 Eligibility
California Residents
To be eligible for admission to UC as a transfer student, you must fulfill both of the following criteria. Keep in mind that meeting these requirements may not be sufficient to gain admission to the campus or to the major of your choice.
1. Complete at least 60 semester units or 90 quarter units of UC-transferable college credit with a grade-point average (GPA) of at least 2.40. No more than 14 semester/21 quarter units may be taken on a pass/not pass basis.
2. Complete the following course pattern requirements, earning a grade of C (2.00) or better in each course:
- Two UC-transferable college courses (3 semester or 4-5 quarter units each) in English composition; and
- One UC-transferable college course (3 semester or 4-5 quarter units) in mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning; and
- Four UC-transferable college courses (3 semester or 4-5 quarter units each) chosen from at least two of the following subject areas: the arts and humanities, the social and behavioral sciences, and the physical and biological sciences.
If you were eligible for admission to the university when you graduated from high school--meaning you satisfied the Subject ("a-g" courses), Scholarship (GPA and test scores), and Examination requirements, or were identified by the university during your senior year as Eligible in the Local Context --you are eligible for transfer if you have a C (2.00) average in your UC-transferable course work.
If you met the Scholarship Requirement in high school but did not satisfy the Subject Requirement, you must take UC-transferable college courses in the missing subjects, earn a C or better in each required course, and have an overall C (2.00) average in all transferable course work to be eligible to transfer.
Nonresidents
The minimum admission requirements are the same, except that you must have a GPA of 2.80 or higher in all UC-transferable college course work.
Deadline for Establishing Eligibility
UC Santa Cruz requires that transfer eligibility be established by the end of the spring term 2009 if you are applying for fall 2009. If you plan to complete the required courses in English composition and mathematics in spring 2009, you must have demonstrated adequate preparation in the related prerequisite course work. If any of the prerequisites are met through a placement exam, this information should be noted in the personal statement portion of the application.
No more than two courses may be completed in a summer term prior to fall transfer if those units are needed to reach the 60 semester/90 quarter unit minimum needed for eligibility. Courses to meet the English composition requirement, mathematics requirement, and other four-course requirement may not be completed in the summer term prior to fall transfer.
For winter 2010 applicants, all admission requirements must be completed no later than the end of the fall 2009 term. Please note that UC Santa Cruz is not always open to winter-quarter applicants. (See "Application Filing Periods" below).
Admission by Exception
Admission by Exception is granted to a very small percentage of applicants who do not meet UC-eligibility requirements. Such factors as academic accomplishments in light of your life experiences and/or special circumstances, socioeconomic background, special talents and/or achievements, contributions to the community, and the quality of your personal statement are taken into consideration.
Selection Criteria
Once you have established eligibility for admission, you will be selected primarily on the basis of academic performance and preparation, as assessed by a thorough review of the following: GPA in all UC-transferable courses; completion of and performance in lower-division prerequisite courses in your proposed major; completion of a specified pattern of courses that meet general education requirements; participation in academically selective honors programs and performance in honors courses.
Other factors that may be assessed include outstanding performance in one or more academic subject areas, special projects, or programs; talents, achievements, experiences, or interests that will contribute to the vitality and educational environment of the campus; and special circumstances or personal challenges, especially as they relate to the social or educational environment(s), that have affected your life experience.
Class Standing
Please note that, due to the high volume of applications that UC Santa Cruz receives, the campus is often open to junior-level transfer students only. Lower-division transfer students (sophomores) should check with the Admissions Office to see if the campus is accepting applications for a particular term.
UC Santa Cruz does not accept students who have completed 90 UC-transferable semester units (135 quarter units) or more from a combination of two-year and four-year institutions. If you have earned all of your credits from community college, you are not affected by this limit, because UC grants a maximum of 70 semester (105 quarter) units in transfer from community college.
Second Baccalaureate Applicants
Second baccalaureate candidates are evaluated on a case-by-case basis when enrollment allows. Contact the Office of Admissions for more information prior to applying.
Applicants with International Academic Records
A record of course work from collegiate institutions and universities outside of the U.S. must be submitted for evaluation. If your native language is not English and your education in high school or at the college or university level was in a country where English is not the native language, UC Santa Cruz requires one of the following:
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A minimum score of 220 (computer-based) or 550 (paper-based) on the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
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A minimum score of 7 on the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) academic module
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Completion of two UC-transferable English composition courses (not ESL) in the U.S. with grades of B or better
Preparing to Transfer
Preparing for Your Major
You are strongly encouraged to concentrate on completing as many of the lower-division requirements as possible for your chosen major. This is particularly important if your major requires preparatory courses in mathematics and the sciences. Strong preparation will ease your transition to the university, shorten your time to degree, and leave more flexibility in your schedule to explore additional academic interests. Information regarding the required courses for each major can be found in the UC Santa Cruz General Catalog.
Selective Majors
Most transfer students are admitted to the campus as prospective majors (as listed on the UC application). Most majors are readily available to transfer students once they have completed the lower-division prerequisite courses. Junior transfers are required to declare their major during their second quarter of attendance.
Art majors: Junior transfer students are accepted into the art major after passing the portfolio review. The UC application and the Art Department Portfolio Review application are separate and independent processes. Being accepted to UC Santa Cruz does not guarantee that you will pass the portfolio review, and passing the portfolio review does not guarantee admission to UC Santa Cruz. More information on the portfolio review can be found at art.ucsc.edu or by calling the Art Department at (831) 459-3551.
Jack Baskin School of Engineering: Acceptance into any Jack Baskin School of Engineering (SoE) major will be based overall college academic record, especially completion and grades in the individual department’s foundation courses. IGETC is not recommended for engineering transfer students. The foundation courses required for admission to SoE majors are described on the SoE Undergraduate Advising web site. For more information, e-mail soeadmissions@soe.ucsc.edu or call (831) 459-5840.
During the declaration of major process, which occurs once you are already enrolled at UC Santa Cruz, some departments may screen for admission to their majors using criteria beyond minimum eligibility requirements. These majors currently include business management economics, the creative writing concentration within the literature major, economics, film and digital media, global economics, psychology, and sociology. Consult the UC Santa Cruz General Catalog or the department for more information.
Related Information
UC Santa Cruz Transfer Admission Guarantee (UCSC TAG)
The UC Santa Cruz Transfer Admission Guarantee (UCSC TAG) Program is designed for California community college transfer students at the junior level. To apply for the UCSC TAG Program, you must:
- have completed a minimum of 30 UC-transferable semester units (45 quarter units) of course work at the time of application;
- have fewer than 20 semester units (30 quarter units) completed at a four-year institution;
- have at least a 3.00 GPA in all UC-transferable course work; and
- be enrolled at a participating California community college.
UCSC TAG is only available for students entering fall quarter. The filing period for fall 2009 is August 1–October 15, 2008.
For more information, see your community college Transfer Center director.
UCSC TAG application form
List of participating colleges
Application Filing Periods
Fall quarter: November 1-30
Winter quarter: July 1-31
*Note: Check the Admissions web site in June to see whether applications will be accepted and/or if restrictions apply to winter quarter applicants. UC Santa Cruz does not typically accept applications for spring quarter.
Applying for Admission
You may apply to UC Santa Cruz online by completing the University of California application.
If you require a paper copy of the application, please contact the UC Undergraduate Application Processing Service by telephone or e-mail.
(800) 523-2048 (CA only) or (925) 808-2181 (outside CA)
Hearing-Impaired Callers: TTY (925) 521-9280
Ask for the UC Application Processing Service.
E-mail: ucinfo@ucapplication.net
Financial Aid
If you are concerned about your ability to meet educational costs, you should file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can download the form, or file electronically online by visiting www.fafsa.ed.gov. The form is used to determine your eligibility for grants, part-time work-study, employment, and need-based loans. California residents should also submit a GPA Verification Form to be considered for the Cal Grant program.
The priority deadline for submitting financial aid applications for fall applicants is March 2. Funds will be awarded to late applicants on a funds-available basis. Financial Aid web site.
ASSIST
Comprehensive articulation information, including transferable course agreements (TCAs) for all California community colleges, is available on the ASSIST web site.
Prospective students and their families in California, as well as California community college counselors, may contact their Admissions Regional Representative for more information. Please see admissions.ucsc.edu/contact.cfm for the representative in each county.
Other Contact Information
Office of Admissions
admissions@ucsc.edu
(831) 459-4008
Campus Tours
visits@ucsc.edu
(831) 459-4008
Financial Aid
(831) 459-2963
Educational Opportunity Programs (EOP)
(831) 459-2296
Disability Resource Center (DRC)
drc@ucsc.edu
Voice: (831) 459-2089
TTY: (831) 459-4806
Housing Office
housing@ucsc.edu
(831) 459-2394
Parent Guide
UCSC Home Page
Services for Transfer and Re-entry Students (STARS)
(831) 459-2552
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UC Santa Cruz Transfer Admissions Guide
