University of California, Riverside
A UC campus in the Inland Empire with nationally recognized programs in entomology, plant biology, and engineering.
- Next deadline
- Nov 30, 2026Regular Decision
- Essays
- 8Prompts
- Supplement
- RequiredCurrent cycle
- Platform
- School portalOfficial portal
- Selectivity
- 66%Less selective
- Enrollment
- 22,000Large undergrad
Build your University of California, Riverside application plan
Track the deadline, review every supplemental essay prompt, and shape each response around one clear admissions story.
Application deadlines
Supplemental essay prompts
- Supplement350 wordscurrent
Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.
- Supplement350 wordscurrent
Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.
- Supplement350 wordscurrent
What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
- Supplement350 wordscurrent
Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
- Supplement350 wordscurrent
Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
- Supplement350 wordscurrent
Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.
- Supplement350 wordscurrent
What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?
- Supplement350 wordscurrent
Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?
How to approach University of California, Riverside's supplemental essays
Choose a role before you draft
Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.
Choose a role before you draft
Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.
Choose a role before you draft
Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.
Choose a role before you draft
Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.
Choose a role before you draft
Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.
Choose a role before you draft
Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.
Choose a role before you draft
Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.
Choose a role before you draft
Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.
Use this as a blank structure for a University of California, Riverside supplement response, then replace every bracket with your own specifics.
- Open on [specific scene, object, problem, or conversation].
- Show what [choice/action/constraint] reveals about how you think.
- Connect that trait to [school program, community, lab, class, or value].
- End with the contribution you want to make at University of California, Riverside, not a compliment.
Need more help with this application?
Use our guides to plan your supplement, sharpen your Why Us research, and review your draft before you submit.
Frequently asked questions
How many supplemental essays does University of California, Riverside require?
University of California, Riverside has 8 supplemental essays listed for the current application cycle, in addition to the shared application essay.
Does University of California, Riverside accept the Common Application?
No — University of California, Riverside uses its own application portal, not the Common App.
What is University of California, Riverside's acceptance rate?
University of California, Riverside's most recently reported acceptance rate is 66.0%.
When is University of California, Riverside's next application deadline?
University of California, Riverside's next listed application deadline is the Regular Decision round on November 30, 2026.
What is University of California, Riverside's "Describe an example of your leadership…" prompt (#1, 350 words)?
Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.
What is University of California, Riverside's "Every person has a creative side…" prompt (#2, 350 words)?
Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.
What is University of California, Riverside's "What would you say is your…" prompt (#3, 350 words)?
What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
What is University of California, Riverside's "Describe how you have taken advantage…" prompt (#4, 350 words)?
Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
What is University of California, Riverside's "Describe the most significant challenge you…" prompt (#5, 350 words)?
Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
What is University of California, Riverside's "Think about an academic subject that…" prompt (#6, 350 words)?
Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.
What is University of California, Riverside's "What have you done to make…" prompt (#7, 350 words)?
What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?
What is University of California, Riverside's "Beyond what has already been shared…" prompt (#8, 350 words)?
Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?
Sources and verification
We prioritize University of California, Riverside's official admissions pages for school-specific prompts and deadlines, then use application-platform and federal sources as cross-checks. This record was last verified on July 19, 2026.
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