uc davis college application essay

Freshman requirements

• Subject requirement (A-G)
• GPA requirement
• Admission by exception
• English language proficiency
• UC graduation requirements

Additional information for

• California residents
• Out-of-state students
• Home-schooled students

Transfer requirements

• Understanding UC transfer
• Preparing to transfer
• UC transfer programs
• Transfer planning tools

International applicants

• Applying for admission
• English language proficiency (TOEFL/IELTS)
• Passports & visas
• Living accommodations
• Health care & insurance

AP & Exam credits

Applying as a freshman

• Filling out the application
• Dates & deadlines

Personal insight questions

• How applications are reviewed
• After you apply

Applying as a transfer

Types of aid

• Grants & scholarships
• Jobs & work-study
• California DREAM Loan Program
• Middle Class Scholarship Program
• Blue and Gold Opportunity Plan
• Native American Opportunity Plan  
• Who can get financial aid
• How aid works
• Estimate your aid

Apply for financial aid

• Cal Dream Act application tips
• Tuition & cost of attendance
• Glossary & resources
• Santa Barbara
• Campus program & support services
• Check majors
• Freshman admit data
• Transfer admit data
• Native American Opportunity Plan
• You will have 8 questions to choose from. You must respond to only 4 of the 8 questions.
• Each response is limited to a maximum of 350 words.
• Which questions you choose to answer is entirely up to you. However, you should select questions that are most relevant to your experience and that best reflect your individual circumstances.

Keep in mind

• All questions are equal. All are given equal consideration in the application review process, which means there is no advantage or disadvantage to choosing certain questions over others.
• There is no right or wrong way to answer these questions. It’s about getting to know your personality, background, interests and achievements in your own unique voice.  
• Use the additional comments field if there are issues you'd like to address that you didn't have the opportunity to discuss elsewhere on the application. This shouldn't be an essay, but rather a place to note unusual circumstances or anything that might be unclear in other parts of the application. You may use the additional comments field to note extraordinary circumstances related to COVID-19, if necessary. 

Questions & guidance

Remember, the personal insight questions are just that—personal. Which means you should use our guidance for each question just as a suggestion in case you need help. The important thing is expressing who you are, what matters to you and what you want to share with UC. 

1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time. Things to consider: A leadership role can mean more than just a title. It can mean being a mentor to others, acting as the person in charge of a specific task, or taking the lead role in organizing an event or project. Think about what you accomplished and what you learned from the experience. What were your responsibilities?

Did you lead a team? How did your experience change your perspective on leading others? Did you help to resolve an important dispute at your school, church, in your community or an organization? And your leadership role doesn't necessarily have to be limited to school activities. For example, do you help out or take care of your family? 2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side. Things to consider: What does creativity mean to you? Do you have a creative skill that is important to you? What have you been able to do with that skill? If you used creativity to solve a problem, what was your solution? What are the steps you took to solve the problem?

How does your creativity influence your decisions inside or outside the classroom? Does your creativity relate to your major or a future career? 3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? Things to consider: If there is a talent or skill that you're proud of, this is the time to share it.You don't necessarily have to be recognized or have received awards for your talent (although if you did and you want to talk about it, feel free to do so). Why is this talent or skill meaningful to you?

Does the talent come naturally or have you worked hard to develop this skill or talent? Does your talent or skill allow you opportunities in or outside the classroom? If so, what are they and how do they fit into your schedule? 4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced. Things to consider: An educational opportunity can be anything that has added value to your educational experience and better prepared you for college. For example, participation in an honors or academic enrichment program, or enrollment in an academy that's geared toward an occupation or a major, or taking advanced courses that interest you; just to name a few.

If you choose to write about educational barriers you've faced, how did you overcome or strive to overcome them? What personal characteristics or skills did you call on to overcome this challenge? How did overcoming this barrier help shape who you are today? 5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement? Things to consider: A challenge could be personal, or something you have faced in your community or school. Why was the challenge significant to you? This is a good opportunity to talk about any obstacles you've faced and what you've learned from the experience. Did you have support from someone else or did you handle it alone?

If you're currently working your way through a challenge, what are you doing now, and does that affect different aspects of your life? For example, ask yourself, How has my life changed at home, at my school, with my friends or with my family? 6. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom. Things to consider:  Many students have a passion for one specific academic subject area, something that they just can't get enough of. If that applies to you, what have you done to further that interest? Discuss how your interest in the subject developed and describe any experience you have had inside and outside the classroom such as volunteer work, internships, employment, summer programs, participation in student organizations and/or clubs and what you have gained from your involvement.

Has your interest in the subject influenced you in choosing a major and/or future career? Have you been able to pursue coursework at a higher level in this subject (honors, AP, IB, college or university work)? Are you inspired to pursue this subject further at UC, and how might you do that?

7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place? Things to consider: Think of community as a term that can encompass a group, team or a place like your high school, hometown or home. You can define community as you see fit, just make sure you talk about your role in that community. Was there a problem that you wanted to fix in your community?

Why were you inspired to act? What did you learn from your effort? How did your actions benefit others, the wider community or both? Did you work alone or with others to initiate change in your community? 8. Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California? Things to consider:  If there's anything you want us to know about you but didn't find a question or place in the application to tell us, now's your chance. What have you not shared with us that will highlight a skill, talent, challenge or opportunity that you think will help us know you better?

From your point of view, what do you feel makes you an excellent choice for UC? Don't be afraid to brag a little.

Writing tips

Start early..

Give yourself plenty of time for preparation, careful composition and revisions.

Write persuasively.

Making a list of accomplishments, activities, awards or work will lessen the impact of your words. Expand on a topic by using specific, concrete examples to support the points you want to make.

Use “I” statements.

Talk about yourself so that we can get to know your personality, talents, accomplishments and potential for success on a UC campus. Use “I” and “my” statements in your responses.

Proofread and edit.

Although you will not be evaluated on grammar, spelling or sentence structure, you should proofread your work and make sure your writing is clear. Grammatical and spelling errors can be distracting to the reader and get in the way of what you’re trying to communicate.

Solicit feedback.

Your answers should reflect your own ideas and be written by you alone, but others — family, teachers and friends can offer valuable suggestions. Ask advice of whomever you like, but do not plagiarize from sources in print or online and do not use anyone's words, published or unpublished, but your own.

Copy and paste.

Once you are satisfied with your answers, save them in plain text (ASCII) and paste them into the space provided in the application. Proofread once more to make sure no odd characters or line breaks have appeared.

This is one of many pieces of information we consider in reviewing your application. Your responses can only add value to the application. An admission decision will not be based on this section alone.

Need more help?

Download our worksheets:

• English [PDF]
• Spanish [PDF]

University of California, Davis | UC Davis

• Cost & scholarships
• Essay prompt

Want to see your chances of admission at University of California, Davis | UC Davis?

We take every aspect of your personal profile into consideration when calculating your admissions chances.

University of California, Davis | UC Davis’s 2023-24 Essay Prompts

Select-a-prompt short responses.

Please respond to any 4 of the 8 questions below.We realize that not all questions apply to all applicants, so be sure to select the 4 questions that you believe give us the best information about you.All 8 questions are given equal consideration in the application review process. Responses to each question should be between 250-350 words.

Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.

Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.

What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?

Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?

Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.

What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?

Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?

What will first-time readers think of your college essay?

The Do’s and Don’ts of Answering UC Personal Insight Questions

• by Alexa Carter
• May 18, 2021

For many high school seniors, the college application process can be a scary one. The dreaded writing portion can be especially time-consuming. You have to describe yourself to an application reviewer and hope they get to know you aside from your test scores and course load. Some colleges require long essays; some don’t require them at all. The University of California requires you to respond to four out of eight Personal Insight Questions , and you have a maximum of 350 words for each.

Fear not, though: These are great opportunities to express yourself. The prompts let you describe different aspects of your life instead of feeling confined to writing one impersonal summary. When starting this part of the UC application, I learned a lot along the way.

Prepare in advance: DO!

A rule so simple that it seems obvious. I was in high school once, too, and as a college student, I hate to break it to you, but procrastination still creeps in. The UC application opens on August 1 every year and closes on November 30. That means you have about four months to work on your application. I’m not saying on Aug. 1 you should sit down and knock it all out. In fact, I started looking at my application at the end of October and submitted it in mid-November.

You’re given a large window of time for a reason. This is your college application we’re talking about, so it’s important to take the time to think and pre-plan what exactly you want to write about.

Choose questions based on what you think the reader will like: DON'T!

I'll admit I’m guilty of this one. When I first looked at the Personal Insight Questions I wrote down the four questions I thought would look really good on my application.

It wasn’t until I actually sat down to draft how I wanted to respond to each question that I noticed two were too similar in content. Later in this blog, you’ll see why it’s important to differentiate what you write about. But for the time being, I’ll simply say I went back to the list and picked a question that was a little out of my comfort zone. The new question I chose actually ended up being my favorite response. I felt better making that switch after learning that all of the personal insight questions are viewed equally. Reviewers are looking for thoughtful answers, not necessarily the right answer.

Relate your past experiences to the person you are today: DO!

There are two things to remember when explaining the growth you've experienced facing your challenges:

• If the event happened during your childhood it needs to have had a lasting impact on you.
• If the event happened recently, how have you grown since it happened?

If you're going to talk about a setback you faced — like the time you broke a bone in the second grade — it should describe its lasting impact on you . Either describe its lasting impact or choose another question or instance that aligns better with your current self.

In one of my responses, I wrote about how I fractured my elbow during my junior year and was out for half of the Varsity Tennis season. Through hard work, I was able to place second in the league tournament and made it to CIF with my doubles partner. This was relatively close to when I was applying, and the event had made an impact on my life.

Childhood stories and recent events are great instances where you can show growth. Make sure in either case you make strong connections between the event to how you’ve become the person you are today.

Repeat the same stories: DON'T!

Application reviewers only get 1,400 words to learn about you. This may seem like a lot, but fitting your life into four short responses can be tough. That’s why with so few words, it’s crucial you present diversity in the content. You can do this by picking questions very different from each other or mixing your accomplishments into other prompts. Whatever you choose to do, remember: diversifying is key.

Proofread your work and ask for edits: DO!

When writing my responses I thought they were great, needing not a single revision. I was wrong. When my IB English teacher offered to read my Personal Insight Questions, I thought, “Why not?” I brought her my printed responses and she started marking them up right away. 

At first, I was surprised. Did I really do that bad? When she read her suggestions to me, I agreed with every. single. One.

It’s easy to associate constructive criticism with a pejorative. Sometimes we forget others' suggestions help open our minds to things we don’t always think of on our own. That’s the great thing about being human. We all have our own perspectives. If we embrace it for what it is, we can make our work that much better.

DON’T spend your entire essay talking about an inspirational person

This one seems easy on the surface, but it's really hard to avoid once you get down to writing.

When any of us talk about the most inspirational person in our lives it's hard not to want to include all the context that makes them so great. Again, you only have 1,400 words to give reviewers a peek at what makes up your life, accomplishments, and background.

If you spend 25 percent of that time talking about someone else, it’s even harder for them to get to know you. Inspirational people are huge influences on who we are and it’s hard not to give them the credit they deserve. If you are going to reference them, do it briefly and pivot to how that person’s influence has made you who you are .

Yes, the college application process can be scary to start, but it can also be a fun exercise reconnecting with yourself. You get to share your accomplishments and personality through self-reflection. It might seem awkward sharing it all with a stranger, don’t get me wrong. Think of it more like a written highlights reel. If a friend was describing you to a stranger, what parts of your highlight reel would they want to share?

For information about Personal Insight Questions, check out these resources from the University of California’s website ,  this blog from UC Davis Undergraduate Admissions, and this webpage from UC Davis about Personal Insight Questions.

Primary Category

Tips for applying to UC Davis as a freshman

Learn best practices for filling out the  UC application .

Reporting coursework and grades

Your academic record is the core of your application. It’s important to report all your UC-approved college preparatory coursework — whether taken at a high school or college — completely and accurately. Include courses in which you have enrolled, regardless of grades, transferability, withdrawal or if they were repeated.

Honors courses

The honors box on the UC application form is used to designate a course for which an extra grade point is awarded for a letter grade of C or better. There are four different types of honors courses:

• Advanced Placement (AP)
• Designated International Baccalaureate (IB) courses
• College courses (CL); applies only to UC-transferable college courses
• UC-approved school-designated honors-level courses (HL)

If you attend a California public high school, see your high school’s UC-approved course list for more information about honors courses. Only UC-approved courses that are listed as honors are eligible to receive an extra grade point.

Nonresident applicants should check the honors box (AP, IB, CL)  for AP, IB and UC-transferable college courses as appropriate for all of the above.

Reporting international education

Non-letter grades

If you are a domestic applicant and your school uses a non-letter grade system, you will need to take some additional steps in completing the application. First, check with your high school counseling office to see if there is a conversion scale to the A-B-C-D-F letter grade system. If a conversion scale does not exist, do not attempt to translate your grades yourself. List the grades exactly as they appear on your transcript, and check the box that indicates your school uses a grading system other than A-B-C-D-F. Your application will be reviewed by a UC advisor who will translate these marks accordingly.  

College courses taken while in high school

If any college/university-level courses were completed while in high school, add the college information after the high school information.

If UC-transferable courses were taken at a California community college (CCC), a course list will appear:

• Select the course(s) taken, grade earned (or enter IP for In Progress, PL for Planned courses) and the "a-g" subject area in which the course fits. UC-transferable courses taken at a CCC can be found on Assist.org under the “College courses taken while in high school” section.

If non-UC-transferable or non-CCC courses were taken while in high school, students must manually input course information:

• Only non-UC-transferable courses in English and math can be reported in this section of the application.
• If there are other CCC courses that are non-UC-transferable, report them in the ‘Non a-g Coursework’ area later in the application.
• If college/university courses were not taken at a CCC, enter each course and grade earned as it appears on the official academic record from the college/university attended.

Any gaps in your educational chronology should be explained in the Additional Information section of the UC application; only a brief description of what you were doing during these breaks in your education is necessary.  Letters of recommendation and other materials

Please do not include letters of recommendation, copies of awards, transcripts or samples of your academic or creative work with your application. They will not be reviewed or returned to you.

Choosing a major

You should apply to a major that interests you, rather than to one in which you think you have the best chance of admission. We also suggest that you include an alternate major in case you are not admitted in your first choice.

How your application is reviewed

During the selection process, UC Davis conducts a comprehensive review of every freshman application to ensure each applicant is assessed thoroughly and fairly.

We evaluate every application using 13 criteria that all UC campuses adhere to. We consider a broad range of factors, from traditional academics to extracurricular achievement and response to life challenges, but we're looking beyond the numbers to find out who you really are!

Checking your status

In December, you should receive a confirmation email from UC Davis Undergraduate Admissions containing your UC Davis student ID number. Use your student ID number to set up your MyAdmissions account.

How to Get Into UC Davis: Admissions Data and Strategies

March 30, 2022

Now considered one of the top 10 public universities in the nation, UC Davis has begun to approach the level of acclaim more traditionally reserved for its fellow University of California campuses like UC Berkeley and UCLA. With strong programs in engineering, and computer science, and biology, UC Davis is a magnet for highly-qualified STEM majors—in fact 55% of current undergrads are pursuing a STEM degree.

Given the desirability of receiving a top-notch undergraduate education at a ridiculously low price (by today’s market standards), UC Davis receives more applications, and rejects more applicants than at any previous point in its history. Therefore, it is vital for aspiring Aggies to know:

• UC Davis’s Class of 2025 acceptance rate
• SAT/ACT policy and GPAs of admitted applicants
• Admissions trends from the Class of 2025
• The demographics of current UC Davis undergraduates
• UC Davis’s yield rate
• How Davis admissions officers evaluate candidates
• Tips for applying to UC Davis
• How to approach the UC Personal Insight essays
• How to assess whether applying to UC Davis is even worth the $70 application fee (for you)

Many students applying to UC Davis may also find the following blogs to be of interest:

• How to Get Into UCLA
• How to Get Into UC Berkeley
• How to Get Into UC San Diego

Let’s begin with an examination of the most recent University of California – Davis admissions data.

UC Davis: Acceptance Rate – Class of 2025

There were 87,141 freshman applicants for the Class of 2025 and 42,726 were admitted—this translates to a 49% acceptance rate which was actually higher than a 46% and 39% figures seen the previous two cycles.

UC Davis Admissions – SAT/ACT Policy, class rank, and GPA.

As a test-blind institution, UC Davis does not consider standardized test scores. That moves GPA to center stage, and those admitted into the Class of 2025 possessed a mid-50% GPA of 3.95-4.25.

Looking back to Class of 2024 data, 100% of attending students were in the top decile of their graduating high school class. Back when standardized tests were still considered, the median ACT score was 28.

Admissions Trends & Notes

• The most significant note is that all University of California schools have adopted a test-blind policy.
• 38% of students beginning at UC Davis in fall 2021 were first-generation students.
• 31% of students entering UC Davis in the 2021-22 school year were Pell Grant recipients.
• Freshman applications increased 8.7% from the previous year.
• Davis has enrolled the highest number of California resident undergrads of any UC campus since 2010.

Who Gets In?

Let’s look at the demographics of UC Davis undergraduates:

Most students hailed from the Golden State and paid in-state tuition. The total geographic breakdown of the Class of 2025 is as follows:

• Percent California (residents): 81%
• Other U.S. States (non-residents): 5%
• Other countries (non-resident, international): 14%

Looking at ethnic identity, the breakdown of the Class of 2025 is as follows:

• Hispanic: 22%
• African American: 4%

International students came in the greatest numbers from the following countries:

• South Korea

The breakdown by gender of the entire Aggie student body shows far more women than men:

• Female: 57%

UC Davis’s yield rate—the percentage of accepted students who elect to enroll, divided by the total number of students who are admitted was 25%. To compare this school to other UC schools, UC-Berkeley has a 40% yield, UCLA is 44%, and UC San Diego comes in at 17%.

How UC Davis Rates Applicants

There are only three factors that UC Davis ranks as being “very important” to their admissions process: rigor of secondary school record, GPA, and application essays. Factors viewed as “important” are: talent/ability, extracurricular activities, volunteer experience, and character/personal qualities.

Davis, along with all other University of California campuses, dropped all standardized testing requirements starting with the Class of 2025. This makes the traditionally holistic review process at UC Davis even more pronounced.

In the words of the admissions office:

• “UC Davis uses a holistic review process in which every application is reviewed according to 14 faculty-approved criteria designed to select applicants who have an excellent prospect of success, are likely to thrive on the campus, and will enhance UC Davis’ intellectual and cultural diversity.”
• They will look at the: “Quality of your senior-year program as measured by the type and number of academic courses in progress or planned.”
• Davis also considers: “Special talents, achievements and awards in a particular field, such as visual and performing arts, communication or athletic endeavors; special skills, such as demonstrated written and oral proficiency in other languages; special interests, such as intensive study and exploration of other cultures; experiences that demonstrate unusual promise for leadership, such as significant community service or significant participation in student government…”

Tips for Applying to UC Davis

If you plan on joining the 87,000+ Anteater hopefuls for the next admissions cycle, you should know the following:

• While a holistic process, this school does not offer interviews.
• UC Davis does not consider “ demonstrated interest ” in the admissions process.’
• Davis does evaluate the number of UC-approved honors courses, AP courses, IB courses, or dual enrollment courses a student has taken.
• Learn more about A-G Subject Requirements here .
• Make sure to dedicate sufficient time and effort to the supplemental essays required by UC Davis. In the 2021-22 cycle, there were eight total prompts, of which applicants are instructed to choose four to respond to. Each response in limited to maximum of 350 words.

1) Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.

2) Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side. 

3) What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time? 

4) Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

5) Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?

6) Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.

7) What have you done to make your school or your community a better place? 

8) Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?

The best approach here is to select the four prompts that are the best fit for you and elicit the most compelling and personal responses. For detailed advice, visit our blog entitled  How to Master the UC Personal Insight Prompts .

Should I Apply to UC Davis?

If you are in the top 10% of your high school class, you are a viable candidate to gain admission into this university. Without standardized test scores entering the equation, your essays will also be extremely important to your admissions prospects.

With very few students able to consider UC Davis as a “safety” these days, all students need to make sure that they formulate an  appropriate college list , containing a complement of “reach”, “target”, and “safety” schools. You’ll definitely want to do this in collaboration with an admissions professional who is aware of the latest trends and strategies associated with your prospective colleges.

• Application Strategies
• College Search/Knowledge
• Navigating the Admissions Process

Dave Bergman

Dave has over a decade of professional experience that includes work as a teacher, high school administrator, college professor, and independent educational consultant. He is a co-author of the books The Enlightened College Applicant (Rowman & Littlefield, 2016) and Colleges Worth Your Money (Rowman & Littlefield, 2020).

• 2-Year Colleges
• Best Colleges by Major
• Best Colleges by State
• Big Picture
• Career & Personality Assessment
• College Essay
• College Success
• Costs & Financial Aid
• Dental School Admissions
• Extracurricular Activities
• Graduate School Admissions
• High School Success
• High Schools
• Law School Admissions
• Medical School Admissions
• Online Learning
• Private High School Spotlight
• Summer Program Spotlight
• Summer Programs
• Test Prep Provider Spotlight

“Innovative and invaluable…use this book as your college lifeline.”

— Lynn O'Shaughnessy

Nationally Recognized College Expert

College Planning in Your Inbox

Join our information-packed monthly newsletter.

I am a... Student Student Parent Counselor Educator Other First Name Last Name Email Address Zip Code Area of Interest Business Computer Science Engineering Fine/Performing Arts Humanities Mathematics STEM Pre-Med Psychology Social Studies/Sciences Submit

UC Davis College Preparation Summer Academy

Applying to college can be tough, particularly for international students who may be less familiar with U.S. academic culture, but with our three-week summer college preparation program, international high school students will gain necessary skills and tips for successfully applying to American Universities. Designed for international 11th and 12th grade students who are planning to apply to a U.S. university as undergraduates, this program will help students improve their academic and study skills and give them a unique introduction to college life.

As many universities transition to eliminating standardized tests for college admissions such as SAT and ACT, it is important for international high school students to understand the admissions process. In this program, students will learn how to respond to personal insight questions (application essays), a significant part of the application process. In addition, students will focus on improving academic skills for future academic success and building confidence in their English language fluency. While attending this program, students will live in residence halls on campus, experiencing firsthand what it’s like to attend a Tier 1 research institution. They’ll also learn about research opportunities available at UC Davis, including those available to undergraduates.

Program Benefits

• Understand the U.S. college admissions process, particularly the UC Davis admissions process
• Earn 2 units of UC Davis academic credit
• Experience life on campus at a Tier 1 research institution
• Learn best practices for responding to personal insight questions for University of California and other college application essays
• Improve academic skills for future academic success, including writing and organizational skills, discussion and leadership skills, listening and critical thinking skills, and reading skills
• Gain the confidence to think and speak logically in English
• Understand academic and cultural expectations in higher education in the U.S.

Program Details

The program consists of five hours of daily instruction in academic skills, application essay writing and academic success building, as well as weekly special presentations and weekend activities and site visits to other UC campuses. View a sample schedule.

• Welcome and Check-In: July 7, 2024
• Class Begins: July 8, 2024
• Closing/Certificate Ceremony: July 26, 2024
• Departure/Check-out: July 27, 2024
• Academic Skills (2 hours daily) - Includes writing skills, listening skills, critical thinking skills and reading skills.
• Application Essay Writing (2 hours each daily) - Personal insight responses
• Academic Success (1 hour daily) - Time management skills and discussion and leadership skills

Program Fees

Application Fee: $100

• Program Fee: $5,995

Academic Units 0 Section Number 241KID127 Instruction Method Classroom

International Center

Section notes.

Our in-person UC Davis College Preparation Summer Academy will take place on the UC Davis main campus from July 8 – July 26, 2024.

Welcome and Check-In: Sunday, July 7

Class start:  Monday, July 8

Closing/Certificate ceremony: Friday, July 26

Checkout and Departure: Saturday, July 27

Application fees are nonrefundable.

Tuition Fee: $5,995

Includes fees for on-campus dormitory accommodations.

Once we have confirmed your completed application and payment, you will receive additional information and details about the program.

Please contact [email protected] for any questions.

Enrollment Policies

Designed for international 11th and 12th grade students who plan to apply to a U. S. university or within the UC system.

Technical Requirements

Our Services

Admissions Support

US / Ivy League Admissions

UK / Oxbridge Admissions

EU Universities Admissions

Graduation Admissions

Crimson MBA

College Sport Recruitment

Research Mentorship

Internships

Essay Review

Online Tutoring

US Boarding School Program

Junior Admissions Support (11-14)

MedView - Med School Admissions Support

Accredited Online School

Our Student Success

Our Reviews

Our University Admissions Strategists

Our Leaders, Advisors and Investors

Meet Our Team

Student Success

Our University Admissions Experts

Crimson In the News

Careers at Crimson

Job Openings

Tutoring at Crimson

Crimson Scholarships

Crimson Youth Fund

Te Ara a Kupe Beaton Scholarship

Crimson Access Opportunity

Webinars & Workshops

Ebooks & Infographics

Practice Standardised Tests

ACT Practice Tests

SAT Practice Tests

Calculators & Converters

US College Admissions Calculator

UK University Chance Calculator

IB to GPA Converter

SAT / ACT Convertor

Personal Essay Topic Generator

University Profiles

Successful College Applications

Crimson YouTube Channel

Top of the Class Podcast

+63 917 148 2290

Chat with us

University of California, Davis

Essay requirements.

Academic Requirements

Costs & Scholarships

Applicants to the University of California, Davis and all other UC schools submit four shorter essays in response to prompts freely selected from a list of eight Personal Insight Questions . The questions are wide ranging, designed to help you introduce yourself to the school and tell them about your aptitudes, leadership qualities, community service, or other extracurricular activities, interests, or skills.

Short Answer Questions

You must respond to four of the eight prompts offered, and each response can have a maximum of 350 words. See the Personal Insight Questions page provided by UC Admissions for additional guidance.

350 words maximum

Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.

Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.

What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?

Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?

Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.

What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?

Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?

Helpful Resources

How To Answer The “Why This College” Essay Prompt

We’ll go over the best ways to approach the 'Why This College" essay and provide helpful tips to help you write an effective essay that impresses admission officers.

How To Format & Structure Your College Application Essay

Your essays are a chance for admissions officers to get to know you beyond your grades, test scores, and ECLs. But how do you craft essays that reflect who you are AND impress the admissions officers?

Everything You Need To Know About The Supplemental Essays

Supplemental essays are required by many highly selective institutions in addition to the personal essay included in your Common Application. You can learn all about what they are and why they’re important here.

Get Your Essay Reviewed

Feel confident when submitting your college application essay by getting it reviewed by a professional admissions expert..

UC Davis Graduate Studies

Prepare Your UC Davis Graduate School Application

It’s never too early to start preparing your graduate school application. The admissions application can be a timely process and allowing adequate time to prepare can be the key to creating a successful application. We encourage you to learn as much as you can about the admissions process before you begin your application.

Application Items to Prepare

We recommend gathering and preparing your application components well in advance of starting the application. Specifically, you’ll want to take time to:

• Gather unofficial transcripts from all of the colleges and universities you’ve attended, even if you only took one course
• Allow for enough time to request three letters of recommendation
• Draft two personal essays
• Compile any program-specific admissions requirements, such as writing samples or artistic portfolios
• Plan for the application fee ($135 for U.S. residents or $155 for international students).
• Take any required testing , such as the GRE or English Language Examinations, and plan for the fees associated with those tests.

Below you can find a few tips on how to successfully prepare your UC Davis application. 

Know Your Deadlines

Apply by priority deadline to qualify for fellowships.

Graduate Studies administers approximately $6.6 million dollars in internal fellowships annually. At UC Davis, you must apply by your program's priority deadline to be considered for these fellowships . Don't miss out on this opportunity.  We recommend you submit all of your application components, including test scores and transcripts, by the deadline.  Be sure to allow enough time to meet these deadlines. 

View Application Deadlines

Gather Your Unofficial Transcripts

Transcripts are required from all college-level institutions. You may use unofficial transcripts uploaded as .pdfs for your UC Davis application.  Official transcripts are only required if you are an admitted student.  You must list every college-level institution you have attended in the online application, including all community colleges, study abroad coursework, etc. If your college or institution does not use the 4.0 scale, do not attempt to convert your GPA.  On the application, enter your GPA just as it is on your transcript.

View Instructions for Uploading Transcripts 

Draft Your Admissions Essays

The personal history and diversity statement and the statement of purpose showcase your academic journey and passions. Once you've drafted your essays, be sure to allow enough time for revisions and feedback. Identify a few individuals to read your admissions essays, including faculty members or advisors. We also suggest seeing if your college offers any writing support or graduate school admissions advising.

View Admissions Essay Topics 

Request Letters of Recommendations 

Letters of Recommendation should be written by individuals who are familiar with your academic work and interests. As such, they can highlight your potential for success in a graduate program and contribute significantly to your admissions application. Requesting and receiving letters of recommendation can be a lengthy process. It’s important to develop relationships and establish a timeline early in your graduate school admissions process. 

Learn How to Submit Letters of Recommendations

Ready to Start Your Application?

NEW! The College of Biological Sciences has made funding available to assist Domestic PhD applicants with their application fees. Please click here for more details!

Your application.

The deadline for the application is December 1. The online application form is found at Graduate Studies . 

Materials needed:

• Application (online), including (i) Statement of Purpose, (ii) Personal History Statement, (iii) Essay describing Research or Professional Interests
• University/college/community college transcripts
• Three letters of recommendation
• Optional: Fellowship application (included in online application)
• As of 2020, the IGG Graduate Group no longer requires GRE scores for admissions
• Official TOEFL or IELTS for international students

Incomplete applications may not be reviewed, so be sure to include all of the required materials!

Tips for completing your IGG application

Letters of recommendation

Seek these out early. Give your letter writer at least 6 week’s notice (no later than mid-October) and follow up 3, 2 and 1 week before the deadline. Your letter writer should be familiar with you academically, and should be able to speak to your ability to complete a M.S. or Ph.D. Remember to cultivate a relationship with potential referees early in your career.

Aim to have all of your letters written by scientists willing to write strong letters; failing that, at least 2 of them should be. Ask him/her if they need pointers for the letter i.e. for your professors: dates you interacted, quarter and year of the class you took, and your grade. For your internship advisor you may include the specific dates you worked, duties, and accomplishments. Sending your CV to your referees is also helpful.

Statement of Purpose (SOP) and Personal History & Diversity Statement

Your SOP and Personal history & diversity statement should be seamlessly interconnected to form a continuous narrative. Invest a significant amount of time writing each, developing it through several iterations. Ask your professors for feedback on your writing. Some elements of the SOP may overlap with the Personal history & diversity statement; for example, both may include obstacles to academic progress e.g. illness, working full-time.

Two important pieces of advice: (i) Be honest: do not try to reinvent yourself or inflate the importance of your accomplishments. (ii) Be specific: avoid platitudes and give examples. Show how you have turned a negative into a positive or how it now becomes a driving force to for you to be a scientist. UC Davis students and alumni can have their personal statements reviewed by the Student Academic Success Centre . 

(1) Drafting your Statement of Purpose.   This allows you to tell the Admissions Committee directly, why you should be admitted to the program. It should be concise, informative and well-organized, and present yourself as one competent to successfully complete the graduate program . Here are a few tips:

• Be clear on why you are applying.  Provide a context for your personal motivation i.e. state how you became interested in a particular topic and why you wish to pursue this question. This should be brief but well thought-through.
• Describe your past academic and research experiences.  State succinctly, the importance of the research question, the specific objective of your project, your general approach and the significance of your results.
• Discuss your current research interests.   In order to present a cohesive story (from past to present to future), Briefly mention your current research interest. This doesn’t need to be long since you will describe it in more details in the essay describing “Research or Professional Interests”.  Some students wish to continue in the same research vein, while others, may wish to switch fields, or approaches. You might want to elaborate here if you intend to deviate from past research experiences (it is perfectly ok).
• Map out your potential career plan.  Where do you see yourself as a researcher in the next 5 – 10 years? There should be a logical flow of your past and current experiences and how the expertise you will gain in IGG and UC Davis would permit your continued development.

Give yourself ample time to write your SOP. The Admissions committee can easily spot hurried and poorly thought out writing and this will have a negative effect on your evaluation. Secondly, your statement should be specific to IGG. Generic letters used to apply to multiple institutions and graduate groups where faculty names are simply interchanged can be detected.

(2) Drafting Your Personal History & Diversity statement.  This should provide the Reader with a clear perspective of the circumstances that shaped you, how it is interconnected with your academic pursuits, and how it prepares you for success. It is a chance for self-introspection: what are the specific driving forces or the single transformative event that propelled you to this point, where pursuing graduate studies in the department is the next logical step in your development.

The Personal History & Diversity statement can be used to:

• Fill-in the gaps about inconsistencies in your application, such as low grades.
• Highlight how you were able to persevere and in the face of life challenges and barriers to higher education, e.g. first-generation college student, English as a second language, socioeconomic disadvantages, illness/disability, member of other underrepresented group or faced other barriers).
• Give examples of leadership, service, teaching and tutoring during your academic career.
• List any successes you achieved and what you learned from them.
• List examples of how you can contribute to the diversity of ideas, perspectives, approaches, or study systems in IGG, UC Davis, or the academic community. List examples of how you have contributed to diversity in the past.

(3) Essay describing your “Research or Professional Interest” in the “Plans for Graduate Study” section.  

In the question right before this essay, you were asked to identify multiple areas of research or professional interest (just key words, e.g. Human genetics, Plant population genomics). Use this essay to explain these choices. Focus on your motivation and past experiences in your selection of research/professional interests. What do you see as the scientific and broader significance of these research areas? Finally, identify multiple faculty members you would like to work with including a clear justification for your choices (You will also be asked to list preferences for faculty mentors in the next question). In this segment, the Admissions Committee will be able to assess your depth of understanding of the field.

How are applicants evaluated?

Your application will be evaluated by a committee of faculty and graduate students. Here are a few things that the Admissions Committee consider when assessing your application:

• Your Undergraduate and Graduate GPA . All applicants must meet the University of California minimum GPA requirement (3.0) for admissions. Good grades in upper division courses and subjects related to the graduate program of interest are more important than those in other subjects. Extenuating circumstances that affected your overall GPA can be outlined in your Personal History.
• Research experience . Almost all applicants have laboratory experience prior to applying to graduate school. Working independently on a discrete research question is ideal. You should be knowledgeable about the research you conducted, the hypothesis tested and the rationale for the approach taken. This is better than simply being familiar with lab techniques.
• Recommendations made by your References . Seek individuals who can comment on your research (such as a research supervisor) and academic ability (such as a course professor) for the letter of recommendations. 
• Evidence of publication and presentation of your research data .  This would enhance your application, but will not be decisive factor in acceptance. If you are currently in the final year of your undergraduate degree look for all opportunities to present and publish your work.
• Your academic and professional goals . This can sometimes indicate if you have the ‘right’ motivation for graduate school, are realistic in what can be accomplished, and if this graduate group is the right fit for you.
• Your ability to write and articulate your ideas . Your statement of purpose and personal history statement may convey this, but comments from your recommender may also be helpful.

Please note: this is not a checklist that determines acceptance. The factors controlling admissibility are complex and do not follow a strict formula. IGG is committed to holistic review. Good academic grades and solid research experience are important, as they may indicate your scholastic aptitude and potential for scientific research, but the Admissions Committee will consider all the parts of your application in making a decision.

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusions

IGG graduate group values Diversity, Equity, and Inclusions, and recognizes that physical and mental wellness is essential for being a productive scientist. We welcome applications from academically strong individuals from diverse groups, including but not limited to first generation college students, historically underrepresented groups, individuals belonging to socially or economically disadvantaged groups, individuals belonging to diverse gender, race and ethnicity, religion, age, country of origin, socio-economic status, sexual orientation, and special health needs. Students trained through NIH PREP, McNair’s, BUSP, UC LEADS, UC-HBCU Initiatives or similar programs at your undergraduate institute are especially welcomed.

The IGG Graduate Group endorses the  University of California Davis’ Diversity Statement .

• McNair’s Scholarship Program
• B iology  U ndergraduate  S cholars  P rogram (BUSP)
• UC  L eadership  E xcellence Through  A dvanced  D egree S  (UC LEADS) Scholar Program
• UC-HBCU Initiative

Frequently Asked Questions

My GPA is good but not great, should I still apply?

Yes. The minimum GPA is 3.0, but there are exceptions. Applications are reviewed holistically. Your GPA, research experience, academic preparation and training, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose and personal history are all considered in the application. 

Should I email professors that I am interested in working with?

Yes. This is highly recommended. You can email various professors in which you are interested in working with in their lab. It is perfectly acceptable to email multiple professors.

Do I have to be selected by a major professor for admittance?

No. Within the first year, students do 2-4 laboratory rotations before joining a lab for their thesis work.

Is there financial support in the program?

All accepted students are fully funded by the program for 5 years. The students will not have any out-of-pocket expenses with regard to tuition and fees, and they will receive a monthly stipend to support living expenses. Student support comes in a variety of ways: internal and external fellowships, research and teaching assistantships.

International Student Frequently Asked Questions

What is the minimum scores for the TOEFL/IELTS? 

• 550 on the TOEFL paper-based test (PBT), or
• 80 on the TOEFL internet-based test (iBT)
• IELTS Score: 7.0 points minimum on a 9.0 point scale

How do I know if I need to take the TOEFL or the IELTS?

If your previous degree was not solely taught in English, you will need to take the exam. You can check out what languages your institution taught in here:  http://whed.net/home.php . If your institution shows English and another language you will need to take either of the two exams. If your institution only shows English you do not need to take the exam.

How do I know if my institution is not accredited?

Look at your institutions website and look for their accreditation. Also look at the unaccredited institution list here:  http://www.foreigncredits.com/Resources/Unaccredited-Universities/

How can I calculate my GPA when it is not on a four-point scale?

Please use this online GPA calculator .

Steel Bridge: Team Chrome Ollie

Event Date Sat, Apr 20, 2024 @ 10:30am - 3:00pm

Meet Civil and Environmental Engineering students and their 20 foot bridge which they design and fabricate each year and compete against other Colleges and Universities!

Event Category

Nursing School in Nation’s Top 25 in Graduate School Rankings

• by Julia Ann Easley
• April 09, 2024

The Betty Irene Moore School of Nursing tied for 24th place in the nation for master’s degree nursing programs in U.S. News & World Report’s most recent rankings of professional and graduate programs. 

The news outlet released updated rankings Monday, April 8, for four disciplines and 11 specialties in its 2024 edition of the Best Graduate Schools .

It is the fourth consecutive year that the UC Davis nursing school has been ranked in the top 25 in the nation for its master’s degree nursing programs.

On Monday before its scheduled publication of the rankings, U.S. News announced it would be delaying publication of its rankings for medical and engineering schools, as well as for clinical psychology programs.

After sharing its rankings with schools for their confidential review last week U.S. News said it was reviewing questions from some graduate schools concerning  the extent to which data from affiliated institutions were considered and which accrediting body was used as a source of reference for the clinical psychology programs.

Last year, an unprecedented number of inquiries from schools led the media company to first delay all rankings by a week and further delay release of medical and law school rankings.

Also among this year’s rankings, the School of Education tied for 42nd among the 255 schools that qualified.

The Graduate School of Management ’s Full-Time MBA continues to be ranked among the top programs in the nation with a tie for 57th. U.S. News surveyed more than 500 institutions with master’s-level business programs accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business. The UC Davis Part-Time MBA, offered in Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area, was tied for 28th among the 269 that qualified.

Among specialties considered this year, public health was tied for 29th  among 213 ranked, and computer science was tied for 36th among 205 programs ranked.

About U.S News rankings

U.S. News ranks some disciplines annually and others periodically. Each set of rankings is based on different types of data, including expert opinions relating to a program’s academic excellence and statistical indicators that assess students and faculty achievements. The rankings are available on the  U.S. News and World Report website . Visit the  UC Davis rankings page  for highlights from earlier rankings, and see UC Davis’ stories about rankings since 2016 .

UC Davis and rankings

A world-class university, UC Davis is highly ranked for how it transforms students’ lives, the impact of its research, the excellence of its academic programs, its sustainability and more. The university performs self-evaluations and also appreciates the value of third-party assessments. However, ranking methods vary, change over time and can be subjective. UC Davis focuses on those rankings that most closely align with its mission and values — including serving the public good, inclusiveness and equity, and social mobility — and in national rankings looks most closely at its standing among public universities. UC Davis encourages prospective students and their families to weigh rankings among other factors in their college decision, talk with counselors and UC Davis admissions advisors, and, if possible, visit the campus.

Primary Category

Secondary categories.

College of Biological Sciences

Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology

The Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology brings together a diverse group of faculty members who are deeply intrigued by fundamental biological questions. Their research transcends traditional boundaries, spanning plants, animals, and microorganisms. The department equips undergraduates with an understanding of biological principles at the molecular and cellular levels, and also makes significant contributions to graduate education across several graduate programs. To foster interdisciplinary excellence, the department maintains two state-of-the-art research technology cores: Light Imaging Facility, which specializes in live cell imaging, and the Bio Electron Microscopy Facility, which supports research across different spatial resolutions.

Undergraduate Programs

More information about CBS majors and minors

Graduate Groups

Biological Electron Microscopy Facility

BioEM provides electron microscopy imaging services encompassing a spatial resolution scale from imacromolecular assemblies, subcellular organelles to tissues.

Light Microscopy Imaging Facility

The Light Microscopy Imaging Facility specializes in live cell imaging and super-resolution methods for a wide variety of applications.