Questions on UCSD out of state acceptance rate

I'm a high school junior not living in California, but I'm really interested in UC San Diego! Does anyone know what they're looking for in out-of-state applicants? Also, is the acceptance rate for out-of-state students much lower?

For out-of-state students interested in UC San Diego, there are a few specific factors you should keep in mind. First, you'll need a minimum GPA of 3.4 (unweighted) in college-preparatory classes. However, as UCSD is quite competitive, a higher GPA will be more advantageous. The middle 50% GPA range for admitted out-of-state students for fall 2023, for instance, was 4.11 to 4.29 (weighted).

In addition to a strong GPA, UCSD, much like other UC schools, will look at your course rigor. This means they like to see challenging courses (like APs or IBs) on your transcript. They also consider your personal insight questions, extracurriculars, and any additional comments sections on your UC application. Quality of involvement matters more—for example, leadership positions or a significant commitment of time to a few specific activities are generally favored over a larger number of loosely connected extracurriculars.

Each UC school has a different campus culture and is looking for a different type of student, but UCSD, like many UCs, is generally looking for students who are academically invested, dedicated, passionate about their interests, and willing to contribute to their community.

As for acceptance rates, it's important to know that the UC system as a whole is mandated by law to have a California resident majority. Therefore, yes, the acceptance rate for out-of-state students tends to be lower. For the fall 2023 admissions cycle, the overall acceptance rate at UCSD was about 25%, but the out-of-state acceptance rate was 31%.

Many out-of-state students are accepted and attend UC schools each year, and your individual academic and extracurricular profile will bear considerable weight in your application assessment. Good luck!