Build Your Future at UC Riverside
Turn your passion into purpose as part of the UCR family. Our award-winning faculty will mentor you. Our diverse campus community will embrace you. And our first-year-specific resources will help you build your future!
We've been waiting for a bold and brilliant Highlander just like you!
Applying to UC Riverside
As a top-ranking university, UCR sets high admission standards. Incoming students are selected based on a wide range of criteria, including academic performance and the potential for success as an undergraduate.
At UCR, we "admit to the major," not to the university as a whole. This means that high-demand majors are highly competitive for admission. To increase your chance of a favorable admission decision, add a preferred and an alternate major to your UC application.
3.0
Minimum GPA Requirement
22:1
Student to Faculty Ratio (Fall 2024)
4.06
Enrolled Academic Years to Degree Completion
Requirements
UC Riverside will not consider SAT or ACT test scores when making admission decisions or awarding scholarships. If you choose to submit test scores as part of your application, they may be used as an alternative method of fulfilling minimum requirements for eligibility or for course placement after you enroll. View UC’s testing policy UC's testing policy.
Comprehensive Review
Comprehensive review is the process by which UCR evaluates first-year applicants, who meet minimum UC requirements, using multiple measures of achievement and promise, while considering the context in which each student has demonstrated accomplishment.
Subject Requirement
You must earn a grade of C or better in all “a-g” courses and complete a minimum of 15 college-preparatory (“a–g”) courses.
Eleven of those 15 courses must be completed prior to your senior year. Find out if your course is UC approved, and if your college course or SAT/AP/IB exam score meets an “a–g” requirement.
GPA Requirement
To meet minimum requirements, you must earn a GPA of 3.0 or higher (3.4 for non-residents) in “a–g” courses taken during grades 10 and 11 (including summers before and after), weighted by a maximum of eight semesters of UC-approved honors points.
Extra Points for Honors Courses
- A=5, B=4 and C=3; D or F=0 extra points.
- Approved honors-level courses may also include acceptable AP classes, higher- (and some standard-) level IB classes and transferable college courses.
Featured Publication: First-Year Viewbook | CA Residents
Learn more about UC Riverside, its remarkable students, world-class faculty, and beautiful campus.
First-Year Dates & Deadlines
Find the dates of instruction at registrar.ucr.edu.
Admissions: First-Year
Aug. 1
Access the UC application
Oct. 1–Dec. 2
Submit your UC application
December
Access the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and GPA form to apply for financial aid by the March 3 priority deadline (UCR school code: 001316)
Jan. 1
Access the California Dream Act Application (CADAA) to apply for financial aid by the March 3 priority deadline (UCR school code: 001316)
March
First-year admission notifications begin
March 3
Priority deadline to submit your FAFSA or CADAA (UCR school code: 001316) Late applications can be submitted after March 3, although CSAC administered grant aid may not offered to late applicants.
Verify that a certified GPA was submitted to the California Student Aid Commission by your high school
May 1
Deadline to submit your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR)
May 10
Deadline to receive guaranteed housing by completing your housing contract and first payment. You'll need to submit your SIR beforehand. Housing contracts will still accepted but may not be guaranteed.
July 1
Deadline to submit your final, official high school transcript
July 15
Deadline to submit your official AP, IB, and A-Level exam scores
September
Fall quarter begins
Resources & Support
UCR is dedicated to your success, and offers a range of programs and resources to support you along your path to degree. Get guidance from faculty and student mentors. Excel in your courses with the help of a tutor or study group. Connect with a wellness department to take care of your physical, mental, and emotional health. Develop as a leader in a campus organization.
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Academic Success
Make a smooth academic transition to UCR with the guidance of faculty and student mentors through first-year programs offered by our colleges and schools.
- Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Education: Engineering First Year Learning Community (EFLC)College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences: CHASS F1RST: First-Year Experience Programs
- College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences: CNAS First-Year Student Resources
- School of Business: Newly Admitted First-year Pre-Business Students
- School of Education: School of Education First-Year Learning Community for Education Major
First-year students can also register for Student Life's First Year Mentor Program and connect with experienced/trained student leaders who answer questions and provide support throughout your first year at UCR.
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Admitted Students
If you're admitted to UCR, you can ensure a smooth transition by following the next steps for incoming, admitted first-year students.
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Campus Safety
Safety is a top priority at UCR. We have a 24/7, on-campus Police & Campus Safety, an emergency notification system that sends text alerts, a no-tolerance policy against sexual violence and secure residence halls with video surveillance, restricted card access and live-in staff. At night, our Highlander Safety Team patrol halls and parking lots, and Campus Safety Escorts accompany students across campus.
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Career Center
The Career Center is your headquarters for the professional advice, skills, and strategies that will lead you to your ideal career.
- Handshake to find on- and off-campus jobs, internships, and volunteer opportunities
- Career Workshops to build skills (e.g., resume and cover letter writing and networking your way to a job)
- Career Fairs
- Connections with top employers
- R’Professional Career Closet to select professional attire and prepare to be competitive as you transition from education to employment
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Ethnic & Gender Centers
Discover community, find mentors, and develop as a leader with UCR's Ethnic & Gender Centers. Learn more about UCR’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.
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Health, Well-being & Safety
UCR focuses on all facets of well-being. We offer many campus resources such as support groups, tutoring, community service, employment, emergency food resources, sports, and health care — which is all included in your tuition.
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Parents/Guardians
As a parent/guardian of a UCR student, you have access to many resources that will help you to support your student during this journey. Learn how to get involved and stay connected, and find out how we will keep your student safe, happy and healthy.
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Student Life
Have fun and make friends! Student Life offers incredible social opportunities with concerts, music festivals, fun fairs, cultural celebrations, guest speakers, film series, theater productions, poets, performers and more than 300 student organizations!
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For Student Parents
UCR welcomes student parents and offers support with a wide range of resources and accommodations.
- Center for Early Childhood Education (ECS) for students, staff, faculty, and/or members of the community who need child care services.
- Lactation rooms with privacy, a refrigerator, plush seating, and sanitary provisions.
- Oban Family Housing with one- and two-bedroom apartment homes adjacent to the campus. UCR’s ECS and Riverside’s public and private schools are nearby.
- R'Kids for students, faculty, and staff with children, are expecting children, or will have children. Parents can discuss experiences, learn from each other and offer advice, while their children are involved in activities and entertainment.
- SRC Youth Activities to promote a healthy and safe lifestyle using positive experiences, sports, activities, games, and educational instruction.
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Transportation
Visit Transportation Services to learn about parking, public transportation (and student benefits), electric vehicle charging stations, UCR's Bike/Walk Program, and more.
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Undergraduate Education
Undergraduate Education cultivates student success by providing academic support, experiential learning and research opportunities. Challenge yourself in our rigorous University Honors program. Participate in research projects with our renowned faculty. Intern for a government agency or NGO in Sacramento or Washington, D.C. Create and facilitate your own 1-unit course with R'Courses. Develop academic and personal skills t help you ace your classes with support from the Academic Resource Center.