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UC Riverside

Undergraduate Admissions

Bold Hearts. Brilliant Minds.

Three students walk by a modern wall sculpture on the UC Riverside campus

Out-of-State

Follow Your Dreams to California

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 dedicated resources will help you build your future! Sunny Southern California invites you to make the University of California, Riverside your home away from home.

We've been waiting for a bold and brilliant Highlander just like you!

 

Applying to UC Riverside

As a public institution, we prioritize admission for California residents. However, UCR also believes that out-of-state students add an important and valuable depth to our campus. And 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.

3.4

Minimum Out-of-State High School GPA Requirement

2.8

Minimum Out-of-State Transfer GPA Requirement

22:1

Student to Faculty Ratio (Fall 2024)

 

Out-of-State First-Year Students

Along with the minimum admissions requirements that California residents must meet, out-of-state applicants must also follow these instructions that apply specifically to them. If you are an international applicant studying in the United States but not in California, please follow these instructions for visa and U.S. entry requirements.

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.

Requirements

UC Riverside will not consider SAT or ACT test scores when making admissions 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. Details regarding UC’s testing policy can be found online.

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. 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.

Subject Requirements

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.

GPA Requirements

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.

Out-of-State Transfer

Along with the minimum admissions requirements that California Community College transfers must meet, transfers from out-of-state colleges must also follow these instructions that apply specifically to them.

Requirements

Unit & GPA Requirements

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.

Required Community College Classes

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

Achievement Scholarship for Nonresident Students

A male student walks through a sidewalk path of the UCR residence halls. He is carrying a skateboard in his right hand, and has his left hand on his backpack strap by his shoulder. The Student wears a UC Riverside T-shirt. There are palm trees lining the walkway and the background has a building, mountains and blue skies with clouds.

Apply to UCR as an out-of-state student and if admitted, you’ll be automatically considered for this scholarship. No extra forms, no hassle — just a warm welcome and financial support from a top-tier research university that’s ready to invest in your success!

Scholarship winners receive:
  • Up to $84,000 for four years for first-year students
  • Up to $42,000 for two years for transfer students

View Eligibility Requirements

Getting into Your Major

  • For All Majors

    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 admission 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.

  • Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering Requirements

    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.

  • College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences Requirements

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

    Prerequisites
    Contact a UCR admission 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.

  • College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences Requirements

    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 admission 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.

  • School of Education Requirements

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

    Prerequisites
    Contact a UCR admission 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 SOE student.

  • School of Business Requirements

    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 the School of Business' undergraduate programs.

  • School of Public Policy Requirements

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

    Prerequisites
    Contact a UCR admission 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.

For more information on major requirements review our Majors Preparation Guide.

How to Apply

  • Gather Your Information

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

  • Personal Insight Questions

    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.

  • Complete the UC Application

    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.

  • After You Apply

    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.

Featured Publication: Transfer Viewbook | CA Residents

Learn more about UC Riverside, its remarkable students, world-class faculty, and beautiful campus.

Featured Video

 

World Class Faculty

UCR has some outstanding faculty, so student Dev shares with us some of his favorites and how easy it is for students to engage with some of the brightest minds in academia.

Out-of-State Dates & Deadlines

Find the dates of instruction at registrar.ucr.edu.

 

Fall Admissions: Out-of-State First-Year and Transfer Students

Aug. 1

Access the UC application

Oct. 1–Nov. 30

Submit your UC application

Jan. 31

Deadline to complete the Transfer Academic Update for transfer students

March 

First-year admission notifications begin

March 2

Priority deadline to submit your FAFSA. Late applications can be submitted after March 2, although California Student Aid Commission (CSAC) administered grant aid may not offered to late applicants.

April 

Transfer admission notifications begin

May 1

First-year deadline to submit your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR)

June 1

Transfer deadline to submit your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR)

July 1

Deadline to submit your final, official high school transcript (or college transcripts/documents for coursework completed through end of spring)

July 15

Deadline to submit official AP, IB, and A-Level exam scores

 

Resources & Support

UCR is dedicated to your success and offers a range of programs and resources to support you along your path to a UCR 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.

900 University Ave.
Riverside, CA 92521

Tel: (951) 827-1012

900 University Ave.
Riverside, CA 92521

tel: (951) 827-3411
fax: (951) 827-6344
questions: admissions.ucr.edu/ask

This information is accurate and reliable at time of posting but may change without notice. Please contact Undergraduate Admissions for the most up-to-date information. Learn about our privacy policy.

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