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Scholarship Requirement
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-residents 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 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.
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 top 9% of participating high school graduating class
Must complete 11 specific UC-approved courses by 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 ; VPA 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 Website:
Eligibility by Examination Alone
Under the new policy, students who qualify for admission by examination will not be guaranteed admission. They will, however, be entitled to a full review of their application.
A student who does not meet the Subject and Scholarship Requirements may be able to qualify for admission to the University by examination. To qualify by examination alone, a student must achieve a minimum UC score total—calculated according to the UC Eligibility Index—of at least 410. Students must also achieve a minimum UC Score of 25 on the ACT composite with ACT with Writing Test or 580 on each component of the SAT Reasoning Test and 580 on each SAT Subject Test.
Students may not use a SAT Subject Test to meet these requirements if they have taken a transferable college course with a grade of “C” or better in that subject.
An applicant who is currently attending high school may qualify for admission to the University by examination alone without completing his or her high school program.
Source for this information: University of California Pathways Website: http://www.ucop.edu/pathways/
"a-g" Subjects
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.
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.
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.
Laboratory Science -- 2 years required, 3 years recommended.
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.
Language Other than English -- 2 years required, 3 years recommended.
Two years of the same language other than English. 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.
Visual and Performing Arts (VAPA) -- 1 year required.
One year of visual and performing arts chosen from the following: dance, drama/theater, music and/or visual art including Advanced Digital Film .
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).
Scholarship Requirement
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-residents 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 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.
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 top 9% of participating high school graduating class
Must complete 11 specific UC-approved courses by 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 ; VPA 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 Website:
Eligibility by Examination Alone
Under the new policy, students who qualify for admission by examination will not be guaranteed admission. They will, however, be entitled to a full review of their application.
A student who does not meet the Subject and Scholarship Requirements may be able to qualify for admission to the University by examination. To qualify by examination alone, a student must achieve a minimum UC score total—calculated according to the UC Eligibility Index—of at least 410. Students must also achieve a minimum UC Score of 25 on the ACT composite with ACT with Writing Test or 580 on each component of the SAT Reasoning Test and 580 on each SAT Subject Test.
Students may not use a SAT Subject Test to meet these requirements if they have taken a transferable college course with a grade of “C” or better in that subject.
An applicant who is currently attending high school may qualify for admission to the University by examination alone without completing his or her high school program.
Source for this information: University of California Pathways Website: http://www.ucop.edu/pathways/
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