UC Application Tips: How to Prepare for When the Portal Opens

When Ryan, a high school senior curious about automotive engineering, first considered applying to the University of California system, only one name came to mind: UC Berkeley. Like many students, it was easy to picture himself thriving at the flagship campus, surrounded by cutting-edge labs, with the vibrant energy of Silicon Valley just an hour away. 

Not to mention, “the world’s #1 public university” has a great ring to it.

But after digging deeper with his counselor, Ryan realized Berkeley didn’t stand alone at the top. UC San Diego’s engineering programs and UC Merced’s mechatronics research department were also aligned well with his career goals. More importantly, they offered specialized research opportunities and hands-on projects that could help launch his dream career.

That’s the beauty of the UC system: no matter where you land, students like Ryan will find high-impact programs designed for rapidly evolving industries like robotics, biotech, and sustainable energy. In fact, after earning a bachelor’s from Berkeley and a doctorate from San Diego, our good friend Ryan went on to land a professor position in a robotics lab at Merced.

That said, if you’re thinking about applying to a University of California school, then you’re in good company. Every year, more than 200,000 students submit applications to the UC system, drawn to its unique blend of academic excellence, affordability, and California sunshine. That’s why we created this guide — to help you stay ahead and submit stress-free when the portal opens on August 1. So let’s get started!

Basics first. The University of California system includes nine undergraduate campuses: 

• UC Berkeley
• UC Los Angeles (UCLA)
• UC San Diego
• UC Santa Barbara
• UC Davis
• UC Irvine
• UC Santa Cruz
• UC Riverside
• UC Merced

The tenth campus, UC San Francisco (UCSF), offers only graduate and professional programs related to healthcare. 

Like the nine cities they represent, each of the undergraduate campuses offers something distinct. Keep in mind that some of the high-profile campuses (like Berkeley Engineering or UCLA Film) admit by major, so choosing a highly selective major can raise the bar.

Thanks to a shared application portal, students can easily apply to multiple UC campuses at once — expanding their options while focusing their energy on a single, well-prepared application.

Here’s what you need to know: application volume has grown significantly in recent years, making it more important than ever to prepare early. 

In 2024 alone, the University of California received over 245,000 freshman applications across its nine undergraduate campuses, setting a new record. UCLA admitted only about 9% of applicants, and Berkeley admitted a mere 12%. Even UC San Diego and UC Irvine, once considered less selective, have acceptance rates now hovering around 30% or lower.

Part of this trend stems from test-optional policies that level the playing field; more students feel confident applying, but that also means admissions officers are reading far more applications.

It means timing and preparation matter more than ever before. 

Thankfully, there are concrete steps you can take to improve your chances. We know that the UC admissions process is holistic, focusing on your academic achievements, extracurriculars, and personal insights — not on perfection or who you know. For more direct tips, check out this video where Empowerly counselor Micki explains the most common mistakes students make when applying to the UC schools.

• Submitting generic written responses
• Starting late (in November)
• Overloading the activity list without explaining your impact
• Ignoring the GPA recalculation
• Assuming which materials can be included

To sidestep these errors, keep reading.

Let’s discuss what goes into your file. When you understand how UC admissions work, you can focus on what matters most and avoid wasting time on unnecessary extras. 

The UC application may feel like a lot of moving parts, but when you break it down, the process is relatively straightforward. Here’s what you’ll need to focus on.

The UC system recalculates your GPA using only A–G courses (college prep courses in subjects like English, math, science, and foreign language). They also distinguish between weighted and unweighted GPAs. In short, your transcript might look different once UC recalculates it, so double-check your grades against UC’s GPA guidelines before applying. 

Need help figuring out what your UC GPA will be? Try our new UC GPA calculator to get a stronger estimate of your standing.

You’ll have room to enter up to 20 activity entries in your application, covering academics, clubs, sports, employment, volunteer work, or family responsibilities. UC reviewers value impact over quantity, so focus on what you contributed and accomplished.

The UC application requires you to choose a major for each campus, but don’t stress if you’re undecided. There’s no penalty for applying as “undeclared.” However, if you’re considering highly selective programs, choosing the correct major early can improve your planning and course preparation.

Instead of one long essay, UC asks you to answer four short-answer questions (from eight prompts). This is your chance to show personality, growth, and values. A strong PIQ set demonstrates more than grades — it shows who you are and why you care.

Many students assume that more is better, but UC intentionally streamlines its application process. Unlike the Common App or other private college applications, there are several other materials that you don’t need:

• Letters of recommendation: UC doesn’t allow them (with rare exceptions).
• Standardized test scores: UCs are test-blind through at least 2025, meaning SAT or ACT scores won’t be considered, even if submitted.
• Extra portfolios or resumes: Unless you’re applying to a specialized program that explicitly requests them (like an arts major), you don’t need additional materials.

The takeaway? Focus your energy on the core UC components that we just discussed: GPA, activities, major selection, and PIQs. That’s where admissions officers spend their time, so it’s where you should spend yours.

Here’s another helpful explanation of what to avoid submitting:

The UC application process isn’t just about knowing what to submit — it’s about knowing when. Planning allows you to reduce stress and submit a polished application that reflects your best work. 

This is how we break it down.

• Collect transcripts: Have an unofficial copy of your high school transcript handy so you can enter courses and grades accurately.
• Draft your PIQs early: Summer is the perfect time to brainstorm and write. Give yourself at least 2–3 rounds of revision.
• Build your activity list: Keep a running record of extracurriculars, work experience, and community service with dates and leadership roles.

Ahead of the game? If you can, create a UC application account ahead of time — you can log in and explore the portal even before submissions open.

• The UC application portal officially opens for data entry on August 1.
• Use this time to input grades, finalize PIQs, and double-check your activity descriptions.
• Don’t wait until November to start; you’ll thank yourself for spreading out the workload.

• The submission window is one month only; no late applications are accepted.
• Aim to submit early (ideally by mid-November) to avoid last-minute technical issues when thousands of students try to log on at once.
• After submitting, keep your email handy for any UC follow-ups and log in regularly to track your status. You did it!

Try not to wait by the phone. Most UC campuses release decisions in March through April, giving you time to visit campuses (if accepted) before the May 1 commitment deadline.

In an ideal world, this is what your application timeline might look like, giving you a better idea of how long it will take to complete each section. 

Bottom line: Treat the UC application like a marathon, not a sprint. A little planning now means a confident, on-time submission when November rolls around.

Download your copy of Empowerly's Guide to the University of California for more advice you can reference again and again.

Applying to the UC system doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. With early preparation, you can turn what seems like a complex process into a series of manageable steps. From understanding what each campus offers to knowing exactly what goes in — and what doesn’t — on your UC application, planning can set you up for success.

That said, the best time to start is now — before the UC portal opens on August 1. Ultimately, the earlier you begin, the more confident and stress-free your submission will be when the November 30 deadline arrives.

Our counselors have helped thousands of students stand out in the competitive UC admissions landscape, and we’re ready to do the same for you. Spots for one-on-one counseling fill quickly. Book your consultation today and give yourself the best chance to thrive in the UC system.