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Application Review Process – Transfer

UC San Diego is a highly selective campus with a national reputation for excellence. The campus continues to receive far more applications from eligible students than it can accommodate. Successful applicants must exceed the minimum UC admission criteria.
  • UC San Diego receives in excess of 15,000 transfer applications each year.
  • Enrollment goals are established annually.
  • The median GPA for fall-admitted transfer students is 3.5 and above.
  • The campus does not select students on the basis of academic major or choice of UCSD undergraduate college.

Admission evaluation process

  • Goal:

    Identify and admit students who are fully prepared to excel in the University's challenging academic environment. UC San Diego seeks to admit and enroll a student body that demonstrates strong academic achievement and consists of students who represent the broad diversity of talents, abilities, personal experience, and backgrounds characteristic of California.

  • Application:
    At least 2 individuals review the admission application, including the personal statement. Consideration is given for the specific factors, primarily academic, used in the review process.
  • Evaluation factors:
    • Strength in academic coursework
      • Grade Point Average (GPA)
        One of the most important criteria considered is the GPA, in UC transferable college courses based upon the applicant's self-reported academic history.
      • Major preparation
        Transfer applicants should plan to complete all courses required in preparation for their major before transfer. Those choosing an impacted major must complete major preparation. Those choosing a major with pre-major status will need to complete undergraduate requirements once they've been admitted to UC San Diego.

Minimum UC eligibility requirements

  • Complete a minimum of 60 UC-transferable semester units (90 quarter units) by the end of spring term, prior to fall admission
  • Have a competitive GPA in UC-transferable courses and be in good academic standing.
  • Completion of a specified seven-course pattern to meet breadth or general education requirements, in these UC-transferable college courses:
    • 2 English composition
    • 1 mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning
    • 4 courses from at least 2 of the following:
      • Arts and humanities
      • Physical and biological sciences
      • Social and behavioral sciences
  • For admission to the UC San Diego campus, you must also complete a specified pattern or number of courses that provide continuity with upper-division courses in your major.

Military credit

U.S. military service courses

  • UC San Diego may award lower-division units (freshman/sophomore level) for military courses completed:
    • if the courses are consistent with University policy on granting transfer credit; and
    • when there is an equivalent course taught at a UC campus.
    • ACE recommendations will guide the awarding of credit.
  • Students may submit their Sailor/Marine American Council on Education Registry Transcript (SMART), Army/American Council on Education Registry Transcript System (AARTS) or equivalent military transcript to the Office of Admissions and Relations with Schools, Transfer Student Services.
    • Requests for evaluation will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis, post-admission.
  • UC San Diego does not grant credit for work experience, military/recruit basic training, vocational or technical training, CLEP and DSST examinations, and remedial academic or personal enrichment courses.

Senior standing

  • Senior standing means you would have 90 or more UC-transferable semester units (or 135+ quarter units) from accredited four-year universities and community colleges, combined.
  • You cannot reach senior standing with only community college units. Please note that a maximum of 70 UC transferable community college semester (or 105 quarter units) will be accepted toward graduation; any units beyond those limits may result in subject credit being awarded.
  • All UC-transferable units completed at a four-year university apply toward the limit of 90 semester units (or 135 quarter units).
  • Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate units earned prior to graduating from high school do not apply to the limit of 90 semester units (or 135 quarter units).

Application timeline

Apply online between November 1 and 30 for Fall quarter admission.

Our Application and Admission Timeline gives you more information about key dates in the application process.