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• Undergraduate Applications By Campus • Undergraduate Application Report

The University of California received a record of nearly 92,000 applications for undergraduate admission for fall 2001 during the November 2000 filing period, an increase of 7.1 percent over last year and a 10.8 percent rise over the last two years, according to preliminary data reports.

The increase among California residents was even greater, rising from 54,146 to 58,424, or nearly 8 percent - more than double last year's 2.5 percent increase in applications.

"This is quite exciting for the University," said Dennis Galligani, Associate Vice President for Student Academic Affairs. "It exceeded our expectations."

Galligani and other UC officials were also encouraged by a 5.5 percent increase in transfer applications from California community colleges, compared to a slight increase (0.1 percent) between fall 1999 and fall 2000. Overall, transfer applications rose 6.5 percent to 20,822 students.

In addition, more than 71,000 students applied to UC for freshman admission, an increase of 7.3 percent over last year, and the largest number ever received.

Underrepresented Students Up

Increased interest in the University of California at the freshman and transfer levels extended to all eight undergraduate campuses. The largest increases in freshman applicants were at Santa Cruz (22.1 percent) and Irvine (19 percent). For transfers, the biggest jumps were at San Diego (15.3 percent) and Irvine (14.6 percent).

The number of applications from underrepresented students was also at a record high. The University received the largest number of California freshman applications ever (11,739) from African Americans, American Indians, Chicanos and Latinos.

Among California freshman applicants, the number of applications from each ethnic category increased, both systemwide and by campus. For freshmen, the largest proportional gains were among Chicanos (16.2 percent), Filipino Americans (12.4 percent), African Americans (11.4 percent) and Latinos (9.6 percent).

Among California community college transfer applicants, the number of applications from each ethnic category increased systemwide, except for white/other. For transfers, the largest proportional gains were among American Indians (42.6 percent), Chicanos (17.9 percent) and African Americans (16.7 percent).

According to Galligani, several factors may have contributed to the increase in applications. They include guaranteeing a spot to the top 4 percent of each high school graduating class under the new Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC) program, expanded state financial aid through the restructured Cal Grant program, UC's educational outreach programs and more aggressive efforts to recruit students to the University of California.

Preliminary progress reports also show:

• Nearly 80 percent of students eligible to apply for UC under the ELC program did apply. These students accounted for about 15 percent of all California freshman applicants. (For more information, see ELC article.)
  
• Growth in UC applications is outpacing growth in the high school population. Applications to UC from California public high school seniors increased 7.4 percent, outpacing the projected 2.5 percent growth in California public high school graduates this year. This pattern held true for all ethnic categories.
• Electronic applications gained in popularity. UC received 28,330 applications electronically through the University's online PATHWAYS system this year, a 50 percent increase over last year.