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Freshman application tips and tools for out-of-state students

2014/15

Before You BeginGather your information

Having everything youll need in hand before you start your application means you wont be

searching for important information on the last day before a deadline. Use the checklist and

worksheet on pages 34 as your guide, and don't forget the deadlines on page 6.

Research your options

There may be different degree programs at several UC campuses that can help you achieve your

career goal; knowing what they are will give you more options when you apply. Check which

majors are open for the current term at http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/

check-majors.

Campus Major OfferingsUCB http://berkeley.edu/academics/dept/a.shtml

UCD http://admissions.ucdavis.edu/majors

UCI www.admissions.uci.edu/academics/majors_and_minors.html

UCLA www.admissions.ucla.edu/majors

UCM www.ucmerced.edu/academics/undergraduate-majors

UCR www.ucr.edu/academics/undergradmajors.html

UCSD www.ucsd.edu/current-students/academics/majors-minors/undergraduate-majors.html

UCSB www.admissions.ucsb.edu/allmajors.asp

UCSC http://admissions.ucsc.edu/majors

Apply broadly

Applying to more than one UC can significantly increase your chances of being admitted to a

campus that will enable you to fulfill your educational goals. We recommend applying to campuses

that vary in their selectivity.

Pick an email address and stick with it

Campuses email applicants to request or clarify information; they often need a quick response.

Provide an email address that you will check regularly. Update your spam filters to ensure that

you receive all UC communications.

Follow directions. Answers to common questions appear on every page. If you cant find an answer, contact our help desk at ucinfo@applyUCsupport.net, or call (800) 207-1710 (toll free in the U.S.).

Save your work. If you take a break from your application, sign out or click "Next" on any page to make sure your work is saved.

Review your summary. Look for any instance where the summary page says not started or in progress. If you didnt intend to leave a question blank, click Edit to go back and fill it in.

Dont forget to click Submit your application for UC admission. Your application wont be sent to UC until you do. You will be taken to the receipt page, which shows your application ID. It's a good idea to print this page.

Apply at www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply

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Write your personal statement in advance

Think of your personal statement as your chance to tell us who you are and whats important

to you. What you tell us in your essays gives us the context to better understand the rest of the

information youve provided in your application. Be open, be honest, be yourself.

A few tips. Read each prompt carefully and be sure to respond to all parts. Use specific, concrete examples to support the points you want to make. Take time to write, rewrite and edit. Show it

to a teacher, counselor or friend for comments, but make sure the words you use are your own.

Watch our personal statement video at http://ucal.us/statementvideo for more tips from admissions

staff and students.

Finally, relax. This is one of many pieces of information we consider in reviewing your application. An admission decision will not be based on your personal statement alone.

Instructions

Respond to both prompts, using a maximum of 1,000 words total.You may allocate the word count as you wish, but we suggest each answer be no less than

250 words.

Prompt #1

Describe the world you come from for example, your family, community or school and tell

us how your world has shaped your dreams and aspirations.

Prompt #2

Tell us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment, contribution or experience that is

important to you. What about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and how does

it relate to the person you are?

Following the personal statement, theres a section called Additional Comments. Use this space

up to 550 words to tell us anything you want us to know about you that you dont have the

opportunity to describe elsewhere in the application.

Pursue all potential scholarships

UC campuses and alumni associations award a variety of scholarships based on a students

academic merit, financial need or both. Visit http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/paying-for-

uc/scholarships to research deadlines and additional requirements.

There are also restricted scholarships available to students with specific backgrounds, academic

interests or career goals. You can apply for these scholarships in the admission application by

matching your own background characteristics and interests to the lists provided. Most students

are notified of scholarship awards between March and August.

Paying your application fees. UCs application fee is $70 per campus. You may pay online by credit card or be billed. Application fees are non-refundable.

Applying for a fee waiver. UC will waive application fees for up to four campuses for qualified students who otherwise would be unable to apply. You can apply for a fee waiver within the application and find out immediately whether or not you qualify.

Application fees

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ChecklistTranscripts

Youll need to enter courses and grades from all schools you have attended, including any colleges

where you have taken courses. Dont enter information from memory; misreporting your academic

record can jeopardize your admission. If you took advanced math and/or a language other than

English in middle school, you must report how many semesters you completed.

Test scores

These include your ACT Plus Writing and/or SAT scores and any Advanced Placement, and/or

International Baccalaureate exam scores. Know the test dates for upcoming exams you plan to take.

Annual income (optional)

If your parents claim you as a dependent on their tax return, ask them for their annual pre-tax

income for 2012 and 2013. Refer to tax records or pay stubs.

Social Security number (if you have one)

We use your Social Security number to verify your identity and match your application to your

transcripts, test score reports and, if you apply for financial aid, your Free Application for Federal

Student Aid (FAFSA). It will be kept confidential.

Citizenship status

You must provide your country of citizenship (or "No Selection" this is recommended for

undocumented applicants). If you select a country other than the United States, you'll need

to provide your immigration status and the type of visa (e.g., F-1) you hold or plan to hold.

Credit card

You'll need the account number, expiration date, cardholders name and billing address. (If youd

prefer to pay by check, you can send your payment by mail. Do not send cash.)

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Educational Preparation Programs List your participation in educational or academic preparation programs that are designed to help students prepare for university study. These programs may include academic enrichment programs sponsored by colleges/universities, research programs and study-abroad programs.

Year(s) of involvement After 9th 10th 11th 12th 12th

Hours per week

Weeks per year

Program name Description of program

Volunteer and Community Service List unpaid work only. Year(s) of involvement After 9th 10th 11th 12th 12th

Hours per week

Weeks per yearOrganization Description of organization and your responsibilities

Extracurricular Activities List and briefly describe the activities you have been involved in since the beginning of 9th grade. Year(s) of involvement After 9th 10th 11th 12th 12th

Hours per week

Weeks per yearActivity Description of activity Note any leadership positions.

Awards and Honors List and briefly describe the most significant awards you have received since the beginning of 9th grade. Award or honor type

Academic Other

Date received

Award or honor Description of award or honor

Work Experience List paid work only. Year(s) of involvement After 9th 10th 11th 12th 12th

Beginmo/yr

Endmo/yr

Hours per week (summer)

Hours per week (school yr)Job title Responsibilities

Activities and Awards WorksheetIn addition to your courses and grades, we want to know about any honors youve received and how you spend your time outside of

school. Use this worksheet to prepare concise descriptions of your most significant awards and activities. You may list up to five entries

in each category, so think carefully about what you want to highlight. Also make sure to fully describe each item (up to 160 characters)

for admissions offices to best understand your involvement.

To what use have you or wil you put your earnings?

Extra coursework List additional courses or training taken during high school that do not fit into the academic subject categories of the academic record that demonstrate a particular focus or interest (e.g., language immersion courses or nontransferable college courses).

Year(s) of involvement After 9th 10th 11th 12th 12th

Hours per week

Weeks per year

Course name Description of course

After You SubmitPrint your receipt

Youll want to keep a record of your application ID number and a summary of your application

for reference.

Watch for your application submission confirmation

As soon as you submit your application, youll receive an email confirming it has been

successfully filed. If you do not receive this email, check your spam filter or contact the

application help desk at ucinfo@applyUCsupport.net, (800) 207-1710 (toll free in the U.S.).

Order test score reports

Be sure to have the appropriate testing agency send your official results from the ACT, SAT or

SAT Subject tests (optional) to UC. If you have a report sent to one campus, it will be shared with

all the campuses to which you apply. You can confirm receipt of your test scores by logging back

in to your application.

If you are admitted for the fall term, you must arrange to have official AP and IB exam scores

sent to the campus admissions office no later than July 1.

Order final transcripts

If you are admitted for the fall term, you must arrange to have final, official transcripts sent to the

campus admissions office no later than July 1.

Note: Before admittance, you do not need to send preliminary transcipts unless requested by a campus.

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Making Changes to Your ApplicationIf you change your phone number, email or mailing address

Update your information at www.universityofcalifornia.edu/afterapply.

If your academic record changes

If you add or drop a course or fail to earn a C or better in a course, you must send in your changes

by mail to UC Application Center, P.O. Box 1432, Bakersfield, CA 93302. Make sure to include

your full name, date of birth and application ID.

If you enroll in a new school or college after applying

Notify the UC Application Center (address above) and provide the institutions name and the

courses you are taking or plan to take.

If you want to apply to an additional UC campus

Log in to your UC application at www.universityofcalifornia.edu/afterapply. You may add a campus

only if it is still accepting applications.

Important dates and deadlines

October: Application opens for fall 2014 at www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply

Nov. 1-30: Filing period for fall 2014. Applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. PST, Nov. 30.

Jan. 1: Filing period opens for Free Application for Federal Student Aid (www.fafsa.gov).

March 1-31: Notification of fall 2014 admission decisions

March 2: Deadline for applicants for all terms to submit FAFSA

May 1: Deadline for fall 2014 admitted freshmen to submit the Statement of Intent to Register to their chosen campus

July 1: Final official transcripts due at campus admissions offices for students admitted for fall 2014.

July 1-31: Filing period for winter quarter/spring semester 2015. See http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/check-majors for current openings.

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Course nameRow1: Description of courseRow1: CW chk 11: CW chk 12: CW chk 13: CW chk 14: CW chk 15: Hours per week: Weeks per year: Course nameRow2: Description of courseRow2: CW chk 21: CW chk 22: CW chk 23: CW chk 24: CW chk 25: Hours per week_2: Weeks per year_2: Course nameRow3: Description of courseRow3: CW chk 31: CW chk 32: CW chk 33: CW chk 34: CW chk 35: Hours per week_3: Weeks per year_3: Course nameRow4: Description of courseRow4: CW chk 41: CW chk 42: CW chk 43: CW chk 44: CW chk 45: Hours per week_4: Weeks per year_4: Course nameRow5: Description of courseRow5: CW chk 51: CW chk 52: CW chk 53: CW chk 54: CW chk 55: Hours per week_5: Weeks per year_5: Program nameRow1: Description of programRow1: EPP chk R11: EPP chk R12: EPP chk R13: EPP chk R14: EPP chk R15: Hours per week_6: Weeks per year_6: Program nameRow2: Description of programRow2: EPP chk R21: EPP chk R22: EPP chk R23: EPP chk R24: EPP chk R25: Hours per week_7: Weeks per year_7: Program nameRow3: Description of programRow3: EPP chk R31: EPP chk R32: EPP chk R33: EPP chk R34: EPP chk R35: Hours per week_8: Weeks per year_8: Program nameRow4: Description of programRow4: EPP chk R41: EPP chk R42: EPP chk R43: EPP chk R44: EPP chk R45: Hours per week_9: Weeks per year_9: Program nameRow5: Description of programRow5: EPP chk R51: EPP chk R52: EPP chk R53: EPP chk R54: EPP chk R55: Hours per week_10: Weeks per year_10: OrganizationRow1: Description of organization and your responsibilitiesRow1: VC chk 11: VC chk 12: VC chk 13: VC chk 14: VC chk 15: Hours per week_11: Weeks per year_11: OrganizationRow2: Description of organization and your responsibilitiesRow2: VC chk 21: VC chk 22: VC chk 23: VC chk 24: VC chk 25: Hours per week_12: Weeks per year_12: OrganizationRow3: Description of organization and your responsibilitiesRow3: VC chk 31: VC chk 32: VC chk 33: VC chk 34: VC chk 35: Hours per week_13: Weeks per year_13: OrganizationRow4: Description of organization and your responsibilitiesRow4: VC chk 41: VC chk 42: VC chk 43: VC chk 44: VC chk 45: Hours per week_14: Weeks per year_14: OrganizationRow5: Description of organization and your responsibilitiesRow5: VC chk 51: VC chk 52: VC chk 53: VC chk 54: VC chk 55: Hours per week_15: Weeks per year_15: Job titleRow1: ResponsibilitiesRow1: WE chk 11: WE chk 12: WE chk 13: WE chk 14: WE chk 15: Begin moyr: End moyr: Hours per week summer: Hours per week school yr: Job titleRow2: ResponsibilitiesRow2: WE chk 21: WE chk 22: WE chk 23: WE chk 24: WE chk 25: Begin moyr_2: End moyr_2: Hours per week summer_2: Hours per week school yr_2: Job titleRow3: ResponsibilitiesRow3: WE chk 31: WE chk 32: WE chk 33: WE chk 34: WE chk 35: Begin moyr_3: End moyr_3: Hours per week summer_3: Hours per week school yr_3: Job titleRow4: ResponsibilitiesRow4: WE chk 41: WE chk 42: WE chk 43: WE chk 44: WE chk 45: Begin moyr_4: End moyr_4: Hours per week summer_4: Hours per week school yr_4: Earnings use: Award or honorRow1: Description of award or honorRow1: AH chk 11: AH chk 12: Date received: Award or honorRow2: Description of award or honorRow2: AH chk 21: AH chk 22: Date received_2: Award or honorRow3: Description of award or honorRow3: AH chk 31: AH chk 32: Date received_3: Award or honorRow4: Description of award or honorRow4: AH chk 41: AH chk 42: Date received_4: Award or honorRow5: Description of award or honorRow5: AH chk 51: AH chk 52: Date received_5: ActivityRow1: Description of activity Note any leadership positionsRow1: EX chk 11: EX chk 12: EX chk 13: EX chk 14: EX chk 15: Hours per week_16: Weeks per year_16: ActivityRow2: Description of activity Note any leadership positionsRow2: EX chk 21: EX chk 22: EX chk 23: EX chk 24: EX chk 25: Hours per week_17: Weeks per year_17: ActivityRow3: Description of activity Note any leadership positionsRow3: EX chk 31: EX chk 32: EX chk 33: EX chk 34: EX chk 35: Hours per week_18: Weeks per year_18: ActivityRow4: Description of activity Note any leadership positionsRow4: EX chk 41: EX chk 42: EX chk 43: EX chk 44: EX chk 45: Hours per week_19: Weeks per year_19: ActivityRow5: Description of activity Note any leadership positionsRow5: EX chk 51: EX chk 52: EX chk 53: EX chk 54: EX chk 55: Hours per week_20: Weeks per year_20: