Comprehensive review is the process by which UC Riverside (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. UCR will calculate an Academic Index Score (AIS) for all first-year applicants. The faculty of UCR have designated the measures described below to be used to calculate the AIS.

High School GPA—The strength of an applicant’s high school GPA is the strongest indicator that a student will be successful within an academically challenging UC environment. The capped GPA is calculated on the basis of all completed “a-g” courses with extra points added for UC-approved honors courses taken in grades 10 and 11, capped at 8 semesters. A capped GPA considers the extra points earned for honors-level courses and may exceed 4.0 for some students.

Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses—AP and IB courses prepare students for college-level coursework. Therefore, students who take and do well in these courses tend to have a high probability for success within the UC environment.

Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC)—The Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC) program recognizes the individual accomplishments of students in light of the opportunities offered by their particular high school.

Low Family Income—Students who demonstrate high academic achievement, despite low socioeconomic status, are likely to exhibit persistence, maturity, and insight. Low family income is determined based on total family members and household income.

First-Generation University Attendance— UC-eligible applicants who are the first in their immediate family to attend college are apt to have personal strengths that will contribute to their academic success. Students whose parents have not graduated from a four-year college or university are qualified for first-generation university attendance.

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. There is no pre-approved course list for schools outside of California — refer to the “a-g” course list for types of classes out-of-state students should take to meet UC requirements. For students outside of California, “a-g” courses are the equivalent of college preparatory course.

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.

To meet minimum out-of-state requirements, you must earn a GPA of 3.4 or higher 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, with no grade lower than a C.

Extra Points for Honors Courses: In calculating an out-of-state student's GPA, UC will grant honors weight for AP or IB courses only, but not for school-designated honors courses. The weight is given to letter grades of A, B, or C.

• 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.

Before you begin, find out what important information is needed for an accurate fall admission application. You can also find information about specific out-of-state admission requirements. Then learn about tips and tools that are specific to out-of-state first-year applicants.

Express who you are, what matters to you and what you want to share with us by answering four out of eight personal insight questions.

The UC application for fall admission to UCR opens on Aug. 1. The fee is $70 for each UC. The fall application filing period is Nov. 1-30. If you have difficulties, contact ucinfo@applyucsupport.net or (800) 207-1710.

Now that you have applied, there are just a few more steps to complete the process. These include printing your receipt, ordering test score reports and updating your application, if needed.

UCR Undergraduate Admissions will email instructions on how to access your MyUCR admission portal account. Log in regularly to check your admission status, respond to messages, and track important dates and deadlines. Admission notifications begin in March.

You must complete 60 semester (90 quarter) units of transferable college credit with a minimum GPA of 2.8 for out-of-state transfers. Some major programs require a higher minimum GPA for admission. Admission to UCR to selective, so strive to surpass the minimum.

You need to complete the following seven-course pattern by the end of the spring term prior to fall enrollment at UCR (or the fall term prior to enrollment if you're applying for winter admission):

• Two transferable courses in English composition
• One transferable course in mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning
• Four transferred courses chosen from at least two of these subject areas: arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, or physical and biological sciences

In general, each major has prerequisite (major prep) coursework that you must take before transferring in order to get into your major.

Take the recommended lower-division/general education/breadth classes for your major. Contact a UCR admissions counselor to learn more about what your major program recommends.

Each major has a minimum GPA requirement. Some majors require a GPA higher than that required for basic admission. Programs are selective. Strive to surpass your program’s minimum GPA. Remember: All transferable coursework will be considered.

Breadth Requirements
You are strongly encouraged to focus on preparatory course work (mathematics, science, and technical work) for your desired major. Additional breadth coursework may be required after enrollment at BCOE.

Prerequisites
Strong technical preparation is essential for success in the admissions process and, subsequently, in all coursework at BCOE. If you intend to transfer to an engineering major, you are expected to complete the equivalent of UCR coursework required in the first two years of the programs and apply for transfer starting your junior year. 

Minimum GPA
Strive to surpass the 2.8 minimum GPA.

Learn more about transferring to BCOE.

Breadth Requirements
Complete the UCR breadth pattern for the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences (CHASS). 

Prerequisites
Contact a UCR admissions counselor to learn more about the prerequisites you must take for your intended major (and to make sure your classes will transfer).

Minimum GPA
Strive to surpass the 2.8 minimum GPA.

Learn more about transferring to CHASS.

Breadth Requirements
You are strongly encouraged to focus on preparatory coursework (mathematics, science, and technical work) for your desired major. Additional breadth coursework may be required after enrollment at CNAS.

Prerequisites
Contact a UCR admissions counselor to learn more about the prerequisites you must take for your intended major (and to make sure your classes will transfer).

Minimum GPA
Strive to surpass the 2.8 minimum GPA.

Learn more about being a CNAS student.

Breadth Requirements
Complete the UCR breadth pattern for the Graduate School of Education (GSOE).

Prerequisites
Contact a UCR admissions counselor to learn more about the prerequisites you must take for your intended major (and to make sure your classes will transfer). 

Minimum GPA
Strive to surpass the 2.8 minimum GPA.

Learn more about being a GSOE student.

Breadth Requirements
Complete the UCR breadth pattern for the School of Business.

Prerequisites
Complete community college courses equivalent to seven lower division UCR business major requirements.

Minimum GPA
Strive to surpass the 2.8 minimum GPA.

Learn more about being a School of Business student.

Breadth Requirements
Complete the UCR breadth pattern for the School of Public Policy (SPP).

Prerequisites
Contact a UCR admissions counselor to learn more about the prerequisites you must take for your intended major (and to make sure your classes will transfer).

Minimum GPA
Strive to surpass the 2.8 minimum GPA.

Learn more about being an SPP student.

Before you begin, find out what important information is needed for an accurate fall/winter admission application.

Express who you are, what matters to you and what you want to share with us by answering one required and an additional three out of seven personal insight questions.

Fall admission to UCR opens on Aug. 1. The fall application filing period is Nov. 1-30.

Winter admission to UCR opens on July. 1. The winter application filing period is July 1-31.

Start your UC application here.

The fee is $70 for each UC. You can apply for a fee waiver — provided you have your family’s income and the number of people supported by it — when you fill out the application.

If you have difficulties, contact ucinfo@applyucsupport.net or (800) 207-1710.

Now that you have applied, there are just a few more steps to complete the process. These include printing your receipt, ordering test score reports and updating your application, if needed.

UCR Undergraduate Admissions will email instructions on how to access your MyUCR admission portal account. Log in regularly to check your admission status, respond to messages, and track important dates and deadlines. Fall admission notifications begin in March. Admission notifications for winter begin in September.

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 to new first-year and transfer students.

For First-Year Students:

• Engineering First Year Learning Community (EFLC)
• CHASS F1RST: First-Year Experience Programs
• CNAS Freshman Scholars Learning Communities (FSLC)

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 the first year.

For Transfer Students:

• BCOE Transfer Transition Program
• CHASS Transfers F1rst
• CNAS STEM Connections Program
• School of Business Transfer Student Mentor Program

Get academic support, discover dedicated resources, attend special events and connect with other transfer students through the Transfer Success Program.

If you're admitted to UCR, you can ensure a smooth transition by following the next steps for incoming first-year students, fall transfers, and winter transfers.

Safety is a top priority at UCR. We have a 24/7, on-campus police department, 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 Community Service Officers patrol halls and parking lots, and Campus Safety Escorts accompany students across campus.

Every quarter, the Career Center offers over 70 events, including career fairs, skill-building workshops, employer information sessions and networking meet-ups with representatives from top companies. Take advantage of programming and resources, such as the Career Center's HandShake tool to search for jobs and internships on campus and off, and the R’Professional Career Closet for professional attire.

Discover community, find mentors and develop as a leader with the eight offices that make up Ethnic & Gender Centers:

• African Student Programs
• Asian Pacific Student Programs
• Chicano Student Programs
• LGBT Resource Center
• Middle Eastern Student Center
• Native American Student Programs
• Undocumented Student Programs 
• Women's Resource Center

Participate in service projects, educational initiatives and campus celebrations by joining a cultural organization. Learn more about UCR’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

UCR focuses on all facets of well-being. We offer many campus resources to help you meet all of your goals, such as support groups, tutoring, community service, employment, emergency food resources, sports and health care — which is all included in your tuition.

Learn more about the many on-campus housing options for both out-of-state first-year and transfer students. 

Learn about our many on-campus residence halls or apartments and decide for yourself which community is perfect for your university lifestyle. 

If you're interested in living off-campus, visit our About Riverside page, which describes all the different neighborhoods around the city. Find accommodations that fit your needs and preferences.
 

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.

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 450 student organizations!

UCR students can travel Riverside county for free on RTA buses — just register for UPASS! Learn about campus parking, alternative transportation, accessible parking and more from Transportation Services.

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. Ace your classes and prep for graduate school exams with help from the Academic Resource Center.