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How to Get Into University of California, Davis (UCD): 2026 Admissions Guide

About University of California, Davis (UCD)

University of California, Davis (UCD) is a public institution with a total enrollment of approximately 32,253 students. With an acceptance rate of 41.83%, University of California, Davis (UCD) is moderately selective, offering a competitive but accessible admissions process. The student-to-faculty ratio is 20:1, reflecting the university's commitment to providing meaningful interaction between students and instructors.

Academically,

41.83%

Acceptance Rate

1160 - 1400

SAT Range

24 - 32

ACT Range

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University of California, Davis (UCD) Admissions

It has an acceptance rate of around 39%. This figure translates into the fact that out of 100 applicants willing to take admission at the school, 39 are admitted. Notably, the SAT scores of the students lie in the range of 1170-1410. It is to be noted that the ACT scores of the admitted students lie in the range of 24-32, while the average GPA scores hover around 4. The deadline to apply to University of California-Davis is November 30, 2019. University of California-Davis follows a simple application and admission process involving a total of 4 steps that are as follows: Step 1 in the application and admission process: Submitting the application The first step in UCD's admission procedure is applying to the university. To apply to the university, interested candidates can either call the university at (530) 752-1011 or do it through online mode to secure admission. They can also follow an alternate way to take admission to the university by visiting its admissions office at One Shields Avenue, Davis, California 95616-8678. They can contact the University of California-Davis admissions office by phone as well. Step 2 to the application and admission process: Acceptance by UCD After an applicant has submitted their form and deposited the enrollment fee, they would be required to submit certain documents to receive an admission decision. For University of California-Davis, it is suggested that an applicant submits the following documents: Essay: Sometimes known as the personal statement, the essay submitted by an applicant offers them a unique way to showcase their achievements and personality. Also, applicants are advised to include personal experiences as well as anecdotes. Transcripts: Submitting the necessary high-school and university transcripts is an important part of the evaluation process. An applicant can use Parchment (or similar platforms) to submit the same. Official Test Scores: By submitting SAT or ACT scores, a candidate can make a stronger claim for securing a seat at University of California-Davis. Notably, it is not a mandatory requirement and not all students submit their scores. The university may request additional documents or information from the applicants once the reviewing process is over. In Step 3, the candidate needs to confirm their attendance As part of the Step 3 in the admission process, the candidates must confirm their attendance to University of California-Davis. Additionally, they will be required to complete their Financial Check-In process and select their housing as well. These processes include reviewing and verifying the summary of Accounts and Financial Aid (scholarships, fees, and tuition costs), choosing a lodging option, selecting a payment plan, and making the first payment as well. Apart from that, candidates are also required to complete the Math and English assessments, before proceeding to register for classes. In Step 4, candidates need to register for classes The candidates have to register for courses once all the processes mentioned above are completed.

SAT Scores you need to get in

SAT Range The composite score range which the Institution consistently takes, below which admission should be considered a reach.

1160 - 1400

Applicants Submitting SAT Percentage of Students submitting SAT Scores.

87%

SAT Reading 25th

580

SAT Math 25th

580

SAT Composite 25th

1160

SAT Reading 75th

670

SAT Math 75th

730

SAT Composite 75th

1400

Average SAT Score

1280

Notably, University of California-Davis also considers the SAT scores of the applicants for their admission. It is important for students to note that SAT scores are mandatory in order to be considered for admission at the university. The average SAT score of the candidates who get accepted to UCD is 1290. But, in some cases, those who have a SAT score of 1170 or below may also be given admission to UCD. Around 89% of the applicants furnish their SAT scores in order to be considered for admission by the university.

ACT Scores you need to get in

ACT Range The composite score range which the Institution consistently takes, below which admission should be considered a reach.

24 - 32

Applicants Submitting ACT Percentage of Students submitting ACT Scores.

44%

ACT Math 25th

ACT English 25th

ACT Composite 25th

ACT Math 75th

ACT English 75th

ACT Composite 75th

Average ACT Score

Coming to the ACT scores that candidates need to get accepted to University of California-Davis, the latest data suggests that one requires an average ACT score of 28. Notably, the composite ACT scores of most applicants who get accepted by University of California-Davis are generally within the 24-32 range. To be considered for admission by University of California-Davis, one needs to have a minimum ACT composite score of 24. Also, for admission consideration by the university, students must submit their ACT scores. As many as 39% of the applicants submit their ACT scores for admission to the university, as per the latest information.

Estimated GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Grade Points Average (GPA) The average high school GPA of the admitted students

3.99

A higher GPA is often considered a significant factor in improving the applicant's chances of securing admission in any college of their choice. University of California-Davis, just like most other universities, considers a high GPA as an important factor for admission. As far as the Grade Point Average (GPA) requirement for admission consideration is concerned, candidates should note that University of California-Davis is very competitive and therefore requires students to have outstanding academic/GPA scores. The students are also required to possess above-average high school grades with a minimum GPA score of 3.75. Also, the average high school GPA of those who get accepted into UCD stands at 4. Candidates applying to University of California-Davis should also have a good idea about the requirements for admission, including the necessary documents, and all the information that is considered while making admission decisions. The students must also submit several important documents to the university such as the Secondary school GPA, Secondary school record, Completion of college-preparatory program, and Admission test scores (SAT/ACT).

Admission Requirements

What Really Matters When Applying

High School GPA

Required

High School Rank

Neither required nor recommended

High School Transcript

Required

College Prep Courses

Required

SAT/ACT

Required

Recommendations

Neither required nor recommended

Admission Deadlines

Application Deadline Deadline for application submissions. Please contact the school for more details.

30th Nov

Application Fee Application fees may vary by program and may be waived for certain students. Please check with the school.

$70

Early Decision Deadline

None

Early Action Deadline

None

Offer Action Deadline

None

Offers Early Decision

Application Website

universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/apply/apply_online.html

Accepts Common App

None

Accepts Coalition App

In addition to furnishing the required documents and information, the applicants also need to deposit an application fee of $70. The application deadline of the university depends on several factors. Fall applications, most popular among students, usually start from September and might go on till April. September deadline usually pertains to early decision, while the final deadline is in April. Notably, to be eligible for scholarships, students might have to apply before early deadline. This is why it is always recommended to apply early.

Acceptance Rate and Admission Statistics

	Women	Men	Total
Applied	42,659	35,363	78,022
Accepted	19,347	12,609	32,046
Acceptance Rate	45%	36%	41.83%
Enrolled	4105	2288	6393
Percentage of admitted who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	21%	18%	20%

For those applying to UCD, it helps to know the University’s acceptance rates and admission statistics for a foundational understanding of their enrollment demographics.

In 2021, UCD had 78,022 students apply for admission, with 55% of the applicants being women and 45% being male. There were 7,296 more women than men who applied to the University for admission.

Among the 78,022 who applied, only 32,046 were accepted. This accounts for an acceptance rate of 41%, which is average compared to other universities in California.

Neighboring universities in California, such as Pomona College, had a selective 8% acceptance rate, while San Francisco State University had a 72% acceptance rate. This shows the range of selectivity across the California education system, positioning UCD right in the center.

Women had a higher acceptance rate (45%) than men (36%). The trends favoring female applicants continued with women accounting for 4,105 of the 6,393 students enrolled at the university, resulting in a demographic breakdown of 64% female and 36% male.

Women had an admission yield of 21%, compared to men who had 18%. The average admission yield for UCD was 20%.

With so many women applying and enrolling in UCD, the admission yield slants toward females.

Note: Admission yield is a term that refers to the percentage of those who were admitted that enrolled in the University. This statistic helps connect demographic data points with enrollment data to put everything in context.

Admission Statistics

Applied

Women

42,659

Men

35,363

Total

78,022

Accepted

Women

19,347

Men

12,609

Total

32,046

Acceptance Rate

Women

45%

Men

36%

Total

41.83%

Enrolled

Women

4105

Men

2288

Total

6393

Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)

Women

21%

Men

18%

Total

20%

Credits Accepted

AP Credit

Yes

Dual Credit

Yes

Credit for Life Experiences

Implied no

Most of the universities in the US incentivize students by helping them earn university credit by taking certain courses in high school. Some of such famous programs are Dual Enrollment (also known as Dual Credit), AP Credit, and CLEP (Credit for Life Experiences). Each university has its own policy regarding these credits. Some of the benefits of using such programs are a shorter time to finish a degree, a higher GPA, and an increased chance of completing a degree. To avail AP and CLEP credits, please visit collegeboard.org and ask them to submit the scores to the university of their choice.

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