But there is a catch: certain programs require additional materials in addition to the standard UC application. These supplemental materials can make or break your admission to competitive majors in the arts, business, and specialized dual-degree programs.

Every year, qualified students miss out on admission because they didn't know about supplemental requirements until it was too late. They submitted their UC application, thought they were done, and never realized their major or program required a portfolio, audition, or additional essays with deadlines just weeks away.

Here is everything you need to know so that this does not happen to you this year.

Before we dive into supplements, let's review what every UC applicant needs to complete.

The UC Application includes:

• Your academic history and grades from 9th-12th grade. The UCs re-calculate their own GPA using only 10th and 11th grade courses. Use our A-G GPA Calculator to see what your UC GPA will be.

• Activities and awards, up to 20 entries

• Four Personal Insight Questions (PIQs): you choose 4 out of 8 prompts, each with a 350-word limit (Struggling with these? Check out our PIQ At-Home Workshop for expert strategies)

• Self-reported test scores: UC admissions is test-blind for SAT/ACT, but you can report AP exam scores, and international students may need to submit English proficiency test scores.

Deadline
The UC application opened on August 1st and is due December 1st, 2025, at 11:59 PM Pacific Time. This is a hard deadline with no extensions. The UC application portal is notorious for slowing down, glitching, or even crashing during the final days before the deadline due to the huge number of students trying to submit at once. We strongly recommend submitting your application a few days early.

Eligibility
You must meet UC's A-G course requirements to be eligible for admission. These are 15 specific high school courses that all UC applicants must complete. (Not sure if you are on track? Read our complete guide to A-G Subject Requirements and use our A-G GPA Calculator to verify your eligibility.)

Now, let's talk about what comes after you submit that application for certain majors and programs.

Generally, a supplemental application is any extra material required beyond your regular UC application. What you will need depends entirely on your chosen campus and major, but these supplements typically fall into a few categories. This is your chance to demonstrate specialized talent or commitment that can't be captured in grades and essays alone.

Portfolio
Portfolios are curated collections of your creative work: think 10-20 pieces of your best artwork, design projects, or visual media. Art and design programs use these to assess your technical skills, artistic vision, and creative range. You'll typically submit digital files through a dedicated portal.

Auditions
Auditions showcase your performance abilities in music, dance, or theater. These can be live (in-person at the campus) or recorded video submissions. For music auditions, you might perform two contrasting pieces; for dance, you would typically demonstrate technique across multiple styles. Faculty is evaluating your skill level, artistry, and potential for growth.

Essays and Videos
Supplemental essays and videos are common for competitive business and dual-degree programs. These short-answer questions or video responses let admissions officers understand your specific interest in the program, your goals, and why you're a strong fit. Berkeley's Haas and M.E.T. programs are prime examples.

Letters of Recommendation
Letters of rec provide an outside perspective on your abilities and character. In the UC system, only UC Berkeley requests these, and only by invitation for specific applicants; they are not universally required.

Questionnaires
Supplemental questionnaires are occasional, invitation-only forms sent to clarify information in your application or request grade updates. Berkeley, Davis, UCLA, and UC San Diego use supplemental questionnaires as part of augmented review will email you if they need one.

Good news: most UC applicants only need to complete the standard UC Application. Supplemental applications mainly affect students pursuing:

• • • Arts programs (visual arts, music, dance, theater, design)

    • Berkeley's Haas School of Business

    • Nursing programs (like UCLA Nursing)

    • Special dual-degree or combined programs (Berkeley's Management, Entrepreneurship & Technology or Global Management Program)

If you fall into one of these categories, mark your calendar: supplemental deadlines often come as early as mid-December.

Only a handful of University of California programs require extra materials beyond the regular UC Application.

UC Berkeley asks for supplemental essays and a video for its selective business and dual-degree programs:Business Administration (Haas School of Business), Global Management Program (GMP), and Management, Entrepreneurship & Technology (M.E.T.). 

UC Davis has no admission-stage supplements: students applying for Landscape Architecture complete a separate major application only after enrolling.

UC Irvine requires portfolios or auditions for Art, Dance, and Music, with an optional audition for Drama. 

UCLA applicants must complete school-specific supplemental applications if they select majors in the School of the Arts and Architecture, the Herb Alpert School of Music, the School of Theater, Film and Television, or the School of Nursing. 

UC Merced has a supplemental process for its medical pathway, the San Joaquin Valley Program in Medical Education Plus (SJV PRIME+). 

UC Riverside requires transfer students applying to Art (B.A./B.F.A.) to submit a portfolio. 

UC Santa Barbara mandates supplements for the College of Creative Studies (CCS)and auditions for their Dance B.A., and Music B.M. programs. 

UC Santa Cruz expects transfer applicants to the Art B.A. to provide a portfolio. 

UC San Diego offers optional submissions for creative majors such as Visual Arts, Theatre & Dance, and Music, where applicants may upload portfolios or audition videos to strengthen their application.

Even if your major doesn't require a supplemental application, you might still receive an invitation for supplemental or augmented review during the admissions process. This process is entirely different from the program-specific supplements. Supplemental Review happens when an admissions office wants additional information to make a more informed decision about your application. UC Berkeley, Davis, UCLA, and UC San Diego actively use augmented review and may send these invitations to selected applicants, typically between December and February.

If you are flagged for Supplemental Review, you might receive a questionnaire asking about:

• • • Unusual circumstances that affected your grades or coursework

    • Updates on your fall semester grades or recent achievements

    • Additional details about activities, honors, or special talents

    • Context about challenges or hardships you have faced

Receiving a Supplemental Review invitation doesn't mean you are on the edge of rejection. It actually means the admissions office is interested enough in you to want more information. It is an opportunity, not a red flag. If you receive one, respond promptly and thoroughly. Missing the deadline could hurt your chances since they specifically requested this information to complete your review.

Unlike the program-specific supplements that are required before you even apply, these questionnaires are sent only to certain applicants and cannot be submitted unless you are invited.

1. Check your major requirements before submitting the UC application. Don't assume you are done once you submitted. Visit your campus' admissions website and look up your specific major.

2. Watch your inbox like a hawk between December and January. Supplemental portals, questionnaires, and invitation links arrive by email. Check spam folders too.

3. Mark supplemental deadlines on your calendar, they come fast. Some deadlines fall in mid-December, just weeks after the December 1st UC Application deadline.

4. Understand your backup options. Programs like Berkeley M.E.T. and GMP will consider you for alternate majors if you are not admitted to the selective program. Others won't. Know your safety net.

5. Don't skip required supplements. Even perfect grades won't save you. Missing a required supplement means automatic rejection from that specific major.

For most UC applicants, the four Personal Insight Questions are all essays you will write. But if you pursue creative fields, competitive business programs, or specialized dual-degree paths, you will need to put in extra work and plan ahead.

The good news? These supplements give you a chance to showcase talents and passions that transcend test scores and GPAs. If you are serious about your program, these additional applications are your opportunity to shine. Before you hit submit on your UC Application, take five minutes to verify whether your major requires anything extra. Future you will thank you.

Navigating the UC system doesn’t have to be overwhelming. We offer expert tools and guidance to help you put your best foot forward:

PIQ At-Home Workshop
Learn how to write compelling Personal Insight Questions that stand out to admissions officers. You will get practical strategies and templates for all eight PIQ prompts to craft authentic, memorable responses that showcase who you are.

A-G GPA Calculator
Not sure if you have completed all the required A-G courses? Wondering about your UC GPA? Use our interactive calculator to verify your eligibility, compute your 10th–11th grade UC GPA, and spot any gaps before you submit your application.

Need last-minute help?
You don’t have to figure it out alone. Reach out for one-on-one UC application support, essay guidance, and last minute application review.