UCSD Announces Record
Number of Freshman and
Transfer Applications for Fall 2008
January 29, 2008
By Pat JaCoby
The University of California, San Diego has received a record 47,377 freshman applications for Fall 2008, up 2,304 students for a 5 percent increase from the previous year. Transfer applications of 9,778 are up 10.4 percent compared to Fall, 2007.
Data for freshman applications of underrepresented students for Fall 2008 at UCSD also show healthy increases.
Mae Brown, assistant vice chancellor for Admissions and Enrollment Services, noted that the academic quality of the applicant pool continues to be outstanding, as this year’s applicants attained a mean high school grade point average (GPA) of 3.76 and an average SAT reasoning test score of 587, 629 and 589 for Critical Reading, Math and Writing, respectively.
As the numbers show, UCSD continues to be one of the most popular universities in California and the nation, she noted, and UCSD’s record-breaking number of applicants reflects this. Brown attributes UC San Diego’s continuing popularity to its growing competitiveness, its top-tier and award-winning faculty, the quality of its academic programs and, last but not least, its fabulous location and stunning San Diego coastal setting.
For transfer students, by gender, 52.3 percent males applied compared to 46.1 females. There are slight increases in underrepresented students, and more than 33.3 percent of the transfer applicants are first-generation college students. Given a three-year decline in transfer applicants, Brown said the increase in transfer applications represents an exciting change for UC San Diego. Transfer students will be notified of acceptance on a rolling basis beginning mid-to-late March.
Approximately 4,234 or 8.9 percent of the freshman applicants are from San Diego and Imperial Counties. The largest percentage of the freshman applicants, at 45.8 percent, come from Los Angeles, followed by San Francisco at 22.4 percent.
The most poplar majors chosen by this applicant pool, in order, are social science, engineering and biology; in contrast to last year’s top majors of biology, economics and chemistry. All UC campuses are continuing to see more women than men among the applicants, with UC San Diego recording 54.2 percent females compared to 45.4 percent males. Approximately 24.9 percent represent the first in their family to attend college.
Data for the freshmen applications of underrepresented students for Fall 2008 at UCSD show a 15 percent increase compared to the overall campus increase of 5 percent. A total 1,651 African-Americans, up 12.2 percent from last year; 5,768 Mexican Americans, up 18.6 percent from last year; 1885 Latinos, up 9.6 percent from last year; and 243 Native Americans, down 1.2 percent from last year, applied for the Fall 2008 term.
Freshman will be notified by mid-to-late March of admission decisions.
Media Contact: Pat JaCoby, 858 534-7404
