Hi all, I'm a junior starting to look at colleges and I'm interested in several UC schools. For anyone who has been through the process, do I have to apply to each school individually, or is there like a common app for all the UC colleges? Thanks in advance for the help.
Hello! When applying to the University of California (UC) system, you will use a system-specific application. It's sort of like the UC's own version of the Common App called the "UC Application."
This application allows you to apply to all nine UC undergraduate campuses with just one application. While you fill out the application only once, you need to pay an application fee for each campus you apply to. During the application process, you'll be asked to rank the campuses in order of preference. However, each campus makes its admission decision independently, and this ranking doesn’t affect your chances of being admitted.
The UC Application includes writing four short personal insight essays, chosen from eight prompts. Just like with the rest of the application, these essays will be submitted to all the UC schools you apply to. That being said, be aware that certain campuses and majors may require additional responses, so always remember to check the specific requirements for each campus or major you're applying to.
Lastly, keep in mind that the UC application filing period is from October 1 to November 30. Good luck with your applications!
CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.