Q1: Does this affect high school students who will be graduating in 2022, 2023, and beyond?
For students applying for fall 2022, the temporary suspension of the letter grade requirement for A-G courses applies to all A-G coursework completed from spring 2020 through summer 2021, including coursework completed by students currently in 9th, 10th, and 11th grades.
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 through summer 2021 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 through summer 2021, including coursework completed by students currently in 9th, 10th, and 11th grades. A Pass or Credit grade in spring and summer 2021 will meet A-G requirements for any student currently enrolled in high school during the 2020-21 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.
STANDARDIZED TESTING
Q4: I am planning to transfer to UC Santa Cruz in STEM, and my college is only offering online labs. Will UC Santa Cruz accept online labs for transfer credit and major requirement satisfaction?
UC Santa Cruz’s Committee on Educational Policy has decided that all majors will be accepting online labs taken during the 2021-2022 academic year (fall/spring semesters or fall/winter/spring quarters). However, students are advised to take in-person labs whenever possible. The modality of the labs that you take (whether online or in person) for the 2021-2022 academic year will have no impact on admissions decisions for fall 2022 or any other future term.
Q5: Does this mean that students who will be seniors in the fall of 2022 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?
The University of California campuses will not consider SAT or ACT test scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. If you choose to submit test scores as part of your application, they may be used as an alternative method of fulfilling minimum requirements for eligibility or for course placement after you enroll.
Q6: What if students have an earlier test score that they do not want to submit?
If you have scores, we encourage you to submit them as they can be used for UC eligibility and applications 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.
Students Admitted For Fall 2021
Q7: How will instruction be offered in fall 2021?
Amid cautious optimism due to the acceleration in COVID-19 vaccinations and falling case rates in the Santa Cruz area, the campus will plan to return to primarily in-person instruction for fall 2021. Classroom size restrictions have been loosened compared to several weeks ago, allowing for in-person classes of no more than 150 students.
Remote instruction or hybrid instruction will continue to be offered in certain situations, such as classes of over 150 students, or in the case of students needing remote instruction for disability-related accommodation. In addition, classes on September 23 and 24 will be offered remotely to allow for COVID-19 testing for both students and faculty.
We are also keeping a close eye on the opening of consulates and scheduling of visa appointments. International students are encouraged to consult with UC Santa Cruz’s International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) to evaluate their options as the situation develops.
We will share more details with you as they become available, through emails, on this website, and webinars that we will offer for admitted students and their families.
Q8: What will be the requirements for COVID-19 vaccines and testing in fall 2021?
The UC Office of the President has proposed a policy requiring all students, faculty, and staff to be vaccinated for COVID-19 for fall 2021. However, official fall quarter requirements for COVID-19 and influenza vaccines, as well as COVID-19 testing and screening, have not been finalized. Please check the websites below for updates as they become available. Note that requirements depend on state, local, and UC guidelines, which can change frequently.
➢ COVID-19 Vaccines
➢ COVID-19 FAQs
➢ COVID-19 Information for Students (includes current guidelines for COVID-19 testing and screening)
Flu Vaccine Information
Q9: Will tuition and fees for fall 2021 be reduced due to remote instruction?
Some or all instruction for all or part of the academic year may be delivered remotely. Tuition and fees have been set regardless of the method of instruction and will not be refunded in the event instruction occurs remotely for any part of the academic year. Figures for tuition and fees represent currently approved or proposed amounts and may not be final. Actual tuition and fees are subject to change by the University of California as determined to be necessary or appropriate. Final approved tuition and fee levels may differ from the amounts presented.
Visiting the Campus
Q10: How can I find out more about UC Santa Cruz, since I can’t visit the campus?
Due to state-mandated restrictions to reduce the spread of COVID-19, our in-person Campus Visits program has been suspended. However, you can still find out more about UC Santa Cruz and connect with the Banana Slug community through virtual experiences, such as our Virtual Events for Future Students. We encourage you and your family to attend one of these many events. Live Virtual Tours are also being offered by our tour guides. Consult the calendar on the web page for more information.
We also recommend our on-demand Virtual Tour, hosted by our student tour guides and available in five languages.
Q11: 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
Q12: 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.
Q13: How is UC Santa Cruz currently ensuring safety for students on campus?
Spring and Summer Instruction
Much like we did in fall and winter, UC Santa Cruz will continue to offer most courses remotely or online for spring and summer 2021, providing in-person instruction for a small number of courses that may not be effectively delivered remotely, such as some laboratory, studio, field-research and field-study courses. Each course will have the mode of instruction listed within the schedule of courses, available for spring February 2021 and in March 2021 for summer.
Our in-person instruction and learning spaces will remain modified to ensure that we comply with physical distancing and other public health measures. While we may have a small increase of in-person courses in the spring quarter, students are still strongly encouraged to live and learn remotely.
The campus is very much looking forward to returning to normal on-campus operations. For further updates, please see our Roadmap to Recovery page.
Housing and dining
The residential housing and dining experience remains modified to accommodate current public-health guidance - students primarily live in single rooms and are required to take COVID-19 tests once a week.
➢ Housing Priority List for Fall 2021
➢ Information on COVID-19 and Student Housing
➢ Information on COVID-19 and Dining
Student Services
Student Health Services is providing services in person and remotely. Counseling and Psychological Services, Basic Needs support, Learning Support Services, Disability Resource Center, and CARE are all open and providing services remotely. A full list of services and operating hours can be found on the COVID-19 webpage and the Division of Student Affairs and Success website.
McHenry Library and Science & Engineering Library
Beginning July 1, 2021, both the McHenry and Science & Engineering libraries will allow the campus community in-person access to their print collections and restart on-site, in-person services. Before visiting the facilities after July 1, first check the University Library website for the latest on hours, service, and safety protocols. Not all librarians and library staff will be immediately transitioning back to on-site, in-person work, so faculty and students needing resources or assistance should continue to use Remote Library Services as their first point of library contact.
Keeping our Campus Healthy
Reducing the spread of COVID-19 remains a top priority. In collaboration with the campus Molecular Diagnostic Lab, the Cowell Student Health Center offers an asymptomatic testing program for our campus and is also testing students who exhibit symptoms of COVID-19. In addition, Banana Slugs must wear face coverings in common and public indoor spaces and outdoors when distancing is not possible.
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 FAQs
Updated 6/11/2021
A little about you
