Applying to the University of California (UC) system involves completing several components of the application to showcase your academic achievements, extracurricular activities, and personal insights. Here's a breakdown of each part of the UC application:

This section gathers basic information about you, including your name, contact details, social security number (if applicable), and demographic information. It's straightforward but important to ensure accuracy for communication and demographic analysis purposes.

You will select the UC campuses to which you are applying and indicate your intended major for each. Some campuses may have additional questions based on the major you select. You can apply to multiple campuses with one application.

Here, you'll detail your high school education, including the schools you've attended, courses taken, and grades earned. This section requires precise information about your coursework to assess your academic preparation and eligibility. If you've attended multiple high schools, you'll need to provide information for each.

UC campuses adopted a test-blind policy for SAT and ACT scores, meaning these scores won't be considered in admissions decisions. However, you may still enter other test scores (such as AP, IB, or international exams) that can be used for course placement or credit once admitted.

This section allows you to showcase your extracurricular involvement, work experience, awards, and honors. You can list up to 20 items across various categories. It's an opportunity to demonstrate your commitment, leadership skills, and contributions outside the classroom.

You are required to answer 4 out of 8 provided prompts, with a limit of 350 words each. These questions are designed to give insight into your personality, experiences, challenges, and achievements. The PIQs are a crucial part of your application, offering a chance to present your unique story and what makes you a strong candidate.

If you're interested in applying for UC scholarships, this section allows you to indicate your eligibility for various scholarship criteria. It's an optional part of the application but worth completing to be considered for financial awards.

The application requires a fee for each campus to which you apply. However, fee waivers are available for eligible students, allowing you to apply to up to four campuses at no cost — waivers cannot be combined across more than four campuses.

This year's application includes a new checkbox for non-UC fee waivers (NACAC, College Board) so your total calculates correctly. Waivers still need to be emailed to [email protected]. Schools and organizations can also purchase application fee vouchers by emailing [email protected] before October 1.

You must report every course you've taken, including any completed at another school or college during high school. Failing to report college coursework can lead to application cancellation — UCLA has flagged a National Clearinghouse project specifically to verify this, so accuracy here matters.

This overview should give you a solid understanding of the UC application process. It's a comprehensive application that requires careful attention to detail, but with the right preparation, you can present a strong and compelling application to the UC campuses of your choice.