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Completing Your UC Application

 

The UC Application is the online platform students use to apply to any of the nine undergraduate University of California campuses. Students can apply to multiple campuses using one application. The UC application opens on August 1 each year, with the submission window from October 1- November 30 for fall admission.

Merced, Riverside and Santa Cruz accept winter/spring applications for many majors between July 1-31.

Picture of the University of California campuses on a map inside of the UC application


Preparing your UC Application

Your UC application is what campuses will use to make their admission decision, so it’s important to complete it accurately. 

The UC Application opens August 1st for fall applicants. In August, you can begin working on your application, or transfer your data from your UC TAP account. On your application, you'll enter biographical information, your academic history, activities, and write Personal Insight Questions (PIQs). 

There are no letters of recommendation or interviews, only your application. So start early, review thoroughly, and make sure every detail is accurate!

October 1 - November 30 is the priority application filing period for fall. July 1 - 31 is the priority filing period for applicants applying to the UC for winter/spring.

UC Application Guide & Tutorials

Each year, the UC system provides an updated UC Application Guide for Transfer Students to help walk applicants through each section of the application. The most current version will be shared here as soon as it becomes available.

Several UC campuses also create video tutorials to support students during the application process. We’ve included the UC Application Tutorial below courtesy of UC Santa Barbara. It's a helpful resource no matter which UC campus you plan to apply to.

View the Application Tutorial Series:


UC Application Materials

We encourage you to have the following information available when completing your UC application:

  • Unofficial Transcripts: Do not enter your coursework from memory. Compile unofficial transcripts/academic records of all previously completed, attempted, current, and planned courses from all institutions. You can access your unofficial transcripts for courses taken at City, Mesa and Miramar in your mySDCCD portal.
  • Test Scores: If applicable, gather any relevant test scores (i.e., AP, IB, etc.)
  • Information about: Awards and Honors, Extracurricular Activities, Volunteer/Employment to include in your application
  • Military Service: If applicable, note military service dates

  • Payment: The UC application fee is $80 per application for U.S. citizens, permanent residents, and eligible non-citizens; $95 is the application fee per campus for international and non-immigrant applicants. Fee waivers are available for students who qualify. If eligible, your fee waiver will waive the cost of up to four UC application fees. Students who are part of EOPS at San Diego City College qualify for fee waivers. If you are an EOPS student and you do not automatically receive the fee waiver for UC, please work with your EOPS Counselor to complete the fee waiver form. For EOPS students who have reached their limit of four UC admissions application fee waivers, please contact the San Diego City College EOPS Department to see if additional support may be available.

    • If you're not part of EOPS, not eligible for application fee waivers, and are experiencing a financial hardship, the Transfer Center may have a limited number of application fee waivers available. Stop by Room A-301, call us at 619-388-3722, or email citytran@sdccd.edu to ask about availability.

Writing Your Personal Insight Questions

All transfer applicants must submit Personal Insight Questions (PIQ's) as part of their UC application. PIQ's give the UC a deeper understanding of who you are as an applicant beyond your grades. Think of your PIQ's as your advocates who are "in the room" on your behalf when UC Admissions Officers review your application. Some UC campuses also use your PIQ's to help determine your eligibility for scholarships.

Your PIQ's help you highlight your strengths, resilience, and your potential.

UC Personal Insight Questions Guide for Transfer Students


Completing Your Transfer Academic Update

After submitting the application, all UC applicants must complete a Transfer Academic Update (TAU) to report their grades from the prior semester and confirm their in-progress/planned courses prior to transfer. Applications are incomplete without a TAU and won't be processed.

  • Fall applicants must submit their TAU by January 31.
  • Winter/Spring applicants must submit their TAU by September 30.

How to Complete the UC Transfer Academic Update


Tips for Completing Your UC Transfer Application

Your UC application is a key part of your transfer journey. It takes time and careful attention to complete it accurately. Here are some tips to support a successful submission:

  1. Start early. The UC application opens on August 1, but you can only submit between October 1–November 30. Give yourself time to complete each section thoughtfully and address any questions or technical issues that arise.

  2. Choose your major carefully. UC campuses require you to select a major at the time of application. Double-check the exact major titles at each UC campus you're applying to, and make sure your selection aligns with the transfer preparation courses you've completed.

  3. Gather your materials in advance. This includes your unofficial transcripts, current and planned courses, annual household income, citizenship or residency status, and your Social Security Number or DACA ID (if applicable).

  4. Prepare for the application fee. See information above. If you’re eligible for a fee waiver, the UC application will automatically apply it to up to four campuses based on your financial information - no separate form is required.

  5. Use your unofficial transcripts to enter your academic history (download your SDCCD transcripts in your mySDCCD portal). Enter all college-level coursework, including courses in progress and planned. Be sure to enter each term (fall/spring/summer) separately and in the correct order, and each college separately within the San Diego Community College District. Do not enter Mesa or Miramar courses in the City College transcript section. Enter those as though they are a separate college (because they are!).

  6. Don't forget your Personal Insight Questions (PIQs). You’ll need to respond to four out of eight prompts, including one required question. These responses help campuses get to know you beyond academics, so give yourself time to prepare and revise your questions.

  7. Be accurate with units. Know whether your courses are in semester or quarter units and enter them correctly in the application.

  8. Report all colleges attended. Even if you took just one class, you must list every college you've attended and enter all coursework.

  9. Don't forget to complete your Transfer Academic Update (TAU). 

  10. Attend a UC application lab. The Transfer Center will host application labs throughout the filing period to help you complete your application and answer your questions. Your prospective UC campus may host workshops and labs as well; we post many of those opportunities on our Transfer Calendar. 

Please note: Students are responsible for ensuring that all information entered into their transfer applications is accurate. While the Transfer Center is here to support you, we cannot assume responsibility for the content submitted.

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