UCs Receive a Record Number of Applications

The number of applications submitted to highly selective public and private universities continues to climb, which also is leading to already low acceptance rates falling even further. The University of California recently released statistics for the Class of 2022 application cycle. This year the UC system received a record 210,840 applications from prospective freshmen, which marked a 0.5% jump from Fall 2021 when a then-record 203,700 applied. UCLA remains the most applied to college in the nation, with just shy of 150,000 people applying. UC Irvine logged the biggest increase in applications in the UC system, with almost 120,000 submitted. 

I share these statistics not to frighten or discourage students and families but to ensure that we understand how selective many sought-after universities have become. The UCs are not the same universities parents reading this email applied to. They are much more selective and there are only so many incredibly qualified applicants they can accept. We share this with the hope that every student and family will keep an open mind when it comes to applying to college and be open to options that may have higher acceptance rates and bring students closer to their goals beyond college. No college has a monopoly on the path to success and this process rewards students who stay true to their passions more so than the name of a particular institution.

While acceptance rates are already low at the UCs and are expected to continue to fall in the future, students who build strong transcripts and stories that demonstrate their ability to add value to a college position themselves for success in this process. We remain laser-focused on guiding students to build compelling applications that make a compelling case for admission and more importantly helping students develop a long-term plan to achieve health, happiness, and financial independence through their education. With a plan and passion, we are confident in each of our student’s ability to make the most of their journey to college and are excited to see what they accomplish through this process.