For the first time, the University of Calfornia has admitted more Hispanic than white students, a reflection of the state's changing demographics. Earlier this year Latinos became the largest racial/ethnic group in the state, making up about 39 percent of the population.
According to preliminary numbers, 17,589 Latinos were accepted as freshmen at one of nine of the University of California colleges and universities, making up almost 29 percent of the this fall's incoming freshmen class. Non-Latino white students made up 27 percent of the admitted students. The highest group admitted were Asian Americans, who made up 36 percent of the incoming freshman class.
By law, California's public universities cannot consider race or ethnicity as a factor in their admissions decisions. Acceptance at University of California colleges is competitive; the acceptance rate this year was 59 percent. Officials have said they have been trying to ensure students from different high schools in the state, especially those which are not in the top performing category, apply to the state's public colleges.
In recent years, the UC system has also increased the number of students from other states and foreign countries, who pay higher out-of-state tuition rates. This year it was 30 percent.
