UC/CSU Admissions
University of California
Freshman applicants are required to complete a minimum of 15 yearlong A-G courses with a letter grade of C or better in grades 9-12. Seven of these courses must be taken in the last two years of high school. Students must complete:
A. History - 2 courses
B. English - 4 courses (composition/literature in the language of instruction)
C. Mathematics - 3 courses (including elementary algebra, geometry and intermediate algebra; or a series of integrated math course - including sufficient geometry content; data science validates intermediate algebra)
D. Science - 2 courses (from two disciplines: biology, chemistry and/or physics; or one biology, chemistry or physics and one interdisciplinary or integrated or earth and space sciences course)
E. Language other than English (foreign/world language) - 2 courses
F. Visual and Performing Arts - 1 course (one yearlong course from the following disciplines: dance, music, theater, visual arts or interdisciplinary arts; or two one-semester courses from the same discipline)
G. College-preparatory elective* - 1 course (*To be chosen from the fields above or another course approved by UC)
Additional Details & Information
Eleven A-G courses must be completed prior to the 12th grade/last year of high school/secondary school. No particular course pattern is required for this review.
A specific 11-course pattern is required for consideration in the UC Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC) Program and must be completed prior to the beginning of 12th grade. Courses completed during summer after 11th grade will be considered. Although a minimum of 11 courses are required for admissions consideration, completion of at least the full 15 yearlong college-preparatory required courses will be expected of all students by the end of their senior year.
Applicants should also be reminded that admission to the University of California is competitive, and most applicants present more than the minimum requirements when applying for admission. For example, students offered admission for the fall 2020 term completed between 23-28 yearlong courses, or a mean of 56 semester courses.
WHAT IS ELC?
The ELC program ensures that academically talented and deserving California resident students from all over the state have the opportunity to join us at UC.
ELC status adds value to the application and is one of the factors considered when applications are reviewed. Additionally, ELC students not admitted to any of their campus choices are offered a spot at a UC campus that has space, if minimum UC requirements are met.
California State University
Admission offices at the 23 campuses use three factors to determine eligibility. Most applicants who are admitted meet the standards in each of the following areas:
Specific high school courses (referred to as the “a-g” courses)
Grades in “a-g” courses and test scores
Many CSU campuses have higher standards for particular majors or for students who live outside their local admission area. Because of the number of students who apply, several campuses have higher standards (supplementary admission criteria) for all applicants. See Impaction at the CSU to determine if the campus or major you are interested in applying is impacted and may have higher or additional admission criteria.
High School Course Requirements (“a-g” courses)
The CSU requires a minimum 15-unit pattern of courses for admission as a first-time freshman. Each unit is equal to a year of study in a subject area. A grade of C or better is required for each course you use to meet any subject requirement.
a = History and Social Science - 2 (including 1 year of U.S. history or 1 semester of U.S. history and 1 semester of civics or American government AND 1 year of social science)
b = English - 4 (4 years of college preparatory English composition and literature)
c = Math - 3 (4 years recommended) including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or higher mathematics (take one each year)
d = Laboratory Science - 2 (including 1 biological science and 1 physical science)
e = Language Other Than English - 2 (2 years of the same language; American Sign Language is applicable - See below about a possible waiver of this requirement)
f = Visual and Performing Arts - 1 (dance, drama or theater, music, or visual art)
g = College Preparatory Elective - 1 (additional year chosen from the University of California "a-g" list)
Total Required Courses = 15
There are career and technical education (CTE) courses that can be used to meet any of the subject area requirements listed above. Please refer to the University of California’s Course List Search for the entire listing of approved courses.
CSU WAIVER OF "LANGUAGE OTHER THAN ENGLISH" REQUIREMENT
If you can demonstrate competency in a language other than English that is equivalent to or higher than that expected of students who have completed two years of language other than English study, you may be allowed a waiver for this language requirement. For further information, contact the CSU campuses to which you are applying.
CSU HOW TO MAKE UP MISSING COURSES
If you didn't take all the required high school courses or earned D or F grades in some of them, you have several options to make up these courses and qualify for CSU admission:
You can complete appropriate high school courses with a grade of C or better either in summer school or in adult school. Courses in this category must be those found on the high school or adult school UC "a-g" course lists. Some adult schools may not have “a-g” course lists.
You may also complete college courses with a grade of C or better in the missing subject areas. Finally, you can earn an acceptable score on examinations such as Advanced Placement (AP) examinations, or International Baccalaureate examinations.
If you are unable or do not choose to make up your subject deficiency, you may earn at least 60 units, including 30 semester units of general education from a California Community College or other college and transfer as an upper-division transfer student, where only your college performance is considered for admission.