How applications are reviewed

When our campuses receive applications from more prospective transfer students than they can admit, they draw on the nine criteria below to select among qualified applicants. This process is called comprehensive review.

Comprehensive review factors for transfer applicants

  1. Completion of a specified pattern or number of courses that meet breadth or general education requirements.
  2. Completion of a specified pattern or number of courses that provide continuity with upper division courses in the student's major, such as a UC Transfer Pathway, associate degree for transfer (ADT offered at CA community colleges only), or UC campus-specific major prerequisites.
  3. Your grade point average in all transferable courses-especially in a UC Transfer Pathway or in major prerequisites.
  4. Participation in academically selective honors courses or programs.
  5. Special talents, achievements and awards in a particular field, such as visual and performing arts, communication or athletic endeavors; special skills, such as demonstrated written and oral proficiency in other languages; special interests, such as intensive study and exploration of other cultures; experiences that demonstrate unusual promise for leadership, such as significant community service or significant participation in student government; or other significant experiences or achievements that demonstrate your promise for contributing to the intellectual vitality of a campus.
  6. Completion of special projects undertaken in the context of your college curriculum or in conjunction with special school events, projects or programs.
  7. 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.
  8. Location of the college and your residence.
  9. Completion of a UC Transfer Pathway or an associate degree for transfer (ADT) offered by a California community college.

Comprehensive review by campus

Do campuses make their admissions decisions independently from other UC campuses?

Each UC campus evaluates each application without knowing the status of the same application at another campus. In making admission decisions, campuses do not consider where you've applied or your admission status to other campuses. All campuses consider your application simultaneously, yet independently of all other campuses you applied to.