So, you’re thinking about applying to UC Davis, and you’re curious about your chances of admission. There are a lot of factors in the admissions process. However, the most important factors in the admissions game are your GPA and test scores.

With an acceptance rate of 41.2%, admission to UC Davis is extremely competitive. Based on our analysis, to have a good chance of being admitted, you need to be at the very top of your class and have an SAT score of close to 1460, or an ACT score of around 33.

Not quite there? Try taking our SAT prep course and you’ll still have a chance of getting in, but it’s in the single digits. Let’s take a closer look at UC Davis admission statistics.

2018 UC Davis Acceptance Rate: Class of 2022

• UC Davis’s acceptance rate in 2018 was 41.2%
• For the class of 2022, out of 74,558 applicants, UC Davis admitted about 30,718
• The average unweighted GPA of admitted applicants was 3.85
• The average weighted GPA of admitted applicants was 4.11
• The average ACT score was 31
• The average SAT score was 1360

For students who took the ACT, the 25th percentile score of successful applicants was 28, and the 75th percentile score was 33.

For students who took the SAT, the 25th percentile score was 1260. The 75th percentile score was 1460.

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If you’re somewhere in the middle of these numbers, remember that a high test score can compensate for a slightly lower GPA, and vice versa. If you’re at the lower end, it helps if you’re a diverse applicant, the child of an alum, or have incredible personal achievements.

Other aspects of your application, such as athletics, extracurricular and recommendations, are important, but will likely only make a difference for admission if you’re in the 75th percentile range for your GPA and SAT/ACT scores.

Even if UC Davis is your dream school, and even if you’re in the 75th percentile, you’ll still want to make sure you apply to a wide variety of schools to ensure you’ll gain admission somewhere.

Generally, you should have:

• Three safety schools (where you are in the 75th percentile of GPA/test scores)
• Three reach schools (where you are in the 25th percentile of GPA/test scores)
• Three target schools (where you are near the average for GPA/test scores)

OK, so you’ve decided to apply. We took a look at UC Davis’s admissions requirements to help you get everything in order.

2020 UC Davis Application Requirements: Class of 2024

Here’s a full list of application requirements:

• Students must complete UC-approved courses in 7 different subject areas and submit the $70 application fee
• Students must earn a minimum GPA of 3.0 (for in-state) or 3.4 (out-of-state residents) in the UC-approved courses, via those courses taken during 10th and 11th grades
• Students must submit scores from either the ACT Assessment plus Writing or SAT Reasoning Test

Have you been admitted to UC Davis? Congratulations! Below is a glimpse of what your classmates will be like.

2018 UC Davis Class of 2022 Admitted Students Profile

If you matriculate at UC Davis, you’ll be joining a diverse class, with students from all over the U.S. and the world, and have a chance to study in dozens of fields.

Here are some interesting facts about the recently admitted class:

• Roughly 39.4% are male and 60.4% are female
• 17% of students are international

UC Davis has a diverse class, as well, with a large number of people of color. The ethnicities of admitted applicants are:

• International: 17%
• African-American: 4%
• Asian/Pacific Islander: 32%
• White: 23%
• Native American/Alaskan Native: 1%
• Hispanic: 22%
• Other: 2%
• First-Generation Students: 42%

What do these admitted students plan to study? UC Davis offers dozens of majors, and students matriculating there pursue a wide number of subjects. Here is a list of some of the top programs:

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• Economics
• Neurobiology and Anatomy
• Business and Managerial Economics

Now, how are you going to pay for this?

UC Davis Tuition Figures

At $61,649, UC Davis’s cost of attendance is astronomical. Most incoming students receive some form of financial aid, and the average award is $18,271.

Here’s a fuller look at UC Davis tuition and financial aid in 2017:

• Total budget: $61,649
• Average financial aid package: $18,271
• The average student debt of a UC Davis graduate is $19,276

For the latest numbers and to learn more about financial aid options, click HERE.

Now, what is life like at UC Davis? Let’s take a look.

UC Davis Location

UC Davis is located in Davis, California, west of Sacramento.

The school is often referred to as one of the “Public Ivies” meaning that it is a publicly funded university that provides education quality on par with the Ivy League.

Remember, you’re going to UC Davis for its excellent academics! Below is a look at what academic life will be like.

UC Davis Academics

UC Davis has dozens of majors. Some of the school’s more interesting majors are:

• Aerospace Science and Engineering
• Biotechnology
• Chemistry
• Design
• Economics
• French
• Genetics and Genomics
• Hydrology
• International Relations
• Japanese
• Landscape Architecture
• Managerial Economics
• Nutrition Science
• Philosophy
• Religious Studies
• Theatre and Dance

Now, let’s take a look at life outside the classroom at UC Davis.

Student Life at UC Davis

UC Davis has hundreds of student organizations, covering academic interests, creative and performing arts, cultural and racial initiatives, gender and sexuality affinity groups, government and politics interests, and various media and publications.

Here’s a sampling of UC Davis’ student activities:

• Advanced Modeling Aeronautics Team
• Autism Awareness Association
• Beauty Babes
• Best Buddies
• Camped Streetwear Club
• Davis Climbing Club
• Economics Club
• Figure Skating Club
• Genetic Counseling Club
• Hmong Student Union
• iDevelop
• Jazz Society
• Kendo Club
• Latino Fellowship
• MEDLIFE
• Net Impact Davis

Are you an athlete? UC Davis’ got plenty of options for you.

UC Davis Athletics

UC Davis offers a large number of intercollegiate sports, with extensive varsity, as well as club, offerings, for both men and women. 

UC Davis’ sports include:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Football
• Cross-Country
• Swimming & Diving
• Soccer
• Water Polo
• Track & Field
• Tennis

Who might you become with a UC Davis degree? Let’s take a look at some well-known and successful alums:

Notable Alums

UC Davis has produced politicians, business tycoons, entertainers, musicians, media figures, and leaders in dozens of other fields.

Here’s a list of some particularly well-known alums:

• Chevron CEO John S. Watson
• Sacramento mayor Darrell Steinberg
• Musician DJ Shadow
• NASA astronaut Tracy Caldwell Dyson
• MMA fighter Urijah Faber
• Cartoonist Charles Burns
• Artist Bruce Nauman
• Comedian Hasan Minhaj
• Broadcaster Jenny Cho
• NFL player Chris Carter
• Growth hacking pioneer Sean Ellis

And this is only a partial list!

Remember!

Getting into UC Davis is very competitive. Don’t despair if you get a no.

If you have a strong GPA and high test scores, you have a great chance of getting into at least one of the more competitive schools. And if you don’t, remember: where you go is NOT who you are.

If you need to boost your GPA or test scores before application time rolls around, you should consider signing up for a course with Prep Expert. We offer one-on-one tutoring and classes, both in-person and online, at locations throughout the United States.

For more test strategy, college admissions, and scholarship application tips sign up for our FREE class happening right now!