For the second consecutive year, the UC application deadline has been extended to December 1, 2025 (changed from the traditional November 30). The filing period opens on October 1, giving students two months to submit their applications. Submitting early provides no advantage; all applications are reviewed after the December 1 deadline.

The UC has implemented a new AI policy for its Personal Insight Questions (PIQs). While using AI for early brainstorming phases is acceptable, all final answers must be “complete, accurate, and reflect the applicant's own words and voice.” Responses may be flagged for AI plagiarism if the final content doesn't authentically represent the student. All applicants must sign a statement of application integrity. PIQs are one important factor in the holistic UC review, and they can impact both admissions and scholarships. 

System-wide, the most popular and selective programs include Computer Science, all Engineering and Life Sciences majors, Psychology, Business/Economics, and Nursing (1% at UCLA).

Apply directly to the major you are most interested in, rather than using “undeclared” as a backdoor. Switching into a highly competitive major is extremely limited or impossible. However, applying undeclared is fine if you do not plan to change later into highly selective fields.

UC Berkeley does not consider alternate majors. They admitted zero students from their waitlist. Berkeley may request supplemental essays and letters of recommendation, typically in December or January.

UC Davis received 8,800 applications for their new business major. Most selective majors have admit rates under 20%. The engineering school emphasizes strong math/STEM preparation, including calculus and physics.

UC Irvine now offers two distinct psychology majors: BA (behavior-based) and BS (science-based). They provide a 3+3 law program for students who can graduate in three years.

UCLA only considers first-choice majors. With nursing admitting only 1% of applicants, theater/film/TV ~4%, and engineering ~7%, strategic major selection is critical. UCLA made more waitlist offers this year.

UC Merced will release admission decisions in December, with financial aid offers expected in February. They are now NCAA Division 2.

UC Riverside offers BA+MA programs that allow students to graduate in 5 years with a master's degree, with only the 5th year charged graduate fees.

UC San Diego announced that biological sciences is no longer a selective major. Students now only rank their top 4 residential colleges instead of all 8. GE requirements differ significantly by college.

UC Santa Barbara extensively used the waitlist. While performing music majors require auditions (in January or February), students do not have to audition for UCSB’s new music theory major.

UC Santa Cruz ranks #2 for marine biology nationally. New housing opens in 2026, and they have launched new AI certificate programs and an AI multimedia lab.

Students must meet strict eligibility requirements - completing all A-G subject requirements and maintaining a minimum 3.0 GPA for California residents (3.4 for non-residents) - or they are ineligible for admission regardless of other qualifications.

For eligible students, the UC system continues to use 13 comprehensive review criteria, with each application being read multiple times. Academics alone don't determine admission: the review also considers school context, personal circumstances, and extracurricular involvement. 

The UC has postponed previously announced changes to its math requirements by one year. Starting with courses taken in fall 2026, students must explicitly take and pass geometry. Additionally, statistics will no longer validate advanced math requirements; only courses like (pre-)calculus will provide validation. 

The UC is seeing a dramatic rise in dual enrollment, middle college, and self-enrollment students. Dual enrollment allows high school students to take college-level courses for both high school and college credit. However, officials issued warnings about the implications: grades from dual enrollment courses follow students forever and must be reported. Courses passed with a C or better cannot be repeated, and dual-enrollment classes may affect financial aid and maximum enrollment terms. Students should carefully consider whether taking college-level courses during high school is the right path for them.

Federal policy changes are creating new financial aid challenges: Pell Grants have been cut, new limits have been placed on Parent PLUS loans, and larger federal funding cuts are planned. These national funding decisions impact all U.S. universities, not just the UC system. The University of California remains committed to supporting all students through programs like their Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan that covers tuition costs for qualifying California families.

The UC emphasized that all courses and grades must be reported exactly as they appear on official transcripts. Public school students can import grades directly from californiacolleges.edu into their UC applications, which can help ensure accuracy. Failing to report courses or grades can result in cancellation of acceptances to all UC campuses. 

Transfer admission rates continue to exceed first-year rates, with over 90% of transfer students coming from California community colleges. For students considering transfering into the University of California, community college remains the most reliable route to admission.

The UC continues prioritizing diversity and equity. They provide extensive support for undocumented students through AB540 provisions, CADAA applications for state aid, and Dream loans up to $20,000. Special circumstances like natural disasters, immigration raids, or unemployment should be explained in applications. 

Based on this year's conference, students who plan to apply to one or more UC campus should:

• Take the most challenging coursework available while maintaining strong grades

• Choose majors strategically based on genuine interest, not perceived admission advantages

• Demonstrate sustained, quality engagement in extracurriculars over time

• Write authentic PIQs that showcase personal growth and impact

• Report all coursework accurately and consider dual enrollment implications carefully

• Apply broadly across the UC system, as each campus makes independent decisions

Feel free to reach out if you have specific questions about the UC application process or would like personalized application support.