Highlights From This Month's UC Counselors Bulletin.

All content is directly quoted from the November 2020 UC Counselors and Advisors Bulletin.

SAT and ACT Update

UC will not consider SAT or ACT test scores when making admissions decisions or awarding Regents and Chancellor’s scholarships. If students choose to submit test scores as part of their application, they may be used to determine eligibility for the California statewide admissions guarantee, as an alternative method of fulfilling minimum requirements for eligibility or for course placement after they enroll.

UC's Encourage Students To . . .

1. Apply to multiple UCs. Remember that the fee waiver allows students to apply to up to four UCs for free.
2. Select “No Selection” when asked for citizenship status if they are undocumented, including those with DACA and AB540 status.
3. Research majors at the different campuses, as programs vary, and consider selecting an alternate major. Transfer students who submitted a Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) must apply to the same major at the TAG campus on the UC Application.
4. Work from unofficial transcripts when completing the Academic History to ensure accuracy of courses, credits, and grades. If a student has a repeated course, both the original grade and the repeated grade must be included in the application.
5. Use the Additional Information section in Academic History to explain any key academic changes, including gaps in education or unique changes in grading systems. UC understands that students have experienced changes in course delivery and grading options during the pandemic. Students can use the Additional Comments section to explain these academic changes.
6. Start working on the Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) early and make sure it’s their own, original work. If students would like to share how they or their family have been impacted directly by the COVID-19 pandemic, UC recommends that they use the “Additional Information” sections on the application rather than the PIQs.
7. Consider activities and awards from a broad perspective, since a lot has changed in 2020. Work experience, family responsibilities, online activities, and individual activities will help readers get to know the student. Students should focus on their role, time commitment, and responsibility for activities, and should include information about the selection process for all awards and honors. While students can enter up to 20 items, quality is more important than quantity!
8. Apply for all scholarships for which they meet the criteria. There is no limit to the number of scholarships students may select.
9. Carefully review their entire application before submitting. There are very few things they can update or change once they submit. Submit the application before November 30!
10. Verify the information they reported in the Academic History, Activities and Awards, and Personal Insight Questions sections of the UC Application. Students subject to verification will be contacted via the email they used when submitting their application.

Want To Learn More About a Particular UC Campus?

Each UC campus provides an array of opportunities and methods for students and counselors to engage with admissions staff and with the campus. Below are links to each campus webpage providing information on virtual events and programs. 

UC Berkeley
UC Davis
UC Irvine
UCLA
UC Merced
UC Riverside
UC San Diego
UC Santa Barbara
UC Santa Cruz ​