Coronavirus (COVID-19) Updates and Information from Undergraduate Admissions

Q1: Does this affect high school students who will be graduating in 2021, 2022, 2023, and beyond?

The temporary suspension of the letter grade requirement for A-G courses applies to all A-G coursework completed in spring and summer 2020, including coursework completed by students currently in 9th, 10th, and 11th grades. The modification to the SAT/ACT test requirement is not intended as an admissions policy shift but is rather a temporary accommodation driven by the current extraordinary circumstances. 

Q2: What impact will the COVID-19 pandemic have on the admissions process for those who intend to apply in the future?

Please rest assured that the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, in collaboration with our campus partners, will ensure students who apply for a future term are not disadvantaged in the admissions process. Freshman applicants to UC Santa Cruz are evaluated using a comprehensive review process while transfer applicants are selected using faculty-approved criteria . Students who have been and will be offered admission are those whom our faculty believe have demonstrated the strongest achievement within the context of their opportunities, have the potential to succeed, and will contribute their skills, perspectives, and passion to our campus community. We are strongly committed to enrolling a class of students that is diverse, including those with international experiences and perspectives.

Q3: My school/college has switched to P/NP grades only. How will this impact my admissions status or chances of being admitted in a future term?

Freshman Applicants - The P/NP grades earned in spring and summer 2020 will not impact your admission status or chances of being admitted in a future term. The letter grade requirement for A-G courses has been temporarily suspended for all A-G coursework completed in spring and summer 2020, including coursework completed by students currently in 9th, 10th, and 11th grades. A Pass or Credit grade in spring and summer 2020 will meet A-G requirements for any student currently enrolled in high school during the 2019-20 academic year.

Pass (P) or Credit (CR) grades will not be calculated in the GPA. Campuses will calculate the GPA for admission purposes using letter grades received in A-G courses from 10th and 11th grade, including summer terms following grades 9, 10, and 11. Extra points for honors-level coursework will continue to be capped at 8 semesters of honors points in A-G courses completed with letter grades of A, B, and C in grades 10 and 11. 

Transfer Applicants - UC has temporarily suspended its cap on Pass/No Pass (Credit/No Credit) units required to enroll at a UC campus as a junior. Any courses taken with Pass/No Pass or Credit/No Credit grading in the winter, spring, and summer terms of 2020 will not count toward UC’s limit of 14 semester/21 quarter transferable units. Additionally, the overall transferable GPA will be calculated using only UC transferable courses taken for letter grades. 

STANDARDIZED TESTING

Q4: Does this mean that juniors who will be seniors in the fall of 2020 and applying to UC schools do not have to take the SAT or ACT? What if the students already took these tests, or are planning to?

Students applying for fall 2021 are not required to submit standardized test scores (SAT or ACT), but if they are able, doing so can support their statewide UC eligibility and application for certain scholarships, and can help them fulfill some University graduation requirements. 

Q5: What if students have an earlier test score that they do not want to submit? 

Campuses will continue to review and consider every piece of information shared via the UC application. Under our Comprehensive Review policy, test scores do not form the basis of an admission decision, but test scores can be considered as an additional piece of value-added information. If you have scores, we encourage you to submit them as they can be used to determine statewide UC eligibility and application for certain scholarships, and can help you fulfill some University graduation requirements after you enroll at UC. If you have scores but do not want to submit them, you are not obligated to do so.   

 

Admitted Students for Fall 2020

Q6: Will instruction be offered remotely in fall 2020? And how will this affect tuition and fees?

When fall quarter instruction begins October 1, UC Santa Cruz will offer most courses remotely or online and provide in-person instruction for a small number of courses that cannot be delivered remotely, as is the case for some laboratory, studio, and field study courses. Further details are provided in Chancellor Cynthia Larive's announcement to the campus from June 17, 2020.

As is the case currently with spring quarter 2020, tuition and fees will remain the same, whether instruction is offered remotely or in-person.

Q7: How will housing for fall 2020 be affected?

University housing will be open in the fall, with staff providing residents a rich and rewarding experience within the constraints of this unusual time we are living through. To allow us to significantly reduce our overall housing capacity and focus on a smaller on-campus population, all student rooms will be assigned as singles or doubles (no triples or quads).

Residence halls will be primarily single-occupancy rooms, while campus apartments may have a combination of single and double-occupancy bedrooms (apartments will have five or fewer total residents). Please keep in mind that this is an evolving situation and it is possible that we will need to make further changes to our housing operations, including potentially closing some residential buildings. These decisions will be made once we have a better sense of the overall number of students interested in fall housing or in response to changing circumstances.

Meal plans are included in the housing contract for students living in residence halls and are also available to other students. Dining services will be modified with the utmost care for health and wellness in mind. Students will have access to quick-service dining options, including dining hall to-go meals, grab-n-go from campus cafes and convenience stores, and order-ahead take out from campus restaurants.

Additional resources:
➢ Campus dining and meal plans
➢ Housing and dining rates

Q8: Can I take classes at a different university in the fall due to travel/immigration restrictions and get credit toward a UC Santa Cruz degree?

While students may take courses concurrently from other institutions, it is important to seek assistance from your college and academic department advisors to ensure there will not be any impact to your financial aid eligibility, senior residency requirements, etc. You may take courses over the summer at any accredited college or university and earn credit toward your degree at UC Santa Cruz if the course is transferable. We recommend taking courses in traditional academic disciplines that are broad in nature, such as Economics, Anthropology, Psychology, History, etc.

  ELIGIBILITY & ADMISSION STATUS

Q9: The courses I planned on taking in spring term are no longer offered due to COVID-19 closures. How will this impact my admission status or chances of being admitted in a future term? 

Any changes to your courses from what was listed on the application should be communicated to Undergraduate Admissions using the Schedule Change/Grade Issues Form - Freshman or Schedule Change/Grade Issues Form-Transfer. While it is impossible to say what the admission decision might be as a result of not enrolling in a specific course, the expectation is that students make a good faith effort to enroll in a similar course at their school or elsewhere. Because each student’s record is unique along with the availability of courses in their communities, Undergraduate Admissions will review each case individually, taking into consideration the impacts of COVID-19.

Q10: What about first semester grades? Can my admission decision still be rescinded? 

The fall 2019 term was not impacted by the current crisis; students were expected to complete the courses reported and maintain their GPA during that term. If you have been offered admission to a UC campus and your grades from fall 2019 did not meet the criteria outlined in your Conditions of Admission Contract , you must notify the campus immediately. In some cases, an admission decision may be rescinded, but each student will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.  

Q11: Do seniors who have been admitted still need to worry about their admission being rescinded because of Zoom classes?

Whether taking classes in-person or via online instruction, students who have been admitted to UC are expected to meet the Conditions of Admission Contract included with the admission offer. In most cases, this means students are still expected to complete the courses reported on the application and earn Pass or Credit grades in those courses (or letter grades of C or higher if the school is awarding letter grades). A campus may rescind an offer of admission if a student earns No Pass or No Credit grades in spring 2020 coursework, but each student will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.

Q12: Will I be able to use P grades to meet my major preparation courses for screening majors?

At this time, faculty on CAFA, CEP, and within academic departments are in discussions about how courses with a P grade will be used in meeting major qualifications. A general principle of CAFA and CEP is that students, whether continuing or seeking admission to UC Santa Cruz, are treated as equitably as possible when it comes to requirements for major declaration. As soon we have more information, we will update and share broadly. 

Q13: I am worried I will not be able to achieve the same grades or pass all of my classes with remote instruction at my school/college. How will this impact my admission offer and what should I do?

Please seek support from your teachers/professors, guidance counselors, academic preparation and student support service programs to ensure a successful spring term. Because each student’s record is unique, Undergraduate Admissions will review each case carefully, taking into consideration the impacts of COVID-19 on your learning.

The expectation, whether taking courses for letter grades or P/NP,  is that students make a good faith effort to successfully complete all courses with passing grades. Admitted transfer students taking courses for letter grades during the spring should ensure they meet the GPA requirement for their proposed major, particularly if they have been admitted to one of our screening majors. Any grade issues should be communicated to Undergraduate Admissions using the Schedule Change/Grade Issues Form - Freshman or Schedule Change/Grade Issues Form-Transfer. 

Q14: Will I be able to get a visa in time to start school in the fall? If I cannot, what are my options?  

We recognize the uncertainty that international students will face in procuring a visa in time to arrive in Santa Cruz for the start of the fall quarter. Select consulates are reopening on a weekly basis. Please continue to search the Department of State's Visa Appointment Wait Time page to see if your local consulate is now offering visa appointments.

Q15: International Baccalaureate (IB),General Certificate of Education Advanced Level GCE A-Levels) and or other final exams (based on the student's native curriculum) were cancelled in spring. How will this impact admissions?

UC Santa Cruz will continue to award credit for designated IBH subjects passed with scores of 5, 6 or 7, as well as extra units for the IBH Diploma completed with 30 points or more. We will continue to award credit for designated GCE A-level subjects passed with grades of A, B or C. Note: UC does not award credit for the Pearson International A-levels (IALs). 

An at-home version of the TOEFL iBT is currently available worldwide, except in Mainland China and Iran.

  DEADLINES, EXTENSIONS & DEFERRALS

Q16: Will the July 1 transcript deadline be extended?

While the July 1 deadline will not be extended, if your school or college is unable or unsure about its ability to issue transcripts by this date, you may do one of two things: 

1 - Request that the school email AskUC@ucop.edu with the school or college name, College Board code, and the date transcripts are expected to be available.

2 - Contact Undergraduate Admissions and notify us of any expected delays. We understand the challenges and will be flexible throughout this period working with each student’s individual set of circumstances. Students will not have their admission offer rescinded over a missed transcript deadline through the first day of fall classes. However, UC continues to request that transcripts be submitted by July 1 if at all possible. 

Note: As of August 20, the UC Santa Cruz campus has been evacuated due to the CZU Lighting Compex Fire, and mail service to campus has been interrupted. Therefore, we recommend that you send us transcripts or other records electronically. This will be helpful and will speed up processing times.

If it is not possible to send us your records electronically, please be aware that there may be a delay in us receiving and processing your records. These delays will have no impact on your status as an incoming student. Thank you for your patience.

Q17: Will UC extend the deadline for accepting admission offers? 

The deadline to accept an offer of admission, known as the Statement of Intent to Register (SIR), remains May 1 for freshmen and June 1 for transfers. Students who were unable to meet the deadline due to COVID-19-related circumstances or wish to defer their admission to a future term should submit an appeal.

Q18: Can I defer my admission to a future term?

Yes, students unable to start during the fall 2020 term due to health issues, military service, or COVID-19 impacts may request to defer their admission to the winter or fall 2021 term. To do so, please visit our appeals website and file a Miscellaneous appeal by September 1. Please note: Even if you defer your admission, you will still need to submit your online admission acceptance on my.ucsc.edu by May 1 (freshmen) or June 1 (transfers). 

Q19: What if I need to defer my deposit fee? 

Students who need a deferment of a deposit should use our Contacts & Directory tool. In the form, go to Admitted Student, then SIR Process, then SIR Deposit. Requests will be considered individually, providing maximum flexibility to students needing extensions.

  FINANCIAL AID & COSTS

Q20: My family’s financial situation has changed as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Can I be considered for additional aid? 

We understand that families’ financial circumstances may have changed or may change in the coming months. The Financial Aid and Scholarship Office (FASO) will work with families over the summer to review their eligibility for additional financial aid. With appropriate documentation, changes may be made to a student’s financial aid eligibility. If you have been admitted to more than one UC campus or other colleges, contact each respective campus to get more information about similar processes at those institutions.

For details on the various financial aid appeal processes at UC Santa Cruz visit Financial Aid Appeals. Note that effective May 1, 2020 appeals will be submitted online via the student portal for students who have accepted their offer of admission. However, the appeals website provides an overview of situations considered for unique circumstances and documents typically collected by FASO. Please visit the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office website for contact information, including the best way to reach their office during remote operations for further assistance.

Q21: Will tuition and fees be affected? 

All tuition and campus-based fees (excluding housing and dining) will remain unchanged for all University of California campuses. While UC Santa Cruz has switched to remote instruction and testing for spring quarter, our instructors and staff are continuing to provide high-quality teaching, advising, and support to students, and students are continuing to receive full credit for their courses.

Campus-based, mandatory fees also remain unchanged. Many of these fees support essential services to students, such as financial aid, student support, and student initiatives, all of which are continuing to be provided by the campus. Campus fees also provide for the upkeep of crucial facilities that still require maintenance so they will be ready for when students return to campus.

 

Visiting the Campus

Q22: How can I find out more about UC Santa Cruz, since I can’t visit the campus? 

California Governor Gavin Newsom issued a statewide order on March 19 requiring residents to stay at home or at their place of residence except to get food, care for a relative or friend, get necessary health care, or go to an essential job. No end date has been set at this time. Anyone who does leave their house should maintain a social distance of at least six feet.

On the UC Santa Cruz campus, certain trails, open spaces, and outdoor recreational areas have been closed until further notice for everyone’s safety and to help stop the spread of the virus. We do not recommend visiting the campus in person at this time.

However, you can still find out more about UC Santa Cruz and connect with the Banana Slug community through virtual experiences. For example, we encourage you and your family to attend some of our many Admitted Student Virtual Events in April and May. By attending our virtual events, you’ll be able to ‘Meet a Slug’, attend a virtual reception, get your questions answered by current students and staff, and connect with our community.

We also recommend our Virtual Tour, hosted by our student tour guides and available in five languages.

Q23: What if I want to visit the Undergraduate Admissions Office?

Due to COVID-19 concerns, we have adjusted services. Our front counter on campus is closed indefinitely.

However, our staff is still available to serve you. For general inquiries, please send an email to admissions@ucsc.edu. You may also use our Contacts and Directory service tool.

For tours inquiries, please email visits@ucsc.edu.

 

My Future at the UC Santa Cruz Campus

Q24: How is the UC Santa Cruz campus responding to COVID-19?

The latest news and announcements regarding UC Santa Cruz’s response to the coronavirus can be found here. Our Student Health Center is posting updates here.

In addition, our campus has mobilized to help the community and the nation during this trying time. Our scientists and staff are at the forefront of the fight against COVID-19, providing an on-campus testing lab, mapping the genome of the virus, making hand sanitizers and masks, and studying better methods of testing and treatment. For more news about campus actions against the virus, please see our Campus News website.

UC will receive $19.3 million from the Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act signed in April. At least half of that amount will go directly to students via the Financial Aid and Scholarship Office (FASO) to help with expenses related to COVID-19, including costs for housing, food, course materials, technology, health care, and childcare.

Q25: How is UC Santa Cruz currently ensuring safety for students on campus?

COVID-19 requires us to rethink how we teach, research, and work. There are new policies, guidelines, and protocols that we must all follow to reduce the virus’s spread. UC Santa Cruz has introduced a careful plan of recovery and re-opening.

 

Remember to please continue to communicate with us should you become aware of anything that may impact your admission status to UC Santa Cruz. We are reachable by phone at +1 (831) 459-4008, or via our Contacts & Directory page, where you can report any changes to your spring schedule and/or grades.

On behalf of the entire staff of the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, we send our best wishes for this challenging time to you and your family.

UC Press Release

UC FAQs

Updated 08/27/2020