What is you UCSD acceptance rate for new students? – UCSD is otherwise known as University of California, San Diego. This article provides a breakdown to UCSD acceptance rate for first year students or students transferring. You will also learn about it acceptance rate in respect of low or high CGPA.
First, the acceptance rate of the University of California, San Diego is 23.7%, meaning that for every 100 applicants, only 24 receive admission.
UC San Diego, is a top-ranked public college and renowned research university, with over 40,000 students for different backgrounds. The institution is actively seeking daring innovators who are enthusiastic about exchanging ideas, sharing experiences, and gaining a fresh perspective on the world.
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What is UCSD Acceptance Rate for all Students?
For the class of 2026, UCSD’s acceptance rate stands at approximately 23.7%. In 2022, the university received 131,245 applications from first-year students and extended admission offers to 31,160 of them.
Furthermore, UCSD’s transfer acceptance rate for 2022 was 57%, with 92% of accepted transfer students originating from California community colleges. The number of transfer applications submitted to UCSD decreased by 12% compared to the previous year, possibly because potential applicants opted to work or take a gap year. Nonetheless, UCSD remains one of the top UCs in terms of the highest number of applications received this year.
If you want to save money, it is recommended that you go through the community college route since the transfer acceptance rate at UCSD is almost double that of first-year students. Take a look at the acceptance rates for UCSD from 2022 to 2026 in the table provided below.
| Class | Acceptance Rate |
| Class of 2022 Acceptance Rate | 34.0% |
| Class of 2023 Acceptance Rate | 30.1% |
| Class of 2024 Acceptance Rate | 38.3% |
| Class of 2025 Acceptance Rate | 34.3% |
| Class of 2026 Acceptance Rate | 23.7% |
Also read: CSU Acceptance Rates 2023
What is UCSD Acceptance Rate by Major?
Below is the University of California, San Diego acceptance rate by major.
It’s evident form the table that individuals pursuing any major within the Faculty of Health Sciences must be prepared to face fierce competition or the possibility of being denied admission.
| Faculty | Acceptance Rate |
| Biological Sciences | 17% |
| Arts and Humanities | 5% |
| Health Sciences | 2% |
| Engineering | 20% |
| Data Science | 15% |
| Social Sciences | 37% |
| Physical Sciences | 12% |
There are seven colleges within the university, designed to foster a sense of community and enhance student learning. When applying to the university, applicants are instructed to prioritize these colleges on their application forms.
- Revelle
- Marshall
- Sixth
- Warren
- Roosevelt
- Muir
- Seventh
Is UCSD Difficult to get into?
UC San Diego has a higher than average acceptance rate than other UCs, but it is still challenging to gain admission. A low GPA and a lack of extracurricular activities will not guarantee admission.
If admission were easy, everyone would be able to do it. Although ACT and SAT scores are not used, an average admitted UCSD student typically has an SAT score of 1360 and an ACT score of 30.
Below are some essential points to consider if you aspire to gain admission to UC San Diego.
- Aim for a high GPA, preferably close to 4.0.
- Only take as many AP classes as you can handle. The number of AP classes offered at your high school should be a good guide.
- Your unique qualities and accomplishments will make a difference in your application, so think about what sets you apart from others.
- Participate in extracurricular activities and volunteer work to demonstrate your interests and dedication.
- Craft a well-written essay or personal statement, and have it reviewed by an expert before submitting your application.
- Do not attempt to manipulate the system.
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What is the GPA Required to Get into UCSD?
Prospective California residents are required to have a minimum GPA of 3.0, while non-residents and international applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.4 on a 4.0 scale. It’s imperative that applicants do not receive any grades lower than ‘C’ on their transcripts.
The average weighted GPA for first-year students at UC San Diego is 4.21. Additionally, international applicants must demonstrate their English proficiency. The calculation of your GPA is based on the preparatory courses taken during grades 10 and 11 in high school. While ACT and SAT scores are not mandatory admission requirements, they may be submitted for reference purposes.
International students who do not speak English as their native language must provide their IELTS or TOEFL scores to the university. A minimum TOEFL score of 83 or an IELTS score of 7 is mandatory.
What is UCSD Average GPA?
UCSD requires an average GPA of 4.07, indicating that admission based on GPAs is highly competitive.
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What is the Easiest Major to Get into at UCSD?
Many majors under UCSD’s Social Sciences faculty have high acceptance rates, including departments like Anthropology, Education Studies, Cognitive Science, Linguistics, Psychology, and International Studies. Language majors, in particular, have the highest acceptance rate among all majors in the UC system. As these departments receive relatively fewer applications compared to other majors at UCSD, students who are interested in studying social sciences should consider exploring them.
It is also possible to change majors at UC San Diego within the same department if it is done early. However, switching from one department to another is not possible.
How to get into UCSD
To gain admission to UCSD, students must prove that they are the best fit for the university community and surpass other highly qualified applicants. Achieving this goal can be done in three ways: by excelling academically, participating in extracurricular activities, and writing exceptional UC college essays.
To be a competitive applicant, students should take more challenging courses in their desired subject areas. The UCSD average GPA indicates that students must maintain a high academic record. It is recommended to exceed the minimum course requirements and aim for more to increase chances of acceptance.
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A key factor in UCSD’s evaluation of applicants is their extracurricular activities, achievements, values, and community service. These elements are critical in the application review process.
To better understand this, students should utilize their extracurricular involvement to showcase their distinct skills, strong character, and dedication to community service. As part of the University of California application, students should submit their high school transcripts to include their grades.
AP or IB exam scores are optional, but you must rank the seven UCSD colleges according to your preference. To be considered eligible for admission to UC San Diego, you need to be among the top students in your school and meet the following minimum GPA requirements:
- California residents must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher with no grade lower than a “C.”
- Non-California residents, including international applicants, must have a GPA of 3.4 or higher with no grade lower than a “C.”
Due to UC San Diego’s high selectivity, it is crucial to strive for academic excellence since strong academic scores play a vital role in improving your chances of admission and distinguishing you from the other applicants. Achieving a score of 1470 or above on the SAT or 33 or above on the ACT will give you a solid chance of being accepted. In addition to strong test scores, developing a well-rounded application will further enhance your prospects of being admitted to a highly selective institution like UCSD.
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Is UCSD a Prestigious School?
UC San Diego, which is situated close to the Pacific Ocean, spans over an area of 2,178 acres (881 ha), with the central campus occupying approximately 1,152 acres (466 ha). It has consistently been ranked as one of the top universities in the world by various prominent college and university ranking systems.
