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In the past, students had to submit applications separately to each school they wanted to attend. Nowadays, you can apply to multiple schools through centralized application platforms. The Common App is the largest application platform in the US, with over 900 member schools. However, not all universities can be applied to via the Common App. Notably, the University of California (UC) system, a popular choice for many students, is not accessible through the Common App.



About UC Application

Concept
The UC system uses its own platform, the UC Application, allowing students to apply to nine undergraduate campuses through one system. Similar to the Common App, you complete the required sections and can conveniently apply to multiple campuses. Many students preparing for top-tier US universities wonder about the differences between the Common App and the UC Application. There are three main distinctions.

 

Activity Descriptions

One of the most significant differences is the activity section. The UC Application allows for a much longer description of extracurricular activities compared to the Common App. While the Common App has a 150-word limit for activity descriptions, the UC Application allows 250-350 characters. Therefore, students applying through the UC Application need to provide detailed and professional descriptions of their extracurricular activities, combining various research results, awards, internships, and volunteer experiences. Showing consistent involvement and building expertise in a particular field can make your activity section more compelling.

 

Main Essay

The second difference lies in the main essay. The Common App requires students to choose one topic from seven prompts and write an essay of about 650 words. In contrast, the UC Application asks students to respond to four out of eight Personal Insight Questions, with each response being up to 350 words. While the Common App may also require additional essays specific to each school, the UC Application does not ask for any essays beyond the Personal Insight Questions.

 

Transcripts, SAT, and Recommendations

For the UC Application, students do not need to submit transcripts at the time of application; instead, they report their GPA for 10th and 11th grades. Furthermore, the UC Application does not require SAT or ACT scores, reflecting a growing trend among top universities to de-emphasize standardized test scores. Recommendation letters are also not required. This distinctive approach enables the UC system to evaluate students more holistically, emphasizing a wide range of activities and experiences to assess potential. This comprehensive assessment aims to identify each student's capabilities and future potential beyond their current academic achievements.