Up to 6% of all applicants to the University of California receive a “Supplemental Questionnaire”
Often referred to as Supplemental or Augmented Review, it is a request for additional information sent to you from a specific campus in January. There are several standard variations of the questionnaire; if you receive one it will have questions about something that you specifically mentioned on your application such as a special talent, disability or a hardship. It commonly refers to something you may have noted in your personal statement.
Supplemental Questionnaire FAQ
- 6% or less of UC applicants will receive this
- You cannot request one
- There are several variations; The three versions reported by students who received them are:
- Hardship
- Talent
- Disability
- My understanding is 100% of students who mentioned a disability will receive the disability supplement.
- They are campus specific
- You may still be accepted or denied admission; this is not a hint
- The campus would like more information about your situation
- Previous years they arrived by email January – February
Again, receiving a request from a campus for more information is not necessarily a bad thing; and there is no need to panic. You are still being considered for admission, but the UC is looking for more information to help them place your application in better context. Look at this as an opportunity to provide more information about yourself along with first semester grades of senior year. The Supplemental Questionnaires are similar across all UC campuses, although only some provide a chance to include a letter of recommendation. Spend time to answer the questions as thoughtfully as you did on your personal statements.
The Supplemental Review (Augmented Review), is reserved for applicants whose application materials were difficult to evaluate in Regular Review by the standard criteria, either because they are incomplete or because of the unusual background of the applicant. Typically, readers in Regular Review nominate applicants for Supplemental Review and UARS staff select Supplemental Review applicants from among these nominations.
NOTE: “Supplemental Review” where a student receives a “Supplemental Questionnaire” asking for additional information should not to be confused with a “Supplemental Application” required by some majors such as:
Here is an example of the UCLA Talent Supplemental Questionnaire used in 2014
TIPS regarding your response
- Be aware of your tone, stay positive, “Explain” without “Complaining”.
- If the supplement says, “Optional” letter of recommendation be sure to include one.
- Ask your teacher or counselor in person, if possible, if they would be willing to write. you a great letter of recommendation (if possible, be prepared and bring a copy of your transcript and student brag sheet with you when you ask for a letter of recommendation).
- Pay attention to the due date (usually 10 days after you receive it).
- Try to be as detailed, accurate and complete as you can about your situation.
Admission rate for students referred to Supplemental Review (Augmented Review)
- Please try to refrain from comparison, speculation and calculation of your chances. of advancing from supplemental review to admission. It is counterproductive.
- Your advancement will be based on your newly completed questionnaire response, COMBINED with the strength of your original application.
- Admissions never deduct points from an applicant; instead they look for valid reasons to advance a candidate.
- Do your very best and regardless of the outcome you can be satisfied in knowing that you gave it your best shot.
- Stay focused on school and keep those grades up!