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Prospective Students

Thinking of applying to UC San DIego and Muir College? Recently admitted? Here is information to help you get started.

How to Apply

Ranking the Colleges

  • When you apply to UCSD, you will need to rank your top 4 choices out of the 8 colleges. Your choice of college will affect your general education requirements, and housing, but all 8 colleges have similar resources and support, but you can have a very different culture and personal experience.
  • You can find information on the colleges in the General Catalog and at the Office of Admissions website and use the information to think about how the different colleges fit your educational goals!

Applying as a Transfer Student

  • You must complete the 7 course pattern as the minimum requirement for admission. This does not clear UCSD general education or major requirements. 
  • In addition, your major may require you to complete transfer major preparation requirements to be admitted. 
  • Finally, you should complete a transfer agreement such as IGETC or CAL-GETC, or get a letter of reciprocity from your previous 4 year college or university showing you completed General Education requirements before transfer to UC San Diego. 
    • Completing a transfer agreement is not required for admission, but without a transfer agreement, you will be held to all of the Muir General Education Requirements.
    • Completing an Associate's Degree does not automatically satisfy general education. 
    • Completing the 7 Course Pattern does not automatically satisfy  general education.
  • For more information on application as a transfer student, see the information from Admissions.

AP, IB, and Transfer Credit

  • UCSD will accept most AP, IB higher level exams, and A-level exams to fulfill college credit. You can view the AP chart here and the IB chart IB chart. A-level exams are reviewed on a case by case basis.
  • Many courses taken at community colleges or universities are considered transferable to UC San Diego. However, only courses taken at a University of California will count toward your official UCSD GPA.  
  • For California Community College courses, you can view course equivalents and and UC transferability at http://www.assist.org

Cost of Attendance

UCSD charges a fixed tuition. You are not charged per unit. There is a different fee for California residents vs. non resident students (out of state or international students, for example.) You may apply for part-time study and pay a lower tuition. 

How Long Will It Take For Me to Graduate?

Sample graduation plans for first year and transfer students for all majors can be found at http://plans.ucsd.edu.

Can I Meet With an Academic Advisor Now?

Online advising for incoming first year and transfer students will open in mid to late June to plan for your enrollment in Fall Quarter, which happens in August. You cannot meet with an advisor before then.

Can I Enroll in Summer Session Before My First Quarter?

Yes, you can. But it isn't the right choice for all students.Review the recommendations about summer enrollment as an incoming student.

Pros of Summer Before Your First Year at UC San Diego

  • For some students, this can be a time to focus on 1 or 2 classes. 
  • Summer may help you get a head start on general education, the requirement in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion, or the Jane Teranes Climate Change Education Requirement. 
  • Summer may help you explore academically if you have not declared or decided on a major. 

Cons of Summer Before Your First Year at UC San Diego

  • Summer sessions are fast, most lasting only 5 weeks. 
    • You need to set aside time to focus on school. It is hard to work and take 2 classes in a single summer session. 
    • You need to jump into college coursework without any time to adjust!
    • Some classes are already hard for many students to do well in over 10 weeks and are that much harder to complete, much less do well in, over a shorter term.
  • You would need to talk to the Financial Aid and Scholarships Office to see if you are eligible for financial aid before you start Fall Quarter, which is officially your first term as a student. 
    • If you are eligible for financial aid, you need to meet minimum enrollment requirements.
    • You need a 2.0 GPA in your summer classes or you may lose eligibility for financial aid and will need to appeal to get it back!
  • Summer Session classes are part of your UC GPA and UCSD transcript. This is not a test run – it is actually part of your academic record and the grades must be included in your UC San Diego transcript.

Possible Summer Session Classes for Incoming First Year Students Trying for Muir General Education

The following courses are chosen to avoid prerequisites, to be lower-division courses appropriate for new students, and to fit into specific Muir GE Themes. 

Summer Session 1, 2026

Math or Natural Sciences
  1. Math and Statistics Theme: COGS 14A,  POLI 30R, PSYC 60
  2. Biological Sciences Theme: ANTH 2, ANTH 43,  BILD 1, BILD 2,  BILD 10, COGS 17
  3. Computing and Logic Theme: COGS 9, ECON 5, PHIL 10, PHIL 12 , POLI 5D, USP 4
  4. Physical Sciences Theme: SIO 40
Social Sciences
  1. Culture, Society, & Social Justice Theme: ANTH 1, ANTH 21, ANTH 23, CGS 21, ETHN 2R, GLBH 20
  2. Language and Communication Theme: DSGN 1, COMM 10, LIGN 8
  3. Mind and Cognition Theme: COGS 2, COGS 11, MUS 20R, PSYC 1
  4. Government and Economics Theme: ECON 1, ECON 3, POLI 10R, POLI 12R, POLI 13R, USP 1
Fine Arts
  1. Music Theme: MUS 1A, MUS 4, MUS 5R, MUS 6, MUS 7, MUS 13, MUS 15, MUS 17
  2. Theatre, Dance, and Film Theme:  TDAC 1, TDGE 10, TDGE 11, TDGE 25, TDPW 1
  3. Visual Arts Theme: none
Humanities
  1. Historical Narratives Theme:  HILD 2A, HILD 7A, HILD 7B, HID 12, HILD 14, HILD 43, LATI 10
  2. Literary Narratives Theme: None
  3. Philosophical Perspectives Theme: PHIL 1, PHIL 13,  PHIL 51, PHIL 60, MGT 16

Summer Session 2, 2026

Math or Natural Sciences
  1. Mathematics and Statistics Theme: COGS 14A, POLI 30R,  PSYC 60
  2. Biological Sciences Theme : ANTH 42, BILD 1, BILD 3, BILD 20
  3. Computing and Logic Theme : COGS 3,  ECON 5, LIGN 17, PHIL 10, POLI 5D
  4. Physical Sciences Theme : SIO 10, SIO 30, SIO 35, SIO 45, SIO 46GS
Social Sciences
  1. Culture, Society, & Social Justice Theme : ANTH 10,  EDS 25, ENTH 3R
  2. Language and Communication Theme : COMM 10, COMM 20
  3. Mind and Cognition Theme : COGS 13, PSYC 1, PSYC 4
  4. Government and Economics Theme : ECON 1, POLI 11R, POLI 13R, USP 3
Fine Arts
  1. Music Theme : MUS 4, MUS 5R, MUS 6, MUS 7, MUS 13, MUS 14, MUS 15, MUS 17
  2. Theatre, Dance, and Film Theme : TDAC 1, TDDE 1, TDGE 10, TDGE 11, TDGE 25,  TDMV 1, TDPW 1
  3. Visual Arts Theme : VIS 11, VIS 41, VIS 84B
Humanities
  1. Historical Narratives Theme :  GSS 22, HILD 2A, HILD 7B, HILD 7C, HILD 12, HILD 41
  2. Literary Narratives Theme : AWP 10
  3. Philosophical Perspectives Theme : PHIL 16, PHIL 24, PHIL 50, PHIL 55,