University of California, San Diego
A UC campus with exceptional strength in the sciences and oceanography, organized around a residential college system.
- Next deadline
- Nov 30, 2026Regular Decision
- Essays
- 1Prompt
- Supplement
- Required2026-2027 cycle
- Platform
- Not listedCheck official site
- Selectivity
- 23.7%Selective
- Enrollment
- 33,081Large undergrad
Build your University of California, San Diego 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 words2026-2027
Students applying to UCSD respond to the UC Personal Insight Questions — choose four of the eight prompts and respond to each in 350 words or fewer.
How to approach University of California, San Diego'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.
Use this as a blank structure for a University of California, San Diego 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, San Diego, 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, San Diego require?
University of California, San Diego has 1 supplemental essay listed for the 2026-2027 application cycle, in addition to the shared application essay.
Does University of California, San Diego accept the Common Application?
No — University of California, San Diego uses its own application portal, not the Common App.
What is University of California, San Diego's acceptance rate?
University of California, San Diego's most recently reported acceptance rate is 23.7%.
When is University of California, San Diego's next application deadline?
University of California, San Diego's next listed application deadline is the Regular Decision round on November 30, 2026.
What does University of California, San Diego's supplement essay prompt ask (350 words)?
Students applying to UCSD respond to the UC Personal Insight Questions — choose four of the eight prompts and respond to each in 350 words or fewer.
Sources and verification
We prioritize University of California, San Diego's official admissions pages for school-specific prompts and deadlines, then use application-platform and federal sources as cross-checks. This record is labeled for the 2026-2027 cycle but still needs a fresh verification pass.
Review official source →