The University of California, Davis (UC Davis), founded in 1905, is a distinguished member of the University of California system. Located in Davis, California, near the state capital of Sacramento, the university is known for its expansive campus and strong academic environment.

UC Davis is a member of the Association of American Universities (AAU) and ranks among the world’s leading public research universities. It is internationally recognized for excellence in agriculture and environmental sciences, veterinary medicine, biological sciences, engineering, food science, ecology, and sustainability. Its School of Veterinary Medicine is consistently ranked among the top in the nation.

Academically, UC Davis includes colleges and schools such as the College of Letters and Science, College of Engineering, College of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences, Graduate School of Management, and School of Medicine. The university emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration and hands-on research opportunities for undergraduates.

UC Davis is particularly known for its leadership in sustainability, climate research, renewable energy, biotechnology, and global food security. Students have access to community engagement programs, laboratory research, and industry internships.

The campus culture is inclusive and diverse, and the city of Davis is widely regarded as safe, welcoming, and bicycle-friendly, creating an excellent environment for study and personal growth.

Combining academic excellence with a commitment to public service and environmental stewardship, UC Davis prepares students to become innovative leaders in a rapidly changing world.

What are University of California Davis looking for?

We spend time evaluating your academic achievements in light of the opportunities available to you, as well as your demonstrated capacity to contribute to the intellectual life at the University of California, Davis. The 13 factors considered by all UC campuses include the following:

1. Academic grade point average (GPA) in all completed A-G courses, including additional points for completed UC-certified honors courses.

2. The number of, content of, and performance in academic courses beyond the minimum A-G requirements.

3. The number of and performance in UC-approved honors, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB) Higher Level, and transferable college courses.

4. Identification by UC as being ranked in the top 9 percent of your high school class at the end of your junior year (Eligible in the Local Context, or ELC).

5. The quality of your senior-year program as measured by the type and number of academic courses in progress or planned.

6. The quality of your academic performance relative to the educational opportunities available at your high school.

7. Outstanding performance in one or more specific subject areas.

8. Outstanding work in one or more special projects in any academic field of study.

9. Recent, marked improvement in academic performance as demonstrated by your GPA and the quality of coursework completed or in progress.

10. Special talents, achievements, and awards in a particular field, such as visual and performing arts, communication, or athletics; 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 student government participation; or other significant experiences that show promise to contribute to the intellectual vitality of a campus.

11. Completion of special projects undertaken within your high school curriculum or in conjunction with special school events, projects, or programs.

12. Academic accomplishments in light of your life experiences and special circumstances, including but not limited to disabilities, low family income, first-generation college status, need to work, disadvantaged social or educational environment, difficult personal or family situations, refugee status, or veteran status.

13. The location of your secondary school and residence.

Admissions Statistics

ADMISSION INFORMATION

APPLICATION DATES & DEADLINES

Additional essay questions of the application.

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.