The UC System is ranked among the nation's top educational and research university systems. Over 700 program majors are offered. The UC's select from the top 12.5% of high school graduates statewide. Some students are admitted for varied criteria. More than 220,000 students attend the ten UC campuses.

 

2 Years required:
1 year U.S. History or 1 semester of U.S. History & 1 semester Civics (U.S. Government)
1 year World History, World Cultures & or Geography

 

4 Years Required:
College preparatory English that includes frequent & regular writing and reading of classic and modern literature

 

3 Years Required, 4 Years Recommended 

2 Years Required, 3 Recommended
Laboratory Science-Providing fundamental knowledge in at least two of these three disciplines: Biology (which includes Anatomy and Physiology, Marine Biology, Aquatic Biology, Etc), Chemistry and Physics.
Laboratory Courses in Earth/Space Sciences are acceptable 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 year laboratory science can be used to meet this requirement.

 

2 Years Required of the same language other than English
Courses should emphasize speaking, understanding, and include instruction in grammar, vocabulary, reading, and composition.
Courses in languages other than English taken in grades 7 and 8 may be used to fulfill part of this requirement if your high school accepts them as the equivalent of its own courses.

 

1 Year Required
Courses in this area consist of instruction in Dance, Drama/Theater, Music, and Visual Art.
Courses should enable students to understand and appreciate artistic expression and, where appropriate, speak and write with discrimination about the artistic materials studied.
Courses devoted to artistic performance and developing creative artistic ability should have prerequisites: 1 year of introductory course work or experience approved by the instructor. They should also assume proficiency beyond the introductory level.
Courses, on average, are the equivalent of a five-period class per week.
Work outside of class must be required: For example, portfolio/performance preparation, reading, writing or critical listening/viewing.
Dance courses offered for P.E. credit or under any other departmental arrangement are acceptable if their content satisfies the above criteria. Courses that are primarily for recreation, athletics or body conditioning are not acceptable as Visual & Performing Arts Electives

 

1 Year Required to Choose from the A - G Area Courses
Visual & Performing Arts, History, Social Science, English, Advanced Mathematics, Laboratory Science, & Language Other Than English (2 years of a second language).

 

Universities will allow students to clear a course grade of D or F in certain course areas. This will also allow for validation of omitted classes in the normal completion of the A-G core course completion sequence. Please see your counselor for up-to-date UC validation policies.

 

More than 220,000 students attend the ten UC campuses.

 

When a campus has to choose among qualified students, it applies standards that are more demanding than the minimum requirements. Using a process called comprehensive review, admissions officers look beyond the required test scores and grades to evaluate applicants' academic achievements in light of the opportunities available to them and the capacity each student demonstrates to contribute to the intellectual life of the campus. Because the applicant pool is different every year, the level of academic performance necessary will vary.

 

To guide campuses in their comprehensive review of applicants, UC faculty developed a list of factors to draw from. 

 

 

 

When campuses receive applications from more prospective freshman students than they can admit, they draw on the 14 criteria below to select among qualified applicants. This process is called comprehensive review.

 

Keep in mind that the pool of students who apply to UC is different every year. The level of academic performance necessary for admission to a particular campus or major will vary, depending on the number of applicants and their academic qualifications, as well as the number of available spaces.

 

1. Academic grade point average in all completed "a-g" courses, including additional points for completed University-certified honors courses.

 

2. Scores on the ACT Assessment plus Writing

 

3. Number of, content of and performance in academic courses is beyond the minimum "a-g" requirement.

 

4. Number of and performance in University-approved honors courses and Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and transferable college courses.

 

5. Identification by UC as being ranked in the top 4 percent of the student's high school class at the end of his or her junior year ("eligible in the local context" or ELC).

 

6. Quality of the student's senior-year program, as measured by the type and number of academic courses in progress or planned.

 

7. Quality of the student's academic performance relative to the educational opportunities available in his or her high school.

 

8. Outstanding performance in one or more academic subject areas.

 

9. Outstanding work in one or more special projects in any academic field of study.

 

10. Recent, marked improvement in academic performance, as demonstrated by academic GPA and the quality of coursework completed or in progress.

 

11. Special talents, achievements and awards in a particular field, such as visual and performing arts, communication or athletic endeavors; special skills, such as demonstrated written and oral proficiency in other languages; special interests, such as intensive study and exploration of other cultures; experiences that demonstrate unusual promise for leadership, such as significant community service or significant participation in student government; or other significant experiences or achievements that demonstrate the student's promise for contributing to the intellectual vitality of a campus.

 

12. Completion of special projects undertaken in the context of the student's high school curriculum or in conjunction with special school events, projects or programs.

 

13. Academic accomplishments in light of the student's life experiences and special circumstances.

 

14. Location of the student's secondary school and residence.