The article provides important information about the UC San Diego Acceptance Rate to assist prospective students in their admission process.
In the University of California system, Berkeley and UCLA have always been seen as prestigious and highly respected schools. This is still true in 2023. However, many other campuses within the system have changed a lot and have become their own respected and competitive universities. This has made it harder to get admitted, and this trend is continuing.
UC San Diego is a clear example of this change. Nowadays, everyone who gets admitted there is from the top 10% of their high school class, showing they have excellent grades. The average GPA of those who get accepted is also above 4.0, showing their strong performance. It’s not surprising that the UCSD acceptance rate has been going down in recent years, which shows that it’s more competitive to get in.
For students who want to become Tritons, the journey to getting admitted is a bit challenging. They’ll find a test-blind admissions process, which means doing really well in their schoolwork, especially in tough classes, is very important. They also need to do well in their essays, which are a big way to show their unique thoughts and goals.
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UC-San Diego Acceptance Rate – 2023
UC San Diego, a highly regarded institution within the University of California system, has witnessed a significant surge in interest for the upcoming Class of 2027, accumulating a substantial 130,830 applications. Importantly, this figure closely mirrors the application count of the preceding academic cycle, which recorded a similar 131,226 applications.
As we anticipate the official release of acceptance rates for this cohort, it’s worth highlighting that the UCSD acceptance rate for the Class of 2026 stood at 23.7%.
Given the strikingly similar application numbers across these consecutive years, a reasonable expectation is that the acceptance rate for the Class of 2027 will be comparable. This further strengthens the notion of a closely aligned admission scenario.
In previous years, the UC San Diego acceptance rate was as follows:
- Class of 2025: 34%
- Class of 2024: 38%
UC San Diego Admissions – Grades & Class Rank
The University of California System has adopted a test-blind policy. Therefore, SAT and ACT scores are not considered. For the Class of 2026, the mid-50% GPA range was 4.12-4.30. Typically, every single entering student placed in the top 10% of their high school cohort.
Admissions Trends & Notes
- 84,910 applications to the Class of 2027 came from California residents.
- 23,951 applications were from non-resident American students.
- 21,969 applications were from international students.
- UCSD remains test-blind for the foreseeable future.
- The number of applications declined for the first time in 20 years in the 2022-23 cycle.
Who Gets Into UC-San Diego?
Let’s look at the demographics of UC-San Diego undergraduates:
Most UCSD Diego students hailed from the Golden State and paid in-state tuition. The total geographic breakdown is as follows.
- Percent from other U.S. States (non-residents) – 9%
- Percent from other countries (non-resident, international) = 16%
- Percent from San Francisco/Bay Area: 12%
- Percent from San Diego County: 23%
- Percent from Los Angeles/Orange Counties: 34%
- Percent from Other California Counties: 6%
Looking at ethnic identity, the breakdown of the entire Triton student body is as follows:
- Asian American: 38%
- Hispanic: 21%
- African American: 3%
- International: 16%
- Caucasian: 19%
The breakdown by gender reveals an almost perfectly even split between male and female students.
- Male: 48%
- Female: 51%
The top fields of study among current students were as follows:
- Biology: 18%
- Economics: 7%
- Psychology: 8%
- Cognitive Science: 6%
- Mathematics: 7%
UC-San Diego’s Yield Rate
UC-San Diego’s yield rate—the percentage of accepted students who elect to enroll, divided by the total number of students who are admitted was 17%. This is far lower than many other elite public institutions, UT-Austin, UNC Chapel Hill, UGA which are above 40%.
How UCSD Rates Applicants
UC San Diego considers three factors as “very important” in their admissions process: the rigor of your high school courses, your GPA, and your application essays. They also find other factors “important,” such as your talents and abilities, personal qualities, extracurricular activities, volunteer experience, and your state residency.
As mentioned earlier, all UC campuses, including UC San Diego, have adopted a test-blind approach. This means that the holistic review process at UC San Diego has become even more significant. Each application is carefully reviewed by at least two individuals.
In the words of the admissions office: “Our aim is to identify and admit students who are well-prepared to excel in our challenging academic environment. We seek students who demonstrate strong academic accomplishments, exceptional personal talents, and a diverse range of abilities, personal experiences, and backgrounds that represent California.”
If you’re recruited to join one of UC San Diego’s 23 Division I sports teams, it can certainly be beneficial. Many new students are classified as “recruited athletes” every year, and the university has nearly 600 varsity athletes in total.
Tips for Applying to UC-San Diego
If you plan on joining the 130,000+ Triton hopefuls for the next admissions cycle, you should know the following:
- While a holistic process, UC San Diego does not offer interviews.
- UC San Diego does not consider “demonstrated interest” in the admissions process.
- Make sure to dedicate sufficient time and effort to the supplemental essays required by UC San Diego. There are eight total prompts. Applicants respond to 4. Each response in limited to maximum of 350 words.
1) Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.
2) Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.
3) What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
4) Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
5) Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
6) Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.
7) What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?
8) Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?
The best approach here is to select the four prompts that are the best fit for you and elicit the most compelling and personal responses.
Summary of University of California San Diego Acceptance Rate 2023
Getting into UC San Diego (UCSD) has become much more challenging. Now, students need nearly perfect, if not perfect, grades in at least 10 honors, Advanced Placement (AP), or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses. Even those who live in the state must have really excellent academic records and other strong qualities beyond just good grades.
Because of this, it’s important for every student to carefully create a list of colleges they’re interested in. This list should include both schools they’re a good match for (called “target” schools) and ones where they have a higher chance of getting in (called “safety” schools). It’s also a good idea to work with an admissions expert who knows a lot about the current trends and strategies for the colleges you’re considering. This can help you navigate the process better and increase your chances of success.
