Do all UCs need letters of recommendation?

Hey guys, juniors unite! I am starting to get my UC application ready and I'm kinda confused—do all the UC colleges require letters of recommendation, or can I skip that part for some of them?

Hey there! I'm glad to see you're getting a head start on putting your UC application together. That's a great question! The University of California system does not generally require letters of recommendation for the admissions process. This holds true for all the UC campuses. However, there are exceptions to this rule. On occasion, a campus or a specific department may request a letter of recommendation after the initial application review. If this happens, the school will reach out to you directly with instructions on how to submit these letters. But as you're putting together your application, you don't need to worry about this step unless specifically asked later on.

The UCs aim to assess applicants based on the information provided in the application, including your personal insight questions, coursework, grades, and test scores (if you choose to submit). So, for now, focus on making those components as strong as possible. Remember, the strength of your application doesn’t hinge on letters of recommendation, so dedicate your energy to the sections you can control from the outset. And of course, keep an eye on your email in case any of the campuses reach out with additional requests after you've submitted your application. Good luck with everything!