UC Davis Undergraduate Admissions launched its first-ever virtual viewbook this summer, moving the traditional publication to the digital age, better meeting the needs of high school and community college students.

As UC Davis admissions advisors meet with prospective students at college fairs throughout California and the country this fall, they will carry lightweight tabletop displays and cards that share links to the online viewbook instead of heavy, magazine-style booklets.

Like the printed version, the new virtual viewbook provides high-level information and facts about UC Davis and the undergraduate experience. Prospective students and their families can also sign up to receive personalized emails that reflect their academic interests and goals.

Robert Penman, executive director of Undergraduate Admissions, says this approach puts the viewbook in students' hands, or their phones, faster and falls in line with the values and media habits of today’s Gen Z and Gen Alpha students.

“Gen Z and Gen Alpha are digital natives,” Penman said. “A vast majority of these students seek an environmentally friendly option to print materials. They also expect a customized experience based on what matters to them. Our digital viewbook invites them to that experience.”

The reach of a virtual viewbook isn’t limited by print quantities, allowing Undergraduate Admissions to share the content with more potential students than ever. While the print versions are published in time for application season, which runs Aug.1 through Dec. 1 this year, a digital viewbook is available continuously.

Admissions advisors can share the viewbook website year-round with prospects and families. With high school students conducting their college search as early as ninth grade, the viewbook website opens the door for them to engage with UC Davis long before they apply in their senior year.

The digital viewbook expands the virtual content Undergraduate Admissions now offers students and families. In the midst of the pandemic, a virtual tour launched to allow anyone, no matter where, to see the UC Davis campus from their laptop or other device. This past spring, an interactive map was added to provide opportunities for campus visitors to use their mobile phones to take a self-guided tour. This option provides tours for those who might prefer to explore on their own or who cannot schedule a tour with the Welcome Center.

UC Davis faculty, staff and students may also access the viewbook and other recruitment materials to share. Much like the yield toolkit Enrollment Management shares each spring with resources to welcome admitted students, a recruitment toolkit is also available for campus team members.

In addition to viewbook links, the recruitment toolkit also includes PDFs of recruitment documents for digital viewing or printing, presentation slide decks, social media graphics and suggested copy.

The UC undergraduate application for fall 2026 enrollment opened Aug. 1. First-year and transfer applicants complete and submit their applications Oct. 1 through Dec. 1.