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Anthropology transfer to UC Santa Cruz

What UC Santa Cruz expects anthropology transfers to finish before fall 2027. Below are Santa Cruz’s own preparation and selection rules, UC’s shared course list, the TAG terms and your odds.

Checked against official UC and campus sources in November 2026.

At a glance

Fall 2025 campus admit rate
70.4%
Screens applicants
No
TAG GPA line
3.00
Admits transfers
Yes

UC Santa Cruz admitted 70.4% of all transfer applicants for fall 2025, and it doesn’t publish admit rates by major. UC Santa Cruz reported an average GPA of 3.47 for admitted fall 2025 transfers and no range. The calculator’s range is an estimate around that average.

What Santa Cruz expects

  • Anthropology B.A.

    Courses to finish

    For the 2026-27 catalog, transfers are strongly encouraged but not required to complete ANTH 1, ANTH 2 and ANTH 3 or equivalents before transfer. Source

    Also note

    Anthropology is a Fall 2026 non-screening major, so no specific major preparation courses are required for admission. Source

    Transfer courses need an articulation agreement to count automatically toward the major, and transfers should send the department an unofficial transcript as soon as possible. Source

    Every Santa Cruz major

    For Fall 2026, UCSC screens transfer applicants for completion of major preparation courses in a published list of screening majors, with criteria given in each major's General Catalog entry. Source

    Required major preparation must be completed by the end of the spring term before fall transfer, or by the end of the fall term before winter transfer. Source

UC’s shared course list

UC’s Anthropology Transfer Pathway lists the courses that prepare you for this major at every campus, UC Santa Cruz included. Where Santa Cruz’s own list above asks for more, follow the campus.

CourseStatus
Physical/biological anthropologyRequired
Cultural anthropologyRequired
Introduction to archaeologyRequired

Paste your course titles to see which items they cover.

Your results show here: every item on the list, and which of your courses covers it.

This reads course titles. Whether a course counts at a campus is set by ASSIST, so confirm each one there.

TAG for this major

UC Santa Cruz’s TAG covers anthropology for fall 2027 at a 3.00 UC-transferable GPA. TAG filing runs September 1–30 of the year before you transfer.

UC Santa Cruz TAG requirements and timing

Your odds

Move the GPA to see a regular-review range at UC Santa Cruz for anthropology.

3.40

Target

About 35–75% in regular review for applicants like you

With a TAG on file for Anthropology, admission is guaranteed from a 3.00, which you meet. Filing for fall 2027 closed September 30, 2026.

  • Major preparation is the factor UC readers weigh most for transfers — often ahead of GPA.

Regular-review estimate for a California resident on track for 60 units and the 7-course pattern, with major prep unconfirmed. The full calculator adds your prep, residency and TAG status.

The same major at other campuses

CampusScreens applicantsTAG
UC BerkeleyNot statedNo TAG
UCLANoNo TAG
UC San DiegoNoNo TAG
UC IrvineYes3.40
UC DavisNo3.20
UC Santa BarbaraNo3.40
UC RiversideNot stated2.80
UC MercedNo2.80

All nine campuses side by side

Other majors at UC Santa Cruz

Questions

What GPA do you need to transfer to UC Santa Cruz for anthropology?

UC Santa Cruz doesn’t publish a GPA for this major. UC Santa Cruz reported an average GPA of 3.47 for admitted fall 2025 transfers and no range. The calculator’s range is an estimate around that average. A TAG needs at least a 3.00.

What classes do I need to transfer to UC Santa Cruz for anthropology?

For the 2026-27 catalog, transfers are strongly encouraged but not required to complete ANTH 1, ANTH 2 and ANTH 3 or equivalents before transfer. Check each course on ASSIST for your college.

Is anthropology selective or screened at UC Santa Cruz?

UC Santa Cruz’s pages don’t list extra screening for it. Admission still depends on your whole application.

Can I get a TAG for anthropology at UC Santa Cruz?

Yes, for fall 2027, with at least a 3.00 GPA. TAG filing runs September 1–30 of the year before you transfer.

Sources

  1. UCOP fall 2025 admissions, Table 1a
  2. Santa Cruz: Anthropology preparation
  3. Santa Cruz: Anthropology notes
  4. Santa Cruz: transfer rules for every major
  5. Santa Cruz: transfer rules for every major
  6. UC Transfer Pathways: Anthropology
  7. UC TAG Matrix, fall 2027
  8. ASSIST