The University of California is a public research university and is often rated as one of the best universities in the world. Founded in 1869, the University of California is known for its groundbreaking research, innovation and discovery.
Now, the University of California *** provides services to more than 238,700 students, and every student studying here has his or her own persistent pursuit. If you're interested in applying to UC, here are 10 things you should know. Come check it out with me.
1. The University of California has 10 campuses
The 10 campuses of the University of California are:
University of California, Berkeley - UC Berkeley
University of California, Davis - UC Davis
University of California, Irvine - UC Irvine
University of California, Los Angeles - UCLA
California University of California, Merced - UC Merced
University of California, Riverside - UC Riverside
University of California, San Diego - UC San Diego
University of California University of California - UC San Francisco
University of California, Santa Barbara - UC Santa Barbara
University of California, Santa Cruz_UC Santa Cruz
Nine of the universities offer both undergraduate and postgraduate education. Only UCSF is a school that offers only graduate and career technical studies.
2. All University of California branches use the same application form, but they independently decide whether to admit you
To apply to all University of California (branch branches), you can use the same one Application – My UC application. Remember, you need to pay a $70 application fee for every UC school you apply to. This fee can be waived if your family is financially disadvantaged, however, UC only waives the application fee for up to four campuses.
Each campus to which you apply will consider your application individually. This means that one school's decision about whether to admit you will not affect the decisions of other UC campuses. In fact, each school will review your application without knowing the other schools.
In general, all UC campuses will consider student grades, test scores, course preparation and engagement, personal leadership, and your personal responses to a number of questions. Each school has its own application evaluation process and may place different emphasis or value on different information.
Usually, the application period for the University of California is November 1st to 30th. This means your application must be submitted by November 30th. The admission results of each school will be notified to students in March. UC uses email to communicate with students throughout the application process, so be sure to check your email regularly. To make work easier, the University of California recommends that students use an email that identifies them, rather than a generic or slightly "cute" name.
3. When applying to the University of California, you need to provide your personal opinion answers to four questions
When you apply to the University of California, there will be 8 personal opinion questions provided to you. You must answer four of the questions in no more than 350 words. The admissions team does not have any preference in question setting and all questions are evaluated equally.
As the University of California describes it on its official website, the purpose of these questions is to "allow students to use their own voices to help us understand his personality, background, interests and achievements." The University of California admissions team encourages Students should be open, reflective, and treat these questions as interviews with the admissions team.
The eight questions are listed below:
1. Describe an example of leadership you have conducted. In the leadership experience you described, have you ever had a positive impact on others? Helped resolve disputes or, over time, made a positive contribution to the team's efforts.
2. Everyone has a creative side, which can be expressed in many ways: problem-solving, innovative thinking, artistic perspective, etc. Describe how you express your creative side.
3. What do you think is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated this talent over time?
4. Describe how you have seized an important educational opportunity, or how you have worked hard to overcome the educational obstacles you faced.
5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you took to overcome it. And how did this challenge affect your academic performance?
6. Think of an academic topic that inspires you. Describe how you developed this interest both inside and outside the classroom.
7. What have you done to make your school or community a better place?
8. In addition to what you have already shared in your application, what do you think makes you a strong applicant to the University of California?
IV. There are some key differences among the 10 UC campuses
Although these universities have many similarities, they have different enrollment rates, acceptance rates, and prestige.
The largest school is UCLA, with 31,000 undergraduate students. The smallest and newest campus: UC Merced, opened in 2005, enrolls only about 7,000 undergraduates. Most UC campuses have between 28,000 and 30,000 undergraduate students. UC Santa Barbara has 22,199 students, UC Riverside has 19,544 students, and UC Santa Cruz has 16,509 undergraduate students.
The two most selective and prestigious campuses of the University of California are the University of California, Los Angeles and the University of California, Berkeley. UC Berkeley's acceptance rate is about 17%, while UCLA's acceptance rate is 18%. Followed by UC Santa Barbara, UC San Diego, UC Davis and UC Irvine. The acceptance rates of these latter branches are around 35-45%.
The admission rates of UC Santa Cruz and UC Riverside are slightly higher, among which UC Santa Cruz’s The acceptance rate is 58%, and UC Riverside’s acceptance rate is 66%. UC Merced accepts 74% of applicants. The purpose of opening so many UC campuses is to make education more accessible—especially to California students. And the University of California also has a high proportion of minority and low-income students.
Each branch has its own uniqueness. For example, UCLA has a great spirit and strong athletic teams. The University of California, Santa Barbara is located in a seaside town with a beautiful campus and is known for its laid-back beach atmosphere. UC Davis has a friendly, small-town feel. Browse the school's website and read rankings and reviews of these campuses to determine which UC school might be the best fit for you.
5. The University of California is famous for its world-class teaching facilities
The University of California provides students with state-of-the-art classrooms and laboratories, in addition to dozens of museums and concert halls , art galleries, botanical gardens, observatories and ocean centers.
Since 1943, the university has managed three national laboratories for the U.S. Department of Energy. Thirteen Nobel Prize winners have conducted research in these laboratories and finally received the award. It also operates multibillion-dollar, multidisciplinary research centers that leverage public investment to explore the world and solve society's biggest problems.
In addition, UC has five medical centers that support clinical teaching programs, are dedicated to developing new treatments, and provide a wide range of high-quality care.
6. The University of California is also known for innovative discoveries
Billions of dollars in revenue, thousands of California jobs, and countless everyday products can be traced back to Discovery from the University of California.
(To name just a few, the flu vaccine and wetsuits, and the discovery of vitamin E) Many of California’s leading businesses are based on UC technology research or were founded and led by UC faculty and graduates.
In 2014, research at the University of California produced nearly five inventions every day, reaching 1,727 inventions throughout the year.
7. University of California graduates join a strong alumni network
The University of California currently has 1.7 million living alumni. The University of California has also produced 61 Nobel Prize winners, 63 National Medal of Science winners and 38 Pulitzer Prize winners. Joining this prestigious alumni network will not only enhance your resume, but you'll also find a UC network in almost every field imaginable.
8. The University of California provides a variety of opportunities
The University of California is very strong in STEM disciplines, humanities and social sciences. However, the entire university system offers so much with 150 subjects. Most UC campuses offer at least 100 undergraduate degree programs and 600 master's degree programs. This means that no matter what you want to study, UC will have a program for you.
9. The University of California has one of the strongest financial aid programs in the country
Don’t let your financial situation stop you from applying to the University of California. More than two-thirds of undergraduate students receive grants and scholarships, and the average award at the University of California is about $15,000. Most families pay less than full tuition at UC, and more than half of UC undergraduates pay no tuition at all. Even if you think you are not qualified, apply for the FAFSA. Sometimes you are so close to luck.