UC Davis Acceptance Rate 2023 by Major & Why It is So High

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UC Davis is the 7th campus of the University of California and is among the top colleges for Agricultural Sciences in the US. While many students are admitted, it is a fast-growing public research university.

In this article, we discussed the UC Davis acceptance rate for 2023, its admission requirements, and admission statistics for the class of 2026.

Without further ado, let’s get started.

Is it hard to get into UC Davis?

While getting into UC Davis is tough, the school isn’t among the hardest institutions in the University of California system. It’s more about standing out than having good enough grades.

UC Davis’s applicant pool has been continually increasing over the past five years, as has the competition for admission. Also, the school seems to accept more out-of-state and international students, thereby increasing its student body diversity.

Since all UC schools implemented the test blind policy, most applicants can’t complement their low GPAs with good ACT/SAT scores, making standardized test scores useless for admission.

This is one of the reasons why getting into UC Davis as a first-year student is harder than being a transfer student. Students who transfer from a California community college have a better chance of being admitted, especially if they apply for the TAG program.

It is also worth noting that some majors are more competitive than others. For example, STEM majors like Veterinary science are generally difficult to get into.

UC Davis Acceptance Rate

The UC Davis acceptance rate for the class of 2027 is 41.8%. Out of 94,635 freshman applications received, UC Davis admitted 39,601 applicants.

Compared to the freshman admit data for the class of 2026, the selectivity rate increased by a whopping 4.3%, while the number of freshman applications decreased by 0.09%.

YearAcceptance Rate
201939.1%
202046.6%
202149.0%
202237.5%
202341.8%

UC Davis’s Transfer acceptance rate for the class of 2027 is 64.6%. The school received 14,747 transfer applications for fall 2023 and offered admission to about 9,530 applicants. About 92.7% of admitted transfer students were from California community colleges.

The acceptance rates for UC Davis based on residency:

  • California residents – 32.3%
  • Out-of-state students – 59.8%
  • International students – 42.9%

Despite the competitive nature of the process, UC Davis’ relatively high transfer acceptance rate demonstrates its commitment to providing access to high-quality education for a diverse range of students, particularly those transferring from California’s community colleges.

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Who gets into UC Davis?

street sign at UC Davis

Gender

  • Male – 39%
  • Female – 61%

Residency

  • California – 59.4%
  • Out-of-state – 18.1%
  • International – 22.5%

Ethnicity

African American3.6%
American Indian0.4%
Asian30.3%
Hispanic/Latinx17.1%
International26.2%
White19.6%
Unknown2.8%

First-generation College Graduate: 38%

Average GPA and Standardized Test Scores

High School GPA4.18
ACT Composite Score27
ACT English Language Arts 29
SAT Evidence-Based Reading & Writing660
SAT Mathematics700
SAT Essay16

Why is UC Davis’s acceptance rate so high?

UC Davis’s acceptance rate was so high last year, leaving the school at a 49% admit rate. The institution admitted fewer first-year students for the class of 2026 to correct last year’s over-enrollment, which led to housing and class size problems.

One of the reasons why UC Davis has a high acceptance rate is that it receives many applications and knows that not everybody will accept its admission offer. In a bid to improve its yield rate, it may risk over-enrollment.

While most students think the lower the acceptance rate of an institution, the higher its prestige, high acceptance rates do not equate to low-quality education. It is like saying basketball players are tall because they play basketball.

UC Davis GPA Requirements

California freshman applicants need a minimum GPA of 3.0, while non-residents need a 3.4 GPA or higher to apply to UC Davis. You need a weighted GPA of 4.15 to be considered a competitive first-year applicant.

On the other hand, in-state transfer applicants require at least a 2.4 GPA in their UC-transferable classes. At the same time, non-residents of California need a minimum GPA of 2.8 on a 4.0 scale to be considered for admission. Anything from a 3.68 or higher makes you a competitive transfer applicant.

Whether you are a freshman or transfer student, strive to get outstanding grades and boost your GPA. While it may not be the only requirement for admission, it’s one of the most important selection factors.

Remember that UC Davis does not consider your SAT/ACT scores for admission, so try as many As and Bs as possible.

UC Davis Requirements for Admission

University of California Davis

Below are the most important things the admission committee at UC Davis looks for when reviewing applications.

1. GPA. Your GPA in all completed A-G courses and UC-certified honors courses strongly indicates your high school academic performance. Also, your performance in Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate Higher Level, and transferable college courses get you additional points.

If the admission committee notices an improvement in your academic performance, which your GPA demonstrates well, that’s a plus. Having one of the best GPAs in your high school class makes you eligible for the Local Context (ELC) program.

2. Residency. By now, you should know that all schools in the University of California system admit and enroll more California residents than non-residents. The location of your secondary school/community college also matters.

Apart from in-state students getting more financial aid and accruing less debt, they have a better chance of getting into UC Davis. You can obtain California residency by living in the state for at least a year or having parents/legal guardians who live in California.

3. Extracurricular Activities. Special talents, achievements, and awards in a particular field, such as visual and performing arts, communication, or athletic endeavors, are part of the selection factors. If you have any special skills, such as demonstrated written and oral proficiency in other languages, include them in your UC apps.

Also, demonstrating leadership, such as significant community service or participation in student government or other significant experiences or achievements that demonstrate your contribution to your school and society, will go a long way.

4. Academic Accomplishments. Academic accomplishments in light of your life experiences and special circumstances, including but not limited to disabilities, low family income, first-generation to attend college, need to work, disadvantaged social or educational environment, difficult personal and family situations or circumstances, refugee status, or veteran status.

Conclusion

Getting into the University of California Davis is not rocket science. Give them solid reasons why you are a good fit for the institution. In this article, we explained the UC Davis acceptance rate and its admission requirements.

If you have any questions or suggestions, please use the comments below. Don’t forget to share this post with others 🙂

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