Admission Requirements for Graduate Programs at University of California-San Diego

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The graduate schools and colleges under UC San Diego have their specific admission requirements. However, some general requirements include a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. A minimum average of B i.e. 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required. Other supporting documents include letters of recommendation and academic records. 

Most graduate programs require that applicants take the GRE. International students also need to submit English proficiency scores. The minimum accepted TOEFL score is 85 for the Internet Test and 64 for the Paper Test. The minimum IELTS score is Band 7.0 for admission to UC San Diego’s graduate programs. 


What is the typical GRE/GMAT/LSAT score required for admission to graduate programs at the University of California, San Diego?

Most graduate programs at UC San Diego require GRE scores. However, the graduate schools at UC San Diego don’t mention any minimum test score requirements for admission. The average GRE score for getting admitted to graduate programs at UC San Diego is 155 in verbal and 167 in Quant

Applicants are advised to take the GRE in the fall prior to the fall term for which admission is sought. In the case of law programs, applicants need to give the LSAT scores. It is advised to compare the average GPA and LSAT stats of UCSD law school admits.  


Are there master's programs available at UC San Diego that do not necessitate GRE or GMAT scores for admission?

Yes, UC San Diego offers Masters programs without any GRE or GMAT requirements. For applying to the Master in Bioengineering program, a minimum of 3 recommendations are required. Applicants also need to submit a statement of Purpose and Resume/CV. Similarly, the master's degree programs in Communication Sciences and Disorders do not require GRE scores. 

More programs that don't require GRE are:

  • Master of Public Policy (MPP) 
  • Master of Science in Applied Data Science
  • MS in Physics
  • Master of Bioengineering (MEng)
  • M.S. in Business Analytics (No GMAT scores required)


Is it harder to get into UC San Diego Master's programs with a lower GPA?

UC San Diego follows a competitive admission process and has a low acceptance rate. Applicants intending to get admission to graduate programs must have completed a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution. A minimum average of B i.e. 3.0 on a 4.0 scale is required. 

Other application documents including letters of recommendation, personal statements, and academic and extra-curricular activity records also play a crucial role in the admission decision. However, these requirements cannot guarantee admission in case of a low GPA. 


What barriers might international students face in the admission process at UC San Diego?

UC San Diego’s graduate admissions are tough to crack, making it difficult for international students to get admission to UC San Diego. The university has country-specific requirements making it accessible for international students to apply. Apart from other application requirements, international applicants also need to have good scores in English proficiency tests like TOEFL or IELTS. 


Are interviews required as part of the admissions process for Master's or joint-degree programs at UC San Diego?

Yes, some graduate programs at UC San Diego require interviews for admission. Rady School of Management’s full-time MBA program conducts interviews and is by invitation only. Firstly, applications are reviewed, and decisions are made on a rolling basis. Selected applicants are invited for an interview.


Lets explore the admission requirements for various graduate programs at University of California-San Diego that do not require GRE scores.

M.S. in Business Analytics Admissions

MS in Business Analytics at University of California-San Diego Admission Requirements:

1. An undergraduate degree in a quantitative discipline such as mathematics, economics, statistics, physics, engineering, or computer science.

2. Five or more years of work experience in the public or private sector.

A completed MS in Business Analytics application will include the following components:

1. Application Form.

2. Transcripts.

3. Resume or CV.

4. Quantitative Background.

5. Two recommendations.

6. Statement of Purpose.

7.

GMAT or GRE Scores is required for MS in Business Analytics at University of California-San Diego.

8. International applicants must submit TOEFL, IELTS or PTE Score. The average TOEFL for the MSBA program is 105. The minimum IELTS score is 7 with a class average of 7.3. The minimum PTE score is 65.

9. The application fee is $120 for US citizens or Permanent Residents; $140 for international applicants.

Master of Public Policy (MPP)

The application deadline is January 15.

GPS will not require or consider GRE or GMAT scores

Letters of Recommendation: Minimum of 3 recommendations required.

Statement of Purpose: Required

Resume/CV: Required

English Proficiency Exams: A test of English language proficiency is required for international applicants whose native language is not English and who have not studied full-time for one uninterrupted academic year at a university-level institution in which English is the language of instruction and in a country where English is a dominant language.

Master of Public Policy (MPP)

The admission deadline is May 17.

GPS will not require or consider GRE or GMAT scores for admission.

A test of English language proficiency is required for international applicants whose native language is not English and who have not studied full-time for one uninterrupted academic year at a university-level institution in which English is the language of instruction and in a country where English is a dominant language.

Applicants to the MPP must submit either a TOEFL, IELTS or PTE score report to be considered for admission to GPS.

Minimum of 3 Letters of Recommendation are required.

Statement of Purpose is required. Statement of Purpose has no word limit.

Resume/CV is required.

MS in Chemistry & Biochemistry Program

Admission requirements for the UC San Diego's MS in Chemistry & Biochemistry Program:

1. General Application.

2. Unofficial transcripts for all institutions attended after high school.

3. Statement of Purpose.

4. Three letters of recommendation.

5. The GRE General & GRE Subject are not required for the UC San Diego's MS in Chemistry & Biochemistry Program.

6. Demonstrated proficiency in the English language (TOEFL, IELTS, or PTE) is required for all other international applicants whose native language is not English.

Minimum TOEFL score is 550 for the paper based test (PBT), and 85 for the internet based test (iBT). The minimum for the IELTS Academic Training exam is a score of 7 and a score of 65 for the PTE Academic.

UC San Diego's MS in Chemistry & Biochemistry Program Admissions Deadline is January 13.

M.S. in Business Analytics Admissions

MS in Business Analytics at University of California-San Diego minimum admission requirements:

1. An undergraduate degree in a quantitative discipline such as mathematics, economics, statistics, physics, engineering, or computer science.

2. Five or more years of work experience in the public or private sector.

A completed MS in Business Analytics application will include the following components:

1. Application Form.

2. fficial transcripts of all the previous academic work will be required to verify the information provided in the uploaded files.

3. Resume or CV.

4. Quantitative Background: Provide details regarding the experience with computational programming (for example, C++) and with statistical, econometrics and mathematical applications and tools (for example, SAS, Stata, MatLab, R, S-Plus, Mathematica).

5. All applicants are required to submit two recommendations. It is highly encouraged that recommendations be submitted online.

6. Statement of Purpose.

7.

MS in Business Analytics program at University of California-San Diego require GMAT or GRE scores.

7. TOEFL, IELTS or PTE Score are required for international applicants. The average TOEFL for the MSBA program is 105. The minimum IELTS score is 7 with a class average of 7.3. The minimum PTE score is 65.

8. The application fee is $120 for US citizens or Permanent Residents; $140 for international applicants.

Application deadlines for MS in Business Analytics at University of California-San Diego:

Full-Time MSBA: May 1

FlexWeekend MSBA: June 1

Political Science and International Affairs

PhD in Political Science and International Affairs at University of California-San Diego admission requirements:

1.Three letters of Recommendation.

2.Statement of Purpose.

3.Resume/CV.

4.GRE scores are NOT required for PhD in Political Science and International Affairs at University of California-San Diego.

Application deadline for PhD in Political Science and International Affairs at University of California-San Diego is December 9.