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#9 Best Public Universities in America

UCSD Admission Requirements

La Jolla, California

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Your chances of getting into University of California San Diego

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

23.7%
Admission Difficulty for University of California San Diego
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Exceptional 
Applicant Competition Very High 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at UCSD is 23.7%.  Its admission rate is the 12th lowest in California and the 85th lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into UCSD and can you get accepted?

UCSD is a very highly competitive school to get into. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet the admission criteria. It's important that you meet their GPA requirements to get through the first round of consideration. Last year, only 31,103 out of the 131,197 who applied were admitted.

University of California San Diego typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.82. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 21% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into UCSD?

24% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to University of California San Diego you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.82 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1380 on the SAT
  • Score 31 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class

UCSD GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.82*

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into University of California San Diego?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into UCSD are to have around a 3.82 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

Meeting these GPA requirements alone is not enough for you to gain admission as UCSD is a very selective school.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at UCSD is 3.82 on the 4.0 scale. 82% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #16 in California for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since UCSD is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted University of California San Diego students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 82.5% Avg
3.75 to 3.99 14.0% Avg -
3.50 to 3.74 2.9% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 0.5% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 0.1% Low
2.50 to 2.99 0% Low
2.00 to 2.49 0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.82 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

Calculate My Chances 

UCSD SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required by University of California San Diego. The school has a test blind policy.

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1270-1480

Applicants Submitting SAT 

88%
SAT Scores for University of California San Diego
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 620
Math 25th Percentile 650
Composite 25th Percentile 1270
SAT Scores for University of California San Diego
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 710
Math 75th Percentile 770
Composite 75th Percentile 1480
Average SAT Score 1380

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to University of California San Diego?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at UCSD is 1380 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1270-1480. Students who get into University of California San Diego score in the top 15 percent of all SAT test takers..  UCSD ranks #15 in the state of California and #113 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1380 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. UCSD regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1270 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1270, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1160, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

University of California San Diego is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1380 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1375, you have around a 24% chance of being admitted. A 1480 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 37% chance of getting in.

University of California San Diego admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1480 and Above Good >37%
1375 to 1480 Avg + 24%-37%
1270 to 1375 Avg - 14%-24%
1165 to 1270 Reach 8%-14%
Less than 1165 Low <8%
Calculate My Chances 

UCSD ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

28-34 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

43%
ACT Scores for University of California San Diego
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 26
Math 25th Percentile 27
Composite 25th Percentile 28
ACT Scores for University of California San Diego
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 35
Math 75th Percentile 33
Composite 75th Percentile 34
Average ACT Score 31

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into UCSD?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to UCSD is 31, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 28 and 34.  The school ranks #11 in California and #79 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 31. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 28 and score in the score in the top 12 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 25.

43 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of California San Diego.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as University of California San Diego is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into UCSD for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 31 score has around 24% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 37% with a 34 ACT score.

University of California San Diego admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
34 and Above Good >37%
31 to 34 Avg + 24%-37%
28 to 31 Avg - 14%-24%
25 to 28 Reach 8%-14%
Less than 25 Low <8%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

100% of University of California San Diego freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted University of California San Diego students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 100%
Top 25% of class 100%
Top 50% of class 100%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

University of California San Diego admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 69,856 61,341 131,197
Accepted 18,158 12,945 31,103
Acceptance Rate 26% 21% 24%
Enrolled 3,756 2,790 6,546
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 21% 22% 21%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Nov 30, 2024

Days left to Apply

23

Applicants have 23 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Nov 30, 2024.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of California San Diego is $70.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of California San Diego and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of California San Diego Application Requirements
Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at University of California San Diego
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit No
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because UCSD is very highly competitive, you have a low likelihood of acceptance. It is important that you earn at least a 3.82 GPA to have a good shot at getting in. Additionally, you need to score a 1380 on the SAT and optimally 1480 to place yourself in a strong position. For ACT scores, you need a 31 to have a competitive chance of getting in.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to University of California San Diego often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=110680 IPEDS survey data for University of California San Diego.

Last updated February 24, 2024