MyUCR

Special Admission Programs at UC Riverside

UC Riverside recognizes that quality students come from all walks of life and all manner of educational backgrounds.  If you've been home-schooled, we have programs to assist you in your admissions process and in your transition to UCR (Homeschooled or other Non-Traditionally Educated Students should look at the Non-Traditional Admission section of the Paths to Admission area for more information).  If you are a transfer student or a high school student considering attending community college before going on to UCR, you may be able to secure guaranteed admission to UCR through our Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program.  And for high school students with a distinguished academic record, our Guaranteed Admission Program can help you make the most of your opportunities here at UC Riverside. 

Guaranteed Admission Program for High School Juniors

The University of California, Riverside is pleased to offer a unique opportunity for exceptional students to guarantee admissions to one of the premier research institutions in California.  Through the Guaranteed Admission Program, elite members of the class of 2013 can reserve a place at UCR. The Guaranteed Admission Program is non-binding, so there is no commitment.

UC Riverside graduates include authors and artists, CEO's and scientists, a poet laureate, a Nobel Prize winner and a Pulitzer Prize winner. Just imagine where a world-class UC education from UC Riverside will take you!

What is the Guaranteed Admission Program?

The Guaranteed Admission Program provides a path to admission at UC Riverside for exceptional students who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement through their junior year of high school.

How can I qualify for the Guaranteed Admission Program?

• Complete 13 of 15 required UC Approved "a-g" courses (exception fourth year English and Performing Arts requirement).
• Attain a minimum 3.9 GPA in "a-g" course work and maintain a record of academic excellence during your senior year of high school.
• Complete the SAT Reasoning exam with a minimum score of 1600 or 23 on the ACT plus writing.

When can I apply for the Guaranteed Admission Program?

•  The application for the Guaranteed Admission Program will be available for the class of 2013 at www.gap.ucr.edu from June 18th, 2012 through July 31st, 2012.  

What benefits will I get from the Guaranteed Admission Program?

• Guaranteed admission to one of California's premier research university before any other student can apply to UCR.
• Unlike Early Decision programs, participation in GAP is non-binding. By accepting this offer, you can reserve your place at UCR for Fall 2013. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: If I am admitted to GAP, do I have to attend UCR?
A: No, GAP is non-binding.  You may apply, be admitted and attend any institution of your choice.

Q: Do I have to send in transcripts with your application?
A: No, all of the information on the GAP application is self-reported; we do not require a copy of your transcripts.

Q: Is there cost for GAP?
A: No, there is no application fee for GAP.

Q: Is the GPA weighted?
A: Yes, the GPA for GAP is weighted.

Q: Do I have to take the SAT Subject Exams?
A: We do not require the SAT Subject Exams for GAP.  Completion of the Subject Exams can be considered a bonus in the evaluation process.

Q: Do I have to fulfill all of the requirements? Can I have a little higher GPA and lower SAT scores or vise versa?
A: You must meet both the GPA and test score requirements to be admitted to GAP without exception.

Q: Can I take a class over the summer to fulfill the requirements?
A: You can fulfill the GAP requirements with summer school courses. You will have to send us your grades from the summer school courses as soon as you receive them.

Q: Do I have to submit the UC application in November?
A: Yes, you must submit a UC application and apply to UCR

Q: Do I have to write an essay to be admitted to GAP?
A: No, we do not require an essay for GAP, but you will have to write a personal statement for the UC application in November.

Q: How many positions do you have open to guarantee students?
A: We are not limited as to how many students we can guarantee admission to as long as the student meets the program requirements.

Q: Does any other UC offer this type of guaranteed program?
A: No, UCR is the only campus that offers guaranteed admission

I want to be a part of the Guaranteed Admission Program. What do I do next?

• Sign up for a personalized account at My.UCR.edu to receive more information about UC Riverside.
• Bookmark this site and visit again at the beginning mid-June to apply for the Guaranteed Admission program! 
• E-mail a UC Riverside counselor to answer any questions about the Guaranteed Admission Program: discover@ucr.edu 
• Call a counselor about the Guaranteed Admission Program at (951) 827-3411.

Important Information and Links

• For information about scholarships available at UC Riverside, refer to www.scholarships.ucr.edu/ucr_scholarships.htm
• Learn more about financial aid and other scholarships available to you at http://finaid.ucr.edu/.
• Find out more about the UC Riverside Honors Program at http://www.honors.ucr.edu/.
• Find out more about our Summer Academy program where high school students can take courses at UCR during summer. Visit UC Riverside Summer Academy Program at http://www.summer.ucr.edu/academy/

For More Information
Undergraduate Admissions
University of California, Riverside
3106 Student Services Building
Riverside, CA 92521
(951) 827-3411
E-mail: admit@ucr.edu

Transfer Admission Guarantee

Ensure your admission to one of the top-ranked universities in the country. UC Riverside's (UCR) Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) program allows eligible students to study at a California community college and have a guarantee of admission to UCR.

How TAG Works

You can make an appointment to meet with a UCR Transfer Admission Counselor to discuss both your eligibility to the University and your eligibility to the TAG program. As a community college student and TAG participant, you receive course-planning assistance from a UCR Transfer Admission Counselor. When you complete the provisions of your TAG contract, we guarantee your admission to UCR.

TAG Criteria for Fall 2012

TAG is open to all majors.  To be eligible for TAG, you must meet the following criteria at the time of TAG application:

• Completed minimum 30 UC transferable semester units.
• Minimum 3.0 UC transferable GPA. 
• First English Composition (UC-E) course must be completed by Fall 2011.  Second English Composition must be completed by Spring 2012.
•  One transferable Math (UC-M) course must be completed by Fall 2011.

To receive the TAG contract:

• You must be a U.S. citizen, Permanent Resident or AB540 qualified. International students are also eligible to receive a TAG contract.
• You must be enrolled at a California Community College. Students with non-California community college coursework and/or foreign coursework may apply for TAG with no more than 60 transferable semester units of combined 4-year and community collge coursework, excluding AP/IB untis.
• You must submit the TAG online application at https://uctag.universityofcalifornia.edu/ during the appropriate filing period.  The TAG application filing period is September 1-30, 2011 for the Fall 2012 quarter.

To guarantee your admission to UCR you must:

1. Complete at least 60 semester (90 quarter) UC transferable units wby the end of Spring 2012 with the required GPA for your specific major before transfer.
2. For selecting majors, complete the selection criteria as outlined on www.assist.org. Selecting majrs include Business Administration, Biochemistry, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Plants Biology, and all majors in the Bourns College of Engineering.
3. Maintain good academic standing (2.0 GPA or higher) during your last full-term of attendance before transfer.
4. Submit your UC application during the filing period, November 2-30, 2011 at http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply.
5. Apply for your contracted major and for your contracted term.