UNIVERSITY · CDS 2024-2025
University of California San Diego (UCSD)
San Diego, CA 35,442 undergrad Updated 2026-04-22
Top PublicUC SystemSTEM
Accept
28.4%
Yield
19.4%
Test
Blind
Academic Profile · CDS C9 / C11
The numbers a parent will ask about first.
SAT Total (mid 50%)
Not used
SAT EBRW (mid 50%)
Not used
SAT Math (mid 50%)
Not used
ACT Composite (mid 50%)
Not used
GPA
Not reported
GPA NOTE99% of students had a GPA of 3.75 or higher.
Decision Plans · CDS C1 / C21
When and how the school reads applicants.
| Plan | Deadline | Accept rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan details not yet recorded. | |||
Cost & Aid · CDS H Series
What it costs and what families actually pay.
Tuition
$51,063
Total COA
$76,458
Avg need-based aid
$30,932
Avg merit award
$14,948
Net price after avg need aid
$45,526
UC San Diego meets 0.8240000000000001% of demonstrated need on average.
Named merit programs
Regents Scholarship
Chancellor's Associates Scholarship
George Parker Memorial Scholarship
AP Impact Calculator
What the student's APs are actually worth here.
UC San Diego's AP Policy
UC San Diego awards credit for AP exams with scores of 3 or higher. Credit can be used to exempt students from certain courses required for their major, and in some cases, satisfy general education requirements. There is no maximum on the amount of AP credit a student can receive.
Min score
3
Credit cap
-1 credits
Mode
Credit + placement
Per-score grid
Exam-level
Add the student's APs
No APs selected. Click Add AP exam to start, or use the sample profile to see what a strong student might recover.
What They Value · CDS C7
Every CDS factor, weighted exactly as the admissions office files it.
- Rigor of secondary school recordVery Important
- Class rankConsidered
- Academic GPAVery Important
- Standardized test scoresNot Considered
- Application EssayVery Important
- Recommendation(s)Very Important
Mission & Narrative
What this school says it is — in their own words.
UC San Diego will transform California and a diverse global society by educating, generating and disseminating knowledge and creative works, providing high-quality health care and engaging in public service.
Distilled Themes
Transformative education and knowledge disseminationHigh-quality healthcarePublic service and global engagementStudent-centered, research-driven, and service-oriented
The Coach's Read
What 'what they value' actually means at the table.
- 01UCSD is a research powerhouse, particularly in the sciences. They want to see a demonstrated passion for discovery and a willingness to get your hands dirty in a lab.
- 02They are looking for students who are not just smart, but also creative and collaborative. Highlight projects where you've worked with others to solve a complex problem.
- 03UCSD has a strong focus on interdisciplinary studies. Show them you're not a one-trick pony and have interests that cross traditional academic boundaries.
Application Targets
What a strong application here should signal.
- 01Demonstrate a deep interest in a specific area of research and identify faculty members you'd want to work with.
- 02Showcase your ability to think critically and creatively through your essays and extracurriculars.
- 03Highlight any experiences that show your commitment to community service and making a positive impact on the world.
Quiet Disqualifiers
Things that hurt applicants here, even when they look fine on paper.
- A lack of demonstrated interest in research or a specific academic field
- Generic essays that could be sent to any school
- A purely academic focus with no evidence of extracurricular or community involvement
Signature Programs
Where this school is genuinely best-in-class.
Biological Sciences; Cognitive Science; Data Science; Engineering; Marine Sciences; International Studies
Application calendar
Every date the family needs to know.
Deadlines & Decision Dates · 2025-2026
Family deadline matrix
Plan
Deadline
Decision release
Regular Decision
Non-binding
Decision release is by mid-March.
Dec 1, 2025
→ Mar 15, 2026
Early Decision I
Not offered
—
Early Decision II
Not offered
—
Early Action
Not offered
—
Restrictive Early Action
Not offered
—
Rolling Admission
Not offered
—
See every school side-by-side on the Deadline Tracker →
CDS C7 · Level of applicant's interest
Does effort toward this school move the needle?
Demonstrated Interest·CDS C7 (2024-2025)
Not trackedWeight: Not Considered
UCSD does not track demonstrated interest; official policy states all applicants are evaluated identically regardless of contact.
Save the energy
Do not spend effort on interest signals—focus on essays and academics instead.
Provenance