International Admission Guide

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INTERNATIONAL ADMISSION GUIDE

Photo: Fallen Star @ UC San Diego

WHY UC SAN DIEGO? SAN FRANCISCO

#6 BEST PUBLIC UNIVERSITY

650+

26:1

– U.S. News and World Report, 2024

Student Organizations

Student-to-Faculty Ratio

$1.76 BILLION

AVERAGE TEMPERATURES

#7 BEST PUBLIC UNIVERSITY

25º C Summer | 17º C Winter

in Annual Research Funding

LOS ANGELES

SAN DIEGO

90+ COUNTRIES

16% of undergraduate population from outside the United States

TOP EMPLOYERS OF UC SAN DIEGO GRADUATES

Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft, TikTok

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE ON THE CALIFORNIA COAST STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS UC San Diego is home to hundreds of student organizations, cultural-based organizations, academic clubs, and fraternities and sororities, including: • African Student Association • Ballet Folklorico la Joya de México • Chinese Students and Scholars Association • Indian Student Association • International Student Association • International Student Mentorship Program • Japanese Student Association • Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. • Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity Inc. • Muslim Student Association For a full list of student organizations, visit studentorg.ucsd.edu

— Center for World University Rankings, 2024

RESOURCES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND PROGRAMS OFFICE UC San Diego students from outside the U.S. have access to specialized support through the International Students and Programs Office (ISPO) including: • Advising services • Academic and English resources • Assistance with Visa or I-20 questions • Exclusive programs and events • Peer Mentorship Programs For more information on ISPO’s services, visit ispo.ucsd.edu

Learn more at ucsd.edu/academics

ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE Cost in USD for 9 months (2024-2025). Subject to change.

Tuition and Fees: $53,874 Living Expenses: $18,522 Books/Expenses: $4,443 Total: $76,839 For more details, visit fas.ucsd.edu/cost-of-attendance/undergraduates NOTE: UC San Diego does not offer financial assistance to international undergraduates. If you are admitted and plan to obtain an F-1 or J-1 visa, you must provide documentation demonstrating adequate financial resources for the duration of your studies in the U.S. For example, students admitted for Fall 2025 will need a minimum of $76,839.

HOW TO COMPLETE THE UC APPLICATION Applicants must provide complete information on the “Academic History” section of the UC Application. Marks received must be listed exactly as they were given by your school — do not try to convert them. If you took an external examination in secondary school (IGCSE, A Levels, Year X/XII board exams, IB, etc.), you must list the scores received and may submit predicted scores, if available, in the “International External Exam” section. Please do not mail your academic record unless requested.

FIRST-YEAR PROFILE 2024 Applications: 134,500 Admits: 36,000 Admit Rate: 27%

International Undergraduates Attending: 4,000 Top Countries of UC San Diego Students Canada | China | Hong Kong | Japan | India | Indonesia | Mexico | Saudi Arabia | South Korea | Taiwan | United Kingdom

APPLY: OCTOBER 1 - NOVEMBER 30 APPLY.UNIVERSITYOFCALIFORNIA.EDU

INTERNATIONAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

admissions.ucsd.edu/international Your international school must have an appropriate level of recognition in the educational system it follows. You must also be earning a certificate of completion that will allow you to enter a university in that educational system. If your international school follows a U.S. curriculum, your school must have U.S. accreditation and you must graduate with a U.S. high school diploma or an equivalent credential.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Competitive first-year applicants typically pursue a rigorous university-preparatory curriculum across academic disciplines and attain superior marks/grades.

You must complete a program of study that will allow you to enter a university in your educational system.

Please note: students admitted to UC San Diego exceed the minimum admission requirements.

OBTAINING A VISA

ispo.ucsd.edu/advising/visa International students requiring a non-immigrant F-1 or J-1 visa to study in the U.S. must request and receive a form I-20 (F-1 Student) or DS-2019 (J-1 Exchange Visitor). The I-20 or DS-2019 is required to apply for the F-1 or J-1 visa.

TESTING

Demonstration of English proficiency is required for international students. Please visit our webpage to learn more. Completion of an English language exam (either TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test) is required for first-year applicants who have any education (grades 9 through 12) at a school where the language of instruction is not English, unless three or more of these years have been at a school where the language of instruction is English. The University of California considers the best scores attained at a single sitting for exams.

Mid-50% TOEFL of 2024 admitted students: 107 TO 114 Mid-50% IELTS of 2024 admitted students: 7.5 TO 8.0 Mid-50% Duolingo English Test score of 2024 admitted students: 130-145

UC San Diego does not consider SAT or ACT test scores as a factor in admission decisions.

OTHER FACTORS

Competitive first-year applicants have personal qualities that demonstrate an ability to contribute to and benefit from our stimulating, diverse campus community. These qualities may include leadership, commitment to service, motivation, tenacity, initiative, creativity, responsibility, insight and originality. Involvement in activities or endeavors outside of the classroom and your answers to the personal insight questions are considered in the admissions review.

SUMMER SESSION summer.ucsd.edu

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES GRADUATE DIVISION grad.ucsd.edu

EXTENSION INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS extension.ucsd.edu/international

INTERESTED IN A LAW, MEDICAL OR BUSINESS CAREER? UC San Diego offers many academic and pre-professional programs, mentorships, resources and support to ensure your success in graduate school and beyond!

CAREER.UCSD.EDU

160+ MAJORS ARTS AND HUMANITIES

Black Diaspora & African American Studies Chinese Studies Cinematic Arts Classical Studies Dance German Studies Global South Studies History Italian Studies Japanese Studies Jewish Studies Literature/Writing Literatures in: • English • Spanish Music Music/Humanities Music - Interdisciplinary Computing & the Arts Philosophy Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies Study of Religion Theatre Visual Arts • Art History/Criticism • Interdisciplinary Computing & the Arts • Media • Speculative Design • Studio World Literature & Culture

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Biology with Specialization in Bioinformatics Ecology, Behavior & Evolution General Biology Human Biology Microbiology Molecular & Cell Biology Neurobiology

DATA SCIENCE Data Science

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HUNDREDS OF MINORS

• Medicine Sciences

ENGINEERING

Aerospace Engineering Aerospace Engineering with a Specialization in: • Aerothermodynamics • Astrodynamics & Space Applications • Flight Dynamics & Controls Bioengineering Bioengineering • Bioinformatics • BioSystems • Biotechnology Chemical Engineering Computer Science Computer Science & Engineering • Artificial Intelligence • Computer Engineering Computer Science with a Specialization in Bioinformatics Electrical & Computer Engineering - Computer Engineering Electrical Engineering Electrical Engineering & Society Engineering Physics Mechanical Engineering Mechanical Engineering with a Specialization in: • Controls & Robotics • Fluid Mechanics & Thermal Systems • Materials Science & Engineering • Mechanics of Materials • Renewable Energy & Environmental Flows NanoEngineering Structural Engineering

HEALTH SCIENCES

Visit ucsd.edu/catalog for the most complete information on all of UC San Diego’s undergraduate programs.

PHYSICAL SCIENCES

Applied Mathematics Astronomy & Astrophysics Biochemistry Chemistry Environmental Chemistry General Physics General Physics/Secondary Education Mathematical Biology Mathematics Mathematics & Economics (Joint Major)

Mathematics • Applied Science • Computer Science • Secondary Education Molecular Synthesis Pharmacological Chemistry Physics Physics with Specialization in: • Astrophysics • Computational Physics • Earth Sciences • Materials Physics Physics - Biophysics Probability & Statistics

SCRIPPS INSTITUTION OF OCEANOGRAPHY

Environmental Systems • Earth Sciences • Ecology, Behavior & Evolution • Environmental Chemistry • Environmental Policy Geosciences Marine Biology Oceanic & Atmospheric Sciences

Public Health Public Health with Concentations in: • Biostatistics • Climate & Environmental Sciences • Community Health Sciences • Epidemiology • Health Policy & Management Sciences

SOCIAL SCIENCES Anthropology with Concentration in:

• Archaeology • Biological Anthropology • Climate Change & Human Solutions • Sociocultural Anthropology

Biological Anthropology Business Economics Business Psychology Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience

Cognitive Science Cognitive Sciences with a Specialization in: • Clinical Aspects of Cognition • Design & Interaction • Language &Culture • Machine Learning & Neural Computation • Neuroscience Communication Critical Gender Studies Economics Education Sciences Ethnic Studies Global Health Human Developmental Sciences Human Developmental Sciences with Specialization in: • Equity and Diversity • Healthy Aging International Studies • Anthropology • Economics • History • International Business • Linguistics • Literature • Philosophy • Political Science

• Sociology Latin American Studies Latin American Studies with a Concentration in: • Mexico • Migration & Border Studies Linguistics Linguistics - Language Studies Linguistics with a Specialization in: • Cognition & Language • Language & Society • Speech & Language Sciences Mathematics & Economics (Joint Major) Media Industries & Communication Political Science Political Science • American Politics • Comparative Politics • Data Analytics • International Relations • Political Theory • Public Law • Public Policy • Race, Ethnicity & Politics Psychology Psychology with Specialization in: • Clinical Psychology • Cognitive Psychology • Developmental Psychology • Human Health • Sensation & Perception • Social Psychology Real Estate & Development Sociology Sociology • American Studies • Culture & Communication • Economy & Society • International Studies • Law & Society • Science & Medicine • Social Inequalities

admissions.ucsd.edu/contact (858) 534-4831 Take a virtual tour: admissions.ucsd.edu/visit/tours

@ucsdadmissions

@ucsandiegoadmissions

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