Hi there! So, I'm considering applying to UC Riverside in the fall, but I'm not totally sure what to expect from their admissions process. Any pointers from current or former UCR students?
Absolutely, I'd be happy to provide some insights about the process. Academics play a large role in your acceptance to UCR. This includes your high school GPA, the rigor of your course load, and your grades in those courses. Keep in mind that UCR, like all UCs, uses a holistic admissions process, meaning they evaluate applicants in the context of the opportunities and challenges each has faced.
The UC application itself, due between October 1 and November 30, includes eight Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) and you are asked to respond to four of your choice. When writing the PIQs, it's important to focus on showing your personal qualities, your journey, and how you think and learn.
Also, UCR, along with all the other UC campuses, became test-blind in 2020. This means that UCR doesn't consider SAT or ACT scores in its admissions decisions process at all, so you wouldn’t need to worry about prepping for or taking those exams for application to UCR.
Moreover, UCR, like all UCs, doesn't require letters of recommendation for most applicants. Only select applicants will be asked to provide them for a supplementary review.
It's also good to start early researching majors and programs of interest at UCR and mentioning any specific ones in your application where appropriate. Demonstrating informed interest can help your application stand out. However, unlike some other schools, UCR and other UCs don't consider demonstrated interest as a factor in admission decisions.
And lastly, you would want to show the breadth and depth of your extracurricular involvement. This can showcase your interests, passion, and commitment which the UCs value.
Remember, UC Riverside does make decisions based on the Academic Index of a student’s grades, but this is only to cut off the bottom layer of applicants. After that, applications are read holistically.
I hope this gives you a clearer idea about the UC Riverside admissions process. Good luck!
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