uc/Csu Requirements

UC/CSU "A-G" Categories

A.  History/Social Science -- 2 years required.

Two years of history/social science, including one year of U.S. history or one-half year of U.S. history and one- half year of civics or American government; and one year of world history, cultures and geography.

     B.  English -- 4 years required.

Four years of college preparatory English that includes frequent writing, from brainstorming to final paper, and reading of classic and modern literature. Not more than one year of ELD courses can be used to meet this requirement.

     C.  Mathematics -- 3 years required, 4 years recommended. 

Three years of college preparatory mathematics that includes the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three- dimensional geometry. Approved integrated math courses may be used to fulfill part or this entire requirement, as may math courses taken in the seventh and eighth grades that your high school accepts as equivalent to its own courses.

     D.  Laboratory Science -- 2 years required

Two years of laboratory science providing fundamental knowledge in at least two of these three disciplines: biology (which includes anatomy, physiology, marine biology, aquatic biology, etc.), chemistry and physics.  Laboratory courses in earth sciences are acceptable as a science elective if they have as prerequisites or provide basic knowledge in biology, chemistry or physics. The appropriate two years of an approved integrated science program may be used to fulfill this requirement. Not more than one year of ninth grade laboratory science can be used to meet this requirement.

     E.  Language Other than English -- 2 years required, 3 years recommended. 

Two years, or equivalent to the 2nd level of high school instruction, of the same language other than English are required. (Three years/3rd level of high school instruction recommended). Courses should emphasize speaking and understanding, and include instruction in grammar, vocabulary, reading and composition. Language other than English courses taken in the seventh and eighth grades may be used to fulfill part of this requirement if your high school accepts them as equivalent to its own courses.

      F.  Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) -- 1 year required. 

One yearlong course of visual and performing arts chosen from the following disciplines: dance, drama/theater, music, interdisciplinary arts or visual art - or two one-semester courses from the same discipline is also acceptable.

      G. College Preparatory Electives -- 1 year required. 

One year (two semesters), in addition to those required in "a-f" above, chosen from the following areas: visual and performing arts (non-introductory level courses), history, social science, English, advanced mathematics, laboratory science and language other than English (a third year in the language used for the "e" requirement or two years of another language).

Minimum Admission Requirements for Freshman Applicants to a UC

The University of California defines freshman applicants as students who have graduated from high school and who have not enrolled in a regular session at any college or university. Students who attend a summer session immediately after graduating from high school are still considered freshman applicants. The requirements described in this section represent the minimum academic standards students must attain to be eligible for admission to a University of California campus. Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission. Admission to a campus and program of choice often requires students to meet more demanding expectations. Please refer to the University of California website for current admissions requirements: 

http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu

 University of California Campuses:

UC Berkeley UC Davis UC Irvine UCLA UC Merced

UC Riverside UC San Diego UC San Francisco UC Santa Cruz UC Santa Barbara

For California residents, there are three paths to satisfying the University’s minimum admission requirements for freshman students:

Eligibility in the Statewide Context

Eligibility in the Statewide Context is the pathway by which most students attain UC eligibility. To be eligible in the statewide context, students must satisfy the Subject, Scholarship and Examination Requirements.

Subject Requirement

To satisfy this requirement, students must complete the high school courses listed in the box on the next page. This sequence of courses is also known as the "A-G" requirements. The requirements are described in more detail in this section.   Students must take 15 units of high school courses to fulfill the Subject Requirement, and at least 11 of the 15 units must be completed by the end of the junior year of high school. (A unit is equal to an academic year, or two semesters, of study.)

UC Certified Course Lists

To be accepted by the University, courses taken to satisfy the Subject Requirement ("A-G" courses) must appear on the official University of California Certified Course List of the school the student attended, for the year the student took the course. Courses must appear on the student's transcript as they appear on the UC-certified course list. (Contact your counselor for your high school site’s A-G course list)

Course Lists Available Online: UC-certified course lists are available online

https://doorways.ucop.edu/list/app/home

                       University of California Scholarship Requirements

The Scholarship Requirement defines the grade point average (GPA) you must earn in the "A-G" subjects and the test scores you must achieve to be eligible for   admission to UC. The University uses an Eligibility Index — a combination of GPA and test scores — to determine if you meet this requirement. The minimum GPA for California-resident students is 3.0 (for nonresidents 3.4)

The University calculates the GPA in the "A-G" subjects by assigning point values to the grades a student earns, totaling the points, and dividing the total by the number of "A-G" course units. Points are assigned as follows: A=4 points, B=3 points, C=2 points, D=1 point and F=0 points.   The University assigns extra points for up to four units of University-certified honors level and advanced placement courses taken in grades 10 and 11: A=5 points, B=4 points, and C=3 points. A maximum of two of the four units may be taken in grade 10. Grades of “D” are not assigned extra honors points. (Extra points will be awarded to tenth graders only when they take honors and advanced placement courses which have been certified by the University as honors level courses. See definition of honors level courses and guidelines on the certification of high school honors level courses.)

Only grades the student earns in "A-G” subjects in grades 10-11 are used to calculate the GPA. Courses taken in the ninth grade can be used toward the Subject Requirement if the student earns a grade of “C” or better, but they will not be used to calculate the GPA.

Examination Requirement

Freshman college applicants must submit their ACT Assessment plus Writing or the SAT Reasoning Test scores.  Under the new policy, SAT Subject Tests will no longer be required for admission. Students may submit scores if they wish to showcase academic mastery in a subject.  Competitive majors on some campuses may recommend particular SAT Subject Tests to demonstrate proficiency.  It is the students’ responsibility to submit scores to their college of their choice.

Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC)

The Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC) program recognizes students' individual accomplishments in light of the opportunities offered by their particular high schools. If a student ranks in the top 9 percent of their high school graduating class and if your high school participates in the program, you may be admitted via the ELC path.

To be considered for ELC, you must complete the equivalent of 11 specific yearlong courses of the Subject Requirement by the end of your junior year, as noted below. With the assistance of each participating high school, the University will identify the top 9 percent of students on the basis of GPA in UC-approved coursework completed in the 10th and 11th grades.

ELC Requirements:

• GPA ≥ 3.0

• Must be designated by UC evaluators as being in the top 9% of participating high school graduating class

• Must complete 11 specific UC-approved courses by the end of junior year. The 11 units include: History/Social Science – 1 year; English – 3 years; Mathematics – 2 years;  Laboratory Science – 1 year ; Language Other than English – 1 year ; VAPA or Electives – 3 years

If you are UC-eligible through ELC, the University will notify you at the beginning of your senior year. You must then submit the University's undergraduate application during the filing period and  complete remaining eligibility requirements – including the Subject and Examination requirements – to be considered fully eligible. Fully eligible ELC students are guaranteed a spot at one of UC's undergraduate campuses, though not necessarily at their first-choice campus.

Comprehensive information about ELC is available on the University's ELC Web site: 

http://www.ucop.edu/sas/elc/

Eligibility by Examination Alone

Students who don’t meet all of our subject or GPA requirements may be considered for admission on the strength of their test scores. In general, this method of consideration is designed for students who have been unable to meet the regular subject requirements and/or earn a high school diploma because of unique circumstances, such as non-traditional education or long-term illness. 

To be considered, students must take the ACT with Writing, old SAT or new SAT with Essay, as well as two SAT Subject Tests in two different disciplines. Students may not use an SAT Subject Test to meet this requirement if they have completed a transferable college course with a grade of C or better in that subject. 

Students must achieve a minimum UC Score total of 410 (425 for nonresidents). In addition, they must earn a minimum UC Score of 63 on each component of the ACT with Writing or SAT and on each of the Subject Tests. For instructions on calculating the UC Score, see http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/freshman/requirements/examination/index.html 

Students who qualify by examination are not guaranteed admission. They are, however, entitled to a full review of their application.

California State University Admission Requirements for Entering Freshmen

Visit the CAL State Apply website for more information: (https://www2.calstate.edu/apply)

Minimum Eligibility Requirements

You are eligible for admission if you:

1. Have or will have graduated from high school.

2. Meet the eligibility index with your grade point average and test scores (see the formula below)

3. Have or will have completed with a grade of C or better the following pattern of courses which total 15 units (a unit is one year of study in high school)

Please note, you may be required to meet higher admission requirements for impacted programs.

Subject Requirements

You must complete with a grade of C or higher the following pattern of college preparatory subjects totaling 15 year long college preparatory courses: 

        (A) Social Science:  2 years (1 year World History and 1 year U.S. History or 1/2 year        U.S  History and 1/2 year Civics)

(B) English:  4 years of college prep English.

(C) Mathematics:  4 years recommended (Integrated Math I, II, III, higher math)

(D) Laboratory Science: 2 years (biology, chemistry, physics, etc.)

(E) Foreign Language:  2 years (same language); ASL is applicable

(F) Visual and Performing Arts: 1 year (visual art, dance, theatre/drama or music)

(G) College Preparatory Electives: varies

Additional year, chosen from the subject areas listed above.

Eligibility Index

The Eligibility Index shows the combination of test scores and grade point averages required to meet the minimum eligibility requirements. Please visit the California State University Eligibility Index website (https://www2.calstate.edu/apply/eligibility-index). On the website it will take you through a series of questions to determine your eligibility for CSU admission. If you have any questions, please see your counselor.