How UC San Diego’s Colleges are Organized

UC San Diego’s colleges are primarily (but not entirely) residential communities. This is like Rice or UChicago, smaller social organizations within a larger campus to make the college transition easier, and to give you a less crowded social setting while you’re navigating the transition. 

Many students quite like this, as it can make finding friends much easier, and allows you closer access to social and academic support. Unlike Rice and UChicago however, and more like other schools with subsidiary colleges, which college you end up in also determines your core curriculum, and can offer unique academic programs and opportunities. 

When you apply to UC San Diego, you do not apply directly to one of these colleges. You rank your top four colleges (out of eight) on the application, and placement depends on spaces available and a particular college’s availability. It is theoretically possible to change colleges once you are admitted, but it is very difficult, requiring an internal transfer application.

For this reason, understanding what each college offers, and how each may best support you, is key when making your rankings of UC San Diego’s colleges. None of these are inherently better than their peers, but situationally, some are going to be much better than others for students with particular interests. 

Inside UC San Diego’s Colleges

None of these colleges are inherently better, but they will shape these four years significantly, and the experience will be more or less enjoyable for you based on how well your college matches your interests. We’re going to go through each of them now, and describe what they offer, and what kinds of students we think each is best suited for. 

This is the oldest of the residential colleges at UC San Diego, and is named for Roger Revelle, one of the university’s founders. It has one of the most structured and in depth . All students must take the following: 

• Five Humanities courses
• Three math courses
• Five courses in the natural sciences
• Two courses in the social sciences
• One fine arts course
• Proficiency in a modern foreign language (which may be demonstrated through a language proficiency exam)

This is a strong liberal arts core, and students who are looking for a classic liberal arts college experience will benefit greatly from this. They combine this with a tight-knit community and a focus on . In many ways, Revelle acts as a liberal arts college within UCSD.

If you are looking for a high degree of structure in your college experience, and want to take a broad array of courses, then this is a good choice for you. If you want to be more focused in your studies, then this may not be the ideal choice. 

Named for the founder of the Sierra Club, Muir heavily reflects the individualist ideals of their namesake, and is one of the most flexible colleges in what they require in terms of curriculum, in direct contrast to Revelle. They do still have required coursework, but they focus on having this be student-centered, with a focus on helping students explore areas of interest to them, with a high degree of flexibility in which courses you take: 

• A two course writing program
• Three courses in math or natural sciences
• Three courses in social sciences (in a single sequence)
• Two of the following three options:
  • Three fine arts courses
  • Three humanities courses
  • Three foreign language courses

This allows students a high degree of flexibility in their work and focus, and gives you more space in your schedule to pursue electives, or course-intensive majors or minors. This is complemented by a vibrant , one with a special focus on their values of inclusion and diversity. 

Muir is best for students who want a high degree of academic flexibility, coupled with a tight knit and supportive community. Students pursuing especially course-intensive majors will benefit from their flexibility. 

Named after Supreme Court Justice Thurgood Marshall, this college seeks to embody his legacy of fighting for a just society, with its educational philosophy springing from his devotion to equity. This is reflected in the core course requirements for the college, which while flexible, also give students a thorough grounding in society and structures of power within it: 

• A three course sequence on dimensions of culture, covering diversity, justice, and imagination
• Three natural science courses
• Two courses in Mathematics, Statistics, and Logic
• Two courses in Humanities and Cultural Studies
• One Fine Arts course
• Four disciplinary breadth courses. Two of these must be upper level courses taken outside of your major

This set of course requirements allows for a good degree of flexibility, while also giving students a thorough grounding in society and power structures. The disciplinary breadth courses may be difficult to fit in for students who are double majoring, but are otherwise a chance to explore areas of interest outside your main field of study. at Marshall offers both a supportive community and many opportunities to engage in leadership and community service. 

Students who are interested in politics, society, and social structures will be very well served by Marshall, as will students interested in the social sciences generally. Other students can benefit, though students interested in double majoring may find course requirements rather tight. 

Named after former Chief Justice Earl Warren, this college bases its educational philosophy off of his commitment to justice and love for the liberal arts style of education. This is reflected in the curriculum requirements for the school, which are at the intersection of breadth and flexibility: 

• A two course writing sequence
• A two course sequence on ethics and society
• Two total courses in calculus, symbolic logic, computer programming, or statistics
• Two programs of concentration outside your major

These are very flexible requirements, and therefore complement well with many majors. The requirement for two programs of concentration outside your major is likely ideal for students who want to explore several fields in depth, or in an interdisciplinary way, but less good for students looking to double major. Warren couples with a strong offering both social activities and opportunities for academic and personal development. 

Warren is a great fit for students who are interested in a liberal arts college experience, while also offering significant curricular flexibility. Students in more course-intensive majors will benefit the most from this.

Named for the former First Lady, Roosevelt College follows in her footsteps with a focus on educating students to be engaged and active global citizens. This college also has the highest concentration of international students at UC San Diego, though you are not required to join if you are an international student, many find it a welcoming community. Their core curriculum supports this aim of creating global citizens:

• A five course Making of the Modern World sequence, which integrates humanities and social sciences coursework
• Two courses on quantitative and formal skills (from their list of options)
• Two courses on natural sciences
• Demonstrate proficiency in a modern foreign language
• One course in the fine arts
• A regional specialization, where you take three courses all focused on the same global region
• One upper-level writing course, which may overlap with other requirements

These courses and specialities overlap better with some majors than others. While there is the same broad liberal arts base, there is far more of a focus on global studies and issues, and less flexibility in which courses you are able to take. Their also focuses on global affairs. Students can study abroad regardless of which college they are in, but many students in Roosevelt choose to do so. 

This college is well suited for students who want to focus on a global aspect of their studies, or in fields of social sciences or humanities, particularly if you are interested in area studies. 

The sixth college founded at UC San Diego (a naming trend we’ll see continued), Sixth is particularly well known for its interdisciplinary approach, and its focus on combining art and technology. This had made it quite popular with students interested in digital design particularly, though many students interested in tech rank it highly. Their core courses reflect this interdisciplinary approach:

• The core three course sequence of Culture, Arts and Technology, which students must take their first year
• One computer programming course
• Two social science courses
• Two humanities courses
• Two science courses
• One course in math or logic
• One statistics course
• Eight total units of arts courses (the number of units can vary per course)
• , which may overlap with your chosen major

These courses include more of a focus on technology than many of the other colleges, but still encompass a broad and flexible liberal arts base. Their is also known for embracing a creative atmosphere, fully leaning into the arts part of their makeup.

This college is great for students interested in art or technology, and especially for those students interested in the intersection of the two. This is a very popular college because of its technology focus, and many students rank it as one of their top options. 

Established in 2020, Seventh is focused on the currently changing planet, and the challenges it faces, most notably climate change. Its focus is interdisciplinary, and seeks to prepare students to investigate and help resolve many of these pressing issues. Their core requirements reflect this interdisciplinary focus: 

• The three course synthesis sequence, which is interdisciplinary, and focused on how to synthesize multiple academic fields
• Two courses in each of the following fields: Arts, Humanities, Natural Sciences and Engineering, Quantitative Reasoning, and Social Sciences
• A high impact course, wherein you complete a high level project or some other application of what you’ve studied; there are multiple options for this, and it can overlap with major requirements

This is a very flexible set of coursework, and complements well with students interested in double majoring or interdisciplinary studies, or for students interested in writing a thesis. They are still working to build their culture through , but have a devoted group, and offer many cocurricular activities and opportunities. 

This is ideal for students who are interested in climate change or other major issues particularly, or for students who are particularly interested in project based learning and synthesizing multiple fields of study. 

In what you may now be recognizing as a trend, Eighth is the most recent and last college to be founded at UC San Diego, inaugurated in 2023. In many ways, Eighth is quite similar to Seventh, with a focus on an interdisciplinary project-based curriculum. The major issue they are focused on is racism rather than climate change, but they are similar in both scope and organization, and in what kinds of students find a good fit there. This can be seen in their core curriculum: 

• The core of it is the four course sequence Critical Community Engagement, which guides students through partnering with and working to effectively operate within and aid communities
• Two courses in each of the following fields: Arts, Humanities, Natural Sciences and Engineering, Quantitative Reasoning, and Social Sciences

This is a very flexible set of coursework overall, though the core of it may not be appealing to all students, depending on your area of focus and study. They are currently working to build their community and identity through , as they are rather new, though they do have an enthusiastic community thus far, they don’t have the same level of traditions as some of the more established colleges. 

This is a great fit for students who are looking for an interdisciplinary approach and who are interested in solving or addressing social or structural problems, especially via the social sciences.

Final Thoughts

UC San Diego’s approach to undergraduate colleges and organization is unique, and interesting for that fact. Some students dislike it, which is perfectly acceptable. Others, however, are drawn to this, and the opportunities it affords for collaboration and exploration in ways other colleges aren’t built for. We hope this article has helped you understand how this system works, and what each of these colleges may be able to offer you.

While UC San Diego is not quite as competitive as UCLA or UC Berkeley, it is still a very well regarded school, and has far more applicants than available seats. If you are looking for advice on navigating the UC application, or want help finding the right college environment to support your dreams, then łÔąĎąŮÍř can help. Schedule a free consultation today to learn more about how our mentors can make your college application experience smoother, we’re always happy to hear from you. 

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How UCLA’s Waitlist Works

UCLA does conveniently describe exactly how their waitlist process , although they may be scanter on the details than many students prefer. Students on the waitlist will begin being admitted after May 1, the waitlist is unranked, and they do not know how many students will get in off the waitlist in a given year. 

Looking at the historical data for UCLA’s waitlist clarifies this last point. Thanks to the , we are able to look at how many students have ended up on UCLA’s waitlist, and how many of those have been admitted, over the past several years. 

Looking at this data, it suddenly becomes clear why UCLA states that they can’t give a firm number on how many students will be admitted off the waitlist; this number varies wildly from year to year. To further showcase this point, here is a chart mapping UCLA’s waitlist rate compared to the percentage of those students who end up admitted: 

The number of students who accept their spot on the waitlist is relatively consistent; there is some flux, but not a lot of stark changes year to year. The number of students admitted off the waitlist changes significantly more, and more intensely. Thus, there is no good way to determine your odds of acceptance if you are waitlisted at UCLA.

This is because the number of waitlist acceptances isn’t actually in the university’s control; it depends on how many admitted students decide to attend other schools. The more admitted students who choose to go to school elsewhere, the more students who are admitted off the waitlist. 

Relatedly, this is why we advise students to withdraw applications once they put in an admissions deposit at a college; it may not be your top school, but it is for someone, and the sooner a school that admitted you knows you won’t be attending, the sooner someone on that school’s waitlist might hear some good news. 

What to do if You’re Waitlisted by UCLA

The first thing to do if you are waitlisted is to go to your student portal for and accept your spot on the waitlist. This is a minor matter of paperwork, but must be done if you want your application to remain under consideration. As you can see in the stats above, many students don’t do this every year. 

They do not accept additional application materials from waitlisted students, such as additional letters of recommendation. They do, however, have a palace on the waitlist form to provide any updates or additional information you feel is relevant to your application. This is then reviewed by admissions officers when making waitlist decisions. 

While there is a single waitlist pool, we are relatively confident waitlist admissions decisions are made on a per-college basis at UCLA. Applications are reviewed based on which college and major you wish to be part of, and for many majors, there are only so many seats available. Thus, your chances of acceptance are also heavily impacted by which major you are aiming for, though UCLA sadly does not release any kind of granular breakdown of this information.

Thus, the best way to increase your chances of admission off the waitlist is through a well crafted and informative update. While this is not referred to as an update letter, it fulfills the same purpose that many schools have for update letters. To give you a sense of what one of these looks like, and how they operate within an application, we’re going to give you an example from a past łÔąĎąŮÍř student, and review what it does well. 

UCLA Waitlist Update Example

Dear UCLA Admissions Committee, 

Thank you for considering me to be a part of your school! I am excited at the prospect of attending UCLA, and I’d just like to reiterate why it’s my first-choice school and why I think it’s such a great fit for my values and interests. 

UCLA’s values of free exchange of knowledge, diversity, and a deep commitment to public engagement all resonate with me. Growing up in Mississippi as a person of color, I felt like a cultural unicorn. I often marveled at how my friends arrived at totally different conclusions during debates regarding a variety of topics, from politics, to literature, to movie reviews. This variety of ideas is only possible when people of different backgrounds come together with open, respectful dialogue. Similarly, I’ve devoted much of my own life to engaging with different paradigms. Teaching creative writing to students with ADHD and autism helped me explore my creative faculties and appreciate multitudes of perspectives. At UCLA, I’m eager to explore the diversity of ideas and viewpoints. 

UCLA’s English department appeals to me due to the expertise and experience of the award-winning faculty. Professors Fred D’Aguiar and Justin Torres, in particular, write the kinds of stories I strive to write myself: stories about people on society’s margins, transformed by extreme stress and hope. 

I’m looking forward to joining UCLA’s Envelope Magazine and working with my peers at The Writer’s Den. UCLA’s Film and Photography Society will help me celebrate my classmates’ work, and develop my own projects. Since submitting my application, I’ve finished shooting my own short film, which I am now editing and preparing to submit to summer festivals, while maintaining A grades in all my coursework. Revenue from my online comic book company has risen to a steady $1,300/month, confirming the proof of concept and ensuring cashflow for future expansion. 

UCLA’s proud declaration of “fiat lux” inspires me. If I could shed light on anything, it would be the extremes of the human condition, through the lens of creative writing, alongside my peers at UCLA. If I am admitted I will immediately accept a place at UCLA.

UCLA Waitlist Update Analysis

The first thing to note is that UCLA has a hard limit on how long these updates can be. Most schools simply allow you to submit a letter by uploading a document, but for UCLA, they have a box on their student portal for you to enter it. There is a cap of 400 words; so you need to choose what you want to say carefully. 

The example above has been edited to preserve the student’s anonymity, but you can still see how the author touches on every important aspect of one of these update letters. First, it very briefly reiterates that UCLA is the author’s top choice for a school to attend. Schools want to be sure that if they let you in off the waitlist that you will enroll, and stating this directly is generally the best way to do so.

Next, the author connects their values with those of UCLA. This is a good approach to take if you have fewer new developments to talk about, but still want to highlight some of the things you’ve done, and how they make you a good fit for the school in question. You want to concretely connect everything you mention to the school you are applying to.

The author then provides updates on what they’ve been doing since their initial application was submitted. This is important; colleges only know what you tell them, and the best way to put your application over the edge is by showcasing new achievements, especially major ones. This is indeed the entire purpose of providing this update form. 

You should focus on extracurriculars; they will receive your final transcript from your school. Instead, showcase how you have continued to build upon projects you’d already started, or achieved new and interesting things in the time since you applied. These too should ideally be connected with the school and its offerings, showcasing how your current interests and passions dovetail perfectly with the college, making it the logical next step for you. 

This is not technically a letter, and doesn’t need to begin by addressing the admissions committee, but a little bit of politeness never hurt. 

Final Thoughts

UCLA is an excellent school, and one of the most popular in terms of number of applicants. They have a similarly long waitlist, and admit students off of it each year. We know that getting waitlisted can feel like the end of the world, but it is often just the next step in your admissions journey, another challenge to face. We hope this article has given you insight into how UCLA’s waitlist works, and how you can face it. 

Of course, applying to college is never easy; essays to perfect, forms to fill out, deadlines to hit. Waitlists are just another challenge on top of that, more stress and uncertainty. If you’re looking for help dealing with that uncertainty, or crafting your own perfect college application, then łÔąĎąŮÍř can help. Our mentors have a long experience aiding students on every aspect of the admissions process, and we’re always happy to hear from you. Schedule a free consultation today to learn more. 

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How Many Students Does UC Berkeley Admit Off the Waitlist?

Each year, UC Berkeley admits some students off the waitlist. How many varies by year; this is because the waitlist is used by Berkeley (and other universities) as a tool to make sure they have a stable level of enrollment. The more students who decide to attend after getting admitted, the fewer they pull from the waitlist; the more students who decide to attend elsewhere, the more they dive into the waitlist to fill the gaps. 

Thus, your odds of getting in off the waitlist are entirely dependent on the actions of other students, and the choices they make. To help illustrate this, here’s some data from past years on how many students have gotten accepted into Berkeley off of the waitlist:

To help visualize this better, here’s the same data plotted on a graph, comparing the number of students who accept a spot on Berkeley’s waitlist with the acceptance rate off of that list. 

The data, here and above, comes from the Common Data Set. We are not including data for 2020-21, as that is the Covid year, when everything was slightly out of whack (as you may recall). 

What this data shows us quite clearly is that there is no consistency in your chances of acceptance if you are waitlisted at UC Berkeley. Now, waitlist acceptance rates are always more volatile than first year admissions as a whole, but Berkeley’s have been particularly topsy-turvy over the past few years. 

This means, unfortunately, that assessing your odds of getting in off the waitlist are near impossible. For this reason, you should never count on getting accepted if you are placed on Berkeley’s waitlist. You should always accept a spot somewhere else, even if you hold out hope for acceptance. 

How Berkeley’s Waitlist Works

As with every university, if you are offered a place on Berkeley’s waitlist, you must officially accept it to be considered for admissions. This is neither difficult nor complicated, but must be done to indicate that you are still interested in attending Berkeley. 

It is uncertain whether or not Berkeley has a ranked waitlist, or what metrics they use to determine who to admit. As Berkeley handles admissions by college, the results of who is admitted is likely dependent on which colleges and programs need more students. Thus your intended major and program of study is likely very impactful, just as it is when you originally apply to the school. 

Unlike most other universities, Berkeley does not allow you to submit any additional materials if you are waitlisted, from an appeals letter to submissions of accomplishments. This is beyond not wanting it, they do not accept and will not read such materials even if they are sent in. 

Thus, if you are waitlisted by Berkeley, there is nothing you can do, directly or not, to impact the chances of your eventual acceptance. It all relies on the strength of your original application, and the actions of other students choosing to attend Berkeley or not. 

Appealing Berkeley Rejections

In one odd twist, Berkeley does allow students who were rejected to , though they do not allow similar appeals from waitlisted students. This is not something most colleges allow; in general a rejection is the end of the line, while waitlisting is their maybe category. 

That said, your odds of getting accepted off of the waitlist are much higher than your odds of getting accepted if you are rejected and then file an appeal. While Berkeley does not release official statistics on the number of rejected students admitted, it is known to be quite low. 

There is a specific form to fill out and send in if you wish to appeal your Berkeley decision; you should not just send items to the admissions office. They state specifically that you should only file an appeal if you have significant new achievements to report to the admissions office from when you applied. All appeals are due in April.

These appeals should focus on what you have accomplished, and how these accomplishments make you a suitable student for UC Berkeley. These should focus on extracurricular achievements; higher grades won’t move the needle, and UC schools don’t use standardized test scores at all when making admissions decisions. 

Final Thoughts

The UC schools handle applications differently from most other colleges; this comes from having their own application portal, and the differing standards they have for admitted students. This also impacts students who are waitlisted, and how much influence those students have on whether or not they end up getting admitted. 

If you are waitlisted at UC Berkeley, then you may still get in, but you should always make sure you’ve secured a seat to another school in the meantime. Admissions off the waitlist are never guaranteed, and for Berkeley specifically, acceptance rates are highly volatile and specific to the college you are trying to enter. Dreaming big is good, just make sure you have a safety net when you do.

If you are looking for help applying to UC Berkeley, or in filing an appeal if you are rejected, then łÔąĎąŮÍř can help (we can also help you send letters to other schools which may have waitlisted you; UC Berkeley specifically doesn’t allow that though). If you want to hear more about how we can make your college admissions process smoother, then schedule a free consultation today. We’ve helped hundreds of students get into their top choice colleges, and are always happy to hear from you.

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Texas Residency for Students

The first time your residency matters for these schools is when you apply to them in the first place. Both UT Austin and Texas A&M evaluate in-state and out-of-state applicants differently, though each has their own system. We’ll go through each school in turn, and how they evaluate and handle residency in admissions. 

UT Austin bases residency requirements on legal guidelines set by Texas state law. They determine your state residency based on the information you include on your application. If they decide based on this you are not a state resident, you may submit a form to appeal this, if you perhaps made a mistake on your application or if admissions missed something. There are two ways residency can be established. 

The first is by graduating high school in Texas. This specifically has the three following components: 

• Either graduate from a Texas high school or earn your GED in Texas
• Live in Texas for the 36 months (three years) prior to that graduation
• Live in Texas for the 12 months immediately before the census date of the semester in which you enroll in the university

Note that this method is available to both US citizens and noncitizens who have graduated from high school in Texas. 

The second option is by establishing domicile in Texas, and is more commonly done after applying. Thai is open to US citizens and non-citizens alike, though non-citizens must have an application for permanent residency on file with Citizenship and Immigration Service. If you are filing your taxes as an independent, you may establish a domicile in the state; if you are listed as a dependent on your parent’s taxes, then they must establish domicile in the state to claim residency. 

Establishing a domicile requires you (or possibly your parents) to do the following:

• Live in Texas for 12 consecutive months
• Establish that residence as your legal domicile; this may be evidenced by
  • Gainful employment in the state of Texas (note that student employment does not count for this)
  • Sole or joint (through marriage) ownership of a residential property in which you reside
  • Ownership or operation of a business in Texas, or
  • Marriage of at least one year to a person who has established domicile in Texas

Note that this is intentionally difficult, and is intended to ensure that only people who live in and pay taxes in Texas get to benefit from their public education system at in-state prices. 

As this system is also based on the exact same Texas laws, it is pretty much exactly the same as the one used by UT Austin, though they present the information differently. They do have a few useful notes that UT Austin lacks. The most important is for military service members, which states that if your home of record with the military is in Texas, then you and your spouse count as Texas residents. 

Currently enrolled students who have a change in residency status may apply to have this changed by submitting a form to the registrar. The registrar may request additional information from you to verify what you submit on this form.

Note that there are some waivers available to select groups of students to allow them to pay in-state tuition despite not having established Texas residency. These may be found on .

California Residency for Students

California residency matters for both applying to UC schools, and for the tuition you pay once you get there. They do have quotas for how many students must come from California, and there are significant scholarships only open to residents of the state. As a unified system, all UC schools use the same system for determining if students are residents. 

This is established when students apply based on their Statement of Legal Residence, a form all new students are required to submit to the registrar. Each campus has their own instructions on how to file this, but the form is the same across the system. Students returning from leave of absence or who are transferring in must also complete and submit one of these forms. 

After an initial review of this form, the office may ask for additional documentation to verify the status of your residency. These can include: 

• Driver’s license (or other government issued ID card which verify residency)
• Tax returns or bank statements
• Voter or selective service registration
• Employment or housing verification

Note that residency determinations are final; you have one opportunity to prove to the residency deputy that you are a resident. If they request documentation and you do not provide it, they will make this decision based solely on the information they currently have. For this reason, if you receive one of these requests, therefore, we very much recommend submitting all the documentation they ask for.

There are four requirements the school is looking for to determine residency within California for the purpose of determining in-state UC tuition. All four of these requirements must be met by the time you begin your studies at UC. These requirements are: 

1. Physical presence. You must be physically present and living in California for more than one year (366 days minimum) of the date on which you request residency.
2. Intent to remain in California. You must establish your intention to remain in California as a permanent resident more than one year before you request residency.
3. Financial independence. For undergraduate students under the age of 24, and your parents are not California residents, then you must verify financial independence for at least one year before requesting residency. This includes not being listed as a dependent on their taxes.
4. Immigration status. You must have the legal ability to establish a permanent domicile in the US, meaning you must be a citizen, permanent non-citizen resident, or hold an eligible visa.

They establish whether or not you fulfill these requirements through the form; if there are any questions they ask for additional forms, as we discuss above.

They begin by warning that establishing California residency once you are enrolled as an undergraduate student is incredibly difficult, and almost all students who enroll as non-residents graduate as non-residents as well. This isn’t to say that this is impossible, merely that it is very difficult to the point of being prohibitive. 

The way they determine if you deserve residency status is by seeing if you demonstrate physical presence and intent. That is, you must be physically present in California for at least a full year (366 days), and clearly establish your intent to remain in California after you graduate. This involves losing your legal ties to your former state, and establishing those ties to California. 

Here are their guidelines for establishing intent to remain in California: 

• Remain in California when school is not in session. If you leave for more than one month your intent will be questioned; absences of more than 6 weeks are disqualifying. 
• Register to vote in California, and vote in Californian elections.
• Designate your California residence as your primary residence on all documentation, both governmental and commercial.
• Obtain a California driver’s license within 10 days of settling in California. Note that this one may take some legwork prior to moving to campus; we advise scheduling a DMV appointment well in advance, especially if moving to a major metro area.
• If you have a car, you must also register that within 20 days of establishing residency in the state.
• Work in California, and file income taxes in California on this income. Earned income from outside of California must also be declared in California after the date of establishing residency.
• Establish a permanent home in California where your belongings are stored.

Beyond this, you must also demonstrate either financial independence, or that you are a dependent of California residents, and this is the hardest part for most undergraduate students. If you are under 24 and unmarried, you must demonstrate through tax returns or other financial documentation that you have been financially independent and self-sufficient for at least a full year before applying to residency. You must show your ability to support yourself through earned income, financial aid, savings in your name, or loans in your name. You may not have been claimed as a dependent or received gifts or support from others during this period.

Note that there are some exceptions to this requirement. The following groups can be exempted from fulfilling this requirement: 

• Veterans of the US armed forces
• Wards of the court, or students where both parents are deceased
• Students with legal dependents other than a spouse
• Students who are married and who are not claimed as a dependent by their parents or anyone else for a one year period prior to requesting residency
• Graduate students are automatically considered to be financially independent

Needless to say, most undergraduates cannot meet all of these requirements. It is a path some students undertake, but should be done deliberately, and with careful consideration. 

Final Thoughts

College is expensive, incredibly so, and many students look to public universities for the major cost savings they offer. Those savings, however, are reserved for students within a specific state; all others end up paying nearly as much as they would at a private college. This can lead to students looking for loopholes, and finding a way to establish residency, and receive those same discounts, even in a state they may be far from. 

Now, in some cases, there are ways to do this. Certain states have reciprocity agreements, allowing students to transit between states and still pay in-state tuition. These are limited agreements, and negotiated on a state-by-state basis. Other times a waiver is provided, though these are done on a college level, and tend to be exceptionally rare. In most cases, if you want the lower tuition, you will need to focus on public colleges within your state. 

We hope that you have found this article helpful; while we could not cover every state, Texas and California are both popular choices for out of state applicants, and give insight into how these colleges often approach residency requirements. If you are looking for help building a college list to meet your own financial needs, or gain insights into application strategy, then schedule a free consultation with us today. We have a long experience helping students navigate the troubled waters of college admissions, and are always happy to hear from you.

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Top Public High Schools in Los Angeles

The best public schools in Los Angeles are magnet schools, which are selective for admissions, and which draw in top students from around the municipality. You must apply to these schools , though this is designed to be an easy and streamlined process. You may select up to three magnet schools when you apply; a first choice and two backups. You will be evaluated for admission to each in the order you ranked them.

Admissions to magnet schools is based on a points system calculated from your application. The base criteria are: 

• Current enrollment. Students currently enrolled in and graduating from a magnet school are at priority for admission to the next level of magnet schools. Students on a waitlist for a magnet school receive a smaller priority boost.
• Enrollment in a predominantly minority school currently.
• Enrollment in an overcrowded school currently.
• If you have a sibling in the same magnet school you are applying to, you receive a small boost to your admissions chances.

Note that these apply to all magnet schools. Academically advanced and college preparatory schools have additional requirements, such as being part of your current school’s gifted and talented program.

All of the magnet schools have racial quotas to ensure there is diversity in the students who attend. Many of these schools use lotteries to determine which of the qualified applicants get to attend. 

This high school is in the Long Beach school district, but draws students from both this district and Los Angeles. They only admit students as freshmen, and all admissions decisions are based on academic performance in middle school. They are often ranked among the best high schools in the nation. 

Around 175 students are admitted each year. Admissions is not ranked, and they go out of their way to admit students from each of its 75 feeder middle schools, to ensure an equity of access. The average SAT score is 1340, the average ACT is 30. The school is located on the campus of California State University at Dominguez Hills, and juniors and seniors are allowed to take college-level courses at the university. 

This is a combined middle and high school, serving grades 6-12, and is located in North Hollywood. They share a campus with another high school; East Valley High School, but is a distinct administrative entity. The school focuses on a rigorous, STEM-based curriculum, with the goal of preparing students for college. Admissions requires the standard application and a further that they administer to ensure you are academically prepared for the work they require. 

While the school is academically quite strong, they do not have as many extracurricular options as some other schools, though the student body is quite passionate. The average SAT score is 1430, the average ACT score is 32. Most graduates stay in California for college, with the top destinations for grads being UCLA, UC Berkeley, and Stanford. 

This academy is a rarity, in that it is an all-girls public school; this option usually only exists for private schools. It is a magnet schools and serves girls in grades 6-12 from throughout the Los Angeles school district. The school has a STEM focus specifically, though they do offer a full suite of arts and humanities courses as well. Applying to GALA both the LAUSD magnet application and an application to GALA itself; both of these must be completed before the application deadline. 

The school is quite competitive academically. The average SAT score is 1250, and the average ACT is 29. The coursework is intended to prepare students for college, and students are required to take science and math classes each year they are in the school. There is also a computer science requirement for graduation. They offer a full suite of AP courses.

This is a charter school, rather than a magnet, but operates in a similar way. As the name suggests, HTLA is a school with a technological mindset and is dedicated to preparing students for college. All students are issued a laptop by the school. The curriculum focuses on the A-G requirements of the UC system, with an eye towards preparing students for the college experience. All students are also required to participate in a local internship as part of their graduation requirements. 

The school sees significant academic success from its students. The average ACT score is 25, and the average SAT score is 1200. They do not offer AP classes but instead have their own advanced curriculum, which offers similar preparatory experiences. The most popular colleges for graduates are UCLA, Cal State Northridge, and UC Irvine. 

Another charter school, GHC serves students in grades K-12, and many students stay in the school for their entire educational career. Enrollment through the school is via a lottery system run by LAUSD; students must re-enroll each year but do not need to keep participating in the lottery. They are one of the largest charter schools in the country, and focus on preparing students for college. They offer an IB curriculum to high school students, alongside a full complement of 29 different AP courses. Students may choose which they take advantage of, if any. 

The average SAT score is 1290, and the average ACT score is 29. The school focuses on preparing students for college, and most graduates go onto university. The most popular colleges among graduates are UCLA, Cal State Northridge, and UC San Diego. 

With the full title of Dr. Richard A. Vladovic Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy (renamed from simply Harbor Teacher Preparation Academy), this is a public high school associated with Los Angeles Harbor College. Freshmen and sophomores enroll in college preparatory courses, while juniors and seniors can enroll in college courses alongside Harbor College underclassmen. Students can earn one or possibly several associates degrees by the time they graduate. is a two-step process, requiring both the LAUSD application, and an application submitted through the school directly. 

The school focuses on a college preparatory curriculum, in that students are able to take college courses or equivalents for much of the time that they are in the school. The average SAT score is 1200, and the average ACT score is 26. The most popular colleges for graduates are UCLA, UC Irvine, and UC San Diego. 

Private Schools

Private schools can offer opportunities public schools do not, as many have smaller classes and more faculty, and more financial resources to offer advanced options to their students. Most private schools also practice some degree of selective admissions and seek to ensure that all of the students they admit are academically prepared and motivated. 

Note, however, that not all private schools are created equal, and price is not necessarily a sign of quality. Indeed, some private schools underperform when compared to public schools. Each school must be evaluated separately, and judged on its own merits, to see which will best support your needs. 

Admissions to private schools vary, but generally require:

• An initial inquiry or interest form
• An online application
• Essays
• An interview
• Transcripts
• Letters of recommendation

As with public magnet schools, the most common points of entry for these schools are 6th and 9th grade, though some begin students in kindergarten and continue from there. It is very hard to get into any school outside of these, as spaces generally open up due to attrition. 

Despite the name, the school is not associated with Harvard University, though they do share high academic standards. This school enrolls students in grades 7-12. The name comes from the merger of two schools; the Harvard School for Boys and the Westlake School for Girls into a single coeducational institution. Note that the school treats grades 7-9 as a middle school, and 10-12 as the high school; is most commonly done entering grades 7 and 9 in spite of this.

The school is focused on a college preparatory curriculum, though they do not offer AP courses, choosing to offer their own advanced and honors courses instead. The average SAT score is 1480, and the average ACT score is 33. Tuition is $46,900, though financial aid is available. 

Most commonly referred to as Flintridge Prep, this school is located in La Canada, Flintridge, outside of LA proper, though still in Los Angeles County. The school serves students in grades 7-12; are generally done for grades 7 and 9, with applications submitted online. The curriculum is focused on preparing students for college. The curriculum allows students to choose between a range of AP coursework and honors courses on other specialized subjects offered by the school. They have a well-rounded focus, with students taking a range of STEM and humanities courses.

Flintrdge’s tuition is $44,750, with financial aid available for students who need it. The average SAT score is 1440, and the average ACT score is 32. They send students to colleges all over the country, but the most popular with graduates are USC, UCLA, and UC Berkeley.

Located in the Mar Vista neighborhood of LA, Windward serves students in grades 7-12. is generally to grades 7 and 9, and applications must be submitted online. Windward is a college preparatory school that focuses on preparing students for the rigors of higher education. They offer a mix of AP and home grown honors courses to students, allowing them to specialize where they will. They offer a number of courses in highly specialized areas, allowing students to explore fields they otherwise may not encounter in high school. 

Tuition at Windward is $48,863 annually, though financial aid is available. The average SAT score is 1420, and the average ACT is 32. The most popular colleges among graduates are UCLA, UC Berkeley, and USC. 

Located in Newport Coast, just outside of Los Angeles proper, the Sage Hill School is a college preparatory school for students in grades 9-12. It is in Orange County, rather than Los Angeles County, but many of its students make the commute from LA. must be submitted online. While it is possible to apply for all grades, most students admitted are those who apply for 9th. They have no attached middle school and admit students from many different local schools each year. 

Sage Hill offers a full suite of AP courses to students, and has additional advanced honors courses in more niche subjects for interested students. They have no particular focus, instead giving students the room to explore academically. The average SAT score is 1440, and the average ACT score is 32. Tuition for Sage Hill is $53,770 annually, financial aid is available. 

Located in the Hancock Park neighborhood of LA, Marlborough was founded in 1889. It is an all-girls school serving students in grades 7-12. to Marlborough are handled online; the primary points of entry to Marlborough are in grades 7 and 9, however, applications are accepted for every grade except 12. Note that Marlborough is divided into the middle school for grades 7-9, and the upper school for grades 10-12. These designations are purely internal. 

Marlborough offers a number of AP classes, and further honors coursework in other areas outside of or beyond what is offered by APs. They have no particular academic focus but offer a very broad array of courses. The average SAT score is 1410, and the average ACT score is 33. They are often ranked among the best all-girls schools in the country. Tuition is $49,950 annually, financial aid is available. 

Located in the Chatsworth neighborhood of Los Angeles, the Sierra Canyon school was founded in 1978 and serves students in grades pre-K through 12. It was originally only for younger students; the high school was added in 2004 and proved quite successful. are done online; students may apply for grades Pre-K through 11, though the primary points of entry are Pre-K, K, 6, and 9. The different school divisions have different buildings on their campus. 

They offer a full set of AP coursework, alongside other honors courses in niche subjects not covered by AP exams. They do not have a particular academic focus, but seek to prepare students for college generally. The average SAT score is 1360, and the average ACT score is 30. Tuition is $42,800 annually; financial aid is available. The most popular colleges among graduates are UCLA, USC, and UC Berkeley. 

Final Thoughts

This is, of course, not a full list of all of the schools in Los Angeles; LA is the second largest city in the US, and has more than a few high schools to serve its population. We hope that this list has given you an idea of what the options are for LA high schools, and whether you would be best served by a public or private school. 
Of course, what a student needs from their time in high school is highly individualized; each student is unique and has unique needs. To discuss your high school transition, and how to find the school to best match your needs, schedule a free consultation today. We have a long experience working with students and are always happy to help them along their educational journey.

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±«ł§°ä’s is a hub for innovation, and offers students remarkable opportunities they won’t find elsewhere. In this article, we’ll explore what the Academy is, how you can apply to it, and what it’s looking for in applicants. Let’s get started!

What is the Iovine and Young Academy?

Often abbreviated as IYA, the academy is a professional school located within the University of Southern California. This school admits a small cohort of students each year (around 30), and focuses on an interdisciplinary program combining entrepreneurship, technology, and design. 

The goal of the academy is to create the next generation of innovators and entrepreneurs, by giving students a broad introduction to technology, business, and the principles of design. Students are given mentorship and individual guidance by professors, take courses which are only available through IYA, and have access to unique networking opportunities. 

Students from the academy often go on to found or join startups, and take positions with top tech firms working on novel and exciting projects. All students in the academy earn a BS degree, but have flexibility in which courses they take and what they choose to focus on.

Students learn not just through classrooms, but through maker spaces, which are located in the program’s main building, Iovine and Young Hall. Their goal is to foster a collaborative community, and give their students all the resources they need to take advantage of these opportunities.

How to Apply to the Iovine and Young Academy

You can to the school as a freshman, as an external transfer student, or as an internal transfer student. That said, most students enter the academy as incoming freshmen; spaces for transfer students are limited.

Applying as a freshman is simple; you use the Common App, and select “IYA: Arts, Technology and the Business of Innovation B.S.” as your first choice major. You may only apply for the academy for the regular decision deadline; it does not participate in ±«ł§°ä’s early action admissions program.

The application requires everything a standard application to USC does, but includes two unique components: a video, and a portfolio. We’ll cover the requirements for each. 

Proposal Video

There are two options for this video. In the first, you create a pitch video of less than a minute in length. In this, you pitch a product, service, or system meant to solve a problem or address a need. This should cover why this is a good idea, how the idea works and can be implemented, and the viability of the idea; how it might become self-sustaining.

This is meant as a chance for you to show off your creativity, problem solving, and communications skills. They strongly encourage unique and innovative video formats, and prefer you not submit a “selfie” video, where you simply film yourself speaking to the camera. Your choice of topics and format is otherwise broad, so long as it fulfills the prompt for the video.

Project Narration

This is your second option, which is also constrained to a minute in length. In this, you are invited to describe a project you have already done, be it technological, entrepreneurial, design-based, or creative. As opposed to the other video, which is more free form, they want you to cover specific points in this one. Namely: 

• A brief personal introduction
• An overview of the project
• The creation process, including tools, materials, and techniques
• What you specifically did, if this was a group project
• What you learned about yourself

There are additional portfolio submissions, one of them should be a visual example of the project. Unlike the above video, this one can just be you speaking into the camera. Though more creative approaches are allowed as well, you must make sure you cover all of the relevant points.

Your Portfolio

In addition to the one-minute video (either of the above options), you must submit a portfolio of original work. This may include up to five pieces, and should be examples of projects you have completed in design, technology, business, art, science, or communication.

Each submission for the portfolio must include a title, description, details of your work in the project’s creation, and the methods used in the development of the project. You should include citations if relevant to the project.

You may submit projects from one or more of the following categories. They encourage a range of submissions where possible: 

• Visual arts and design. This includes 2D and 3D arts in traditional or digital mediums. 
• Technology and science projects. Those developed during internships or other programs can be submitted. Projects should demonstrate problem solving and the ability to integrate multiple disciplines. Evidence includes code excerpts, schematics, abstracts, photos, and videos.
• Time based media. This includes videos, video games, motion graphics, recordings of audio, or recordings of performance based art.
• Business ventures. This includes written materials, images, and videos that describe a business venture or marketing plan undertaken by you. Your role must be clearly explained.

Regardless of what you submit, make sure it is carefully curated. Admissions officers want to give each application the needed review, and that is often impossible with overly long submissions. This is why the video is limited to a minute in length, and your portfolio submissions should be similarly selective in what you include. Make sure you include all relevant details, but don’t overwhelm admissions officers with unnecessary details.

Virtual Interviews

The academy has a two stage selection process. First all of the materials in your application are reviewed; essays and portfolio alike. Select applicants are then invited to complete virtual interviews in February. You will be notified if you have been selected for an interview in January. Even if you were not selected, your application will still be considered for acceptance to USC for your second choice major.

These interviews are more formal, and more impactful, than most college interviews. That said, our interview advice still holds in how to prepare, and you will likely be asked similar questions. The difference is that these interviews are held with faculty and admissions officers from the academy, who will be directly deciding on the fate of your application. 

Transferring into the Iovine and Young Academy

You can also apply to the academy as a transfer student, either within USC, or externally. Note that the academy is set up as a full curriculum, and transferring in may delay your graduation date. Credit and standing for external transfer applicants is decided on a case by case basis.

External applicants must complete the same video and portfolio components, and must answer this additional essay question: 

• You are applying to transfer to USC for a major that will likely take 3-4 years to complete. What will the Academy allow you to accomplish that your current degree program/institution will not?

Internal transfer applicants must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 to apply to transfer. Credit and standing is also decided on a case by case basis. In addition to the video and portfolio components listed above, applicants must answer the following essay question: 

• You are applying to change your major, which may mean extending your time at USC beyond the standard four years (the Academy curriculum is sequential and typically takes 3-4 years to complete depending on previous coursework completed). What will the Academy allow you to accomplish that your current degree program will not?

Both sorts of transfer applications are due in February. There are limited seats available for transfer applicants.

What the Iovine and Young Academy is Looking For

There is no single thing the academy wants to see in applicants; this is because the academy is trying to admit a cadre of students who will work in concert, each with unique skills, interests, and viewpoints to contribute. That said, there are some traits they look for in all applicants:

• An ability to collaborate. They want to see both that you can work as a team leader and a team player; that you will be able to contribute ideas towards a common goal, and work with others to accomplish that goal, even if your ideas are not the ones selected. 
• Passion. You should care deeply about things, and want to accomplish things. You should have some sense of your goals, both in the near and long term, and understand how the academy can help you achieve them.
• Interdisciplinary focus. The academy exists to help students explore the intersection of their interests, and they are looking for students who already have these interests in multiple fields.

Overall, the academy is looking for students who will bring something unique, in terms of views and experiences. They want to see past examples of what you have done, and that you have actively explored your passions; this is what the portfolio examples are meant to demonstrate.

Final Thoughts

We live in a constantly changing and innovating world, and students looking for a program with a multidisciplinary approach to innovation and entrepreneurship will be well served by the Iovine and Young academy at USC. We hope this article has given you a good look at what you need to apply to this academy, and what they want to see in applicants. 

College applications are often tricky, especially to highly competitive and specialized programs such as this. If you are looking for help composing the perfect essays, or showcasing your projects in the best light, schedule a free consultation today to learn how we can help you. We have an in-depth knowledge of specialized programs, and are always happy to hear from you.

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Luckily, the UC schools publish their admissions requirements, along with statistics covering admitted students. In this article, we’ll go through this information, link to it, and explain how it should impact your own applications. Let’s get started!

UC Berkeley

Here is the information published by Berkeley: 

UC Davis

Here is the information published by Davis:

UC Irvine

Here is the information published by Irvine:

UCLA

Here is the information published by UCLA:

UC Merced

Here is the information published by Merced:

UC Riverside

Here is the information published by Riverside:

UC San Diego

Here is the information published by San Diego:

UC Santa Barbara

Here is the information published by Santa Barbara:

UC Santa Cruz

Here is the information published by Santa Cruz:

Interpreting This Information

This is a lot of information, and can be difficult to parse. Now we’ll go through how to interpret what these pages are saying, and how you can best use what you learn from them. We’ll cover each of the three pieces.

Common Data Set

The is information colleges collect and report to professional industry organizations, which is used to create college rankings. This covers demographic information, enrollment, admissions, waitlisting, transfer admissions, student life, financial information (both costs and aid), and information on faculty and class sizes. 

This is a lot of information, and is generally presented through tables and statistics; it is not formatted for easy consumption. The most interesting part for most students is the waitlist section; this describes how many students were put on the waitlist, and how many of those were eventually admitted. We have an article on what to do if you’ve been waitlisted, but this information can let you ascertain whether trying to get admitted off the waitlist is a likely prospect. 

While the admissions data is useful, it is presented in a far more easily digestible form elsewhere on the schools’ websites. 

Freshman Admit Data

These pages are very basic; they list how many students applied in the last admissions cycle, how many were admitted, and the overall acceptance rate. They also list average GPAs for admitted students. This is good if you want to know acceptance rates, and the overall number of students who are applying. 

Freshman Requirements

The freshman requirements pages vary in structure, but all have the explicit purpose of explaining what these schools want from applicants, and their process for reviewing applications. 

They usually start with the minimum requirements; which are the academic benchmarks you need to hit in order to be considered for admission at all. They are all careful to note that just hitting these benchmarks is not enough to guarantee acceptance, and top students usually far surpass these minimums. 

Next they go over how they handle applications. While each school has a slightly different process, they all use some form of holistic review. They list what they look for in students, from character traits to strengths. This is not entirely prescriptive; there is no one set of traits that will get you accepted into these colleges automatically, but instead describes the kinds of students these schools want to see. 

This can help you know which of your traits and experiences to highlight in your essays, and what additional context is worth providing. We want to note that all the UC schools take your circumstances into account when making admissions decisions, and evaluate your accomplishments in the context of your resources.

Final Thoughts

While there is no set formula to get into the UCs, the data these schools provide is an amazing window into how their admissions process works. We hope that by collecting this information, and explaining what it means, you get a better sense of what the UC schools are looking for from applicants. 

While not all colleges are quite as open as the UCs, there is a lot of information out there on what colleges are looking for in applicants. Of course, it takes time to sift through this to find the most useful pieces for you. If you want to hear how we can help you with your college applications, schedule a free consultation today. We have a long experience guiding students through the admissions process, and are always happy to hear from you.

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