UC San Diego freshman profile?

Hey, I'm looking at UCSD as one of my top choices for college, and I'm curious about the typical freshman profile. Stats, extracurriculars, demographics—whatever you've got. It'd help me get an idea of what they're looking for.

UC San Diego is an excellent choice! To give you an idea of the typical freshman profile, here are some key stats and other factors for the most recent admitted class:

UCSD does not consider SAT or ACT scores in their admissions processes. They are test-blind for the 2024-2025 application cycle and will not be considering standardized test scores for the foreseeable future.

High school GPA (unweighted) tends to be very important in UC admissions. At UCSD, the average high school GPA for the admitted freshmen is around 4.11–4.29 in the UC-capped weighted scale.

UCSD, like other schools in the University of California system, also focuses on the pattern of courses taken in high school. Students who excelled in a rigorous curriculum, including AP, IB, or honors courses, are more competitive. UCSD wants to see you challenging yourself throughout your time in high school.

Extracurriculars also play a significant role in the application. While there's no exact formula for what UCSD is looking for, successful applicants often show strong involvement or leadership in a few areas that genuinely interest them. Typically, a student admitted to UCSD would have a well-developed "spike" that demonstrates their aptitude in a particular field.

Here's a rough demographic breakdown:

- California residents (about 75%)

- Underrepresented minority students (about 34%)

While UCSD does not practice race-conscious admissions, it does strive to create a diverse community of students. Being from a low-income family, being first-generation college-bound, or overcoming significant obstacles can positively contribute to your overall application.

To sum it up, UCSD is looking for students with strong academic records in challenging courses, well-developed extracurricular interests, and potential to contribute to the campus community. Keep in mind that UCSD uses a holistic review process, so many factors beyond statistics will be taken into consideration during the admissions process. Best of luck with your applications!