How to Apply

Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) is an academic department of the University of California, San Diego.  All undergraduate students admitted to UC San Diego will have access to the coursework and majors offered by Scripps.  For more details about admission to undergraduate degree programs at UC San Diego, please see the following information and links.

First-Year Student Admission

You are considered a first-year applicant if you are still in high school, or you have graduated from high school and have not enrolled in a regular session at a college or university. (If you attend a summer session immediately after graduating from high school, you are still classified as a first-year applicant.)

UC San Diego looks for students at the first-year level who are well-prepared to succeed in a rigorous and challenging academic setting. Competition for admission is high and meeting the minimum UC admissions requirements does not guarantee your admission.

UC San Diego First-Year Application Requirements | First-Year Application Timeline
 

Transfer Admission

You are considered a transfer applicant if you have graduated from high school and have enrolled in one or more regular sessions (excluding summer sessions) at another college or university. (You may not disregard your college record and apply for admission as a first-year.)

 

UC San Diego looks for transfer students who have completed a minimum of 60 UC-transferable semester (90 quarter) units by end of spring term prior to fall admission.

 

UC San Diego Transfer Application Requirements | Transfer Application Timeline

 

If you are interested in transferring into UC San Diego as an Environmental Systems (ESYS) major, please see our ESYS Transfer Student Information.  

 

Scripps Institution of Oceanography (SIO) Transfer Major Preparation

The following major preparation coursework is currently REQUIRED for all Marine Biology incoming transfer applicants.

The following major preparation coursework is currently REQUIRED for Oceanic and Atmospheric Sciences incoming transfer applicants. 

The following major preparation coursework is currently REQUIRED for Geosciences transfer applicants. 

  • MATH 20A, MATH 20B, MATH 20C
  • All courses must be completed with a letter grade of C- or higher
  • Students must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 in these courses
  • AP/IB credit will count toward course requirements but will not be factored into GPA calculation

 

Summer Opportunities at Scripps Institution of Oceanography

If you are considering transferring to UC San Diego, spend a summer at Scripps Institution of Oceanography beforehand! Check out our Undergraduate Summer Research Opportunities.