A preliminary analysis of freshmen admitted to the University of California last fall shows that Asian-American students generally were accepted at selective campuses at a slightly lower rate than similarly achieving African-American and Latino students.

The study's aim was to determine whether race and ethnicity plays a role in who gets into UC. It grouped students according to their likelihood of admittance based on academic performance, then compared their admission rates by racial and ethnic group.

The analysis released Monday showed:

• African-Americans were admitted at notably higher rates than predicted at UC-Berkeley and UCLA, the campuses most difficult to get into, but their overall representation remains very low.

• Asian-Americans were admitted at slightly lower rates than predicted at all selective campuses except UCLA.

• Latino/Chicano students were admitted at slightly higher rates than predicted at all competitive campuses.

University officials insist the data doesn't necessarily mean that some students got special treatment based on race or ethnicity, which would run contrary to California's ban on considering those factors in admissions.

UC officials said deeper analysis will reveal if the differences result from actual bias or flaws in the statistical model. The study could not take into account such ``qualitative'' factors as special talents and leadership ability.

But if race and ethnicity are influencing admission decisions, intentionally or unintentionally, those practices will be changed, UC President Robert Dynes said in a statement.

UC officials remain concerned about low numbers of African-Americans and Latino-Chicanos. Only 2.8 percent of black and 3.8 percent of Latino-Chicano high school graduates are eligible for UC admission compared with 12.7 percent of white and 30 percent of Asian-American high school graduates.

In 1997, the year before affirmative action was outlawed, more than 50 percent of eligible African-American applicants were admitted to UC Berkeley. That compares with just 21 percent last fall -- or 355 out of 9,347 admitted freshmen.