The University of California at Davis (UC Davis) Admissions: Everything You Want to and Need to Know

Overview of University of California at Davis (UC Davis)

The University of California, Davis, is a public institution with an acceptance rate of 41%. The institution has a large selection of over 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs for students to select. A robust student/faculty ratio backs students, and professors take a personalized approach to the teaching and learning process. Outside of the classroom, students will find plenty of opportunities to engage with the campus community via the university’s many clubs and organizations. The UC Davis Aggies play mostly in the NCAA Division I Big West Conference.

Enrollment

  • Total Enrollment: 38,097 (30,872 undergraduates)
  • Gender Breakdown: 40 percent male/60 percent female
  • 98 percent full-time

Cost of Attendance Information

  • Tuition and Fees: $14,492 (in-state); $43,484 (out-of-state)
  • Books: $1,158
  • Room and Board: $15,863
  • Other Expenses: $4,507
  • Total Cost: $36,020 (in-state); $65,012 (out-of-state)

Financial Aid Information

  • Percentage of New Students Receiving Aid: 67 percent
  • Percentage of New Students Receiving Types of Aid
    • Grants: 59 percent
    • Loans: 34 percent
  • Average Amount of Aid
    • Grants: $17,917
    • Loans: $5,144

Academic Programs Offered

  • Most Popular Majors: Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Social Sciences; Psychology; Engineering; and Agriculture, Agriculture Operations, and Related Sciences

Retention and Graduation

  •  First-Year Student Retention (full-time students): 92 percent
  • 4-Year Graduation Rate: 61 percent
  • 6-Year Graduation Rate: 86 percent

NCAA Athletic Programs

  • Men’s Sports: Baseball, Basketball, Cross Country, Football, Golf, Soccer, Tennis, Track and Field, Water Polo
  • Women’s Sports: Basketball, Cross Country, Field Hockey, Golf, Gymnastics, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field, Volleyball, Water Polo

Overview of University of California at Davis (UC Davis) Admissions

The University of California, Davis, which accepts fewer than half of applicants, has a selective admissions procedure. Students whose SAT/ACT scores and GPA are within the institution’s requirements have a good chance of being admitted. Applicants must complete an online application and send test scores from either the SAT or ACT and high school transcripts. Glowing recommendation letters can bolster your application, along with being involved with student organizations and attempting a challenging course load. Students with unique talents and accomplishments can still receive strong consideration even if their GPAs are outside of the admissions offices mean range. After applying, students will receive a message from an admissions counselor about the application process’s next steps. Interested students should check out the university’s website, which has helpful tips and contact information for the admissions offices.

Admissions Data             

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, UC Davis had an acceptance rate of 41%. For every 100 students who submitted applications, 41 gained admission, making UC Davis’ admissions procedure competitive.

SAT Requirements and Scores

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 87% of students provided SAT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of UC Davis’ students fall within the top 20% nationally on the SAT.  50% of admitted students scored between 580 and 670 on the evidence-based reading and writing part, while 25% scored under 580 and 25% scored over 670. 50% of students scored between 580 and 730 on the math part, while 25% scored under 580, and 25% scored over 730. Applicants with a cumulative SAT score of 1480 or higher will have a competitive advantage at UC Davis.

ACT Requirements and Scores

Throughout the 2018-19 admissions phase, 44% of students provided ACT scores. This admissions data reveals that most of UC Davis’ students fall within the top 18% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of admitted students to UC Davis received a cumulative ACT score between 24 and 32, while 25% scored over 32, and 25% scored under 24.

GPA

In 2019, the median 50% of the University of California, Davis’ incoming class, had high school GPAs between 3.97 and 4.25. 25% had a GPA of over 4.25, and 25% had a GPA of under 3.97.  Successful applicants to UC Davis have A grades primarily.

Safety Net Schools: Easy to Gain Admission

If past admission data predicts that you would be a competitive candidate for UC Davis, it should be easy to gain admissions to the schools below. If UC Davis is currently out of your reach, then you are sure to be a competitive candidate for the schools below.

Temple University, Auburn University, Seton Hall University, University of Alabama, Quinnipiac University, Ohio University, University of North Texas

Same Tier: Just As Hard to Gain Admission

If you’re a competitive candidate for UC Davis, you should have an equal chance of gaining admissions at these schools.

Rochester Institute of Technology, University of Massachusetts Amherst, Drexel University, Syracuse University, United States Military Academy, Penn State University Park, University of Cincinnati

Reach Institutions: Gaining Admissions Will be More of a Challenge

These schools are more challenging to gain admission into than UC Davis. If you improve your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, then you’ll be a competitive candidate for these schools.

Lehigh University, University of California, Santa Barbara, University of Texas at Austin, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Washington, Stony Brook University, California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo

Applying to UC Davis

Application Deadline: November 30

Undergraduate Admissions Website:

https://www.ucdavis.edu/admissions/undergraduate

Undergraduate Application Link(s):

https://www.ucdavis.edu/admissions/undergraduate/apply#priority-link

Graduate Admissions Website:

https://www.ucdavis.edu/admissions/graduate-school      

Graduate Application Link(s):

https://grad.ucdavis.edu/apply  

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