UC Santa Cruz increases access for California students seeking freshman admission

UC Santa Cruz has increased access for California high school seniors seeking admission for fall 2011.

Numbers released today (April 18, 2011) by the UC Office of the President show that UC Santa Cruz offered admission to 17,917 prospective first-year students from California high schools – an increase of more than 1,100 – out of the record 26,136 California high school seniors who applied. UCSC also increased offers of admission to out-of-state and international students.

"We are eager to welcome a new group of students" said Michelle Whittingham, associate vice chancellor for enrollment management and director of admissions. “We will be graduating one of our largest classes this June and this allows us to extend more offers of admission than last year.”

UC Santa Cruz increased the number of admission offers for African American students (113 or 25 percent) and Chicano and Latino students (1,086 or 31 percent) over last year—more than any other UC campus. Whittingham said the increases in admission to underrepresented students moves the campus closer to reflecting the diversity of California.

Whittingham also noted that UCSC extended admission offers to more students who would be the first in their family to earn a four-year degree than in previous years. Of all UCSC freshmen admission offers, 40.4 percent went to first-generation college students.

Continuing a practice piloted last year, UCSC also "wait-listed" approximately 2,000 first-year applicants for fall 2011 admission. Students will be notified in mid-May if they are accepted to UCSC.

Admitted freshmen have until May 1 to accept their offer of admission. The campus' admissions decisions for the coming fall are based on a goal of enrolling approximately 3,500 new first-year students, about 200 more students than the previous year.

Thousands of admitted students and their families are expected to visit the campus during the annual "Spring Spotlight" for admitted students from April 14 through April 23. Activities include daily student-led walking tours, providing an overview of the academic, residential, and student-life experience at UCSC.

Spring Spotlight is an opportunity to visit the campus’ 10 residential colleges, attend presentations, and visit classrooms. For details, including a schedule of activities, please go to: admissions.sa.ucsc.edu/springspotlight/

Admitted freshmen, their families, and the neighboring community is invited to Day by the Bay, UCSC's second-annual community picnic and open campus on Saturday, April 30. Attendees will find an exciting array of events, including an intellectual forum, local food, wines, and microbrews, along with activities for kids. Details at ucsc.edu/daybythebay.

Michelle Whittingham, UCSC's associate vice chancellor of enrollment management and director of admissions, is available to discuss freshman admissions to the campus for fall 2011. To arrange an interview, please call (831) 459-2495.