Last-Minute UC Applications

With UC application deadlines approaching, here's what you need to know before submitting.

Is UC Right for You?

UC admission is highly competitive and comes with a hefty price tag—$80 per application. Before applying, ask yourself: Do you qualify? UCs typically only admit students in the top 10% by GPA, which often means a 3.94+ weighted GPA. If that doesn't describe you, consider this seriously. UC schools like Berkeley, UCLA, and UC San Diego receive over 90% of application interest but are extremely difficult to get into.

If you haven't started your UC essays, you're cutting it close. With roughly eight to nine days remaining until the deadline, submitting at the last minute risks server jams and errors you won't have time to fix. Essays should have been completed by now, not started.

CSUs Are Worth Considering

Here's an unpopular truth: some California State Universities are more selective than UC Berkeley and UCLA. Schools like San Diego State and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo offer competitive academics at half the cost of UCs. There's no shame in choosing a CSU—it's a smart financial and academic decision for many students.

Don't apply to UC just because someone told you to. Make sure your GPA qualifies, your essays are strong, and you've thought through whether the investment makes sense. If you're uncertain, CSU might be the better path forward.

---