UC Santa Cruz fall 2004 freshman admissions: Campus becomes more competitive as 'admit' rate declines dramatically

The University of California today (April 20, 2004) released information about freshman admissions for fall 2004. The data indicates that UC Santa Cruz received a record number (23,122) of freshman applications for 2004. UCSC's 7.4 percent one-year increase in applications contrasts with a 4.1 percent decline in freshman applications to all UC campuses.

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"Our reputation has caught up with our quality--UC Santa Cruz offers a great undergraduate education," said Martin M. Chemers, acting UCSC chancellor. "Thanks to the hard work of faculty and staff, prospective students and their families are increasingly aware of UCSC's academic achievements. This heightened appreciation for the positive impact of our research, combined with our reputation for commitment to quality undergraduate education, makes UC Santa Cruz a highly desirable destination for California's best students."

UCSC's freshman enrollment target for fall 2004 is 3,030 students--a number that is in keeping with a 10 percent UC-wide reduction in freshman enrollment mandated by the governor due to California's budget situation.

Here is UCSC-specific information about the fall 2004 admissions process:

• Number of freshman applications received by UCSC for fall 2004:
  
  

  23,122 (a 7.4 percent increase from fall 2003; UC-wide freshman applications declined 4.1 percent)

• Percentage of freshman applicants to UCSC for fall 2004 who were offered admission:
  
  

  67.2 percent (UCSC experienced the largest one-year reduction in the UC system; this past fall's UCSC freshman "admit" rate was 81.1 percent)

• Percentage of freshman applicants to all UC campuses for fall 2004 who were offered admission:
  
  

  73.2 percent (fall 2003 UC-wide admit rate was 75.7 percent)

• Number of freshman applicants denied admission to UCSC for fall 2004:
  
  

  7,452 (nearly double the number from fall 2003; UCSC estimates that half of the 7,452 students denied freshman admission to the campus for fall 2004 are UC-eligible)

• Average GPA of students offered freshman admission to UCSC for fall 2004, as of April 20:
  
  

  3.81

"The increased interest in UC Santa Cruz, coming at a time when applications UC-wide are down, has created a highly selective admissions process for our campus," said Kevin Browne, UCSC's executive director of admissions and university registrar.

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Reporters seeking comment from Chancellor Chemers, Kevin Browne, or other UCSC officials regarding the fall 2004 applications information released by UC's Office of the President today should contact the campus's Public Information Office (831/459-2495).