The number of students of color admitted to UCSD and seven other UC campuses next fall is up from last year's entering freshman class, according to figures released yesterday. The underrepresented make up 18.6 percent of the 46,130 admitted freshmen. The increase returns the eight campuses to just under the 18.8 percent admitted for the fall of 1997, the last year in which race was considered in admissions. Although Asians are considered an ethnic group in the general population, they are not underrepresented on college campuses. They represent one-third of the freshmen being admitted to a UC campus next fall.
Admissions is the first hurdle.
All campuses along with the president's office will be making a strong effort in the next few weeks to convince these talented California high school students that UC provides both quality and affordability. High school students apply to UC campuses in the fall. Admissions notifications go out in the spring, and by May 1 they must indicate if they will attend a UC school. Next fall officials will report enrollment figures. More than half of those admitted are expected to enroll.