The University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) is a top-ranked school located in San Francisco, California. It is known for its strong programs in health sciences, including medicine, dentistry, nursing, pharmacy, and biomedical research. UCSF only offers graduate and professional programs, so it does not have any undergraduate degrees. Thus, the school does not require SAT Exam scores or ACT Exam scores. The UCSF School of Medicine is very competitive. In Fall 2023, the school received 8,774 applications, interviewed 525 people, and accepted 161 students. The UCSF acceptance rate was around 2.8%, making it one of the hardest medical schools to get into.

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Did You Know Facts About University of California San Francisco?

1. 🧬 Leading in Medical Research
   UCSF is one of the top research universities in the world, especially in health sciences. It receives over $700 million annually in research funding!
    
2. 🏥 UCSF Health is World-Renowned
   UCSF Medical Center is consistently ranked among the top 10 hospitals in the U.S. by U.S. News & World Report.
    
3. 🎓 Graduate-Only Focus
   Unlike other UC campuses, UCSF only offers graduate and professional programs—no undergraduate majors here!
    
4. 🧠 Home of Breakthrough Discoveries
   UCSF researchers helped discover the first cancer-causing oncogene and HIV’s role in AIDS, revolutionizing modern medicine.
    
5. 🌉 Iconic San Francisco Location
   UCSF has campuses across San Francisco, including the scenic Parnassus Heights and Mission Bay, blending top-tier science with beautiful city views. 🌁

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UCSF Admission Requirements

The University of California San Francisco’s admission process is holistic, considering a broad range of qualities including academic achievement, extracurricular involvement, and personal accomplishments. The university uses the University of California application, which includes questions about academic history, personal insight, and extracurricular activities. Here are the key application requirements for UCSF:

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A strong application to UCSF should include not only a solid academic foundation but also a personal statement that demonstrates the applicant’s growth, challenges, and future aspirations. Letters of recommendation and extracurricular activities should further strengthen the application by reflecting leadership and engagement.

University of California San Francisco SAT Score Requirements

The University of California San Francisco (UCSF) is different from most other colleges because it doesn’t offer undergraduate programs. That means you can’t apply to UCSF right after high school. Instead, it focuses only on graduate and professional programs like medicine, pharmacy, nursing, and dentistry. So, UCSF does not require SAT scores for admission.

UCSF Average SAT Score Requirements

Since UCSF doesn’t have undergraduate programs, it also doesn’t track or report average SAT scores for its students. Most people who apply to UCSF already have a college degree and are applying to medical or health science programs. So, if you're a high school student thinking about UCSF, you’ll need to first go to another college for your bachelor's degree.

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University of California San Francisco SAT Score Distribution

Because UCSF doesn’t admit students straight out of high school, there is no SAT score distribution available. Instead, the admissions teams look at other things, like your college GPA, research experience, and letters of recommendation when you apply for their graduate programs.

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University of California San Francisco Schools that Use SAT Scores

None of the schools or departments at UCSF use SAT scores for admissions. That’s because UCSF only offers graduate-level education. If you’re planning to go into fields like medicine, nursing, or pharmacy at UCSF, you’ll need to complete your undergraduate education somewhere else first—and those schools might look at your SAT scores.

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University of California San Francisco ACT Scores

The University of California San Francisco (UCSF) is a special kind of school—it only offers graduate and professional programs. That means you can’t apply right after high school, so ACT scores are not required or used in the admission process. Instead, students apply after finishing their bachelor’s degree.

UCSF Average ACT Scores for Admitted Students

Since UCSF doesn’t admit undergraduate students, it doesn’t track or report average ACT scores. Students who get into UCSF’s programs—like medicine, pharmacy, or nursing—are already college graduates. Admissions are based on things like college GPA, experience, and other test scores (like the MCAT for medical school), not the ACT.

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GPA is a critical factor in the admissions process at UCSF. Successful applicants typically maintain GPAs of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale. While no formal minimum GPA is required, competitive candidates generally present strong academic records, particularly in advanced coursework such as Advanced Placement (AP) or honors classes.

UCSF Average GPA of Admitted Students

The average GPA of admitted students at UCSF is generally between 3.5 and 4.0 on a weighted 4.0 scale. This reflects a strong academic foundation and the university’s commitment to enrolling students who are capable of handling the rigor of UCSF’s programs.

UCSF GPA Ranges for Admission

The middle 50% GPA range for admitted students at UCSF typically lies between 3.5 and 4.0. Applicants with GPAs within this range have a reasonable chance of admission, although those with lower GPAs may need to strengthen their applications through other factors such as extracurricular involvement and leadership roles.

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UCSF Acceptance Rate

UCSF has a highly competitive acceptance rate of approximately 2.8%. This means that only a small percentage of applicants are admitted each year. Successful applicants will have strong SAT or ACT scores, a high GPA, and a well-rounded application that highlights their academic capabilities, extracurricular activities, and personal strengths.

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UCSF Scholarships

UCSF offers scholarships to help students with the cost of their education, especially in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and other health fields. These scholarships are given based on financial need, good grades, or both. Students should apply through the UCSF Financial Aid Office and check each year for available awards. Getting a scholarship can make school more affordable and help students focus on their studies.

• Regents Scholarship
• Dean’s Scholarship
• Health Professions Education Foundation Awards
• Kaiser Permanente Scholarship
• UCSF School of Nursing Scholarships

Conclusion

Successfully navigating the admissions process at UCSF requires careful preparation and attention to academic standards. Understanding the University of California San Francisco GPA requirements and acceptance rate is essential for aspiring students. By focusing on a balanced application that emphasizes academic strengths, extracurricular activities, and personal achievements, applicants can significantly improve their chances of admission to this prestigious institution. Prepare thoroughly, and best of luck on your journey to becoming part of the University of California San Francisco community!

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Colleges That Uses SAT Scores

Many prestigious colleges and universities in the U.S. require SAT scores as part of their admissions process. Below is a list of some of the top colleges and universities that use SAT scores for their admissions.

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