UC SAN DIEGO ADMISSION GUIDE
UC San Diego is a beachside institution where you’ll earn a world-class education, learn from award-winning faculty, and make your mark on the world. We are here to launch you on your journey.
TRITON LIFE
At UC San Diego, you’ll thrive in and out of the classroom. With hundreds of student organizations, supportive community centers, research labs, and much more, each day is a chance to learn something new and have fun along the way.
Campus Snapshot
45,300 Total Campus Enrollment
35,000 Undergraduates
650+ Student Organizations
24 Division I Teams
Research & Innovation
$1.73 BILLION In Annual Research Funding
16 Nobel Laureates Have Taught at UC San Diego
FACULTY AWARDS: Pulitzer Prize, Nobel Prize, Academy Award, Tony Award, Fields Medal
Support & Resources
• Asian Pacific Islander Middle Eastern Desi American Programs & Services
• Black Resource Center
• Cross Cultural Center
• Intertribal Resource Center
• LGBT Resource Center
• Raza Resource Centro
• Student Veterans Resource Center
• Triton Transfer Hub
• Undocumented Student Services
• Women’s Center
REVELLE
Est. 1964
Sciences, arts, and humanities.
SIXTH
Est. 2002
Arts and technology.
UC San Diego’s college system allows you to pursue any major within any college. You’ll have the option to rank your top four colleges on the UC application in order of preference for each college’s themes, course requirements for graduation, advising, support services and more.
Scan the QR code on the back page and select “Colleges” to learn more.
THURGOOD MARSHALL
Est. 1970
Shaping student scholars and citizens.
ELEANOR ROOSEVELT
Est. 1988
Developing world citizens.
EIGHTH
Est. 2022
Engagement and community.
JOHN MUIR
Est. 1967
Individuality and independent spirit.
EARL WARREN
Est. 1974
Responsible citizenship in a global society.
2-YEAR HOUSING GUARANTEE
SEVENTH
Est. 2019
Confronting the challenges of our changing planet.
Live on-campus in your college neighborhood or transfer community. admissions.ucsd.edu/visit/housing
AREAS OF STUDY
Explore our academic programs, taught by leading experts who help prepare students to stand out and lead worldwide change.
Scan the QR code on the back page and select “Majors” to learn more.
Aerospace Engineering* ° ⏉
Anthropology° ᴹ
Applied Mathematics ⏉
Artificial Intelligence* ⏉
Astronomy & Astrophysics ᴹ ⏉
Biochemistry ⏉
Bioengineering* ° ⏉
Biological Anthropology ⏉
Biology° ⏉
Black Diaspora & African American Studies
Business Economics ᴹ ⏉
Business Psychology
Chemical Engineering* ⏉
Chemistry ᴹ ⏉
Chicanx & Latinx Studies ᴹ
Chinese Studies ᴹ
Cinematic Arts ᴹ
Classical Studies ᴹ
Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience
Cognitive Science° ᴹ
Communication ᴹ
Computer Engineering* ᴹ ⏉
Computer Science* ° ᴹ ⏉
Computing & the Arts
Critical Gender Studies ᴹ
Dance ᴹ
Data Science* ᴹ ⏉
Ecology, Behavior & Evolution ⏉
Economics ᴹ
Education Sciences ᴹ
Electrical Engineering* ᴹ ⏉
Electrical Engineering & Society* ⏉
Engineering Physics* ᴹ ⏉
Environmental Anthropology ᴹ
Environmental Engineering*
Environmental Chemistry ⏉
Environmental Systems° ᴹ ⏉
Ethnic Studies ᴹ
General Biology ᴹ ⏉
Geosciences ᴹ ⏉
Global Health ᴹ
Global South Studies ᴹ
History ᴹ
Human Biology ⏉
Human Developmental Sciences° ᴹ
International Studies° ᴹ
Japanese Studies ᴹ
Jewish Studies ᴹ
Latin American Studies° ᴹ
Linguistics° ᴹ
Literature/Writing° ᴹ
Marine Biology ⏉
Mathematical Biology
Mathematics° ᴹ ⏉
Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies ᴹ
Sociology° ᴹ
Structural Engineering ** ⏉
Study of Religion ᴹ
Theatre ᴹ
Urban Studies & Planning ᴹ
Mathematics & Economics (Joint Major) ⏉
Mechanical Engineering* ° ⏉
Media Industries & Communication
Microbiology ⏉
Molecular & Cell Biology ⏉
Molecular Synthesis ⏉
Music° ᴹ
NanoEngineering* ⏉
Neurobiology ⏉
Oceanic & Atmospheric Sciences ⏉
Pharmacological Chemistry ⏉
Philosophy ᴹ
Physics ᴹ ⏉
Political Science° ᴹ
Probability & Statistics
Psychology° ᴹ
Public Health* ° ⏉
Real Estate & Development ᴹ ⏉
Visual Arts° ᴹ
World Literature & Culture
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* Selective major
** Screened major
° Major specializations offered
ᴹ Minor available
⏉ Requires Transfer Major Prep
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/undergrads
ADMISSIONS
COURSEWORK
Complete 11 of the 15 A-G requirements by the end of your junior year.
A. History: 2 years
B. English: 4 years
C. Mathematics: 3 years (4 recommended)
D. Laboratory Sciences: 2 years (3 recommended)
E. Language other than English: 2 years (3 recommended)
F. Visual and Performing Arts: 1 year
G. College-preparatory elective: 1 year
MINIMUM GPA
For 10th and 11th grade A-G courses. Additional weight is added to advanced UC-approved honors courses, etc.
• 3.0 or better (CA residents)
• 3.4 or better (non-CA residents)
*Please note: Students competitive for admission to our campus exceed the minimum requirements listed here.
OTHER FACTORS
Holistic Review
• Overall GPA
• Achievement in high school and college coursework
• Academic accomplishments and rigor
• Special talents, achievements, and awards
• Personal qualities
• Portfolio review
Applicants to arts majors can submit an optional portfolio or audition for faculty review.
UC San Diego does not consider SAT or ACT scores as a factor in admissions decisions.
Personal Insight Question Responses
• Answer 4 of 8 questions.
• Share your life experience, interests, ambitions, etc.
• Responses limited to 350 words each.
Scan the QR code on the back page and select “First-Year Admissions” to learn more.
Scan the QR code on the back page and select “First-Year Admissions” to learn more.
COURSEWORK & UNITS
Complete a minimum of 60 UC-transferable semester (90 quarter) units.
MINIMUM GPA
• 2.4 or better (CA residents)
• 2.8 or better (non-CA residents)
*Please note: Students competitive for admission to our campus exceed the minimum requirements listed here.
TRANSFER ADMISSIONS
COMPLETE THE 7-COURSE PATTERN
• 2 English composition
• 1 Mathematical concepts & quantitative reasoning
• 4 courses from at least 2 of the following: arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, or physical and biological sciences
Scan the QR code on the back page and select “Transfer Admissions” to learn more.
OTHER FACTORS
Major Preparation
• Certain majors require completion of minimum major preparation coursework to be eligible for admission to the major. Please see pages 4 and 5 for majors with this requirement.
• All transfer applicants are strongly encouraged to complete major preparation coursework outlined on assist.org to accelerate their time-to-degree.
Personal Insight Question responses
• Answer 1 required question and 3 of 7 remaining questions.
• Share your life experience, interests, ambitions, etc.
• Responses limited to 350 words each.
Portfolio review
• Applicants to arts majors can submit an optional portfolio or recommended audition, etc. for faculty review.
TRANSFER TOOLS
• Track and plan your coursework through UC Transfer Admission Planner (UC TAP) | uctap.universityofcalifornia.edu.
• CA Community College students can view UC-transferable courses at assist.org.
• Compare Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum requirements for UC San Diego’s colleges at compare.ucsd.edu | Cal-GETC will also be in effect starting 2025-26.
Apply for Aid
Submit the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application during the priority filing period: October 1 - March 2.
UC Tuition Stability Plan
Systemwide tuition rates remain the same for up to six years of undergraduate study.
Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan
Ensures you won’t pay UC’s systemwide tuition and fees out of pocket if you are a California resident with a total annual family income less than $80,000 and you qualify for financial aid.
PAYING FOR COLLEGE
ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE
This cost breakdown reflects estimated expenses for living on campus during the 2025-26 academic year. Numbers are subject to change.
CALIFORNIA RESIDENT
Direct Costs
Components of CA Resident Tuition and Fees: $20,571
• UC Systemwide Tuition and Fees: $14,934
• UC San Diego Campus Fees: $2,427
• UC San Diego Health Fee: $3,045
• UC San Diego One-time Document Fee: $165
Living Expenses: $19,629
Indirect Costs
• Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment: $1,365
• Miscellaneous Personal Expenses: $2,364
• Transportation Expenses: $1,047
Estimated CA Resident Cost Totals: $44,976
NON-CALIFORNIA RESIDENT
Additonal Direct Costs
• Non-California Resident Supplemental Tuition: $37,602
Estimated Non-California Resident Cost Totals: $82,578
Scan the QR code on the back page and select “Financial Aid and Scholarships” to learn more.
TRITON SUCCESS
STUDENT STORY
Brandon (he/him) | 3rd Year
Math-Computer Science major
There are more than 256,000 Triton alumni pursuing their dreams and changing the world for the better!
$91,000 average base salary of UC San Diego graduates.
$164,900 average mid-career salary of UC San Diego graduates.
Top Career Paths
Arts & Entertainment, Consulting, Design, Educational Services, Engineering, Finance, Medicine, Manufacturing, Publishing, Research, Telecommunications.
“I came to college because I wanted the connections that it would bring. It was important to be able to meet and talk to people who I find interesting and who I can learn from. All the alumni I’ve met are always happy to talk to and help students. To me, that’s where the value of being at a school like UC San Diego comes from.”
NOTABLE ALUMNI
Nicky Youre | ’21
Singer-songwriter whose song “Sunroof” has been streamed more than 1.1 billion times on Spotify.
Alicia Garza | ’02
Civil rights activist and writer whose first book “The Purpose of Power” was published in 2020.
Kate Rubins | ’99
NASA astronaut and the first scientist to sequence DNA in space.
Mohammad Alkhadra | ’18
Founder of tech startup Lithios and 2025 Forbes “30 Under 30” honoree.
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IMPORTANT DATES
August 1
UC application opens
October 1 - December 1
UC application submission period for fall 2026 admission
October 1 - March 2
FAFSA or California Dream Act Application priority submission period (subject to change)
By March 31
First-year application decisions released
By April 30
Transfer application decisions released
May 1
First-year deadline to accept offer of admission
June 1
Transfer deadline to accept offer of admission
