Are you a student in high school with aspirations to attend the University of California, Davis? If so, you’ll want to know everything it takes to ensure that you get in—from the acceptance rate of UC Davis to the specifics of the application forms!
Every year, thousands of students from across the country strive for admission into UC Davis. And if you’re one of these students that want to achieve all your educational dreams, you’ll need to do all the hard work to stand out above the rest.
From the UC Davis acceptance rate to the application fee for UC Davis freshmen, you will learn the different requirements that will help you get into this unique west coast university. Of course, the journey will be challenging. But all you need is enough determination, dedication, and focus!
How Difficult Is It to Get Into UC Davis?
UC Davis is a public university located in the northern part of California that’s well-known for its thriving social and campus life—and for providing exceptional and elite academics. Students enjoy the laid-back and friendly lifestyle of the rural coastal town. But applying here can also be stressful due to the well-known competitive acceptance rate of UC Davis.
The first part of the admission process is tough. The acceptance rate of UC Davis is only 38.87%. And in the fall of 2021, it only has 31,657 for its undergraduate enrollment.
Even though the UC Davis acceptance rate is low, you still have a chance to get in. However, it will highly depend on how great your student profile is.
The Academic Profile UC Davis is Searching For
Since UC Davis has stringent requirements for both freshmen and transfer students, you should be prepared by knowing all the details regarding GPA, Class Rank, SAT/ACT scores, and more. These will give you a boost and determination since you know what you’re aiming for even before you can pay the application fee for UC Davis. However, there’s always room for special students with great essays to overcome low scores, as well.
Average Admitted Freshman GPA
- California residents: 3.00 or higher
- Non-California residents: 3.40 or higher
Average SAT or ACT Scores
For fall 2023 and 2024, UC Davis will be test-blind, so they will not consider the SAT and ACT scores during admissions and awarding scholarships. But to give you an idea, take a look at the scoring below from the Class of 2019:
- SAT score: 1230 to 1490
- ACT score: 25-31
Average Advanced Placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses
- AP score: A 3, 4, or 5 is equivalent to some classes offered at UC Davis
- IB diplomas: A 30 or more score means the student will receive four semester/ 6 quarter units
What UC Davis Will Consider While Reviewing Your Application
After the acceptance rate of UC Davis, it’s essential to know the other elements the university double-checks while studying your application. It’s safe to assume that they spend time evaluating your achievements from an academic standpoint. Furthermore, they will want to know your capacity to contribute to the campus’s intellectual, cultural, and social life.
A-G Subject Requirements
The “A-G Requirements” is a collection of 15 prerequisites that the university will check in addition to the UC Davis acceptance rate.
- A. History/social science = 2 years
- B. English (or the language of instruction) = 4 years
- C. Mathematics = 3 years (4 years recommended)
- D. Laboratory science = two years (3 years recommended)
- E. Language other than English (or other second languages) = 2 years (3 years recommended)
- F. Visual and performing arts = 1 year
- G. College preparatory elective = 1 year
Remember that California residents must achieve at least a 3.0 GPA in their A-G Requirements subjects/courses. On the other hand, non-California residents need to earn at least a 3.4 GPA minimum for these courses. This is due to the University of California’s public charter to serve in-state residents first.
Overall Evaluation in UC Davis
As aforementioned, there are several things that UC Davis will want to know regarding your academic profile. So these are vital elements, apart from the acceptance rate of UC Davis, which you can maximize.
The factors listed below are according to the 2020-2021 Common Data Set.
Very Important Factors:
- Essay
- Course rigor
- GPA
Important Factors:
- Talents and abilities
- Extracurricular activities and volunteer work
- Personal or character qualities
Considered Factors:
- State residency
- Test scores
- Work experience
- First generation status
On the other hand, there’s also a list of not considered factors worth remembering. These are the following:
- Recommendations
- Application interests
- Religions affiliation
- Legacy
- Interview
- Class rank
- Racial/ethnic status
- Geographical residence
What UC Davis Will Look At
Before you can pay your application fee for UC Davis, take a quick look at the things that UC Davis will check upon reviewing your application for review.
- Your academic grade point average in your A-G completed courses
- Performances, number of, and content of academic courses apart from the A-G requirements
- Performances in UC-approved honors in AP and IB courses
- Being ranked as one of the top 9% in your high school class at the end of your junior year
- Quality of senior-year program in terms of the type and number of academic courses
- The academic performance concerning the educational opportunities provided by your high school
- Superior performance in one or more specific subject areas
- Marked improvement in academic performance that shows in your GPA and quality of coursework
- Talents, awards, and achievements in a specific field, such as communication or athletic endeavors, written and oral proficiency in other languages, etc.
- The completed special projects in your high school curriculum
- Academic achievements despite life experiences and particular circumstances, such as disabilities, low income, disadvantages in the social and educational environment, etc
- Secondary education and residence location
Once you have what it takes to become a part of the UC Davis culture, you can pay the application fee for UC Davis. It’s $70, and it’s worth the investment if you’re looking to join one of the best universities in the country. On the other hand, the filing fee is $80 per campus for international applicants.
Improve Your Chances of Getting Into UC Davis
UC Davis is one of the best universities in California. So it’s important to know what it takes to make your application stand out, primarily after you have understood the acceptance rate of UC Davis. Here are some tips that can help you get accepted:
Start as early as possible
If you want to become a competitive applicant as you apply and pay that application fee for UC Davis, you must start early. Academic-wise, get as many AP and IB courses as possible. Of course, you just have to ensure that they’re considered by UC Davis, especially under the A-G requirements.
Additionally, you will want to keep the college admission requirements in mind. It’s best to keep a note that will keep you going, even while you’re still in high school. One perfect example is the GPA, which affects the overall UC Davis acceptance rate through a student’s senior year.
Write wonderfully-written & engaging essays
Your college essay is deemed very important. Therefore, you will have to make an effort when writing it. It will set you apart from other students and give UC Davis a better view of who you are while you strive to reach the UC Davis acceptance rate.
Make sure that it is unique, honest, and concise. Plus, you’ll want to distinguish yourself from other applicants. How you answer the essay questions will let the university know your main highlights as you contribute to their school.
Showcase your passion
Even though the acceptance rate of UC Davis is relatively low, you shouldn’t let that be a reason to feel unmotivated. Instead, use this as a reason for you to excel by joining volunteer work, honing your talents, receiving awards, and taking prerequisites.
So there’s no reason to feel sad regarding the UC Davis acceptance rate. It should be a reason for you to feel even more motivated so that you can get into your best-fit university.
How to Apply to UC Davis?
The UC Davis acceptance rate is essential, but you should also know the deadlines and requirements to apply to this prestigious university.
Deadlines
Applicants for fall admission may start working on their application as early as August 1 each year. However, the deadline is from October 1 to November 30.
Application Requirements
Remember, the requirements UC Davis will look for (and you’ll have to gather in order to submit) are:
- “A-G” subject requirements
- GPA requirement of 3.0 for California residents and 3.4 for non-California residents
- Examination credit through your AP scores and IB diplomas
- A transcript that you’ve been admitted to UC Davis
Become a Part of the UC Davis Student Body
As you work towards your goal, keep the very competitive acceptance rate of UC Davis in mind. Just make sure you have everything that they’re looking for! Follow the tips above, and remember to pay your application fee for UC Davis.
But if you still need extra help, let Empowerly help you out. We provide free consultations to students who want to apply to the university they want. So don’t hesitate to come forward; we’ll help you find a healthy solution as you become one of the UC Davis freshman class.