful applicant, your child must put forth a strong academic performance. The best way to do this is to be knowledgeable about the UCSD minimum course requirements, but go above and beyond them. Competitive students will pursue more rigorous classes in the subject areas of their interest.

    The UCSD academic requirements follow the UC system’s “A-G” course plan—the same as all other UC campuses. The “A-G” requirements align with most college prep tracks, but it’s important to know the specifics, since students may be ineligible for admission at any UC if they fail to complete the requirements correctly.

    • (A) History/social Science: Two years required
      • One year of world history, cultures, or geography
      • One year of U.S. history OR half a year of U.S. history and half a year of U.S. government
      • One year of geometry required
      • Requires two of the following: biology, chemistry, or physics
      • Can be additional A-F courses in excess of requirement
      • Other approved courses: computer science, psychology, AVID, speech or debate, etc.

      As mentioned above, it’s important to follow these minimum UCSD admissions requirements. However, if your child wants to have a good chance of getting into UCSD, they’ll want to add more rigorous coursework into their high school plan. This may include dual-enrollment classes, honors classes, or AP and IB classes, to name a few.

      When deciding which higher-level courses to pursue—and every student has a limit for how much they can handle while balancing extracurriculars and a personal life—your child should prioritize the subjects or areas that best align with their interests and career goals.

      For example, if your child wants to study a STEM field in college, they should take four years each of math and science, including at least one higher-level class for each subject. When combined with STEM-focused extracurriculars, this will paint a picture of your child as an applicant who’s committed to this field and has what it takes to succeed in a STEM major at UCSD.

      UCSD extracurricular requirements

      According to the UCSD Common Data Set, which summarizes key information about their admissions process, UCSD ranks applicants’ extracurriculars, talent, character, and volunteer work as important factors in the application review. To interpret this in a useful way for your child, applicants should use their activities to demonstrate their unique abilities, strong personal character, and commitment to public service.

      The extracurricular strategy we suggest for students to follow is rather straightforward on the surface—pursue what interests or excites them. But pursue it in interesting or unique ways that establishes them as specialists in the field. We’ll use an example to illustrate.

      Let’s say your child is interested in environmental science. One option to explore this interest is to join pre-established clubs or programs, such as a “Save the Earth” Club at their high school or a month-long summer program focused on conservational science. Those are fine extracurricular choices, but by no means are they the only way your child should pursue their interest.

      In contrast to these types of pre-established activities is the opportunity for your child to create a self-directed project. For example, your child could start an environmental awareness campaign on social media, advocate for increased recycling efforts at school, or organize a fundraiser to support an environmental cause. These types of activities will be more impressive to the UCSD admissions committee, turning your child into that “environmental science applicant” who has the potential to do amazing things as part of the UCSD community.

      The added benefit of this extracurricular strategy is that your child will be able to truly enjoy what they spend their time doing. And when they do arrive at college, they’ll be confident in their passions and career direction.

      UCSD application requirements

      Students submit a single UC application to apply to as many UC campuses as they wish. The application opens on November 1st and closes on November 30th. Here are the requirements needed for the UCSD application.

      • A completed University of California application
      • High school transcripts to input grades into the application
      • Optional: AP or IB exam scores
      • Your child will need to rank the seven UCSD colleges in order of the ones which they would most like to join.
      • If your child is applying as a media, studio, ICAM, or speculative design major, they can submit an optional portfolio of their work, including images or videos and an artists’ statement.

      Part 3: 2023–2024 UCSD personal insight questions

      As part of the UC application, students who apply to UCSD must answer four of eight possible personal insight questions, or PIQs. This takes the place of a single college essay or personal statement. For each PIQ, students are given a maximum of 350 words to formulate their response.

      The PIQs ask about different aspects of an applicant’s possible experience—from their creativity to their work in making their community a better place to the obstacles they’ve overcome. While not every prompt will speak directly toward your child and their areas of strength, it shouldn’t be difficult to brainstorm topics and anecdotes to answer four of the eight PIQs.

      Since admissions interviews and letters of recommendation aren’t part of the UCSD admissions process, the PIQs represent the best opportunity for applicants to display their unique character, abilities, dreams, and specific fit for UCSD. The mission of UCSD is to transform California and beyond through education, creativity, and service. Without naming UCSD specifically—since the same PIQ responses are available to all the UC schools your child applies to—can your child focus their essays on demonstrating their strengths in these areas?

      Writing PIQs is a significant part of the UC application process, which is why we’ve developed a comprehensive guide on how to write great UC essays. If your child is working on their UCSD application, they can use this guide to understand the main components of each PIQ prompt and determine the best ones for them to answer. Plus, we offer sample responses for each question to help your child stand out from the crowd through their PIQ essays.

      Final thoughts

      As a premier research university ideally located in one of the sunniest and most beautiful parts of the country, UCSD is not an easy school to get into. However, if your child uses these strategies to pursue rigorous coursework, become specialists in their interest areas, and craft a strong UC application, they can increase their chances of making their UCSD dreams come true.

      Dr. Shirag Shemmassian is the Founder of Shemmassian Academic Consulting and one of the world’s foremost experts on college admissions. For nearly 20 years, he and his team have helped thousands of students get into top programs like Harvard, Stanford, and MIT using his exclusive approach.

      How to Get Into the University of California – San Diego (UCSD) Guide

      

      The University of California – San Diego is a public research university located in San Diego, California. It was founded in 1960 and offers over 140 degree programs to approximately 31,842 undergraduates. UCSD believes in preparing students to become global leaders who will innovate and bring positive change to the world.

      In this “How to Get Into UCSD” guide, we will cover:

      • The UCSD GPA requirements
      • Average UCSD SAT scores
      • Interpreting the UCSD acceptance rate
      • How to meet the UCSD application deadline
      • Writing effective UC Personal Insight Questions
      • UCSD application requirements and much more about the UCSD admissions process!

      As you think about how to get into UCSD, you’ll probably research things like the UCSD acceptance rate or average UCSD SAT scores. These statistics can provide valuable insight into the USDC admissions process. However, the main thing you need to consider before starting a UCSD application is whether you meet the UCSD GPA requirements and subject requirements. If you do, then your “how to get into UCSD” game plan should center around crafting a top-notch UCSD application by the UCSD application deadline. This also means you should write strong responses to the UC Personal Insight Questions.

      Figuring out how to get into UCSD takes strategy. We can help. CollegeAdvisor.com’s network of 300+ Admissions Experts (and former admissions officers) includes graduates from some of the country’s top schools. Want to maximize your UCSD admissions odds? Create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.

      How do I get into the University of California – San Diego?

      To craft a solid “how to get into UCSD” strategy, you’ll need to know the UCSD application requirements. That way, you can prepare your materials ahead of the UCSD application deadline.

      UCSD does not accept UCSD SAT scores or ACT scores, so don’t include them in your “how to get into UCSD” plan. Keep reading our “How to get into UCSD” guide to learn more about the UCSD application process and exactly what items you will need to prepare to submit in your UCSD application.

      Is it hard to get into the University of California – San Diego?

      According to U.S. News and World Reports, UCSD is ranked the fourth most competitive University of California school. This means, that is UCSD is relatively difficult to get into. However, if you invest time in your how to get into UCSD strategy, you can maximize your chances of admission. At the very least, you should strive to meet or exceed the UCSD GPA requirements and submit your materials by the UCSD application deadline.

      The UCSD acceptance rate is low—UCSD is a competitive school for both in-state and out-of-state students. Because of the UCSD GPA requirements and the average GPA of admitted students, you must have a stellar academic record. You must also show yourself to be a dynamic, thoughtful individual. You can do this in your responses to the UC Personal Insight Questions.

      What is the average GPA for UCSD?

      As you begin your “how to get into UCSD” plan, you may wonder what the UCSD GPA requirements are, as well as the average UCSD SAT scores.

      The UCSD GPA requirements are as follows:

      • UCSD GPA requirements for California residents: 3.0 GPA (or higher) and no grade below a C.
      • UCSD GPA requirements for Non-California residents: 3.4 GPA (or higher) and no grade below a C.

      Furthermore, the average GPA of admitted students is higher than UCSD GPA requirements. The 2020 first-year student cohort had an average high school GPA of 4.08, far exceeding the UCSD GPA requirements. In addition, approximately 76% of students had a 4.0 GPA or higher (including weighted GPAs that account for honors courses). Finally, the average GPA of fall 2021 students was between 4.07 and 4.29.

      UCSD admissions does not factor in your UCSD SAT scores when reviewing your UCSD application. Therefore, your GPA will be the main indicator of your academic achievements. So make sure you’re on track to far exceed the UCSD GPA requirements. The UCSD acceptance rate is low, so you should do everything you can to strengthen your UCSD application.

      Do not include test scores in your “how to get into UCSD” plan. Like the other UC schools, UCSD is test-free—they do not accept nor review UCSD SAT scores or ACT scores. The average UCSD SAT scores, therefore, should not hugely impact your application strategy.

      Want to know what the UCSD SAT scores were before UCSD went test-free?

      The average UCSD SAT scores for the 2020 first-time first-year students cohort were:

      • Composite UCSD SAT scores for Reasoning: 1363
      • UCSD SAT scores for Critical Reading: 660
      • UCSD SAT scores for Math: 703

      Once again, don’t get hung up on the average UCSD SAT scores, especially since the admissions landscape has shifted since UCSD went test-free. However, these scores might help you understand how you compare to accepted students.

      As you work on your UCSD application, remember that just meeting the UCSD GPA requirements is not how to get into UCSD. Focus on strengthening your whole UCSD application—your coursework, accomplishments, and responses to the UC Personal Insight Questions.

      What does the University of California – San Diego application require?

      To make an effective “how to get into UCSD” game plan, start by looking at the UCSD application requirements for first-year students. In order to be eligible to submit a UCSD application, you must meet or exceed the UCSD GPA requirements and subject requirements.

      If you know you’re eligible to apply, you can begin your UCSD application. There is only one UCSD application deadline and only one way to apply to UCSD. You must use the UCSD application portal—UC Apply—to submit your UCSD application.

      Our Understanding UC Apply Webinar provides tips for navigating the UCSD application portal and making your UCSD application stand out.

      The UCSD application deadline is November 30 th . UCSD admissions requires the following:

      • Subject requirements
      • Scholarship requirement
      • UC Personal Insight Questions

      Students applying to Arts majors can submit an optional portfolio/audition video with their UCSD application.

      You do not need to send UCSD SAT scores or ACT scores—UCSD admissions doesn’t consider them when reviewing your UCSD application. Although you don’t need to send UCSD SAT scores, you may send AP test scores to be used for course placement when you enroll.

      In addition to the above UCSD application requirements, you must rank the seven UC San Diego colleges: Earl Warren, Eleanor Roosevelt, John Muir, Revelle, Seventh, Sixth, and Thurgood Marshall. Your ranking will not impact your major nor how your UCSD application is judged. So, while you gather your required materials ahead of the UCSD application deadline, spend some time researching the different colleges, too. Then, you’ll know how you’d like to rank them long before the UCSD application deadline!

      Finally, you’ll need to submit UC Personal Insight Questions. We give you some top tips for writing strong answers to the UC Personal Insight Questions later in this “How to get into UCSD” guide.

      What extracurriculars does the University of California – San Diego like?

      As you think about how to get into UCSD, you may wonder what types of extracurriculars UCSD admissions will look for in your UCSD application. Given the low UCSD acceptance rate, you should include extracurriculars in your UCSD application that showcase your dedication and commitment.

      Leadership roles can show your maturity and willingness to innovate and take on responsibility. You can show leadership in many ways. Some ideas include serving as an executive in a club, mentoring other students, leading a sports team, or taking care of your family.

      In addition, extracurriculars can showcase your passions and creativity. If your experiences have required you to practice, overcome obstacles, and grow as a person, they are worth including in your UCSD application. Also, you should definitely mention them if they relate to your intended major!

      For more tips on how to use extracurriculars in an effective “how to get into UCSD” strategy, read this guide.

      What is the acceptance rate at the University of California – San Diego?

      Anyone wanting to know how to get into UCSD will ask, “What is the UCSD acceptance rate?”

      The UCSD acceptance rate is 38%, making the University of California – San Diego a most selective school. In Fall 2021, 40,616 first year and 12,330 transfer students were admitted. The UCSD acceptance rate was 34.3%. The UCSD acceptance rate is similar to that of other UC schools, like UC Irvine and UC Santa Barbara.

      Keep the UCSD acceptance rate in mind as you work out how to get into UCSD before the UCSD application deadline. But if you love UCSD, don’t let the UCSD acceptance rate deter you from applying.

      For more help working out what the UCSD acceptance rate means for your UCSD application, read our guide.

      Tips on writing the Personal Insight Questions

      One of the most important parts of your “how to get into UCSD” plan is how you answer the UC Personal Insight Questions, found in full here. To help UCSD admissions get to know who you are beyond your resume and academic achievements, you must select 4 UC Personal Insight Questions and respond to them in 350 words or less. You’ll find all eight UC Personal Insight Questions here.

      UCSD admissions considers each of the UC Personal Insight Questions equally. So, choose the questions that will allow you to show who you are in your own words. Your responses to the UC Personal Insight Questions are your chance to show UCSD admissions what kind of student, person, and thinker you are.

      To make sure your answers are as strong as they can be, give yourself plenty of time to draft, revise, and edit them ahead of the UCSD application deadline. The UCSD acceptance rate is low, so it’s important to ace this part of your UCSD application.

      Check out our UC Personal Insight Questions guide for a breakdown of each essay prompt and tips for crafting strong responses.

      What does the University of California – San Diego use to determine acceptance?

      As you work out how to get into UCSD, it can be useful to learn about how UCSD admissions reviews applications.

      After the UCSD application deadline, two or more reviewers judge each UCSD application. UCSD admissions wants to identify students with a range of experiences who will excel academically. To that end, UCSD admissions evaluates applications for two characteristics: academic achievement and personal qualities.

      UCSD admissions assesses academic achievement based on how far you exceed the UCSD GPA requirements. Additionally, they look at the number and type of courses you’ve successfully completed, including AP, IBHL, and honors courses. UCSD admissions does not look at test scores, so sending UCSD SAT scores or ACT scores will not impact your application.

      California residents who enter their senior year in the top 9% of their high school class are recognized as ELC (Eligibility in the Local Context) students. This achievement adds value to their UCSD application.

      Your personal qualities, which you should highlight in your UC Personal Insight Questions, can include creative, intellectual, social, or professional achievements. They can also be seen in challenges, hardships, or unusual circumstances you’ve overcome.

      UCSD admissions looks for students who are invested in their community and display certain characteristics, including:

      • Leadership
      • Motivation
      • Tenacity
      • Initiative
      • Originality
      • Creativity
      • Intellectual independence
      • Responsibility
      • Maturity

      Before the UCSD application deadline, make sure you highlight these qualities in your UCSD application, especially your UC Personal Insight Questions. This will help UCSD admissions see your value beyond your ability to exceed the UCSD GPA requirements.

      Will the University of California – San Diego consider my social media accounts?

      You’re coming to the end of your “how to get into UCSD” strategy. You know the score on the UCSD application deadline, UCSD GPA requirements, UCSD acceptance rate, average UCSD SAT scores, and UC Personal Insight Questions. One question remains—will UCSD review your social media accounts as part of your UCSD application?

      The school does not have an official policy about reviewing social media accounts. So, you don’t need to factor your social media accounts into your “how to get into UCSD” plan.

      However, just because UCSD admissions doesn’t consider your social media when they review your UCSD application doesn’t mean you should post carelessly. You should still be careful about what you share on your social media.

      Anything you post online becomes public. And, if UCSD admissions did become aware of any inappropriate content, it could negatively impact your UCSD application. To protect yourself from future missteps, don’t post anything online that you wouldn’t want a future peer, professor, or employer to see.

      Is the University of California – San Diego a good school for me?

      Before you spend too much time thinking about how to get into UCSD, well before the UCSD application deadline, you need to decide if UCSD is the right school for you.

      UCSD is a top-rated university with a low UCSD acceptance rate. Forbes ranks UCSD #15 in Top Colleges 2021, #15 in Research Universities, #13 in America’s Best Value Colleges 2019, and #3 in Public Colleges.

      Beyond UCSD’s ranking, consider factors like size, cost, and location. You’ll also want to know about the school culture. UCSD’s Why UC San Diego page will give you a good idea of the resources and experiences you’ll have at UCSD.

      Additional tips to get into the University of California – San Diego

      Do your research

      Don’t limit your research to fast facts like the UCSD acceptance rate or simple answers to how to get into UCSD. Instead, learn about what UCSD has to offer academically, socially, and culturally. Take time to watch webinars hosted by alumni of UC Schools and think about why you want to apply to UCSD.

      Stay on top of deadlines

      Every school will have their own deadlines, and the UCSD application deadline is no different. Your “how to get into UCSD” game plan should include a personalized application timeline. This will help you submit your UCSD application long before the UCSD application deadline.

      Get a second pair of eyes

      Getting an outside perspective on your UC Personal Insight Questions can help you catch any errors and make sure your answers are as clear and concise as possible. Ask someone you trust to read your responses and share feedback before you finalize your UCSD application.

      

      This guide was written by Stefanie Tedards. If you want to know how to get into UCSD, we’ve got you covered. CollegeAdvisor.com’s network of 300+ Admissions Experts (and former admissions officers) includes graduates from some of the country’s top schools. Create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.