UC Davis Applications and Admissions Up Slightly

Nearly every campus in the UC system saw an increase in freshman applications and admissions for 2011, including Davis.

But enrollment growth has been curtailed system-wide in part because of current economic troubles, among other factors. 

“This year we received 106,186 applications for freshman admission,” said interim director of admissions Pamela Burnett, noting that it’s the largest number of applications the UC has ever received.

All campuses except San Diego and Riverside saw increased admissions in 2011, according to the report released by the UC Office of the President.  

The 2011 admission cycle took place in a challenging context that included a high number of applicants, a worsening budget picture and unfunded over-enrollments on most campuses.

Burnett said in her statement that extra opportunities have been made for Californians to enter the system. Much of that, however, has to do with the fact that the 12,000 resident applicants who did not get accepted to their first choice will be offered admission to UC Merced.

Davis received 45,825 applications in 2011, which is about 2,500 more than last year. Of those applicants, they accepted 46 percent, compared to 44.9 percent in 2010.

More than 18,000 of the 21,074 UC Davis admissions were from in the state, which is about 5 percent fewer than last year.

On paper, the numbers look fairly steady, but it’s likely admissions would have been higher if not for the state’s financial situation. 

“These are very difficult times for the university,” Burnett said.

With that in mind, it's likely those difficulties will be compounded in the coming months, as talks of yet another tuition increase emerge.