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UC Davis

University of California, Davis

Four Personal Insight Questions, 350 words each, no campus-specific prompt, all read by a test-blind, holistic UC reader.

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Essays required

4 of 8 prompts

Word limit each

350 words

Campus-specific prompt

None

Testing

Test-blind

What UC Davis rewards

UC Davis does not have its own supplemental essay. Instead, like every University of California campus, it asks you to answer 4 of the 8 Personal Insight Questions (PIQs), with a maximum of 350 words each. There is no "Why UC Davis" prompt, no Common App essay, and no test scores reviewed at all, because the entire UC system is test-blind. Your four short answers carry an unusually heavy load.

The catch most applicants miss: the same four responses go to all UC campuses you apply to. You cannot name-drop Davis, its veterinary school, or the arboretum to flatter a Davis reader, because a Berkeley or UCLA reader sees the identical essays. The challenge is to be vivid and specific about yourself in 350 words, four times over, without leaning on the school's name as a crutch.

01Concrete evidence over reflection. UC readers are trained to score for specific, demonstrated qualities, not pretty writing. They want to see what you actually did, built, organized, or learned. A line of real action beats a paragraph of feelings every time.
02Breadth across the four. Because you pick four prompts, your set should show range. Davis reads the four together. Four essays all about the same robotics club waste the chance to show a leader, a thinker, a community member, and a curious mind.
03Genuine intellectual curiosity. UC Davis is a research and STEM-heavy public, strong in agriculture, life sciences, engineering, and veterinary medicine. Prompt 6 (an academic subject that inspires you) lets you show a real, self-driven interest, which Davis rewards.
04Context and growth. Holistic UC review weighs your achievements against your circumstances. Readers respect honest accounts of barriers faced and steps taken, especially when you show what you did with limited resources rather than just naming the hardship.

Essay prompts for 2026-2027

4 prompts for UC Davis, each broken down with annotated examples.

Leadership350 words

Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.

Academic interest350 words

Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom.

Community350 words

What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?

Educational opportunity or barrier350 words

Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.

See all 4 prompts and get a read

Your chance

See your chance

Add your GPA, test scores, and profile to estimate your odds at UC Davis and build a balanced list.

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Deadlines

Application opensAugust 1
Submission periodOctober 1 - November 30
First-year deadline (firm)November 30
Early Decision / Early ActionNone (UC has no EA or ED)

Cost

Sticker price$38,218
Avg net after aid$16,500
Meets full needPartial
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How to get inAcceptance rate, the GPA and SAT profile, and what UC Davis weighs most Supplemental essays4 prompts, each broken down with annotated examples Cost & financial aidAverage $16,500/yr after aid · net price by income + calculator InterviewDoes UC Davis interview? Format, tips, and practice The UC Davis Reader ProScore your draft against UC Davis's exact prompts
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UC Davis FAQ

What is UC Davis's acceptance rate?

UC Davis admits a holistic, test-blind review. There is no early option and no UC Davis-specific essay. You write four Personal Insight Questions, 350 words each, and those same four responses go to every UC campus you apply to, so you cannot tailor them to Davis by name. At UC Davis, a strong application essay and a well-balanced school list matter alongside your grades and test scores.

What supplemental essays does UC Davis require?

UC Davis requires 4 supplemental essays on its application. On EssayLens each prompt is broken down with annotated examples, and you can get a free admissions-style read of your draft against the exact prompt.

How much does UC Davis cost?

UC Davis's published sticker price is about $38,218 per year, but the average family pays $16,500 after financial aid. Your net price depends on your family income; use the calculator to estimate yours.

Does UC Davis require SAT or ACT scores?

UC Davis is test-blind: it does not consider SAT or ACT scores at all, even if you submit them.

When are UC Davis's application deadlines?

UC Davis's application deadlines are Application opens August 1; Submission period October 1 - November 30; First-year deadline (firm) November 30; Early Decision / Early Action None (UC has no EA or ED). Add UC Davis to your plan on EssayLens to track its deadlines automatically.

Campus photo via Wikipedia.

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