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UC Davis is a highly selective public university with a strong and growing national reputation. In recent years the number of applications has grown significantly and admission to the campus has become increasingly selective.
To ensure that applicants are thoroughly and fairly reviewed, UC Davis uses an admission process known as Comprehensive Review (CR). CR policy is established by the UC Davis faculty and reflects criteria approved by the Academic Senate and the Regents of the University of California. The CR process considers a broad array of criteria, ranging from traditional academic factors to extracurricular achievement and response to life challenges. Although some criteria (e.g. GPA and test scores) are evaluated electronically, trained admission staff members assess applications for other factors.
Each of the criteria considered in the CR process is assigned a score, with greater weight on the academic factors. The grade point average in UC-approved college preparatory ("a-g") courses is the most heavily weighted. The next most heavily weighted criteria include standardized test scores, the number of "a-g" preparatory courses completed, and Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC). Admissions staff members assess applications for personal qualities such as demonstrated leadership, special talent, and achievement in the face of adversity or significant disability.
Academic Criteria (approximately 80% of the total weight)
- Grade point average (GPA) calculated on all academic coursework completed in the 10th and 11th grades in the subject areas specified by the university eligibility requirements ("a-g" subjects), weighted for up to eight additional semesters of university-certified honors courses*, capped at 4.50
- Scores on required standardized tests (SAT Reasoning or ACT plus Writing, and two SAT Subject Exams in two different subject areas)
- Number of "a-g" semester courses completed beyond 35
- Being identified as Eligible in the Local Context (ELC): ranked in the top 4 percent of the high school class by the end of the junior year, as determined by the academic criteria established by the University of California
- Sustained, active participation in academic preparation or enrichment programs
- Marked academic improvement in the 9th through 11th grades
* Includes university-approved honors courses, Advanced Placement courses, designated International Baccalaureate (IB) courses and transferable college courses completed with a grade of C or better.
Non-Academic Criteria (approximately 20% of the total weight)
- Demonstrated recognized leadership roles in extracurricular activities
- Demonstrated special talents or skills at the school, community, regional, state or national level that indicate the applicant's promise for contributing to the intellectual vitality of the campus
- Perseverance in unusually challenging circumstances
- Successful management of a significant disability
- First generation college attendance
- Achievement at a low performing high school
- Qualification for participation in the Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)
- Nontraditional college applicant
- Veteran or member of the military
After all applications are fully assessed, the highest scoring applicants in each academic area are admitted based on the available spaces in each area. The Colleges of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences and Biological Sciences admit by college, the College of Letters and Science admits by division** within the College, and the College of Engineering admits by academic department. Students applying as "undeclared" or "undeclared/exploratory" are considered in the college/division to which they applied.
All applicants identified as ELC are admitted, regardless of their CR score. Students who do not achieve a sufficient score for admission to their first-choice major, but achieve a sufficient score for admission to their second-choice major are admitted to their second-choice major.
Please note: competition can vary significantly from year to year as the qualifications of the applicant pool fluctuate and the number of spaces available in each academic area changes annually.
** Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies; Mathematics and Physical Sciences; and Social Sciences
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