UC San Diego Triton Admission Guide

UC SAN DIEGO ADMISSION GUIDE BE CURIOUS. BE INSATIABLE. UC San Diego is a beachside institution where you can embrace your fearless curiosity and insatiable drive to change the world. Where will your curiosity take you? We can’t wait to find out.

YOURS FOR THE MAKING 30%

CAMPUS SNAPSHOT 45,000 Total Campus Enrollment 35,400 Undergraduates LIVE YOUR BEST LIFE Attend Annual Events • Sun God Festival • Hullabaloo Festival • Triton Weeks of Welcome Get Involved • 700+ Student Organizations • 24 Division I Teams | 30 Sports Clubs • 46 Social Fraternity & Sororities

OF UNDERGRADUATES IDENTIFIED WITH AT LEAST ONE UNDERREPRESENTED MINORITY GROUP.

Asian 42% Black/African American 4% Hawaiian/Pacific Islander 1% Latinx 27% Native American 2% White 29% % OF TOTAL STUDENT BODY One race or ethnicity

More than one race or ethnicity

Numbers in the chart above represent fall 2025 enrollment.

The numbers equal more than 100 because an increasing number of undergraduates identify with more than one ethnic group. Federal and UC reporting do not yet account for multiidentity students, so those figures will vary from this publication.

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At UC San Diego, you’ll thrive in and out of the classroom. With hundreds of student organizations, supportive community centers, and much more, each day is a chance to learn something new and have fun along the way.

Embrace Your Appetite There are 50+ on-campus dining locations, including residential dining halls, quick-serve favorites, graband-go markets and cafes, a weekly farmer’s market and more.

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

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 based on 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.

SIXTH

Est. 2002 Arts and technology.

THURGOOD MARSHALL

Est. 1964 Sciences, arts, and humanities.

EIGHTH

JOHN MUIR

EARL WARREN

REVELLE

Est. 2022 Engagement and community.

Est. 1967 Individuality and independent spirit.

Est. 1970 Shaping student scholars and citizens.

Est. 1974 Responsible citizenship in a global society.

ELEANOR ROOSEVELT Est. 1988 Developing world citizens.

SEVENTH

Est. 2019 Confronting the challenges of our changing planet.

2-YEAR HOUSING GUARANTEE Live on-campus in your college neighborhood or transfer community. admissions.ucsd.edu/visit/housing

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AREAS OF STUDY Explore our academic programs, taught by leading industry experts who help prepare students to stand out in their chosen fields 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 ⏉

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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

BE AN ENGINEER

BE A SCENE-STEALER

BE A SCIENTISTBE ANYTHING BUT STATIC 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 Chemistry ⏉ Environmental Systems° ᴹ ⏉ Ethnic Studies ᴹ General Biology ᴹ ⏉ Geosciences ᴹ ⏉ Global Health ᴹ Global South Studies ᴹ

R

-SLASH-AMATEUR SURFER BE INSATIABLE History ᴹ Human Biology ⏉ Human Developmental Sciences° ᴹ International Studies° ᴹ Japanese Studies ᴹ Jewish Studies ᴹ Latin American Studies° ᴹ Linguistics° ᴹ Literary Arts ᴹ Literatures in English ᴹ Literatures in Spanish ᴹ Marine Biology ⏉ Mathematical Biology

Mathematics° 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 ⏉ Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies ᴹ Sociology° ᴹ Structural Engineering ⏉ Study of Religion ᴹ Theatre ᴹ Urban Studies & Planning ᴹ Visual Arts° ᴹ World Literature & Culture -----* Selective major ° Major specializations offered ᴹ Minor available ⏉ Requires Transfer Major Prep

PURSUING A LAW, MEDICAL OR BUSINESS CAREER? Explore UC San Diego’s many academic and preprofessional programs to ensure you’re prepared for graduate study and beyond. majors.ucsd.edu

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FIRST-YEAR ADMISSION

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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.

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

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.

PERSONAL INSIGHT QUESTIONS • • •

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.

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TRANSFER ADMISSION COURSEWORK & UNITS Complete a minimum of 60 UC-transferable semester (90 quarter) units.

COMPLETE THE 7-COURSE PATTERN • •

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.

•

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.

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OTHER FACTORS MAJOR PREPARATION • •

Certain majors require completion of minimum major preparation coursework to be eligible for admission to the major. Visit admissions.ucsd.edu/majorprep for a list of 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 QUESTIONS • • •

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 audition video, 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 Cal-GETC requirements for UC San Diego’s colleges at compare.ucsd.edu | IGETC also accepted for transfers who began their community college study prior to fall 2025.

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PAYING FOR COLLEGE

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.

NET PRICE CALCULATOR

Visit fas.ucsd.edu/calculator for an estimate of your full-time cost of attendance and financial aid eligibility at UC San Diego.

ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE

This breakdown reflects estimated expenses for attending UC San Diego during the 2026-27 academic year by living arrangement.

This estimate was developed in accordance with state law and the UCOP housing audit checklist.

COST OF ATTENDANCE

LIVING WITH FAMILY

ON-CAMPUS

OFF-CAMPUS

$21,519

$21,519

$21,459

$8,790

$20,442

$20,583

Books, course materials, supplies, and equipment

$1,236

$1,236

$1,236

Miscellaneous Personal Expenses

$3,132

$2,838

$2,940

Transportation Expenses

$2,883

$948

$2,145

$37,560

$47,283

$48,423

Non-California Resident Supplmenetal Tuition

$39,270

$39,270

$39,270

ESTIMATED NON-CA RESIDENT COST TOTALS

$76,830

$86,553

$87,693

Direct Costs Components of CA Resident Tuition & Fees UC Systemwide Tuition & Fees: $15,588 UC San Diego Campus Fees: $2,511 UC San Diego Health Fee: $3,195 (may be waived if covered by private insurance that meet requirements.)

UC San Diego Enrollment Services Fee: $225 (assessed once upon initial enrollment)

Living Expenses Food & Housing

Indirect Costs

ESTIMATED CA RESIDENT COST TOTALS

Direct Costs (Non-CA Resident)

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Scan the QR code on the back page and select “Financial Aid and Scholarships” to learn more.

TRITON SUCCESS RESEARCH & INNOVATION $1.7 BILLION

in annual research funding.

16 NOBEL LAUREATES have taught at UC San Diego.

NOTABLE ALUMNI

Hayden Gray 2025

Shooting guard for the Utah Jazz, and the first UC San Diego Triton to make it to the NBA.

Alicia Garza 2002

Civil rights activist and writer whose first book “The Purpose of Power” was published in 2020.

FACULTY AWARDS

Pulitzer Prize, Nobel Prize, Academy Award, Tony Award, Fields Medal.

STUDENT STORY

$96,000 AVERAGE BASE SALARY of new UC San Diego graduates.

TOP CAREER FIELDS

Arts & Entertainment, Consulting, Design, Educational Services, Engineering, Finance, Medicine, Manufacturing, Publishing, Research, Telecommunications.

Brandon (he/him) 4th Year Math-Computer Science major

TRITON ALUMNI 268,000+ TRITON ALUMNI pursuing their dreams and changing the world for the better!

“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.”

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IMPORTANT DATES OCT. 1 - NOV. 30

apply.universityofcalifornia.edu

AUGUST 1 UC application opens

OCTOBER 1 - NOVEMBER 30

UC application submission period

OCTOBER 1 - MARCH 2

FAFSA or California Dream Act Application priority submission period (deadline subject to change)

BY JANUARY 31

Transfer applicants log in to their UC Application and complete the Transfer Academic Update

BY MARCH 31

First-year application decisions released and College Financing Plan available (if applicable)

BY APRIL 30

Transfer application decisions released and College Financing Plan available (if applicable)

MAY 1

First-year deadline to accept offer of admission

JUNE 1

Transfer deadline to accept offer of admission UC SAN DIEGO

SCAN FOR MORE INFORMATION

admissions.ucsd.edu/start

UC San Diego Office of Undergraduate Admissions 9500 Gilman Drive, MC 0021 9460 Russell Lane, Suite 159 La Jolla, CA 92093 (858) 534-4831

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