UC Davis Transfer Acceptance Rate
UC Davis admitted 9,776 of 17,154 transfer applicants for Fall 2025 — a 57.0% rate that makes Davis one of the most accessible elite UCs, with signature strengths in Agriculture, Biological Sciences, and Vet Med prep.
UC Davis transfer admissions, at a glance
UC Davis transfer figures
UC Davis is the UC system’s flagship agricultural and biological sciences campus. The Vet Med / Pre-Vet track and Wine & Viticulture are unique programs. Biological Sciences and Animal Science admit rates run close to the campus average.
| Cycle | Applicants | Admits | Acceptance Rate | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | 17,154 | 9,776 | 57.0% | UC Admissions |
What GPA do you need for UC Davis?
UC Davis is one of the more forgiving elite UCs — 3.3+ is often competitive for general majors. Biological Sciences, Pre-Vet, and College of Engineering programs run slightly tighter, 3.5+ typical.
Davis’s unique strength is Agricultural Sciences and Animal Science — the campus hosts the only UC Veterinary School. Pre-vet transfers benefit from completing the animal science prep sequence at their CA CC.
What a competitive UC Davis transfer applicant looks like
Competitive UC Davis transfer admits typically clear these bars before they submit. Anything less usually means you’re competing uphill.
UC Davis Application Requirements
Application Essays
Application essays are how UC Davis understands who you are. A compelling personal narrative, strong sense of school fit, and clear connection to your intended major.
Letters of Recommendation
Two academic recommendations from college instructors who know you well enough to speak to specifics, not generalities.
Personal Insight Questions
UC Personal Insight Questions — 4 of 8 prompts, 350 words each. Davis reviewers value evidence of interest in the campus’s signature programs.
Major Prep
Major prep completion is critical for Engineering and Bio Sci. Davis emphasizes preparation for junior-year upper-division work.
Junior Standing (60 units)
60 UC-transferable semester units minimum. Junior standing required.
TAG / Assist.org Path
UC Davis offers TAG. Complete your CA CC prerequisites and meet Davis’s TAG GPA (3.2+) and you’re guaranteed admission (though not necessarily to your first-choice major).
Interested in transferring to UC Davis?
Book a 1-hour Zoom consultation with “The Goat” — a Stanford transfer student turned advisor, who’s spent the last decade helping applicants transfer into elite schools.
Why most UC Davis transfer applications get rejected
Most rejections trace back to one of five patterns. Here’s what they are — and how to fix them before you apply.
- Not having strong extracurriculars.A strong GPA isn’t enough — admissions officers want to see sustained commitment and leadership outside the classroom.
- Not having a competitive GPA.AOs need to know you can handle the coursework.
- Not telling a story that catches the AO’s attention.A list of accomplishments isn’t a narrative. The strongest essays connect who you are, why you’re transferring, and why UC Davis specifically — in a way that’s memorable, not generic.
- Not having a compelling reason to transfer.“I want a bigger school” or “better opportunities” reads as vague. Admissions officers want a specific, personal reason tied to your goals and to UC Davis.
- Not having strong personal recommendation letters.A rushed request to a professor who barely knows you shows. Build real relationships early so your recommenders can speak to specifics, not generalities.
Want us to spot these in your file before you submit? Book a 60-minute review ?
How UC Davis compares to peers
If UC Davis is your target, apply to these UCs in parallel. UCSB and UCSD are the closest peers by admit rate.
Frequently asked questions
Does UC Davis offer TAG?
Yes. Davis’s TAG program is available for CA CC transfers who complete Davis’s TAG prerequisites and meet the GPA requirement (3.2+ typical).
Is UC Davis good for pre-vet?
Davis hosts the only UC School of Veterinary Medicine — the only UC that offers a DVM. Pre-vet undergrads benefit from research opportunities and clinical exposure not available elsewhere in the UC system.
What GPA do UC Davis transfer admits typically present?
3.3+ overall for general majors; 3.5+ for Biological Sciences, Engineering, and pre-vet tracks.
When is the UC Davis transfer application deadline?
November 30 for Fall entry via the UC application. TAU: January 31. Decisions: late April. SIR: June 1.
What are UC Davis’s unique programs?
Viticulture & Enology (wine science), Sustainable Agriculture, Wildlife/Fish/Conservation Biology, and Managerial Economics are all unique to Davis or nearly so within the UC system.
Where this data comes from
- UC Admissions — Campus Transfer Data — annual publication of admits, applicants, and rate per campus
- UC Application — single application for all 9 UC campuses
- Assist.org — CA community college transfer articulation agreements
- UC Davis — Fall 2025 Transfer Admit Data — applicants, admits, CA CC share
Want a real shot at UC Davis?
UC Davis is accessible and unique — the only UC with Vet Med. If you’re targeting Ag Sciences, Biological Sciences, or Pre-Vet, we’ll help you build the strongest possible file.