The University of California system has seen an increase in in-state first-year student admissions, with some campuses experiencing significant growth. UC Merced and Riverside saw a 71% rise in admissions, while others like UC San Diego and UCLA sent fewer admission offers to California students this year compared to last. Despite the drop in UC San Diego's in-state admission rate, overall admissions are similar to pre-pandemic levels. The expansion is attributed to efforts by Han Mi Yoon-Wu, UC's associate vice provost and executive director for Undergraduate Admissions, aimed at creating pathways to a UC education for top California students.