UC Santa Cruz is one of the top public universities in California, known for its progressive values and commitment to social justice. UC Santa Cruz is also home to several highly-ranked programs, including Environmental Science, Astronomy, and Psychology.
The university's values are rooted in a commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion. UC Santa Cruz has a long history of activism and social justice work, and the campus continues to be a hub of progressive activism today. The university is also committed to sustainability and has implemented several initiatives to reduce its carbon footprint.
In addition to its academic rigor and commitment to social justice, UC Santa Cruz is known for its beautiful campus and strong sense of community. Students have access to a wide range of extracurricular activities, including over 170 student organizations and several NCAA Division III sports teams.
Applying to college can be a daunting process, but understanding the entrance requirements is a crucial step in ensuring you're on the right track. UC Santa Cruz is a highly respected university, and meeting their entrance requirements is essential for admission. In this post, we'll break down the requirements and provide tips on how to meet them.
Overview of UC Santa Cruz Entrance Requirements
To be considered for admission to UC Santa Cruz, there are several requirements you must meet. These include:
- Completion of the A-G requirements
- Submission of test scores (SAT or ACT)
- Completion of the UC Application
- Payment of application fee
Let's take a closer look at each of these requirements.
A-G Requirements
The A-G requirements are a set of high school courses that students must complete to be eligible for admission to the University of California system. These courses cover a range of subjects, including English, math, science, social science, and foreign language. To meet the A-G requirements, you must receive a grade of C or better in each course.
Test Scores
UC Santa Cruz requires that applicants submit either SAT or ACT test scores. The university does not have a preference for one test over the other, so you should choose the test that you feel most comfortable with. It's important to note that UC Santa Cruz does not require the optional essay portion of the SAT or ACT.
UC Santa Cruz does not have a minimum SAT score requirement for admission, but the average SAT score for admitted students is around 1300 out of 1600.
UC Application
All applicants to UC Santa Cruz must complete the UC Application, which includes personal information, academic history, and extracurricular activities. You'll also need to write four short essays, each with a maximum length of 350 words.
Application Fee
There is a non-refundable application fee of $70 for each UC campus you apply to. However, fee waivers are available for eligible students.
Timeline
Here is a timeline to follow when applying to UC Santa Cruz:
- October 1: UC application opens
- November 1-30: Submit UC application and pay application fee
- December: Deadline to take SAT or ACT
- January 1-31: Submit FAFSA or Dream Act Application
- March-April: Admission decisions released
Note that these dates are subject to change and you should check the UC Santa Cruz admissions website for the most up-to-date information.
Entrance Requirements for Top Programs
Environmental Science
- Completion of one year of high school biology, one year of high school chemistry, and one year of high school physics
- Completion of one year of high school calculus or statistics
- Completion of two years of a foreign language
Astronomy
- Completion of one year of high school biology, one year of high school chemistry, and one year of high school physics
- Completion of one year of high school calculus or statistics
Psychology
- Completion of one year of high school biology, one year of high school chemistry, and one year of high school physics
- Completion of one year of high school calculus or statistics
- Completion of one year of high school psychology (strongly recommended)
Need Support to Get into UC Santa Cruz?
Starting the UC Santa Cruz application process early is important to ensure that you have enough time to complete all of the requirements and submit your application before the deadline. By starting early, you can also avoid the stress that comes with rushing to finish everything at the last minute. Therefore, we highly recommend that you begin working on your application as soon as possible to increase your chances of being admitted to this top public university.
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