UC Santa Cruz: 2024 Requirements, Scores & GPAs

This is the go-to guide for getting into University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC). We suggest you read until the end... Not only will we layout the exact GPA and test scores you should aim for when applying to UC Santa Cruz, but we’ll also offer creative ways to help your application stand out from the pack. We breakdown UC Santa Cruz statistics better than any article out there and show you how these have changed over time. Also, make sure to check out University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC) on CampusReel to see what it’s really like here. If you're interesting in transferring to UC Santa Cruz, the read our transfer guide. You can also use the below calculator to help determine your likelihood of acceptance at UC Santa Cruz

What GPA do you need to get into University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC)?

University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC)’s average GPA is 3.6. University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC) does require GPA. This average GPA means University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC) is very selective. Often times, schools in this range are trying to increase their selectivity and “prestige”. We can’t read the minds of UC Santa Cruz application readers, but they likely want to increase the average GPA from 3.6 to 3.78 this year - to play it safe, we recommend striving for the 3.78 GPA.

*BEFORE CONTINUING PLEASE NOTE: GPA and “prestige” DO NOT mean a college is right for you. University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC) may seem amazing on paper, but you may hate it... That’s why 700,000 students transfer colleges every year - they end up going to the wrong school. It’s crucial to watch the videos on CampusReel and make sure you can envision yourself on UC Santa Cruz’s campus. These UC Santa Cruz admission statistics do not sufficiently tell you what a college or university is like.

What is University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC)’s acceptance rate?

Last year University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC)’s acceptance rate was 50.29. However, check out how the acceptance rate has changed over time.

As you can see, University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC) is getting more and more difficult to get into. If this trend continue it’s likely that UC Santa Cruz will be even more competitive by the time you apply.

Acceptance rate alone does not indicate your likelihood for getting into UC Santa Cruz - it’s a very high level understanding of the true competition. Use the acceptance rate as a general guide for curating a list of 10-15 schools that fall into different ranges of competitiveness. Then, use the below data to get a deeper understanding of how your application will compare to the rest of the pool.

Does University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC) Require Test Scores?

University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC) requires that you either take the SAT or ACT. See the table below for how University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC)’s accepted students have performed on both tests. You may be wondering how many test scores should you submit. Generally, don’t freak out about taking the test too often. Industry consensus is that you can submit up to 6 tests as a reasonable limit.

University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC) SAT Requirements

University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC)’s average SAT score is 1175 - this is the sum of the math and reading portions of the SAT (the 1600 scale). Check out the below table for a deeper look into how students performed - it’s also very interesting to look at the average test score over time. The trend over time helps give insight into whether University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC) is getting more or less competitive.

University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC)’s average SAT score is 1175. To be a competitive applicant for University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC) your SAT score should come close to the average. If you’re closer to the 1060, you’re likely going to have a tougher time getting accepted. To consider University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC) a “target” school (one that you are likely to get into) you should aim for a score of 1290.

University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC) ACT Requirements

University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC)’s average ACT score is 82. To be a competitive applicant for University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC) your ACT score should come close to the average. If you’re closer to the 74, you’re likely going to have a tougher time getting accepted. To consider University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC) a “target” school (one that you have a good chance of getting into) you should aim for a score of 91.

University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC) Requirements

Now you know where you need to be for getting into University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC) from a grade and test score perspective. Let’s quickly outline what else you’ll need to provide for your application to get reviewed, and then we’ll move onto the most important section: differentiating your app.

How to get into UC Santa Cruz

Follow these steps to maximize your chances of getting into UC Santa Cruz. Everything you read above will help prepare you for what you need to achieve to have a shot at UC Santa Cruz, but these steps will take you even further in applying that knowledge and differentiating your application.

Main Academic Excellence that is in line with UC Santa Cruz admission standards.

1. Score at least a 1175 on the SAT or 82 on the ACT.
2. Maintain a GPA of at least a 3.6.

Join Extracurriculars that Align with UC Santa Cruz’s Values.

1. Join your school band, a sports team or another group activity. If University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC) values music heavily, for example, then try to participate in an organization related to that topic.
2. Volunteer in your hometown. Santa Cruz has tons of ways to be involved beyond just the college. University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC) wants applicants that are also good ambassadors for the school - they want students who will give back to the local community and broader Santa Cruz area in general.
3. Spend your summer doing something that speaks to your values, personal growth, leadership qualities and other less quantifiable characteristics. UC Santa Cruz needs to see past your test scores and grades - they need to know that you will be a valuable and contributing member of their community. You are more than grades and test scores - your experiences should demonstrate that.

Prepare Your Application

1. Write a stellar essay that shows University of California-Santa Cruz (UCSC) something they can’t figure out from the other parts of your application. For a detailed guide on writing the best college essay, check this out.
2. Get teacher recs that speak to your character. If you know what you’re majoring in and include that in your UC Santa Cruz app, try to have at least 1 recommendation from a teacher in that department.
3. Apply Before the Deadline. Too many students wait until the last minute to submit their application, and too much can go wrong during this precious time window. Since many students are applying on the last day, it’s possible that UC Santa Cruz’s own system crashes. Don’t risk the added stress this can cause - submit your app a few days early.