University of California Sees Surge in Applications for Fall 2024

The University of California has recorded an increase in the number of first-year applicants for the fall 2024 admission, drawing a quarter-million applications, the school has announced.

The university has received 250,436 applications, 206,893 for first-year admission, and 43,543 for transfer admission.

That is a 1.5 increase from 2023, mainly driven by increased transfer applications, students from underrepresented groups, and California residents, Erudera.com reports.

School data show that the number of transfer applications over the past two years fell drastically due to a drop in community college enrollments amid the COVID-19 pandemic, which has increased this year.

Transfer applications are up 10.6 percent, to 43,543 compared to the previous year, including 34,668 from California Community College (CC) students.

“Transfer students continue to come to the university from diverse paths and backgrounds. The share of CCC domestic transfer applicants from underrepresented groups increased by 1.0 percentage point to comprise 40.1 percent of the applicant pool, from 39.1 percent last year (+1,253). Chicano/Latino students made up the largest proportion of CCC applicants, at 32.5 percent,” UC said in a press release.

Additionally, the number of first-year applications from underrepresented groups has increased by 2.7 percent for the fourth year in a row, resulting in 47 percent of this year’s applicants being from underrepresented groups.

Commenting on the figure, University of California President Michael V. Drake expressed delight at the increasing number of applicants from a wide range of backgrounds.

“Prospective students and their families recognize that a degree from the University of California sets them up for lifelong career success. The increase in applications underscores the quality of the educational experience and the long-term social mobility a UC education can provide underrepresented students,” Drake said.

The University of California has again received the most applications from Latino students, whose share this year is 39 percent. This is followed by 30 percent of Asian Americans, 20 percent whites, 7 percent Black students, 1 percent of American Indians and Pacific Islanders who account for less than 1 percent.

Data indicate the most significant increase was in applications from Black applicants. Based on UC’s demographic data terminology, Latinos and American Indians saw gains of 2.5 percent and 1.9 percent, respectively.

The University of California started operating in 1869 with only 40 students. Today, more than 280,000 students are enrolled, and 227,000 faculty and staff are working at the university.