Supporting Underserved Students

Historically the University of California has classified as "underserved" students from groups that collectively achieved eligibility for the University at a rate below the top 12.5 percent (one-eighth) of the high school graduating class in California, including African Americans, American Indians, and Chicano/Latinos (UCOP: Student Academic Services, 2003).

Underserved student populations may also include first-generation students, low-income students, students from nontraditional ages and backgrounds, and students whose characteristics may be underrepresented in the university environment (Perna & Jones, 2013).

Nationally

• In 2015, underserved students made up about 35% of all undergraduate students enrolled in post-secondary institutions in the United States, including 15% Chicano/Latino, 13% African American, 6% Asian/Pacific Islander, 1% American Indian/Alaska Native, and less than 1% Pacific Islander students (NCES, 2016).
• While the number of students enrolling in college has increased, research indicates that college enrollment rates for underrepresented students, particularly racial-ethnic minority students, is still lower than White and Asian students (Prerna & Jones, 2013). Additionally, racial-ethnic minority students are considerably underrepresented in nation's most selective colleges and universities.

Systemwide

• In 2016, underrepresented students made up about 31% of all first-time freshman applicants and 28% of those admitted to the University of California. Of those who enrolled to a University of California institution, 30% were underrepresented students, including: 26% Chicano/Latino students, 4% African American students, and 0.45% American Indian students (UCOP Undergraduate Admissions Summary, 2016).

UC San Diego

• In Fall 2016, UC San Diego admitted its most diverse freshman and transfer class, with more racial ethnic minority, first-generation, and freshmen from 4th and 4th quintile schools admitted than previous years (UC San Diego News Center, 2016).
• In terms of ethnicity, underrepresented students made up 24% of all first-time freshmen students enrolled at UC San Diego, including: 21% Chicano/Latino students, 3% African American students, and 0.37% American Indian students (UCOP Undergraduate Admissions Summary, 2016).

American Council on Education: Racial Ethnic Minority Students

U.S. Department of Education: Promising and Practical Strategies to Increase Postsecondary Success

Recent Chronicle of Higher Ed / Insider Higher Ed articles

• How a University Fights to Keep Students' Demographics From Becoming Their Destiny
• Graduation Rates and Race

Professional associations

• NASPA Undergraduate Fellows Program (NUFP)

White papers / fact sheets

• University of California Fact Sheet: Fall 2020 Freshman and Transfer Admissions