top of page


Breaking Down the Well-Rounded Myth
When you imagine a well-rounded student, you're probably picturing a Disney-channel style "popular kid" who's student body president, has A's in every subject, and is in every activity from archery to the school paper. The good news is that you don't have to be well-rounded to get into a good school, including the UC system. The bad news is that you have to do something else to be the kind of student top universities are looking for. Image Courtesy of BBC Glasgow What makes a
Ella Jewell
Apr 124 min read


How UC Weighs Majors in Applications
If you're applying to college using the Common App, chances are you've come across your "preferred major" section that lets you rank a few majors you're interested in. Most schools consider this, but it's not a deciding factor for admission. However, the UC Application is different, with more weight placed on your major and alternate major selections. This article breaks down how the major selection system works and how you can maximize your chances with it. System Overview O
Ella Jewell
Mar 314 min read


What Do the UCs Look For?
The UCs are rather transparent about the type of students they look for, laid out in the system website. However, some of these criteria are somewhat vague or seem subjective. Today, we'll find out what they criteria really mean and how you can meet them in your application. Here's the full list of the criteria: Academic grade point average in all completed A-G courses, including additional points for completed UC-certified honors courses. Number of, content of and performanc
Ella Jewell
Mar 296 min read


UC vs CSU Requirements
Trying to decide between the University of California and California State University systems? While both offer strong academics and valuable resources, their admissions requirements, costs, campus environments, and long-term opportunities differ in important ways. This guide breaks down GPA thresholds, A-G requirements, competitiveness, and key factors to help you choose the right fit.
Ella Jewell
Mar 24 min read
bottom of page