UCD comprehensive review cut off points

Colleges & Universities University of California - Davis
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<p>I know this topic has been discussed at length in these forums but there are some areas that are confusing. </p>

<p>Academic preparation programs: Does Community college courses and even courses taken at UC extension count towards this?</p>

<p>Individual initiative demonstrated by achieving UC eligibility at a low-performing school: Does kids from high performing schools not qualify?</p>

<p>Nontraditional university applicant : what is this?</p>

<p>Also what about community service and volunteerism?</p>

<p>Is the cutoff around 7600 this year</p>

<p>anyone?</p>

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<p>Seniormom99,</p>

<p>Please don’t feel bad about being confused. The topics discussed are very confusing, are asked at just about every presentation I do, and take a while to fully explain. I hope the following answers clarify things slightly. If you have further questions I’d recommend contacting an admissions adviser at any UC admissions office or speak with a UC representative the next time they are in your area. </p>

<p>*Academic preparation programs: Does Community college courses and even courses taken at UC extension count towards this?</p>

<p>College level courses do not count as an Academic Preparation Program (APP). For more information on APP programs please see <a href=“http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/educators/counselors/adminfo/programs.html[/url]”>http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/educators/counselors/adminfo/programs.html&lt;/a&gt; ; although not a complete list, it gives one a great idea of what components APP programs should include. College level courses count as UC-approved honors courses and will be considered for calculating GPA, if the courses are taken in the 10 and 11 grades. Typically an APP has additional components above classroom instruction.</p>

<p>*Individual initiative demonstrated by achieving UC eligibility at a low-performing school: Does kids from high performing schools not qualify?</p>

<p>Students who attend a high achieving school would not qualify for this. However, the different opportunities that are available at high performing schools are numerous and will far out weigh what is given for individual initiative at a low-performing school. These opportunities might include, but are not limited to, numerous UC-approved honors courses, more “a-g” courses, and various extra-circular activates.</p>

<p>*Nontraditional university applicant : what is this?</p>

<p>A non-traditional University applicant is, for the lack of a better description, an applicant that does not typically apply to the University; furthermore, this applicant is one that reaches UC eligibility and applies despite factors that normally would keep one from doing so.</p>

<p>*Also what about community service and volunteerism?</p>

<p>Although not directly listed Community service and volunteerism will be taken into consideration. With more schools making community service a graduation requirement we see more and more applicants completing a high number of community service hours so hour counts are becoming less important. Instead an applicant should focus on how these volunteer experiences strengthen their UC application by explaining their role on the volunteer team or project.</p>

<p>*Is the cutoff around 7600 this year</p>

<p>We aren’t sure of the cutoffs for fall 2008 are as of yet. The cut off is determined only after the review process can be completed. Although we don’t disclose the cutoff scores for past years, I can say that they drastically change year to year so that not even an experienced admissions advisor can determine what they would be for following years. Also there isn’t just one score, since we admit by college (by division for College of Letters and Science) there will be multiple scores; again each varying drastically from year to year.</p>

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<p>Thanks UCD admissions.</p>

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<p>I have a question about the non traditional applicant thing. How come UCD awards points for other factors, such as first gen, EOP, perseverance etc, that would technically be encompassed under “non traditional applicant”. I mean isn’t the rationale that the applicant had to overcome things? I’m just not completely sure what 'non traditional ’ is and whether or not I apply. Because it seems to me that non traditional means EOP, perseverance, first gen, individual intiative. What’s the difference?</p>

<p>I know that ^ must be hard to read. I’m having trouble forming my thoughts at the moment.</p>

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<p>GlueEater,</p>

<p>Again these are confusing topics so your confusion is understood. As you indicated students who will be non-traditional applicants can qualify for EOP, can obtain perseverance, can be first generation, etc. because of their demographic and family backgrounds. However, it is possible for a student to be a traditional student and qualify for EOP or be a first generation college student. Similarly, as student can be non-traditional and not be considered for EOP or not be a first generation college student. One example I can think of are students who are member or veteran of a branch of the military. They are typically non-traditional applicants for meeting UC eligibility while in the military but, aren’t necessarily first generation students. Another example is a student who has been in the foster care system; they are typically non-traditional but might not have perseverance. It isn’t possible to give a definition of a non-traditional applicant since each applicant has been through different experiences; besides the one I gave above. I hope this clarifies if even a little.</p>

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<p>Yes it has, thank you.</p>

<p>So how does UCD look to see which of the criterias apply to you? Is it in the app itself or does it have to be included in essays? And if it does have to be included in the essay, then would the optional 3rd essay count?</p>

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<p>This information can be obtained by either the personal statement or application information or both. We review the application at the same time the personal statement so we have all necessary information while reading the application.</p>