Last Updated on September 30, 2026
Quick answer: The University of California schools include nine campuses that admit undergraduates: Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz. All nine share one UC application with four Personal Insight Questions, submitted between October 1 and November 30, and UC does not consider SAT or ACT scores.
The University of California Schools: Everything You Need to Know
Whether you were born and raised in California or you are looking to move to a sunnier location for college, the University of California schools offer remarkable options for students interested in attending research-heavy national universities close to the Pacific Ocean. With nine campuses offering undergraduate admission, you can find one or more UC schools that fit your interests, location preferences, and goals. [1]
The UC system has long been a leader in research and innovation. Faculty across the system have been awarded Nobel Prizes, and UC researchers played a role in the invention of vaccines, the discovery of Vitamin E, and the development of the first wetsuit. If you are drawn to the humanities, arts, or social sciences, the UC system also offers renowned programs in those fields. Alumni range from Kareem Abdul-Jabbar (UCLA) to Alice Sebold (UC Irvine) to Chris Pine (UC Berkeley). Below, we will outline which schools are in the system, what makes each campus unique, the academic opportunities they provide, and how to navigate the UC application.
What Are the University of California Schools?
Nine UC campuses admit undergraduates:
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UC Berkeley
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UC Davis
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UC Irvine
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UCLA
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UC Merced
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UC Riverside
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UC San Diego
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UC Santa Barbara
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UC Santa Cruz
UC San Francisco is part of the system but only admits graduate and professional students.
According to UC’s campus admission data for fall 2026, overall first-year admit rates were 10.5% at UC Berkeley, 10.8% at UCLA, 27.2% at UC San Diego, 30.3% at UC Irvine, 44.0% at UC Santa Barbara, 45.8% at UC Davis, 82.1% at UC Santa Cruz, 88.2% at UC Riverside, and 94.7% at UC Merced. [2]
| School Name | First-year applicants (Fall 2026) | First-year admits (Fall 2026) | Admit rate (Fall 2026) |
|---|---|---|---|
| UC Berkeley | 133,154 | 13,967 | 10.5% |
| UCLA | 146,692 | 15,903 | 10.8% |
| UC San Diego | 141,767 | 38,571 | 27.2% |
| UC Irvine | 126,005 | 38,165 | 30.3% |
| UC Santa Barbara | 108,512 | 47,716 | 44.0% |
| UC Davis | 104,864 | 48,015 | 45.8% |
| UC Santa Cruz | 79,048 | 64,867 | 82.1% |
| UC Riverside | 72,542 | 63,958 | 88.2% |
| UC Merced | 49,426 | 46,812 | 94.7% |
As you can see, not all UC schools are equally selective. [2] UCLA and UC Berkeley are the toughest to get into, while campuses like UC Riverside and UC Merced admit a much larger percentage of applicants. Demand for the most popular campuses is enormous: UCLA received more than 146,000 first-year applications for fall 2026 and admitted about one in ten applicants. Keep in mind that admit rates also vary by major within each campus, and high-demand programs such as computer science and engineering are often more selective than the campus overall.
What Sets the UC Campuses Apart?
All UC schools share large research budgets, solid faculty, and diverse academic offerings, but campus culture and size vary.
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UCLA is one of the largest campuses, with a fast-paced environment tied to Los Angeles industries like entertainment, healthcare, and business.
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UC Merced is the newest and one of the smallest campuses. Opened in 2005, its mission is to expand access for first-generation and underrepresented students.
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UC Berkeley is known for academic rigor, social activism, and access to Silicon Valley and Bay Area industries.
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UC Santa Barbara has a relaxed, beach-centered environment with a solid social scene.
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UC Santa Cruz is located near nature preserves and redwood forests, offering a quieter setting.
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UC Davis is surrounded by farmland and has a dominant biking culture across its 5,300-acre campus.
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UC Irvine is close to the Pacific Ocean and Southern California beaches, blending academics with easy access to surfing and hiking.
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UC San Diego sits along the coast with six distinct colleges that shape student experiences and a major hub for science and biotechnology research.
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UC Riverside offers solid community engagement and proximity to Los Angeles and Hollywood.
Unique Academic Opportunities
Most UC campuses operate on a quarter system, allowing students to take more courses each year. Berkeley uses semesters. Each UC campus has unique academic abilities and programs.
| School Name | Unique Opportunities |
|---|---|
| UCLA | Undergraduate programs across the College of Letters and Science and professional schools in engineering, music, nursing, public affairs, arts and architecture, education and information studies, and theater, film and television. Faculty and alumni include 14 Nobel Prize winners. |
| UC Berkeley | Seven undergraduate colleges and schools, including the Haas School of Business and the College of Computing, Data Science, and Society. The university counts 107 Nobel laureates. |
| UC Irvine | Distinctive majors include Game Design and Interactive Media and Literary Journalism. The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) helps students in any major join faculty research. |
| UC San Diego | Eight undergraduate colleges, each with its own theme and general education requirements. Home to Scripps Institution of Oceanography. |
| UC Santa Barbara | More than 200 majors across the College of Letters and Science, College of Engineering, and College of Creative Studies. |
| UC Davis | More than 100 majors, with particular depth in agriculture and veterinary medicine, plus research and internship opportunities for undergraduates. |
| UC Riverside | Colleges include the Bourns College of Engineering, the College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences, and the School of Business. Faculty-led research is open to all undergraduates. |
| UC Santa Cruz | 70+ majors across the arts, humanities, sciences, social sciences, and engineering, organized around residential colleges. Undergraduates can join faculty research. |
| UC Merced | Programs in engineering, natural sciences, social sciences, humanities, and arts. Proximity to Yosemite National Park supports field research. |
Applying to the UC System
The UC system uses its own application portal, not the Common Application or Coalition Application. [3] You can start your application as early as August 1 and submit it during the filing period from October 1 to November 30. The UC application requires:
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Personal information
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Activities and awards
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Self-reported test scores, if you choose to share them (UC does not use them in admissions decisions)
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Four Personal Insight essays out of eight prompts
Unlike many applications, UC does not require letters of recommendation for most applicants, though some individual campuses may request them later.
Applicants can apply to one or all UC schools with a single application. California residents make up more than 84% of UC undergraduates. [1]
UC does not consider SAT or ACT test scores when making admissions decisions. [4] Instead, campuses review your A-G coursework and grades, the rigor of your courses, your Personal Insight Questions, and your activities and awards. Self-reported scores can still be used to meet minimum requirements or for course placement after you enroll.
Tips for a Competitive UC Application
Because UC campuses do not use test scores, the rest of your application carries more weight. Keep these priorities in mind:
- Plan your A-G courses early. UC requires 15 college-preparatory A-G courses, and admissions readers look at how you challenged yourself within what your school offers.
- Treat the Personal Insight Questions as interviews. You answer 4 of the 8 questions, and each response is short, so focus on specific examples and what they show about you. Our guide to the UC Personal Insight Questions explains each prompt, and these tips on how to write the UC essays help you choose the right four.
- Use the activities and awards section fully. Each entry is classified as an award or honor, an educational preparation program, an extracurricular activity, other coursework, volunteering or community service, or work experience. Include part-time jobs as well, since the descriptions give context that your transcript can’t.
- Report your academic record carefully. The UC application asks you to enter your courses and grades yourself, so have a copy of your transcript in front of you and double-check every entry before you submit. Accurate self-reporting keeps your application moving smoothly after you are admitted.
- Choose campuses and majors strategically. Selectivity varies widely by campus and by major, so apply to a balanced range of campuses. For Berkeley, review the UC Berkeley acceptance rate by school and state to understand your odds.
For more ideas from someone who has read UC files, see these UC application tips from a UC Former Admissions Officer.
Admission Guarantees for California Students
California residents who rank in the top 9% of their class at a participating high school can earn Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC). ELC students who meet minimum UC requirements and aren’t admitted to any of their campus choices are offered a spot at a UC campus that has space. [5]
To qualify, you must complete 11 specific yearlong A-G courses by the end of junior year and meet the minimum GPA in those courses. [1] ELC is a safety net rather than a guarantee of your first-choice campus, so apply to a balanced list of UC schools.
Putting It All Together
The UC schools are some of the most respected public universities in the world. They offer diverse settings, leading faculty, and opportunities across every field. From the bustling energy of UCLA to the small, research-focused environment at UC Merced, there is a campus that can match your goals.
Take the next step toward joining the UC system. An InGenius Prep Former Admissions Officer can help you craft a compelling UC application, from your Personal Insight essays to your activities list.
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