University of California, Santa Cruz

A UC campus perched in the redwood forests above Monterey Bay, known for its distinctive residential college system and strong programs in computer science, environmental studies, and the arts.

Santa Cruz, CAUniversity
Verified Jul 19, 2026
View official admissions source →
Next deadline
Nov 30, 2026
Regular Decision
Essays
8
Prompts
Supplement
Required
Current cycle
Platform
School portal
Official portal
Selectivity
47.3%
Less selective
Enrollment
19,478
Large undergrad

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Application deadlines

RoundDeadlineStatus
Regular DecisionNovember 30, 2026131 days away

Supplemental essay prompts

  1. 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.

  2. 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.

  3. Supplement350 wordscurrent

    What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?

  4. Supplement350 wordscurrent

    Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

  5. 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?

  6. Supplement350 wordscurrent

    Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.

  7. Supplement350 wordscurrent

    What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?

  8. 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, Santa Cruz's supplemental essays

Prompt 1 · 350 words

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.

Prompt 2 · 350 words

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.

Prompt 3 · 350 words

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.

Prompt 4 · 350 words

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.

Prompt 5 · 350 words

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.

Prompt 6 · 350 words

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.

Prompt 7 · 350 words

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.

Prompt 8 · 350 words

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.

Example essay shell

Use this as a blank structure for a University of California, Santa Cruz supplement response, then replace every bracket with your own specifics.

  1. Open on [specific scene, object, problem, or conversation].
  2. Show what [choice/action/constraint] reveals about how you think.
  3. Connect that trait to [school program, community, lab, class, or value].
  4. End with the contribution you want to make at University of California, Santa Cruz, 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.

PlanSupplemental essay guide →ResearchWhy Us essay guide →ReviewEvaluate an essay draft →

Frequently asked questions

How many supplemental essays does University of California, Santa Cruz require?

University of California, Santa Cruz has 8 supplemental essays listed for the current application cycle, in addition to the shared application essay.

Does University of California, Santa Cruz accept the Common Application?

No — University of California, Santa Cruz uses its own application portal, not the Common App.

What is University of California, Santa Cruz's acceptance rate?

University of California, Santa Cruz's most recently reported acceptance rate is 47.3%.

When is University of California, Santa Cruz's next application deadline?

University of California, Santa Cruz's next listed application deadline is the Regular Decision round on November 30, 2026.

What is University of California, Santa Cruz'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, Santa Cruz'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, Santa Cruz'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, Santa Cruz'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, Santa Cruz'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, Santa Cruz'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, Santa Cruz'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, Santa Cruz'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, Santa Cruz'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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