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How to Get Into UCSB
Recognized for imparting world-class education, the University of California Santa Barbara ranks high as one of the prestigious universities with a high standard of academic excellence.
Founded in 1909, The public institution is ranked by U.S. News as one of the top five public universities in the nation, the entire 30 overall National University, and the 37th among best global universities.
This university now attracts six figures worth of applications yearly and offers various courses to students of different nationalities. This prestigious public university is considered a public Ivy League school and a dream school for many students today.
If you are interested in the acceptance rate of this prestigious institution for first-year students and transfer applicants and the admission requirement, as well as tuition and fees, you are definitely in the right place.
This guide will cover every Requirement needed by the University of California Santa Barbara.
What’s Covered:
- How Hard Is It to Get Into UCSB?
- Average Academic Profile of Accepted UCSB Students
- What is UCSB Looking for?
- How to Improve Your Chances of Getting into UCSB
Currently ranked #5 in U.S. News & World Report’s Top Public Schools, the University of California, Santa Barbara (UCSB) is a public university in Isla Vista, California. It was founded in 1891 and became part of the University of California system in 1944, joining just two other members at the time, UC Berkeley and UCLA.
Undergraduates at UCSB study at one of three colleges:
- College of Letters & Science
- College of Creative Studies
- College of Engineering
Like several other schools in the UC system, UCSB is selective. So, what does it take to get in?
How Hard Is It to Get Into UCSB?
For the 2020–2021 admissions cycle, 89,752 students applied, and 32,842 were admitted, for an acceptance rate of 36.6%.
UCSB’s acceptance rate is low, but your chances of admission will vary by your profile. To find out your personal odds of acceptance, check out CollegeVine’s free admissions calculator. Using your grades, test scores, extracurriculars, and more, we’ll predict your chances of acceptance and give you tips on improving your profile!
What GPA Do You Need To Get Into UCSB?
The minimum estimated GPA requirement for applicants to get accepted in this university is 4.12. However, for California residents, a minimum GPA of 3.0 is required. This GPA differs for out-of-state and foreign applicants for undergraduate admissions as a freshman who need a 4.3 score to qualify for the prestigious institution.
Nevertheless, to increase your acceptance chances into the University of California Santa Barbara as either a freshman or transfer student, you need to have as many A’s and B’s as possible furthermore,
to become a competitive applicant, you would need to have a weighted GPA of 4.23. Transfer students, however, do not require GPA as high as that to get into the university GPA of 2.4 for California residents and eight for non-California residents is satisfactory
Average Academic Profile of Accepted UCSB Students
GPA
The average high school GPA for the freshman class was 4.17 weighted.
SAT/ACT
SAT and ACT scores are no longer considered in the UCSB admissions process.
Class Rank
With 78.69% of the freshman class submitting class rank, 100% were in the top 10% of their graduating class.
What is UCSB Looking for?
Like many other public universities, UCSB does have minimum requirements for admission. Bear in mind, however, that meeting them does not guarantee admission.
Requirements include completing approved courses in A-G subject areas with at least a grade of C. (Letter grade requirements are suspended between winter 2020–summer 2021. Passing or credit suffices.)
A-G subjects are:
A: History/Social Science
B: English
C: Mathematics
D: Science
E: Language other than English
F: Visual & Performing Arts
G: College-Preparatory Elective
California residents must earn at least a 3.0 GPA, and non-residents must earn a minimum GPA of 3.4. The university also wants to see you challenging yourself by taking the most rigorous curriculum available to you.
But UCSB considers more than your academic achievements. “We look at your extracurricular activities and accomplishments in light of the opportunities available to you,” the university says. “As we consider each individual application—and rest assured, we do consider each one—we look beyond grades.”
The goal is to assess how you might contribute to the UCSB community. They also want to see specialization—outstanding performance in a particular subject area.
NB: Although the schools within the UC system use the same application, each campus evaluates applications independently of one another and does not consider or know the status of your application at another campus.
How UCSB Evaluates Applications
According to UCSB’s 2020–2021 Common Data Set, the following factors are “very important”:
- Academic GPA
- Application Essay
This factor is “important”:
- Rigor of secondary school record
These are “considered”:
- Extracurricular activities
- Talent/ability
- Character/personal qualities
- First generation
- Geographical residence
- State residency
- Volunteer work
- Work experience
These factors are “not considered”:
- Class rank
- Standardized test scores
- Recommendation(s)
- Interview
- Alumni/ae relation
- Religious affiliation/commitment
- Racial/ethnic status
- Level of applicant’s interest
Who Gets Into UCSB?
There is no definite answer to this question; however, students accepted into UCSB have an average GPA of 4.37.
The high UCSB Average is weighted, meaning that students who take challenging high school courses get a boost for excelling in more challenging classes
What Major Is UCSB Known For?
This school is known for popular majors like social sciences, biology, Physiology, and engineering; they are also known for their top-notch engineering program and College of creative studies.
Nevertheless, here is a list of the most popular majors at the University of California Santa Barbara.
Social sciences, biological and biomedical sciences, mathematics and statistics, communication, journalism and related programs, visual and performing arts, psychology, natural resources, and Conservatory.
How to Improve Your Chances of Getting into UCSB
1. Achieve at least a 4.17 (weighted) while taking the most challenging classes available
Remember that UCSB has a minimum GPA requirement of 3.0 for California residents and a 3.4 for out-of-staters. But in order to be a competitive candidate, you should strive for a weighted GPA of 4.17, the average at the university.
If your GPA is lower, and you’re earlier on in your high school career, check out our tips for increasing your GPA. If you’re a junior or senior, it will be harder to increase your GPA, so the easiest way to increase your Academic Index is to get a higher test score.
2. Cultivate at least one or two Tier 1-2 extracurriculars (find your “spike”)
UCSB values “special talents, achievements and awards in a particular field,” along with unique skills and interests. You can demonstrate these talents and qualities through extracurricular pursuits.
There are typically 4 Tiers of Extracurriculars that are considered. Tier 1 encompasses the most impressive and unique activities, those that adcoms rarely see, such as award-winning research or earning national recognition for a creative project. Meanwhile, Tier 4 represents the most commonly-seen activities, such as club participation. While all tiers have their value, you should aim to have at least a couple Tier 1-2 activities. (Here are more examples of impressive ECs for college.)
We advise students to develop a “spike” — specialization in one or two interests — around which your activities should be grouped.
3. Write engaging essays
UCSB does not accept the Common Application. Instead, the UC system has its own application, which includes essay prompts. However, you can use the same essays and full application for all schools in the system.
You are required to address four out of eight personal insight questions on the application. This is an opportunity to express your personal qualities and help the adcom get to know you. For specific guidance on responding to the UC prompts, check out our 2021–2022 UC essay guide.
4. Apply in-state
The admissions rate at all UC schools is considerably higher for in-state students than it is for out-of-state students. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t bother applying if you’re outside California, but you should be aware that you’ll have to clear higher standards, as evidenced by the higher minimum GPA requirement. Last year, only 9% of USCB’s freshman class consisted of out-of-staters.
5. Explain special circumstances
UCSB seeks to represent myriad cultures, perspectives, and backgrounds. They review your academic accomplishments “in light of your life experiences and special circumstances, including but not limited to: disabilities, low family income, first generation to attend college, need to work, disadvantaged social or educational environment, difficult personal and family situations or circumstances, refugee status, or veteran status.”
Make sure you describe these qualities on your application if you have them.
How to Apply to UCSB
Deadlines
Applications may be submitted between November 1–November 30.
Application Requirements
- UC application
- Transcript
- Supplemental application (select colleges and majors only)
Santa Barbara: Freshman admission profile
This is a snapshot of the admitted freshman class for fall 2019.
Please be cautious in drawing conclusions from this information. Use it as a general guide to selectivity and not as a predictor of your chance for admission to UC Santa Barbara.
Admit data
Applicants:
93,442
Admits:
27,719
Overall admit rate:
29.7 %
GPA and test scores of middle 25%-75% students | |
High School GPA | 4.04 – 4.28 |
ACT Composite Score | 26 – 31 |
ACT English Language Arts | 27 – 34 |
SAT Evidence Based Reading & Writing | 630 – 730 |
SAT Mathematics | 650 – 790 |
SAT Essay | 15 – 18 |
Eligibility and Selection
Attaining eligibility means meeting the minimum requirements to be admitted to UC Santa Barbara. However, meeting minimum eligibility does not assure admission. When UCSB cannot admit all eligible applicants, we use standards called “selection criteria” to select students who are more competitive than the minimum requirements.
Eligibility Requirements
1. Subject Requirement
Students must successfully complete UC-approved courses in the A-G subject areas with a ‘C’ grade or better.* If you attend a California high school, check that the classes you take are on your school’s UC Certified Course List by referencing the A-G Course List resource website.
*UC has temporarily suspended the letter grade requirement for A-G courses completed in winter 2020 through summer 2021 for all students. A-G courses completed in these terms with Pass (P) or Credit (CR) grades will satisfy appropriate A-G requirements.
2. Grade Point Requirement
Students must earn a minimum GPA of 3.0 (3.4 for non-California residents) in all A-G courses. Only the grades you earn in A-G subjects in the tenth and eleventh grades – including summer sessions – are used to calculate your preliminary GPA.* Courses you took in the ninth and twelfth grades can be used to meet A-G subject requirements if you earned a grade of C or better, but they will not be used to calculate your GPA.
*UC has temporarily suspended the letter grade requirement for A-G courses completed in winter 2020 through summer 2021 for all students. A-G courses completed in these terms with Pass (P) or Credit (CR) grades will satisfy appropriate A-G requirements.
3. Personal Life Accomplishments
UCSB doesn’t just look at academic accomplishments to bring in our freshman class. We look at your extracurricular activities and accomplishments in light of the opportunities available to you. Learn how applications are reviewed.
A Note On ACT & SAT Exams
UCSB will not use SAT/ACT scores in our admission decisions or scholarship selection process for applicants through the fall 2024 application cycle. All applicants to UC have the option to submit scores on the application. If you elect to do so, these scores will not be visible to Admission Counselors reviewing your application to UCSB. For details on the UC system, visit the UC Exam Requirement page.
UCSB departments that previously recommended SAT subject exams have suspended these recommendations given the current challenges with the COVID-19 pandemic.
Selection Criteria
Admitted applicants exceed the admission eligibility requirements above. UCSB considers 13 holistic review factors to review your achievements and personal qualities in the context of the opportunities and/or challenges you have experienced. We do not compare your application with any other applicant, regardless of school or location.
Evaluation by College & Supplemental Applications
- College of Letters and Science: Choice of major is not considered and a supplemental application is not required except if you’re applying to dance or music performance majors, which require applicants to complete an audition in late January or early February.
- College of Engineering: Students are selected by major for all five majors. No supplemental application is required. If you’re interested in engineering, you should have a solid background in advanced high school mathematics with high grades in all math courses through 11th grade and enrollment in pre-calculus or higher in 12th grade. Be sure to select a second choice major outside of Engineering on your application: if you’re not selected for Engineering you will also be reviewed for your second choice major if one was selected.
- College of Creative Studies: All applicants must submit a supplemental application, which is reviewed by Creative Studies faculty, in addition to the general UC application. Be sure to select a second choice major outside of Creative Studies on your application: if you’re not selected for Creative Studies you will also be reviewed for your second choice major if one was selected.
what is the easiest major to get into uCSB
Below are the top seven easiest majors in UCSB
- Actuarial Science: This course has an acceptance rate of 71% and a mid GPA range of 3.4 to 3.89
- Statistical science: This course has an acceptance rate of 78% and requires a mid GPA range of 3.43 to 3.81 to be accepted.
- Geography: this course has an acceptance rate of 71% and a mid GPA range of 3.32 to 3.76.
- English: this course has an acceptance rate of 60% and a mean GPA range of 3.34 to 3.81
- Comparative studies(Language, society and culture): It has an acceptance rate of 64% and a mid GPA range of 3.26 to 3.64
- Mathematics: This course has an acceptance rate of 61% and requires a mid range GPA of 3.39 to 3.76 to be accepted into UCSB.
- Art history: it has an acceptance rate of 60% and a mid range GPA of 3.2 to 3.50.
How To Apply And Get Into UCSB?
There is no direct answer on how one can get into UCSB given the highly selective and competitive UCSB acceptance rate and admission process, there is no guarantee that the students will receive an admission offer if a few steps are followed.
However in order to have a good chances of being admitted into the university, applicants must meet the minimum eligibility requirements before the UC application deadline listed on the admission website.
To apply for UCSB, fill out and submit a University of California application on the University of California admission website during the submission..
There is also a $70 fee per campus for UX oh residents and a $80 fee per campus for international students. Beyond this, however students should strive to attain a GPA that meets or exceeds the requirements or the UCSB average you pay for incoming freshman applicants.
Furthermore, students should also pay attention to their candidate profile when considering how to get into University of California Santa Barbara.
This profile speaks more about you as a person outside of the classroom, Your character, Personality and involvement All contribute to the profile. So it is essential to Know what you want your UCSB application to say about you before you start it.
Easiest Majors to Transfer into UC Santa Barbara
MAJOR | MID-RANGE GPA | ADMIT RATE | |
---|---|---|---|
1. | Actuarial Science | 3.49 – 3.89 | 77% |
2. | Art History | 3.22 – 3.50 | 60% |
3. | Comparative Studies – Language, Society, Culture | 3.26 – 3.64 | 64% |
4. | Statistical Science | 3.43 – 3.81 | 78% |
5. | Geography | 3.32 – 3.76 | 71% |
6. | Mathematics | 3.39 – 3.84 | 61% |
7. | Financial Mathematics and Statistics | 3.48 – 3.80 | 71% |
8. | Mathematical Sciences | 3.38 – 3.76 | 73% |
9. | English | 3.34 – 3.81 | 60% |
10. | Feminist Studies | 3.33 – 3.60 | 61% |