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Home / College Guide / University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Admissions

University of California San Francisco (UCSF) Admissions & Acceptance Rate

Last Updated on Apr 18, 2025
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The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a top-ranked school located 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 does not have any undergraduate degrees. Thus, the school does not require SAT Exam scores 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 UCSF acceptance rate was around 2.8%, making it one of the hardest medical schools to get into.

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Did You Know Facts About University of California San Francisco?

  1. 🧬 Leading in Medical Research
    UCSF is one of the top research universities in the world, especially in health sciences. It receives over $700 million annually in research funding!
     
  2. 🏥 UCSF Health is World-Renowned
    UCSF Medical Center is consistently ranked among the top 10 hospitals in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report.
     
  3. 🎓 Graduate-Only Focus
    Unlike other UC campuses, UCSF only offers graduate and professional programs—no undergraduate majors here!
     
  4. 🧠 Home of Breakthrough Discoveries
    UCSF researchers helped discover the first cancer-causing oncogene and HIV’s role in AIDS, revolutionizing modern medicine.
     
  5. 🌉 Iconic San Francisco Location
    UCSF has campuses across San Francisco, including the scenic Parnassus Heights and Mission Bay, blending top-tier science with beautiful city views. 🌁

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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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UCSF Admission Requirements

The University of California San Francisco’s admission process is holistic, considering a broad range of qualities including academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and personal accomplishments. The university uses the University of California application, which includes questions about academic history, personal 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 3.5 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 or fee waiver available

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A strong application to UCSF should include not only a solid academic foundation but also a personal statement that demonstrates the applicant’s growth, challenges, and future aspirations. Letters of recommendation and extracurricular activities should further strengthen the application by reflecting leadership and engagement.

University of California San Francisco SAT Score Requirements

The University of California San Francisco (UCSF) is different 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.

UCSF Average SAT Score Requirements

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 thinking about UCSF, you’ll need to first go to another college for your bachelor's degree.

Get to Know What Does Test Optional Policy Mean for College Admissions?

University of California San Francisco SAT Score Distribution

Because UCSF doesn’t admit students straight out of high school, there is no SAT score distribution 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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University of California San Francisco Schools that Use SAT Scores

None of the schools or departments at UCSF use SAT scores for admissions. That’s because UCSF only offers graduate-level education. If you’re planning 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.

Also, Get to Know How to Send SAT Scores to Colleges?

University of California San Francisco ACT Scores

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.

UCSF Average ACT Scores for Admitted Students

Since UCSF doesn’t admit undergraduate students, it doesn’t track or report average ACT scores. Students who get into UCSF’s programs—like medicine, pharmacy, or nursing—are already college graduates. Admissions are based on things like college GPA, experience, and other test scores (like the MCAT for medical school), not the ACT.

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University of California San Francisco GPA Requirements

GPA is a critical factor in the admissions process at UCSF. Successful applicants typically maintain GPAs of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. While no formal minimum GPA is required, competitive candidates generally present strong academic records, particularly in advanced coursework such as Advanced Placement (AP) or honors classes.

UCSF Average GPA of Admitted Students

The average GPA of admitted students at UCSF is generally between 3.5 and 4.0 on a weighted 4.0 scale. This reflects a strong academic foundation and the university’s commitment to enrolling students who are capable of handling the rigor of UCSF’s programs.

UCSF GPA Ranges for Admission

The middle 50% GPA range for admitted students at UCSF typically lies between 3.5 and 4.0. Applicants with GPAs within this range have a reasonable chance of admission, although 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 Acceptance Rate

UCSF has a highly competitive acceptance rate of approximately 2.8%. This means that only a small percentage of applicants are admitted each year. Successful applicants will have strong SAT or ACT scores, a high GPA, and a well-rounded application that highlights their academic capabilities, extracurricular activities, and personal strengths.

https://cdn.testbook.com/1744877085594-UCSF%20Acceptance%20Rate.jpg/1744877054.jpeg 

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 Scholarships

UCSF offers scholarships to help students with the cost of their education, especially in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and other health fields. These scholarships are given based on financial need, good grades, or both. Students should apply through the UCSF Financial Aid Office and check each year for available awards. Getting a scholarship can make school more affordable and help students focus on their studies.

  • Regents Scholarship
  • Dean’s Scholarship
  • Health Professions Education Foundation Awards
  • Kaiser Permanente Scholarship
  • UCSF School of Nursing Scholarships

Conclusion

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 acceptance rate is essential for aspiring students. By focusing on a balanced application that emphasizes 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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Colleges That Uses SAT Scores

Many prestigious colleges and universities in the U.S. require SAT scores as part of their admissions process. Below is a list of some of the top colleges and universities that use SAT scores for their admissions.

Category

Colleges/Universities

Ivy League Schools

Harvard University

Yale University

Princeton University

Columbia University

University of Pennsylvania

Dartmouth College

Brown University

Cornell University

Public Research Universities

University of California System (some campuses)

University of Michigan

University of Virginia

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

University of Florida

National Universities

University of Chicago

Northwestern University

Johns Hopkins University

University of Southern California

Liberal Arts Colleges

Williams College

Amherst College

Swarthmore College

Middlebury College

Check Colleges Accepting Low ACT Score

College Name

ACT Score

SAT Score

Texas Southern University

15–19*

820–980*

Tennessee State University

16–21*

890–1080*

Clark Atlanta University

17–20*

860–1053*

Keiser University

15–21*

Not available*

Barry University

16–20*

860–1062*

Colleges That Accept 1200 Score In SAT

University

ACT Score

SAT Score

Wayne State University Admissions

21–27*

940–1200*

Kean University Admissions

16–25*

910–1150*

Eastern Michigan University Admissions

18–26*

910–1150*

Lamar University Admissions

18–24*

910–1120*

Radford University Admissions

19–26*

950–1150*

Grand Valley State University Admissions

21–28*

950–1180*

Central Connecticut State University Admissions

16–27*

925–1140*

University Of Memphis Admissions

17–24*

930–1175*

Sam Houston State University Admissions

19–25*

950–1130*

Oakland University Admissions

20–27*

900–1150*

University Of North Florida Admissions

20–26*

1010–1200*

UCSF Admission FAQs

No, UCSF only offers graduate and professional programs. It does not have undergraduate degrees like other University of California campuses. You must first complete a bachelor’s degree before applying to UCSF programs such as medicine, pharmacy, or nursing.

No, UCSF does not require SAT or ACT scores. Since UCSF doesn’t admit undergraduate students, these standardized test scores are not used in the admissions process. Instead, the school focuses on things like GPA, recommendation letters, personal statements, and relevant experiences.

UCSF has a very competitive acceptance rate of about 2.8%. For example, in Fall 2023, UCSF received 8,774 applications for its School of Medicine but admitted only 161 students. This highlights the high level of selectivity and the need for a strong application.

While UCSF does not officially list a minimum GPA, successful applicants usually have a GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. A strong academic record, especially in science courses or advanced coursework like AP classes, helps show that you're prepared for rigorous graduate study.

UCSF uses a holistic review process. This means they consider more than just grades. Strong applicants show academic excellence, leadership in extracurriculars, personal growth through their essays, and impactful recommendation letters. The goal is to find well-rounded students ready to contribute to the health sciences field.
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