We are so happy you applied to UCSB! Now that we have received your application, what happens next? Stay tuned for more updates and check back soon!
Coming Soon!
We've moved our UCSB Applicant Portal! Check back for a new portal tutorial.
Next Steps for Applicants
We will release admission decisions in mid-March for first-year applicants and in mid-April for transfer applicants. In the meantime, stay informed and learn more about what UCSB has to offer!
- Watch our UCSB Applicant Portal tutorial here!
- Keep up with important dates and deadlines.
- Take a guided tour with a UCSB tour guide (virtual options available) or join a student panel on our Events & Visits page.
- Save the date for our Open House in April and Transfer Open House in May.
- Take a look at our publications and videos, read 10 reasons to choose UCSB, and browse our Frequently Asked Questions.
- Follow @UCSBAdmissions for Admissions updates and @UCSBLife for an overview of student life on campus.
- Learn about financial aid options by visiting the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships website.
Important Notes for First-Year Applicants
- Unless specifically requested, you should not send transcripts, letters of recommendation, or any supplemental materials. Admitted first-year students who enroll at UCSB will be required to provide their final high school transcript with a graduation date in the summer.
- You must maintain a 'B' average for your senior year. Even one 'D' or 'F' may render you ineligible for the University of California.
- You should not send us official test scores at this time (including SAT, AP, ACT, SAT Subject Tests, etc.). For international students, when required, IELTS, Duolingo, and TOEFL scores should be submitted to each UC you applied to by January. Visit our English Language Proficiency page for more information.
Important Notes for Transfer Applicants
- Submit your Transfer Academic Update (TAU) on the UC application website. Look for a system-generated reminder email. The priority deadline is January 31, 2026. Additional academic updates can be submitted past the priority deadline until March 15, 2026 as this is the central way for all campuses to receive updates.
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If you need to update something on your academic record after you submit your application, you may add details to the "additional comments" of your academic update in January. The UC campuses will follow up when your application is reviewed if further clarification is needed.
- You must complete all planned courses with a grade of 'C' or better.
Frequently Asked Questions from Applicants
Due to the current volume of submissions, we are unable to update first-year applications once they are submitted. If you are admitted and choose to enroll at UCSB, you can reach out at that time with any coursework changes. Transfer applicants will be able to update their academic record during the Transfer Academic Update (TAU) starting December 15th with a priority deadline of January 31.
Admission decisions are released online mid-March for first-year applicants and mid to late April for transfer applicants on the Applicant Portal.
Information pertaining to financial aid options can be found on the website of our Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships. Common questions are answered on the Financial Aid FAQ. We encourage applicants to file by March 2, 2026. Financial packages are usually sent to admitted students about a week after admission decisions are released.
First-Year Applicants
A change of major request can be submitted via email to admissions@ucsb.edu between December 1-31. Using your UC application email, use the subject line “Major Change Request" and be sure to list your current major choice, requested major, full name, and your UC application ID or UCSB Perm number. View our change of major webpage for additional details.
Transfer Applicants
A change of major request can be submitted via email to admissions@ucsb.edu between December 1-January 31. Using your UC application email, use the subject line “Major Change Request" and be sure to list your current major choice, requested major, full name, and your UC application ID or UCSB Perm number. View our change of major webpage for additional details.
Please send transcripts only if you are admitted and have decided to attend UCSB. The University of California application asks applicants to self-report their academic information and to use a copy of their transcript when doing so. Consequently, we do not review partial transcripts in our selection process, but rather we rely on what you reported in your UCSB application.
If admitted and you decide to attend the university, we will require your final transcripts with graduation posted. At that time, we will review the transcripts and confirm that the original records were entered correctly.
After enrollment, transcripts can be sent to:
Office of Admissions
1210 Cheadle Hall
Santa Barbara, CA 93106-2014
UCSB accepts electronic transcripts from the following vendors: Credentials Solutions/eSCRIP-SAFE, SCOIR, eTranscript CA, Kiteworks, JST DoD Military Transcripts, Parchment Exchange, National Student Clearinghouse, and SPEEDE. In most cases, transcripts sent through Naviance are distributed via Parchment Exchange.
We do not accept or review letters of recommendation in our selection process, but rather rely on what you reported in your UC application.
As we consider each individual application, we look beyond academics. We spend time evaluating your achievements in light of the opportunities available to you and your demonstrated capacity to contribute to the intellectual life at UCSB. For information on how we admit students, see information on our website for first-year and transfer processes.
We appreciate that you are eager to express your love for UCSB! We love it too! Unfortunately, with so many applicants, we do not take “demonstrated interest” into consideration when making admission decisions. For information on how we admit students, see information on our website for first-year and transfer processes.
You can only cancel or withdraw your application in the UCSB Applicant Portal. To do so, you will need to create an account to log in. Instructions will be provided via email in January. Once you log in, you can cancel or withdraw your application by selecting the "Withdrawal Application" button to indicate that you will not enroll at UCSB this fall.
- If your portal shows your admission status as “Pending:” Click on the “Withdraw Application” button to remove yourself from consideration for admission.
- If your portal shows your admission status as “Admitted:” Select the “Accept or Decline Admission” button to indicate your final choice for enrollment.
- If you have already accepted our offer of admission and now want to withdraw: Cancel your Statement of Intent to Enroll (SIR) by selecting the "Withdraw Application" button to let us know that you are not going to attend. If you have already submitted a housing application, contact Campus Housing as soon as possible to cancel your space.
Please note, canceling/withdrawing your application is a FINAL decision and CANNOT be reversed. The Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) fee is non-refundable, even when canceling.
If you are interested in enrolling at UC Santa Barbara in the future, you will need to reapply for admission during the appropriate filing period. The next opportunity to apply is November 2026, for fall 2027 enrollment. Admissions staff will be pleased to assist you in planning for admission to a future term, visit our website for additional information.
We wish you the best in your future endeavors.