Freshman Applicants
Other Pages In Selection Criteria
College of Letters and Science and College of Engineering
Students will be selected on the basis of academic and personal achievement as assessed through a comprehensive review of the full range of accomplishments presented in the admission application.
Criteria for selection include: high school grade point average; academic preparation in college preparatory coursework; quality of the senior year program; honors, AP, IB, and college courses; the context in which the student has achieved admission eligibility; evidence of creative or intellectual achievement; diversity of intellectual and social experience; and personal characteristics of the applicant that would demonstrate leadership, initiative, and ability both to contribute to and to benefit from the educational experience at the University.
College of Engineering
Students are selected by major for all engineering and computer science majors. Only applicants with a solid background in advanced high school mathematics will be considered for admission to engineering.
College of Creative Studies
Applicants must submit work in evidence of talent and/or letters of recommendation for faculty review, as well as a letter of intent written by the applicant, and addressed to the faculty, describing their background and intended field of study. Applicants must submit a College of Creative Studies application (see www.ccs.ucsb.edu) in addition to the regular UC undergraduate application.
Students will be selected on the basis of academic preparation in college preparatory courses, high school grade point average, and on special talent, outstanding achievement, and capacity for excellence in one of the academic areas within the College.