UC increases admissions for California residents to align with state goals

The University of California has granted admission to a record number of first-year students from California for the upcoming fall semester, extending offers to 93,920 individuals, according to an announcement by the university system on Wednesday.

UC has also increased the number of admission offers made to transfer students from community colleges and those from low-income backgrounds. Among the admitted first-year students, Latino students made up the biggest demographic group, with a small rise in offers to Black students by UC.

While being accepted is a significant milestone, it’s essential to note that the figures released do not reflect how many students have confirmed their enrollment by paying deposits to UC. Actual enrollment data will be revealed after the fall term, usually in January.

UC President Michael Drake emphasized the university’s commitment to enhancing opportunities and accessibility for all students, stating that the admission figures highlight the path more California students are taking towards higher education and future success.

Latino students accounted for the largest portion of California first-year admits, comprising 38.6% of the total, up from 37.7% in the previous year. Additionally, UC extended admission offers to approximately 500 more Black students compared to the fall of 2023.

UC’s overall admissions for fall 2024 reached 166,706 students, marking its largest admitted student cohort to date, including 137,200 first-year students and 29,506 transfer students.

The 93,920 admission offers to California resident first-year students represent a 4.3% increase from the previous year.

Although Latino students comprised 26% of UC’s undergraduate population in fall 2023, this figure was significantly lower than the Latino student population in California high schools, where they represent over half the student body. Black students composed 4.6% of UC’s undergraduate population in the same period. Asian students were the largest demographic group at 36%, followed by white students at approximately 20%.

Despite being aware of applicants’ racial backgrounds, UC is prohibited from using race as a criterion in admissions due to Proposition 209, which was passed in 1996 and prohibits the use of race in admissions at California public colleges.