Huy Nguyen took a leap of faith when he decided to attend UC.
Nguyen emigrated to the U.S. from Vietnam with his parents just six years ago, settling in the Central Valley as a middle schooler. As the first in his family to attend college, he navigated the application process on his own, and finances had been too tight to make college visits.
But Nguyen, an aspiring electrical engineer, knew UC Santa Barbara’s program had a great reputation. He was accepted into the major and offered a spot in Promise Scholars, a program that empowers high-achieving, first-generation students from low-income households with specialized academic support, career counseling and a financial aid package that fully covers college costs for four years. Sight unseen, he accepted.
It was a good call. When Nguyen arrived on campus for the first time at an open house this summer, he was shocked to see that the school was right on the beach. “From the moment I drove through the gate, I just loved it,” he says. “It felt like home.”
Nguyen is far from the only one finding a new home at the University of California. In fact, UC admitted the largest and most diverse group of undergraduate students in its history for fall 2024. The record admissions numbers include 137,200 first-year students and 29,506 transfers, for a total of 166,706 undergraduates.
California students, community college transfers and students from groups historically underrepresented in higher education all saw big jumps in admission offers. Low-income students and those who are among the first in their family to attend a four-year college also made gains.
With the fall term under way, UC campuses are buzzing with energy and excitement as a fresh crop of students navigates classes and clubs, dorms and dining halls. Read on to meet a few of the University of California’s newest undergrads and hear how they’re feeling as they start the school year.
Ery Souza, UC Santa Barbara
Transfer student & first-generation college student
Major: Zoology
Hometown: Fairfield, CA
Community college: Solano Community College
A California transfer student who spent a chunk of her childhood living in coastal Brazil, Souza feels right at home in Santa Barbara. Attending the Summer Transfer Transition Program (STTP) for first-generation and low-income transfer students helped. The two-week, live-in program helps transfers build a support network and adjust to student life.
What she’s looking forward to …
“Animals have always been my passion — I’ve known I wanted to do zoology since I was five. Starting at UC Santa Barbara, I’m just so incredibly excited to take upper division classes and really dive into what I want to do. Now I get to study all the things that really trigger my curiosity. I’m finally going to take a class with ‘zoology’ in the name. I can’t even talk about it without getting the biggest smile on my face.”
Xochilt Carpio, UC San Diego
First-generation, first-year student
Major: Economics
Hometown: Los Angeles
When she first saw the invitation to apply to UC San Diego’s Summer Bridge program, Xochilt Carpio wasn’t sure what to make of it. But when she learned that the five-week academic prep program would be completely paid, she was all in. She lived in a dorm and took two classes: an accelerated math class to get ready for her econ major and a class focused on how to navigate college, adjust to the quarter system, and find resources on campus.
Why she chose UC San Diego …
“I chose UC San Diego because of the community here. I started doing debate in high school, and I wanted to continue in university. In debate, you can really see the contrast between low-income and wealthier communities. It was difficult for my team to travel to different states for debate competitions. At the rich schools, they all have private debate coaches, they have school funding. It’s super difficult to break through without those funds.
“When I learned that UC San Diego had debate, I was amazed that you could join no matter your background or your financial situation. Here, the opportunities are open to everyone, and they take care of their students.”
Omar Lopez, UC San Diego
First-year, first-generation student
Major: Theater
Hometown: Redwood City, CA
Omar Lopez was first drawn in by UC San Diego’s partnership with the La Jolla Playhouse, a storied venue for theater located right on campus. But after remotely attending Summer Bridge — a five-week academic program designed to help high schoolers make a smooth transition to college — he discovered he was becoming a part of something much bigger. Moving into the dorms early and attending the Black, Latinx and Native American orientation helped him ease into campus life.
How he’s finding community …
“For me as a Latino student and an LGBTQIA community member, the support here is really strong. I did the summer program because I wanted to get ahead in my studies, and I think it really helped me get a footing, get a grip on what college life is. They brought in people from the LGBT Resource Center as well as the La Raza Resource Center to get to know the community. It helped me find friends I’m already hanging out with.”
Alexis “Lexi” Wright, UC Merced
Transfer student
Major: Psychology
Hometown: San Juan Capistrano, CA
Community college: Saddleback Community College
An honor roll student and athlete, Lexi Wright always gives her all, excelling in school and on the soccer field. A transfer from Saddleback Community College in Orange County, Wright also spent a year at San Francisco State University helping knock out the prerequisites for attending UC Merced.
What she’s excited about …
“I plan to get a degree in psychology and, by exploring many of the subfields, find the specialty I connect with. I want to feel passionate about my career and help people in need. Personally, I'm just working toward being the best version of myself. I plan to work hard and stay positive in everything I do.
“I am excited to experience such a great program for my major. I also hope to have two amazing years with my soccer team and create meaningful friendships.”
