News Update

University of California applications down slightly for fall 2023

Freshman applications for fall admission to the University of California were down slightly compared to last year, thanks mostly to drops among international and out-of-state students, according to UC data released Friday.

Transfer applications from California community college students were also down, but declined less severely than they did last year.

UC received applications from a total of 206,405 prospective freshmen — down about 2% from a year ago. The drop was driven by 1,976 fewer applications from international students and 2,258 fewer applications from students in states outside of California. Applications from California residents essentially stayed flat: 132,226 applied, or 111 fewer than sought admission for fall 2022.

Those Californians could have a better chance than in years past of being admitted. UC this year is expected under an agreement with Gov. Gavin Newsom and lawmakers to increase the share of California resident undergraduates who are enrolled at UC.

UC also saw a 2% drop among transfer applicants from California’s community colleges. But that was a stabilization compared to a year ago, when those applications were down by almost 11%.

“The University of California received an impressive number of applications for admission from prospective students this year. This is a testament to the University’s continued reputation as a premier center of higher learning,” UC President Michael Drake said.


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