Rate your Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) and Extracurricular profile.
Estimated Admission Probability
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Understanding UCSD Admissions Statistics
The University of California, San Diego (UCSD) is one of the most competitive public universities in the United States. Located in La Jolla, California, it draws over 100,000 applicants annually. Understanding where you stand requires looking at the "Holistic Review" process used by the UC system.
Key Admission Factors for UCSD
Unlike many private universities, the UC system has specific criteria that weigh heavily on your application:
GPA (Weighted): The middle 50% of admitted students typically have a weighted GPA between 4.03 and 4.28. This is the single most important metric.
Course Rigor: The number of honors, AP (Advanced Placement), and IB (International Baccalaureate) courses taken is critical. UCSD looks for students who challenge themselves beyond the minimum requirements.
Test Blind Policy: As of recent updates, the UC system is Test Blind. This means SAT and ACT scores are not considered in admission decisions, even if submitted.
PIQs (Personal Insight Questions): These essays are your chance to distinguish yourself from other applicants with similar stats.
Admission Rate Trends
Historically, the UCSD acceptance rate hovers around 24% to 30%. However, this varies significantly by major (engineering and computer science are often more competitive) and residency status.
In-State vs. Out-of-State
California residents typically make up the majority of the student body. While the UC system prioritizes California students, out-of-state and international students are also accepted, often with slightly different statistical expectations regarding tuition and diversity metrics.
How to Improve Your Chances
To maximize your probability of acceptance:
Maximize your GPA: Focus on getting A's in "a-g" requirements.
Show Leadership: In your extracurriculars, quality matters more than quantity. Show sustained commitment.
Draft Strong PIQs: Write authentic essays that showcase your personality, resilience, and intellectual vitality.
Disclaimer: This calculator is for educational purposes only and provides an estimate based on historical data patterns. It is not affiliated with the University of California San Diego. Actual admissions decisions are based on a complex, comprehensive review process that cannot be perfectly simulated by a calculator.
function calculateAdmissionChance() {
// 1. Get Input Values
var gpaInput = document.getElementById('student-gpa');
var honorsInput = document.getElementById('honors-count');
var residencySelect = document.getElementById('residency-status');
var piqSelect = document.getElementById('piq-strength');
var resultContainer = document.getElementById('result-container');
var resultValue = document.getElementById('admission-result');
var resultFeedback = document.getElementById('admission-feedback');
var gpa = parseFloat(gpaInput.value);
var honors = parseInt(honorsInput.value);
var residency = residencySelect.value;
var piqScore = parseInt(piqSelect.value);
// 2. Validation
if (isNaN(gpa) || gpa 5.0) {
alert("Please enter a valid GPA between 0.0 and 5.0");
return;
}
if (isNaN(honors) || honors < 0) {
alert("Please enter a valid number of honors courses.");
return;
}
// 3. Logic Configuration (Simulation of Holistic Review)
// Base admission probability for an average applicant
var probability = 0;
// A. GPA Logic (Heaviest Weight)
// UCSD Avg GPA is approx 4.15 Weighted.
// Below 3.0 is essentially 0 chance for UC system (eligibility floor).
if (gpa < 3.0) {
probability = 0;
} else if (gpa < 3.5) {
probability = 2 + (gpa – 3.0) * 10; // Range: 2% to 7%
} else if (gpa < 3.8) {
probability = 7 + (gpa – 3.5) * 30; // Range: 7% to 16%
} else if (gpa < 4.0) {
probability = 16 + (gpa – 3.8) * 50; // Range: 16% to 26%
} else if (gpa = 4.2) {
probability = 38 + (gpa – 4.2) * 40; // Range: 38% upwards
}
// Cap GPA contribution at roughly 70% before other factors
if (probability > 70) probability = 70;
// B. Honors/Rigor Logic
// Avg admit takes 10-15 semester courses of honors/AP/IB.
// Penalty for low rigor, bonus for high rigor.
var rigorBonus = 0;
if (honors < 4) {
rigorBonus = -10; // Penalize for lack of rigor
} else if (honors = 8 && honors = 12 && honors 3.0) or above 95%
if (gpa >= 3.0 && probability < 1) probability = 1;
if (gpa 95) probability = 95;
// 5. Output Display
resultContainer.style.display = "block";
resultValue.innerHTML = Math.round(probability) + "%";
// Generate dynamic feedback text
var feedbackText = "";
if (probability < 10) {
feedbackText = "Reach: Your profile is currently below the average admitted student stats. Focus on raising your GPA.";
} else if (probability < 30) {
feedbackText = "Competitive Reach: You have a chance, but UCSD is highly selective. Make sure your PIQs are outstanding.";
} else if (probability < 60) {
feedbackText = "Target: Your profile aligns well with typical UCSD admits. A strong application gives you good odds.";
} else {
feedbackText = "Strong Candidate: Your stats are above average for UCSD. Keep your grades up!";
}
resultFeedback.innerHTML = feedbackText;
resultFeedback.style.color = probability < 30 ? "#d9534f" : (probability < 60 ? "#f0ad4e" : "#5cb85c");
}