UC Santa Cruz offered admission to 23,176 students for its fall 2014 freshmen class, the vast majority coming from California high schools.
The admitted freshmen for fall 2014 include more Californians, more Latinos and other underrepresented groups, and a broad range of out-of-state and international students. The largest portion –18,539 or 80 percent – are students coming from California high schools.
Faculty and staff are already making preparations to welcome the new class into UCSC's distinctive residential colleges, first-year Honors Program, Challenge Program, and provide ever-expanding opportunities for undergraduate research, internships, and creative projects with UCSC's world-class faculty.
Commitment to opportunity
“Our commitment to access and opportunity is reflected in these admit numbers,” said Michael K. McCawley, UCSC’s director of admissions. “We continue to expand our reach to students from throughout California, from other states, and from other countries.”
Data released today (April 18) by the University of California’s Office of the President show UCSC extended admission offers to 4,473 more students than a year ago, including 2,894 more offers to California students. Smaller increases were seen for out-of-state students (601 more than the previous year) and international students (978 more than fall 2013).
"We continue to primarily serve our California students, and our enrollment goals reflect that commitment,” Chancellor George Blumenthal said.
The increase in offers comes as UCSC also experienced a record number of applications – more than 40,000 – for the 2014 freshman class. The overall admit rate was 56.9 percent, up from 48.6 percent a year earlier but lower than the 60.5 percent in 2012 and 67.9 percent in 2011. An enrollment goal of 350 more freshmen than a year ago allowed UCSC to extend more offers of admission for fall 2014.
More admissions offers
“Last year’s smaller incoming freshman class, coupled with increased graduation numbers, allows us to extend more offers of admission,” McCawley said. He said he expects 3,650 freshmen will enroll along with 1,200 transfer students. Admitted freshmen have until May 1 to accept their admission offer.
“While UCSC’s admission continues to be selective, it's gratifying that we are able to provide so many offers to students from historically underrepresented and underserved backgrounds,” McCawley said.
UCSC admitted the second highest number of African-American students (704) and American Indian students (152) among all the UC campuses, and offers of admission to Hispanic/Latino students increased by 1,009. Percentages of students considered “first-generation” and those coming from low-income families increased slightly over fall 2013. More than 40 percent of admitted freshmen are from families where neither parent has a four-year college degree.
The fall 2014 admitted class of California residents continues to be diverse, reflecting the demographics of the state, with 32 percent Asian American, 31.5 percent white/other, 28.2 percent Hispanic/Latino, 3.8 percent African American, 0.8 percent American Indian, and 0.4 percent Pacific Islander. An additional 3.2 percent of admitted students did not report their race/ethnicity.
Global interest
UCSC received significantly more applications from out-of-state students this year than a year earlier, up by 29.3 percent. Applications from international students were up 43.8 percent.
While California students are by far the largest portion of the 2014 freshman class, Blumenthal said increasing the number of non-resident undergraduates "is also an important goal for UCSC. Ensuring that we continue to attract and enroll students from around the world enriches the educational and cultural experience for all our undergraduates," he said. "A UCSC graduate will be well prepared to compete in today’s global society.”
McCawley attributes UCSC's increasing global popularity to many factors. "Prospective students and their families recognize the distinctive educational experience at UC Santa Cruz – our academic strengths, access to faculty, high research impact, the residential colleges, and the natural beauty of our campus overlooking the Monterey Bay and close to Silicon Valley," he said.
