The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a top-ranked school in San Francisco, California. It is known for its strong programs in health sciences, including medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, and biomedical research. UCSF only offers graduate and professional programs, so it has no undergraduate degrees. Thus, the school does not require SAT or ACT Exam scores. The UCSF School of Medicine is very competitive. In Fall 2023, the school received 8,774 applications, interviewed 525 people, and accepted 161 students. The University of California, San Francisco's Acceptance Rate was around 2.8%, making it one of the hardest medical schools to enter.
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Elements |
Details |
College Name |
University of California San Francisco |
College Location |
San Francisco, California |
University Short Form |
UCSF |
Acceptance Rate |
2.8% |
Early Application (Fall) |
November 1 |
Regular Application Due |
Fall Semester- January 15 |
Spring Semester- November 1 |
|
FAFSA Application Deadline |
April 2 |
SAT Score |
Not Required |
ACT Score |
Not Required |
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The University of California, San Francisco's admission process is holistic, considering many qualities, including academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and personal accomplishments. The university uses the University of California application, which includes questions about academic history, individual insight, and extracurricular activities. Here are the key application requirements for UCSF:
Requirement |
Details |
Application Platform |
University of California Application |
SAT Scores |
Not Required |
ACT Scores |
Not Required |
GPA |
Generally, a GPA of 3.7 or higher is preferred. |
Application Requirements |
Letters of Recommendation (2-3 letters, preferably from teachers) |
Extracurricular Activities |
Leadership roles and meaningful involvement |
Personal Statement/Essay |
Narrative showcasing personal growth and experiences |
Application Fee |
$120 for US citizens and permanent residents, and $140 for international applicants |
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A strong application to UCSF should include a solid academic foundation and a personal statement demonstrating the applicant's growth, challenges, and future aspirations. Letters of recommendation and extracurricular activities further strengthen the application by reflecting leadership and engagement.
The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) differs from most other colleges because it doesn't offer undergraduate programs. That means you can't apply to UCSF right after high school. Instead, it focuses only on graduate and professional programs like medicine, pharmacy, nursing, and dentistry. So, UCSF does not require SAT scores for admission.
Since UCSF doesn't have undergraduate programs, it also doesn't track or report average SAT scores for its students. Most people who apply to UCSF already have a college degree and are applying to medical or health science programs. So, if you're a high school student considering UCSF, you must first go to another college for your bachelor's degree.
Because UCSF doesn't admit students straight out of high school, no SAT score distribution is available. Instead, the admissions teams look at other things, like your college GPA, research experience, and letters of recommendation, when you apply for their graduate programs.
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None of the schools or departments at UCSF use SAT scores for admissions. That's because UCSF only offers graduate-level education. If you plan to go into fields like medicine, nursing, or pharmacy at UCSF, you'll need to complete your undergraduate education somewhere else first, and those schools might look at your SAT scores.
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The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a special kind of school—it only offers graduate and professional programs. That means you can't apply right after high school, so ACT scores are not required or used in the admission process. Instead, students apply after finishing their bachelor's degree.
Since UCSF doesn't admit undergraduate students, it doesn't track or report average ACT scores. Students who enter UCSF's medical, pharmacy, or nursing programs are already college graduates. Admissions are based on college GPA, experience, and other test scores (like the MCAT for medical school), not the ACT.
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GPA is a critical factor in the admissions process at UCSF. Successful applicants typically maintain GPAs of 3.7 or higher on a 4.0 scale. While no minimum GPA is required, competitive candidates generally present strong academic records, particularly in advanced coursework such as Advanced Placement (AP) or honours classes.
The average GPA of admitted students at UCSF is generally between 3.7 and 4.0 on a weighted 4.0 scale. This reflects a strong academic foundation and the university's commitment to enrolling students capable of handling the rigour of UCSF's programs.
Most of the admitted students at UCSF usually have GPAs in the middle 50% range of 3.7 to 4.0. Applicants with GPAs within this range stand a good chance of admission. However, those with lower GPAs may need to strengthen their applications through other factors such as extracurricular involvement and leadership roles.
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UCSF has a highly competitive University of California, San Francisco Acceptance Rate of approximately 2.8%. The acceptance Rate of the University of California, San Francisco highlights how selective UCSF is, especially for the School of Medicine. The University of California, San Francisco's Acceptance Rate for medical school data emphasises its competitive nature. This means that only a small percentage of applicants are admitted each year. Successful applicants will have firm academic profiles and a well-rounded application highlighting their academic capabilities, extracurricular activities, and personal strengths.
University of California San Francisco Acceptance Rate |
|
University of California San Francisco Acceptance Rate |
2.8% |
Total Applicants |
Approximately 8,774 prospective students applied to UCSF (2023) |
Total Matriculated |
161 students |
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UCSF offers scholarships to help students with the cost of their education, especially in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and other health fields. These scholarships are based on financial need, good grades, or both. Students should apply through the UCSF Financial Aid Office and check e-yearly for available awards. Getting a scholarship can make school more affordable and help students focus on their studies.
Successfully navigating the admissions process at UCSF requires careful preparation and attention to academic standards. Understanding the University of California, San Francisco GPA requirements and the University of California, San Francisco Acceptance Rate is essential for aspiring students. By focusing on a balanced application that emphasises academic strengths, extracurricular activities, and personal achievements, applicants can significantly improve their chances of admission to this prestigious institution. Prepare thoroughly, and best of luck on your journey to becoming part of the University of California, San Francisco community!
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Many prestigious colleges and universities in the U.S. require SAT scores as part of their admissions process. Below is a list of some OOP colleges and universities that use SAT scores for their admissions.
Category |
Colleges/Universities |
Ivy League Schools |
|
Public Research Universities |
University of California System (some campuses) |
National Universities |
|
Liberal Arts Colleges |
|
College Name |
ACT Score |
SAT Score |
15–19* |
820–980* |
|
16–21* |
890–1080* |
|
17–20* |
860–1053* |
|
15–21* |
Not available* |
|
16–20* |
860–1062* |
University |
ACT Score |
SAT Score |
21–27* |
940–1200* |
|
16–25* |
910–1150* |
|
18–26* |
910–1150* |
|
18–24* |
910–1120* |
|
19–26* |
950–1150* |
|
21–28* |
950–1180* |
|
16–27* |
925–1140* |
|
17–24* |
930–1175* |
|
19–25* |
950–1130* |
|
20–27* |
900–1150* |
|
20–26* |
1010–1200* |
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