Admissions: Getting Started

You're a First-Year Applicant If

You're a First-Year Applicant if...

  • If you are active duty using Tuition Assistance, please consult with your Education Services Officer (ESO) on base prior to enrolling at UC San Diego.
  • You graduated from high school but have not enrolled in a regular (non-summer) session at a college or university.
  • You've completed college courses during high school (through summer after graduation).

Good to know

  • ROTC cadets may qualify for scholarships.
  • UC campuses support leave of absence for deployment and training.
First-Year Admission Information

You're a Transfer Applicant If

You're a Transfer Applicant if...

  • If you are active duty using Tuition Assistance, please consult with your Education Services Officer (ESO) on base prior to enrolling at UC San Diego.
  • You enrolled in a regular session (fall, winter or spring) at a college or university after high school. (Taking a class or two during the summer term immediately following high school graduation doesn’t make you a transfer student.)

Good to know

  • Most of our student veterans started out at a California community college.
  • Depending on your situation, you may want to consider postponing the use of your Post-9/11 GI Bill® benefits.
Transfer Admission Information

Dedication

UC San Diego is dedicated to supporting military-connected students in their transition to campus life.

Explore UC San Diego

7,000+ military-connected applications the last two cycle

1000+ military-connected transfer applications from California Community Colleges the past two cycles

Top first-choice majors for military-connected applicants: Human Biology, Computer Science, Business Economics, Psychology, Mechanical Engineering, Undeclared, General Biology, Aerospace Engineering

UniversityLink

Are you attending a local partner community college?

  • Cuyamaca
  • Grossmont
  • Imperial Valley
  • Miracosta
  • Palomar
  • San Diego City
  • San Diego Mesa
  • San Diego Miramar
  • Southwestern

If so, UniversityLink is your pathway to UC San Diego.

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American Flag in front of Geisel

Financial Aid Benefits

We offer many benefits specifically for military connected students, including financial aid for you and your dependents, priority class registration for veterans, active duty, and eligible reservists (after the first quarter), a welcome week orientation, active student veterans organizations and a student veterans resource center.

Visit Financial Aid

Student Veterans Resource Center

The Student Veterans Resource Center (SVRC) provides social and study space, computers and printing, a refrigerator, microwave, lockers and meditation room. The center provides military-connected students orientation, special graduation ceremony, peer mentors, workshops, career development activities and community outreach.

Visit SVRC

ROTC Programs

ROTC programs at San Diego State University and the University of San Diego handle UC San Diego's ROTC process.

Visit ROTC Funds

UC Office of the President

The University of California Office of the President (UCOP) website is dedicated to active duty or veteran military personnel. This website contains information about applying for admission and resources and services available to you once you enroll at UC.

Visit UCOP

VIEWBOOK

Interested in learning more about life at UC San Diego? Get a glimpse into our top-notch academics, cutting-edge research, exciting student life and more in our Viewbook.

Explore the Viewbook