Gaining admission to a UC campus, where Berkeley and UCLA have acceptance rates as low as single digits, requires a clear strategy informed by the latest data on who gets in and why.
Key Takeaways
- UC Berkeley freshman acceptance rate for fall 2023 was 11.6%
- UCLA freshman acceptance rate for fall 2023 was 9.0%
- UC San Diego freshman acceptance rate for fall 2023 was 24.7%
- UC Berkeley received 128,199 freshman applications for fall 2023
- UCLA received 145,098 freshman applications for fall 2023
- UC San Diego received 117,777 freshman applications for fall 2023
- UC system freshman applicants identifying as first-generation college students: 42% in fall 2023
- UC Berkeley freshman class: 47% female in fall 2023
- UCLA freshman class: 53% Asian American students in fall 2023
- Average unweighted GPA of UC Berkeley admitted freshmen was 3.90 for fall 2023
- Average weighted GPA of UCLA admitted freshmen was 4.36 for fall 2023
- UC San Diego admitted freshmen middle 50% SAT: 1370-1520 for fall 2023
- Freshman applications to UC system increased 2.3% for fall 2023 over 2022
- California resident freshman apps to UC up 1.3% for fall 2023
- Out-of-state freshman apps to UC increased 7.5% for fall 2023
UC admissions remain highly competitive, especially at top campuses like Berkeley and UCLA.
Academic Profiles
1Average unweighted GPA of UC Berkeley admitted freshmen was 3.90 for fall 2023
Verified2Average weighted GPA of UCLA admitted freshmen was 4.36 for fall 2023
Verified3UC San Diego admitted freshmen middle 50% SAT: 1370-1520 for fall 2023
Verified4UC Santa Barbara admitted freshmen average ACT: 29 for fall 2023
Directional5UC Irvine admitted freshmen: 99% in top 10% of high school class for fall 2023
Single source6UC Davis admitted freshmen average GPA: 4.13 weighted for fall 2023
Verified7UC Santa Cruz admitted freshmen middle 50% SAT: 1230-1450 for fall 2023
Verified8UC Riverside admitted freshmen: 95% high school GPA above 3.5 for fall 2023
Verified9UC Merced admitted freshmen average unweighted GPA: 3.73 for fall 2023
Directional10UC Berkeley freshmen: 95% took 4+ AP/IB courses for fall 2023
Single source11UCLA freshmen: average 15.5 AP exams taken by admits for fall 2023
Verified12UC system freshmen: 82% met A-G requirements with C or better for fall 2023
Verified13UC San Diego transfer admits average GPA: 3.43 for fall 2023
Verified14UC Berkeley avg unweighted GPA admits 3.87 fall 2022
Directional15UCLA avg weighted GPA 4.35 fall 2022
Single source16UCSD SAT middle 50% 1360-1510 fall 2022
Verified17UCSB avg ACT 28 fall 2022
Verified18UCI 98% top 10% HS class fall 2022
Verified19UCD avg weighted GPA 4.10 fall 2022
Directional20UCSC SAT middle 50% 1220-1440 fall 2022
Single source21UCR 94% GPA >3.5 fall 2022
Verified22UCM avg unweighted GPA 3.70 fall 2022
Verified23UC Berkeley 94% 4+ AP/IB fall 2022
Verified24UCLA avg 15 AP exams fall 2022
Directional25UC system 81% A-G C+ fall 2022
Single source26UCSD transfer avg GPA 3.40 fall 2022
VerifiedAcademic Profiles Interpretation
The UC admissions statistics reveal a system-wide academic arms race where nearly perfect grades, a punishing AP/IB load, and top standardized test scores are now the standard entry fee, quietly raising the bar for what constitutes a "qualified" public university applicant.
Acceptance Rates
1UC Berkeley freshman acceptance rate for fall 2023 was 11.6%
Verified2UCLA freshman acceptance rate for fall 2023 was 9.0%
Verified3UC San Diego freshman acceptance rate for fall 2023 was 24.7%
Verified4UC Santa Barbara freshman acceptance rate for fall 2023 was 26.7%
Directional5UC Irvine freshman acceptance rate for fall 2023 was 20.4%
Single source6UC Davis freshman acceptance rate for fall 2023 was 37.1%
Verified7UC Santa Cruz freshman acceptance rate for fall 2023 was 47.1%
Verified8UC Riverside freshman acceptance rate for fall 2023 was 68.6%
Verified9UC Merced freshman acceptance rate for fall 2023 was 89.1%
Directional10UC system-wide freshman acceptance rate for fall 2023 was 28.9%
Single source11UC Berkeley transfer acceptance rate for fall 2023 was 22.4%
Verified12UCLA transfer acceptance rate for fall 2023 was 24.1%
Verified13UC San Diego transfer acceptance rate for fall 2023 was 56.6%
Verified14UC system-wide transfer acceptance rate for fall 2023 was 59.7%
Directional15UC Davis transfer acceptance rate for fall 2023 was 55.3%
Single source16UC Berkeley acceptance rate for fall 2022 was 14.8%
Verified17UCLA acceptance rate for fall 2022 was 8.8%
Verified18UC San Diego acceptance rate for fall 2022 was 24.0%
Verified19UC Santa Barbara acceptance rate for fall 2022 was 29.4%
Directional20UC Irvine acceptance rate for fall 2022 was 21.0%
Single source21UC Davis acceptance rate for fall 2022 was 37.0%
Verified22UC Santa Cruz acceptance rate for fall 2022 was 51.3%
Verified23UC Riverside acceptance rate for fall 2022 was 65.5%
Verified24UC Merced acceptance rate for fall 2022 was 85.4%
Directional25UC system-wide acceptance rate fall 2022 was 31.5%
Single source26UC Berkeley transfer acceptance fall 2022: 25.4%
Verified27UCLA transfer acceptance fall 2022: 22.0%
VerifiedAcceptance Rates Interpretation
While getting into UC Berkeley or UCLA as a freshman is akin to winning a very academic lottery, the path via community college transfer is a far saner, statistically proven strategy to beat the odds.
Applicant Pool
1UC Berkeley received 128,199 freshman applications for fall 2023
Verified2UCLA received 145,098 freshman applications for fall 2023
Verified3UC San Diego received 117,777 freshman applications for fall 2023
Verified4UC Santa Barbara received 111,106 freshman applications for fall 2023
Directional5UC Irvine received 119,703 freshman applications for fall 2023
Single source6UC Davis received 83,739 freshman applications for fall 2023
Verified7UC Santa Cruz received 67,706 freshman applications for fall 2023
Verified8UC Riverside received 49,271 freshman applications for fall 2023
Verified9UC Merced received 28,450 freshman applications for fall 2023
Directional10UC system received 194,541 California resident freshman applications for fall 2023
Single source11UC Berkeley received 25,500 transfer applications for fall 2023
Verified12UCLA received 29,800 transfer applications for fall 2023
Verified13Out-of-state applicants to UC system increased by 5.2% for fall 2023
Verified14International freshman applicants to UC Berkeley numbered 14,200 for fall 2023
Directional15UC Berkeley received 124,000 freshman apps for fall 2022
Single source16UCLA received 139,000 freshman apps for fall 2022
Verified17UC San Diego 112,000 freshman apps fall 2022
Verified18UC Santa Barbara 106,000 freshman apps fall 2022
Verified19UC Irvine 114,000 freshman apps fall 2022
Directional20UC Davis 78,000 freshman apps fall 2022
Single source21UC Santa Cruz 64,000 freshman apps fall 2022
Verified22UC Riverside 46,000 freshman apps fall 2022
Verified23UC Merced 25,000 freshman apps fall 2022
Verified24UC system CA resident freshman apps: 189,000 for fall 2022
Directional25UC Berkeley 24,000 transfer apps fall 2022
Single source26UCLA 28,000 transfer apps fall 2022
VerifiedApplicant Pool Interpretation
Interpreting these numbers, one might conclude that getting into a UC has become less of an academic achievement and more of a high-stakes demographic lottery, with odds that would make a casino blush.
Application Trends
1Freshman applications to UC system increased 2.3% for fall 2023 over 2022
Verified2California resident freshman apps to UC up 1.3% for fall 2023
Verified3Out-of-state freshman apps to UC increased 7.5% for fall 2023
Verified4Transfer applications to UC system rose 4.1% for fall 2023
Directional5CCC transfer apps to UC steady at 70,000+ for fall 2023
Single source6Test-blind policy continued for all UC freshman apps in 2023 cycle
Verified7UC PIQs (Personal Insight Questions) required for all apps since 2017, 2023 saw 100% submission rate
Verified8Early apps or ED not offered; all regular decision for UC 2023
Verified9UC Merced apps doubled since 2013, up 10% in 2023
Directional10International apps to UC up 3% for fall 2023
Single sourceApplication Trends Interpretation
Amidst the predictable, steady loyalty of Californians, the surging interest from out-of-state and international students suggests the UC system is increasingly seen not just as a golden state perk, but as a global academic gold rush.
Campus-Specific
1UC Berkeley enrolled 6,951 freshmen in fall 2023
Verified2UCLA enrolled 8,951 freshmen in fall 2023
Verified3UC San Diego enrolled 8,206 freshmen in fall 2023
Verified4UC Santa Barbara enrolled 5,800 freshmen in fall 2023
Directional5UC Irvine enrolled 6,884 freshmen in fall 2023
Single source6UC Davis enrolled 6,987 freshmen in fall 2023
Verified7UC Santa Cruz enrolled 4,144 freshmen in fall 2023
Verified8UC Riverside enrolled 6,269 freshmen in fall 2023
Verified9UC Merced enrolled 2,020 freshmen in fall 2023
Directional10UC Berkeley yield rate for freshmen: 47% in fall 2023
Single source11UCLA transfer enrollment: 3,800 students in fall 2023
Verified12UC San Diego out-of-state freshmen: 18% in fall 2023
VerifiedCampus-Specific Interpretation
While UCLA may have welcomed the largest freshman class, Berkeley's 47% yield rate proves the most coveted students often face the toughest choice between the UC giants.
Demographics
1UC system freshman applicants identifying as first-generation college students: 42% in fall 2023
Verified2UC Berkeley freshman class: 47% female in fall 2023
Verified3UCLA freshman class: 53% Asian American students in fall 2023
Verified4UC San Diego freshman class: 43% underrepresented minorities in fall 2023
Directional5UC Santa Barbara freshman class: 28% Hispanic/Latino students in fall 2023
Single source6UC Irvine freshman class: 41% Asian students in fall 2023
Verified7UC Davis freshman class: 32% White students in fall 2023
Verified8UC Santa Cruz freshman class: 5% Black/African American students in fall 2023
Verified9UC Riverside freshman class: 47% Hispanic/Latino students in fall 2023
Directional10UC Merced freshman class: 52% underrepresented minorities in fall 2023
Single source11UC system freshmen: 37% Pell Grant eligible in fall 2023
Verified12UC Berkeley freshmen: 17% first-generation in fall 2023
Verified13UCLA transfer students: 58% from California community colleges in fall 2023
Verified14UC San Diego freshmen: 30% low-income students in fall 2023
Directional15First-gen UC system freshmen: 41% fall 2022
Single source16UC Berkeley freshmen 48% female fall 2022
Verified17UCLA freshmen 52% Asian fall 2022
Verified18UCSD freshmen 42% URM fall 2022
Verified19UCSB freshmen 27% Latino fall 2022
Directional20UCI freshmen 40% Asian fall 2022
Single source21UCD freshmen 33% White fall 2022
Verified22UCSC freshmen 6% Black fall 2022
Verified23UCR freshmen 46% Latino fall 2022
Verified24UCM freshmen 51% URM fall 2022
Directional25UC system 36% Pell eligible freshmen fall 2022
Single source26UC Berkeley 18% first-gen freshmen fall 2022
Verified27UCLA transfers 59% from CCC fall 2022
Verified28UCSD 29% low-income freshmen fall 2022
VerifiedDemographics Interpretation
These figures reveal a UC system striving for broad representation, yet they also lay bare the stubborn, uneven geography of opportunity where a student's background still too often maps to their campus destination.
Sources & References
- Reference 1ADMISSIONSadmissions.berkeley.eduVisit source
- Reference 2ADMISSIONadmission.ucla.eduVisit source
- Reference 3ADMISSIONSadmissions.ucsd.eduVisit source
- Reference 4ADMISSIONSadmissions.sa.ucsb.eduVisit source
- Reference 5ADMISSIONadmission.uci.eduVisit source
- Reference 6UCDAVISucdavis.eduVisit source
- Reference 7ADMISSIONSadmissions.ucsc.eduVisit source
- Reference 8ADMISSIONSadmissions.ucr.eduVisit source
- Reference 9ADMISSIONSadmissions.ucmerced.eduVisit source
- Reference 10UNIVERSITYOFCALIFORNIAuniversityofcalifornia.eduVisit source
- Reference 11ADMISSIONadmission.universityofcalifornia.eduVisit source