Sunday Read: University of California admissions for Asian American make up over a third of first-year students

University of California  Irvine is a favoritecampus for Asian American students.

The highly touted University of California system, the largest in the United States, is admitting one of its most diverse classes of freshmen and transfer students with Asian Americans and Latinx students leading the way.

Asian American first-year students make up 35% of the students offered admisstion -- about the same as last year -- even though that ethnic group makes up only 7% of the state's population.

However, for the first time, Chicanx/Latinx students now comprise the largest ethnic group of admitted freshmen, making up 36% of admitted freshmen, up from 34% last year.

“This has been an incredibly challenging time as many students have been making their college decision in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said UC President Janet Napolitano. “UC continues to see increased admissions of underrepresented students as we seek to educate a diverse student body of future leaders. The incoming class will be one of our most talented and diverse yet, and UC is proud to invite them to join us.”

The proportion of African American students inched higher from 4.8% to 5% and American Indian students remained at 0.5%. White students decreased by a percentage point to 21% of admitted freshmen.

Overall, offers to California freshmen from underrepresented groups increased by 4,678 for a total of 33,225, an increase of 16% from last year.

Total admission of California Community College (CCC) students posted a high-water mark for 2020. Admitted CCC transfer students from underrepresented groups increased by 756 for a total of 9,640, an increase of 9% over last year. The racial/ethnic makeup remained similar to last year, with Chicanx/Latinx students comprising the largest proportion of California Community College transfers at 32%, up slightly from 31% last year. White community college transfer students dropped to 29% of admitted students (from 31%), and Asian Americans increased slightly to 29% from 28 percent last year. Admission of African American transfer students moved up slightly, to 5.6% from 5.5% last year and American Indian students stayed at 0.7% of admitted students.

Offers to California freshmen from underrepresented groups increased by 4,678 for a total of 33,225, an increase of 16% from last year. In a first in UC history, Chicanx/Latinx students now comprise the largest ethnic group of admitted freshmen, making up 36% of admitted freshmen, up from 34% last year. Asian American students remained at 35% and white students decreased by a percentage point to 21% of admitted freshmen. The proportion of African American students inched higher from 4.8% to 5% and American Indian students remained at 0.5%.

The University also saw an increase in admission of low-income and first-generation-to-college students this year. The proportion of California freshmen who would be the first in their families to earn a four-year college degree increased to 45% (35,058), up from 44% (30,856) in 2019, while the proportion of low-income students grew to 44% (30,865), up from 40% (26,913).

Sather Gate is one of the main entrances to UC Berkeley.

Total admission of California Community College (CCC) students posted a high-water mark for 2020. Admitted CCC transfer students from underrepresented groups increased by 756 for a total of 9,640, an increase of 9 percent over last year. 

The racial/ethnic makeup of state community college transfers remained similar to last year, with Chicanx/Latinx students making up the largest proportion at 32 percent, up slightly from 31 percent last year. White community college transfer students dropped to 29 percent of admitted students (from 31 percent), and Asian Americans increased slightly to 29 percent from 28 percent last year. Admission of African American transfer students moved up slightly, to 5.6 percent from 5.5 percent last year and American Indian students stayed at 0.7 percent of admitted students.

It will be late summer before UC officials know how many students who accepted admission offers will enroll. For now, it looks promising, with officials anticipating no more than a minor drop in anticipated new student enrollment.