So, you’re thinking about applying to UC San Diego, 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 30.2%, admission to UC San Diego 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 1490, or an ACT score of around 34.

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 San Diego admission statistics.

2018 UC San Diego Admissions Statistics: Class of 2022

• UC San Diego’s acceptance rate in 2018 was 30.2%
• For the class of 2022, out of 97,899 applicants, UC San Diego admitted 29,577
• The average weighted GPA of admitted applicants was 4.15
• The average ACT score was 31
• The average SAT score was 1420

For students who took the ACT, the 25th percentile score of successful applicants was 28, and the 75th percentile score was 34.

For students who took the SAT, the 25th percentile score was 1300. The 75th percentile score was 1520.

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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 San Diego 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 San Diego’s admissions requirements to help you get everything in order.

2018 UC San Diego Application Requirements: Class of 2022

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 or SAT, both requiring the written essay sections
• Students must answer 4 out of 8 Personal Insight question prompts, each limited to a maximum of 350 words each.
• Meet a long list of other faculty-approved criteria; for example, “…quality of academic performance relative to educational opportunities available at your school”.

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

2018 UC San Diego Class of 2022 Admitted Students Profile

If you matriculate at UC San Diego, 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 52.5% are male and 47.5% are female
• 20.4% of students are international

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

• International: 20.4%
• Underrepresented minority: 3.8%
• Two or more races: 0.0%
• White: 21.4%

What do these admitted students plan to study? UC San Diego 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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• Biology
• Economics
• Psychology

Now, how are you going to pay for this?

UC San Diego Tuition Figures

At $44,197, UC San Diego’s cost of attendance is astronomical for non-CA residents. Most incoming students receive some form of financial aid, and the average award is $18,412.

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

• Total budget: $44,197
• Average financial aid package: $18,412
• The average student debt of a UC San Diego graduate is $21,830

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

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

UC San Diego Location

UC San Diego is located in the La Jolla neighborhood of San Diego itself.

The campus is known for the various public art projects, that are on display throughout the grounds themselves. In addition, a strong tradition of graffiti art is represented on campus as well via the Graffiti Art Park.

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

UC San Diego Academics

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

• Anthropology
• Bioengineering
• Chemistry and Biochemistry
• Economics
• Philosophy
• Engineering
• Global Health
• English
• Economics
• Human Development
• International Studies
• Linguistics
• Mathematics
• NanoEngineering
• Third World Studies
• Structural Engineering

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

Student Life at UC San Diego

UC San Diego 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 San Diego’s student activities:

• Argentine Tango Club
• BioScholars Program at UCSD
• Books for Prisoners
• Cancer Outreach Team
• Che Cafe
• Daughters of Triton
• Engineering World Health
• Food Co-op
• FUSION Hip-Hop Dance Events Association
• Hawaii Club
• Insight Pre-Optometry
• Junior Hearts and Hands
• Kendo Club at UCSD
• Left Coast Post
• MedTalks
• Native American Student Alliance
• Quidditch

Are you an athlete? UC San Diego’s got plenty of options for you.

UC San Diego Athletics

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

UC San Diego’s sports include:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Volleyball
• Cross-Country
• Swimming & Diving
• Soccer
• Rowing
• Track & Field
• Tennis

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

Notable Alums

UC San Diego 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:

• Apple Macintosh developer Bill Atkinson
• GoPro founder Nick Woodman
• Biotech pioneer Craig Venter
• Animator Mike Judge
• MP3.com founder Michael Robertson
• Actor Benicio del Toro
• Activist Angela Davis

And this is only a partial list!

Remember!

Getting into UC San Diego 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!