Behind the Scenes of UC
Freshman Application Review
Presentation Overview
UC Comprehensive Review Policy
Various Methods of Comprehensive Review
Admission Application Tips to Takeaway
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Comprehensive Review
Defines merit using multiple measures of
accomplishment and promise
Considers the context in which the applicant has
demonstrated achievement
Individualized review campus to campus
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Implementation of Comprehensive
Review as UC Admissions Policy
 UC Academic Senate Researched Policy by Request of
UC President
 UC Regents Approves Policy
 Board of Admissions and Relations with Schools
Defined Guidelines
 Campus Admissions Committee Implement Policy in
cooperation with Admissions Office
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Variety of Methods
Fixed Weight – quantitative value placed on
various criteria
Holistic – qualitative, no fixed weight placed on
any one criteria
Hybrid – part quantitative and part holistic
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Similarities and Differences
Common Features:
Differences:
• Reviewers undergo mandatory
training
• Who reviews applications at each
campus
• Every application is reviewed at
least once*
• Volume & timeline when reviews
are completed
• Every UC campus is selective
• Selection varies campus to campus
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Resources
Regents Policy 2104: Policy on Comprehensive Review in
Undergraduate Admissions
http://regents.universityofcalifornia.edu/governance/policies/2104.html
Regents Policy 2108: Resolution Regarding Individualized Review
and Holistic Evaluation in Undergraduate Admissions
http://regents.universityofcalifornia.edu/governance/policies/2108.html
BOARS – Guidelines for Implementation of University Policy on
Undergraduate Admissions
http://senate.universityofcalifornia.edu/committees/boars/GUIDELINES_FOR_IMPLEMENTATION_
OF_UNIVERSITY_POLICY_on_UG_ADM_Revised_January2014.pdf
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Case Study 1
Applicant Information
Major: Civil Engineering
Family: Dual-parent, English only; College
educated, professional parents; no income
provided
School: Northstate High School, a small, rural,
public school 7 AP/HL courses A-G approved
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GPA & Test Scores
GPA
Honors Courses
Unweighted: 3.75
Weighted:
3.91
Grades 10 & 11:
Grade 12:
A-G Courses: 50
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4
8
GPA & Test Scores
SAT Reasoning
Reading
Math
Writing
AP and IB Exams
510
530
570
Subject Exams
Math Subject Level 2: 510
Chemistry:
600
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Date
5/2012
5/2012
5/2013
5/2013
Subject
Score
Eng Lang&Cmp 3
US History
3
Calculus AB
Enviro. Sci.
Coursework for 9-10
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Coursework for 11-12
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Honors/Activities / Volunteer Work /

Honor Role* (all 3 years)
Employment
 1st place in Alcohol Prevention Poster Contest
 Earned $500 by going to a meeting and creating a poster
 Most Improved in HS Music Program, sophomore year
 Jazz Band, junior & senior year
 clarinet, tenor saxophone- 1st Chair senior year
 Concert Band, senior year
 clarinet – 2nd chair, tenor saxophone – 1st Chair
 Pep Band, senior year
 tenor saxophone, played at games and rallies
 Volunteered as Teacher’s Assistant over 200 hrs
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Personal Statements
 Prompt 1 Response Summary:
Student describes coming from a small, loving, supportive family in a small
town. They are encouraged to do their best in any endeavor that they pursue
including music, sports, and fine arts. They learned from these activities to
step outside their comfort zone and how to work as a team. From music they
learned determination and hard work, sports taught them how to push beyond
boundaries; fine arts- to be creative. Grateful.
Next the student describes their teachers as supportive and able to make
school fun and something to look forward to. Teaching kindness, acceptance,
accepting of differences, and to be an organized student. Their teacher
encouraged them to pursue their interests in math and science by studying to
become an engineer.
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Personal Statements
 Prompt 2 Response Summary:
Student explains how in 11th grade, they taught themselves the tenor
saxophone for jazz band after only having played the clarinet when the
previous tenor sax player left the school. By the following year they were 1st
chair. They described the determination, hard work, and talent, and grace
under pressure this endeavor required
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Case Study One Review
This applicant, when viewed in the context of educational and
personal circumstances, was given strong consideration.
SUMMARY
Strong academics
Scores below average in school context
Taking advantage of opportunities available
Student demonstrates talent, dedication, determination
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Case Study 1 Questions
Case Study 2
Applicant Information
Major: Anthropology
Applicant: Low Income, dual-parent household,
1st generation college (indicated both parents
both farm laborers and have no high school);
bilingual (first language: Spanish)
School: Middlestate High School, a mid to small,
rural, public school with only 6 HL/AP courses AG approved
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GPA & Test Scores
SAT Reasoning
GPA
Unweighted:
Weighted:
4.00
4.19
A-G Courses: 44
Honors Courses
Grades 10 & 11:
Grade 12:
4
7
ELC Top 3%
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Reading
Math
Writing
Subject Exams
None Take
580
560
670
GPA & Test Scores
ACT with Writing
AP and IB Exams
Reading
Science
Math
English/Writing
English
Composite
Date
5/2012
5/2012
5/2013
5/2013
5/2013
29
24
21
27
26
25
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Subject
Score
Eng Lang&Cmp 3
US History
3
Calculus AB
Physics B
Spanish Lit.
Coursework for 9-10
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Coursework for 11-12
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Coursework for 11-12
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Honors/Activities / Volunteer Work /
 Employment
Academic Decathlon – sophomore, junior, senior
 Ist Team 2yrs
 Silver (Physics) and Bronze (Art) medals
 FFA Outstanding Secretary
 Superindendent’s list (gpa of 3.75+)
 Future Farmers of America – all four years
 Theater Arts – junior & senior year
 Friday Night Live Leader* senior year
 Spanish Club senior year
 President**
 Cared for homebound grandmother while she stays in her home***
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 UCCSF,
Cal-SOAP, ETS – 3 years
Personal Statements
 Prompt 1 Response Summary:
Student describes how growing up female in a Hispanic culture, she was told,
“your place is in the kitchen”, and she was expected to conform to various
gender roles. Her aspirations to obtain a college education were
discouraged. While she had great pride and respect for her culture, she also
would not let is dissuade her from her dreams. She has learned to manage
her families expectations of her in the home and wants to be a role model and
leader for other Hispanic women. Despite of her parents lack of
understanding and support, she knows that college is the key to her success
and independence.
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Personal Statements
 Prompt 2 Response Summary:
Student describes immigrating to the US when she was just eight years old.
Her eyes were opened to a diverse range of people and cultures and how
being exposed to cultures other than her own led her to be more tolerant and
sympathetic of others. Her own experiences of having a disabled sibling also
made her recognize that it is wrong to criticize others for being different. As a
result of her experiences, she has a desire to engage with and develop an
understanding of other cultures, which is why she has chosen to study
anthropology.
Additional Comments: Mirrored first statement.
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Case Study Two Review
SUMMARY
Academic excellence
Test Scores and honors count are not the greatest, but
strong in school context
Taken full advantage of opportunities available
Mature reflective voice
Student reflects promise in leadership
Demonstrated concern for others and a broad range of
intellectual interests and achievements
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Case Study 2 Questions
Resources
UC Comprehensive Review & Campus Selection Processes
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/freshman/how-applicationsreviewed/index.html
Downloadable Guides
• Presenting Yourself on the UC Application – Freshman (PPT)
• UC Campus Policies and Procedures for Reviewing Freshman Applicants
(Freshman Matrix)
• Quick Reference for Counselors
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/downloadableguides/index.html
UC Counselors & Advisers Bulletin Sign-up
http://ucal.us/bulletin
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Thank you