Understanding UC Davis admission decisions
UC Davis is a highly selective campus and the extraordinary size and strength of our applicant pool means that we cannot admit many qualified candidates. Find answers to some of our most commonly asked admission questions and learn about future pathways to UC Davis below.
I met the UC admission requirements but wasn't admitted. Why is that?
There is no guarantee of admission to a specific UC campus even if you meet all general UC admission requirements. UC Davis uses a comprehensive review process to select students from its applicant pool. Applicants who are admitted to UC Davis, generally exceed UC admission requirements.
Qualified first-year California residents who do not receive admission offers from UC campuses that they apply to may be offered admission from another UC campus.
How does UC Davis determine which applicants to admit?
Every application receives a thorough review by trained staff. All UC campuses use the same comprehensive review process and consider a broad variety of criteria to assess applicants. The strength of an applicant's high school academic record is the single most important component. Other considerations include the rigor and number of “a-g” courses taken, breadth of coursework completed and academic improvement from grades 9-11. Additional considerations include leadership roles, special talents, accomplishments and response to life challenges.
Can I re-apply for winter or spring quarter admission?
UC Davis only accepts applications for fall quarter admission.
What are my options if I was not admitted?
You should strongly consider admission offers from other UC campuses or institutions that you may have already received. You may also consider transferring to UC Davis from a community college. Community colleges offer an excellent way to build academic skills, prepare for your major and reduce costs. We strongly encourage you to work with the transfer center or counseling office at your community college to create an academic plan that supports a successful transfer if you intend to pursue transfer to UC Davis.
While we consider junior-level transfer applicants from all colleges and universities, we give special priority to transfers from California community colleges. Students who apply for and receive a UC Davis Transfer Admission Guarantee, known as TAG, through a California community college receive guaranteed admission to UC Davis at the start of their junior year.
Can I appeal my admission decision?
Appeals are rarely granted. Consideration for appeals is based on new and compelling information, extenuating circumstances or changes to your overall academic record. You must include a statement that describes your special circumstances, as well as any additional documents such as unofficial academic records and letters of recommendation as part of your appeal. Submit all appeals and supplemental documentation online. Interviews are not granted and appeals received through any other channel are not considered.