Although it is impossible to predict who will choose to attend UC's campuses this fall, administrators believe that the racial makeup of the system's freshman class will not be dramatically different than recent incoming classes. The class of 2002, however, is the first admitted without consideration of race, ethnicity and gender.

The University of California yesterday issued the initial systemwide overview of admission results for the class of 2002, but will not have a full and accurate picture of the fall 1998 freshman class until after May 1, the deadline for students to notify the campus at which they plan to enroll.

A total of 44,393 high school seniors were admitted to UC for next fall, representing the largest group of admitted students in UC history. The figures show a decline systemwide in the number of underrepresented students, defined as African-Americans, American Indians, and Chicanos and Latinos; however, the data suggest that the proportion of underrepresented minority students in the total pool of admits to the UC system is not down as much as earlier campus estimates had suggested.

"We are extremely proud of the students admitted for the UC class of 2002," said Richard Atkinson, UC President. "But we also view the decrease in underrepresented students as a source of great concern for the University, as it should be for all of California. We can address this in a number of ways. The only real answers, however, are long-term answers: revitalized K-12 schools, involved parents and communities that refuse to settle for anything less than an outstanding education for their children."

The most pronounced change in the admissions data from last year was the number of admitted students who declined to state an ethnic identity, which increased from 2,181 in 1997 to 6,346 this year.

With the "decline-to-state" results included in the total, there are decreases in all categories. Under-represented minority students account for 15.4 percent of all admitted students this year compared with 17.6 percent last year. Excluding the "decline-to-state" results, underrepresented minority students account for 18.0 percent of all admitted students this year compared with 18.5 percent last year.

Links:

• Daybreak article from April 2: "Drop in Underrepresented Minorities Admitted to UCB and UCLA"

• April 1, 1998 SF Chronicle editorial by UC President Richard Atkinson

• University of California President Richard C. Atkinson's statement

• Board of Regents Chairman Meredith Khachigian's statement

Press Releases:

• UC Berkeley

• UC Los Angeles

• UC Davis

• UC Irvine

• UC Riverside

• UC San Diego

1st appeared 4/03/98

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