UC admits record number of California first-year students for fall 2023, led by Latinos

The University of California admitted a record number of California applicants for fall 2023 — led by Latinos, who were part of the largest class of underrepresented students ever — as campuses received more funding to increase coveted seats, according to preliminary data released Tuesday. UC campuses also increased admission offers to transfer students — even as their applications last fall declined amid plunging community college enrollments in California and throughout the nation. Michelle Whittingham, UC Santa Cruz associate vice chancellor of enrollment management, said the campus plans to enroll 4,189 first-year students this fall and winter — an increase of 733 over last year — thanks to such factors as additional state funding and quicker completion of degree programs through more summer classes. UC Berkeley admitted 10,994 California first-year students, an increase over last year’s 10,518, which reflected a slight rise in the admission rate to 15.1%. “Increasing California enrollment was quite intentional; an effort to support and be responsive to systemwide and statewide interests.” UC Santa Barbara also increased admission offers to both California and nonresident first-year students by nearly 8%.