International Admission Guide by UC San Diego Admissions

INTERNATIONAL ADMISSION GUIDE

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WHY UC SAN DIEGO?

#6 BEST PUBLIC UNIVERSITY

– U.S. News and World Report, 2024

$1.76 BILLION in Annual Research Funding

650+ Student Organizations

AVERAGE TEMPERATURES

25º C Summer | 17º C Winter

90+ COUNTRIES

16% of undergraduate population from outside the United States

26:1 Student-to-Faculty Ratio

#7 BEST PUBLIC UNIVERSITY

— Center for World University Rankings, 2024

TOP EMPLOYERS OF UC SAN DIEGO GRADUATES

Amazon, Apple, Google, Microsoft, TikTok

ACADEMIC EXCELLENCE ON THE CALIFORNIA COAST

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS

UC San Diego is home to hundreds of student organizations, cultural-based organizations, academic clubs, and fraternities and sororities, including:

• African Student Association

• Ballet Folklorico la Joya de México

• Chinese Students and Scholars Association

• Indian Student Association

• International Student Association

• International Student Mentorship Program

• Japanese Student Association

• Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc.

• Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity Inc.

• Muslim Student Association

For a full list of student organizations, visit studentorg.ucsd.edu

RESOURCES FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS AND PROGRAMS OFFICE

UC San Diego students from outside the U.S. have access to specialized support through the International Students and Programs Office (ISPO) including:

• Advising services

• Academic and English resources

• Assistance with Visa or I-20 questions

• Exclusive programs and events

• Peer Mentorship Programs

For more information on ISPO’s services, visit ispo.ucsd.edu

Learn more at ucsd.edu/academics

ESTIMATED COST OF ATTENDANCE

Cost in USD for 9 months (2024-2025). Subject to change.

Tuition and Fees: $53,874

Living Expenses: $18,522

Books/Expenses: $4,443

Total: $76,839

For more details, visit fas.ucsd.edu/cost-of-attendance/undergraduates

NOTE: UC San Diego does not offer financial assistance to international undergraduates. If you are admitted and plan to obtain an F-1 or J-1 visa, you must provide documentation demonstrating adequate financial resources for the duration of your studies in the U.S. For example, students admitted for Fall 2025 will need a minimum of $76,839.

HOW TO COMPLETE THE UC APPLICATION

Applicants must provide complete information on the “Academic History” section of the UC Application. Marks received must be listed exactly as they were given by your school — do not try to convert them. If you took an external examination in secondary school (IGCSE, A Levels, Year X/XII board exams, IB, etc.), you must list the scores received and may submit predicted scores, if available, in the “International External Exam” section. Please do not mail your academic record unless requested.

APPLY: OCTOBER 1 - NOVEMBER 30 APPLY.UNIVERSITYOFCALIFORNIA.EDU

INTERNATIONAL ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

admissions.ucsd.edu/international

Your international school must have an appropriate level of recognition in the educational system it follows. You must also be earning a certificate of completion that will allow you to enter a university in that educational system. If your international school follows a U.S. curriculum, your school must have U.S. accreditation and you must graduate with a U.S. high school diploma or an equivalent credential.

ACADEMIC ACHIEVEMENT

Competitive first-year applicants typically pursue a rigorous university-preparatory curriculum across academic disciplines and attain superior marks/grades. You must complete a program of study that will allow you to enter a university in your educational system. Please note: students admitted to UC San Diego exceed the minimum admission requirements.

OBTAINING A VISA

ispo.ucsd.edu/advising/visa

International students requiring a non-immigrant F-1 or J-1 visa to study in the U.S. must request and receive a form I-20 (F-1 Student) or DS-2019 (J-1 Exchange Visitor). The I-20 or DS-2019 is required to apply for the F-1 or J-1 visa.

TESTING

Demonstration of English proficiency is required for international students. Please visit our webpage to learn more. Completion of an English language exam (either TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test) is required for first-year applicants who have any education (grades 9 through 12) at a school where the language of instruction is not English, unless three or more of these years have been at a school where the language of instruction is English. The University of California considers the best scores attained at a single sitting for exams.

Mid-50% TOEFL of 2024 admitted students: 107 TO 114

Mid-50% IELTS of 2024 admitted students: 7.5 TO 8.0

Mid-50% Duolingo English Test score of 2024 admitted students: 130-145

UC San Diego does not consider SAT or ACT test scores as a factor in admission decisions.

OTHER FACTORS

Competitive first-year applicants have personal qualities that demonstrate an ability to contribute to and benefit from our stimulating, diverse campus community. These qualities may include leadership, commitment to service, motivation, tenacity, initiative, creativity, responsibility, insight and originality. Involvement in activities or endeavors outside of the classroom and your answers to the personal insight questions are considered in the admissions review.

FIRST-YEAR PROFILE 2024 Applications: 134,500 Admits: 36,000

Admit Rate: 27%

International Undergraduates Attending: 4,000

SUMMER SESSION summer.ucsd.edu

OTHER OPPORTUNITIES GRADUATE DIVISION grad.ucsd.edu

EXTENSION INTERNATIONAL PROGRAMS extension.ucsd.edu/international

INTERESTED IN A LAW, MEDICAL OR BUSINESS CAREER?

UC San Diego offers many academic and pre-professional programs, mentorships, resources and support to ensure your success in graduate school and beyond!

CAREER.UCSD.EDU

160+ MAJORS HUNDREDS OF MINORS

ARTS AND HUMANITIES

Black Diaspora & African American Studies

Chinese Studies

Cinematic Arts

Classical Studies

Dance

German Studies

Global South Studies

History

Italian Studies

Japanese Studies

Jewish Studies

Literature/Writing

Literatures in:

• English

• Spanish

Music

Music/Humanities

Music - Interdisciplinary Computing & the Arts

Philosophy

Russian, East European & Eurasian Studies

Study of Religion

Theatre

Visual Arts

• Art History/Criticism

• Interdisciplinary Computing & the Arts

• Media

• Speculative Design

• Studio

World Literature & Culture

BIOLOGICAL SCIENCES

Biology with Specialization in Bioinformatics

Ecology, Behavior & Evolution

General Biology

Human Biology

Microbiology

Molecular & Cell Biology

Neurobiology

DATA SCIENCE

Data Science

ENGINEERING

Aerospace Engineering

Aerospace Engineering with a Specialization in:

• Aerothermodynamics

• Astrodynamics & Space Applications

• Flight Dynamics & Controls

Bioengineering

• Bioinformatics

• BioSystems

• Biotechnology

Chemical Engineering

Computer Science

Computer Science & Engineering -

• Artificial Intelligence

• Computer Engineering

Computer Science with a Specialization in Bioinformatics

Electrical & Computer Engineering

- Computer Engineering

Electrical Engineering

Electrical Engineering & Society

Engineering

Physics

Mechanical Engineering

Mechanical Engineering with a Specialization in:

• Controls & Robotics

• Fluid Mechanics & Thermal Systems

• Materials Science & Engineering

• Mechanics of Materials

• Renewable Energy & Environmental Flows

NanoEngineering

Structural Engineering

HEALTH SCIENCES

Public Health

Public Health with Concentations in:

• Biostatistics

• Climate & Environmental Sciences

• Community Health Sciences

• Epidemiology

• Health Policy & Management Sciences

• Medicine Sciences

PHYSICAL SCIENCES

Applied Mathematics

Astronomy & Astrophysics

Biochemistry

Chemistry

Environmental Chemistry

General Physics

General Physics/Secondary

Education

Mathematical Biology

Mathematics

Mathematics & Economics

(Joint Major)

Mathematics

• Applied Science

• Computer Science

• Secondary Education

Molecular Synthesis

Pharmacological Chemistry

Physics

Physics with Specialization in:

• Astrophysics

• Computational Physics

• Earth Sciences

• Materials Physics

Physics - Biophysics

Probability & Statistics

SCRIPPS INSTITUTION OF OCEANOGRAPHY

Environmental Systems

• Earth Sciences

• Ecology, Behavior & Evolution

• Environmental Chemistry

• Environmental Policy

Geosciences

Marine Biology

SOCIAL SCIENCES

Anthropology with Concentration in:

• Archaeology

• Biological Anthropology

• Climate Change & Human Solutions

• Sociocultural Anthropology

Biological Anthropology

Business Economics

Business Psychology

Cognitive & Behavioral Neuroscience

Cognitive Science

Cognitive Sciences with a Specialization in:

• Clinical Aspects of Cognition

• Design & Interaction

• Language &Culture

• Machine Learning & Neural

Computation

• Neuroscience

Communication

Critical Gender Studies

Economics

Education Sciences

Ethnic Studies

Global Health

Human Developmental Sciences

Human Developmental Sciences with Specialization in:

• Equity and Diversity

• Healthy Aging

International Studies

• Anthropology

• Economics

• History

• International Business

• Linguistics

• Sociology

Latin American Studies

Latin American Studies with a Concentration in:

• Mexico

• Migration & Border Studies

Linguistics

Linguistics - Language Studies

Linguistics with a Specialization in:

• Cognition & Language

• Language & Society

• Speech & Language Sciences

Mathematics & Economics (Joint Major)

Media Industries & Communication

Political Science

• American Politics

• Comparative Politics

• Data Analytics

• International Relations

• Political Theory

• Public Law

• Public Policy

• Race, Ethnicity & Politics

Psychology

Psychology with Specialization in:

• Clinical Psychology

• Cognitive Psychology

• Developmental Psychology

• Human Health

• Sensation & Perception

• Social Psychology

Real Estate & Development

Sociology

• American Studies

• Culture & Communication

• Economy & Society

• International Studies

Oceanic & Atmospheric Sciences

• Literature

• Philosophy

• Political Science

• Law & Society

• Science & Medicine

• Social Inequalities

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