The University of California application deadline is November 30th! The University of California is one of the world’s biggest public research university systems. Applying to the UCs cannot be done through the Common App; students need to create an account through UC’s own application portal. Although this is a separate application from the Common App, there is only one application, regardless of whether students are applying to one campus or multiple. From deadlines to essays, Vela Education is well versed in assisting students with their UC applications and future success in this education system. Keep reading for our top tips on applying to the University of California!
Tip #1: Keep track of the deadlines
The UC Application opens on the 1st of August. You can open an account to start filling out all your personal information. However, the deadlines come around more quickly than the Common App. Students need to submit their applications before the 30th of November. As with all applications, we advise that our students submit before the deadline. The UC portal is great, but no portal comes without its glitches. You can submit your application as early as November 1st. Avoid any website crashes by submitting at least two to three days before the deadline (if not before!).
Tip #2: Spread Out Your Work
Do not try and complete the application in one sitting. Make sure to give yourself enough time to work through all the sections and understand all the application requirements. The UC application has a longer activities section and four essay questions to answer.
Tip #3: Strong Extracurricular Activities
The UC application has more space for students to share their extracurricular activities and honours or awards than the Common App. There are 20 slots in this section. We recommend that a student prepares a document with all their activities and then picks the strongest ones that show commitment, innovation, and leadership. The UCs no longer require the SAT and ACT and they do not accept teacher recommendations, so these extracurriculars are very important. Remember each section of the application is an opportunity to tell the admissions officers why you are suited to their university.
Tip #4: Use Your Essays
The UC application has eight “Personal Insight” questions and students are asked to complete four questions of their choosing from these eight. Each answer should be between 250-350 words. Students can often use their Common App Personal Statement to answer one or two of these questions. We would also recommend that students complete the question about an academic interest (the UCAS personal statement can also be used as inspiration for this question). These essays allow the schools to evaluate students why they want to learn at a UC campus, their academic interests, and what is meaningful to them.
Tip #5: Consider All the UC Campuses
Students should conduct their research into each campus and decide on which ones suit them best. The application is the same for all the campuses, meaning there are no extra supplemental essays. However, students should be mindful that certain majors or areas of interest at certain campuses (such as theatre or a visual art) may require a portfolio.
At Vela Education, we help students navigate all US university application routes. Whether you are submitting now or just starting out, Vela Education is here to help. You can check out our application timeline as well as our strategic consultation service. If you have any questions about the UC application, or any other application, please do not hesitate to get in touch.