The University of California (UC) system has its own application platform. This means prospective students applying to any of the UC campuses (such as UCLA, Berkeley, or San Diego) must submit their applications through the UC Application website, rather than using a centralized system shared by many other universities. A student interested in attending both a UC school and, for example, Stanford, would apply to the UC system using the UC Application and to Stanford using either the Common Application or the Stanford application.
The decision to maintain a separate application allows the UC system to tailor its application process specifically to its academic mission and the needs of California residents, who constitute a significant portion of its applicant pool. It enables the system to collect data specific to evaluating candidates within the context of the UC’s priorities, and it gives the UC full control over the application timeline, fee structure, and required essays. Historically, this independence has allowed the UC system to maintain accessibility and affordability for California students.
