The UC system
includes nine undergraduate campuses: Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los
Angeles, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara and Santa Cruz. UC
San Francisco is a professional/graduate program. The CSU system includes 23 campuses such as San Jose State, Cal Poly, Chico State, Sac State, San Diego State, etc.
A map of the UC campuses can be found by clicking here, while a map of the California State University campuses is here.
Subject Requirements
a. US History / Social
Studies - 2 years including one year of US History (or one semester each
of US History and American Government) as well as one year of world
history, cultures and geography (World Civ and Global Issues)
b. English - 4 years of college prep English. Note that some English
classes meet only the g requirement (college prep elective)
c. Math - 3 years (4 years recommended), including Algebra 1,
Geometry, and Algebra 2 (An equivalent level math successfully passed in
7th or 8th grades may be used to meet subject requirement)
d. Laboratory Science - 2 years (3 recommended), including
fundamental knowledge in at least two areas: biology, chemistry or
physics
e. Languages other than English - 2 years of the same language (3 years recommended)
f. Visual and Performing Arts - 1 year (art, music, theater or dance) Must be one, year-long course.
g. College Prep Electives - 1 year of additional college prep course
work, chosen from the following areas: history, social studies,
English, advanced math, science, visual and performing arts or a
language other than English (3rd year in the same language used in 'e'
or two years of a different world language).
*Consult the UC-approved listing of SHS classes that meet the 'a-g' requirements listed above.
Scholarship Requirements
Students
must complete the 'a-g' subject requirements with a minimum of 'C' or
better. The UC and CSU systems calculate the GPA in a different manner.
Refer to 'Calculating GPA' in this handbook for details.
Examination Requirements
For the UC system, scores from the following standardized tests must be submitted:
-
SAT I or ACT (similar tests from different testing companies)2. SAT
II: two subject tests: math (level 2 only), literature, foreign
languages, sciences, or social studies.
-
UC admission eligibility
is based on a combination of the SAT 1 (or ACT) scores. SAT II
scores and the weighted GPA in the 'a-g' subject requirements (see
Calculating GPA for details). Many campuses use additional criteria
such as the number of college prep classes taken beyond the minimum
'a-g' requirements, number of honors or advanced placement classes,
quality of senior year schedule, extracurricular activities, honors
and awards, personal essay, etc. Excerpts of the 'eligibility
thresholds' are illustrated below; however, it is emphasized that
additional criteria is most often used due to the increased demand
for admission to the UC system.
UC 'a-g' GPA Test Scores*
-
2.80 to 2.84 4640
-
2.90 to 2.94 4160
-
3.00 to 3.04 3840
-
3.30 to 3.34 3248
-
3.50 + 3120
*combination of test scores for SAT I (or ACT) plus 2X the 3 SAT II
scores. A revised formula will be used starting Fall 2006. The CSU
system requires the SAT I or ACT for admission consideration.
The CSU eligibility index (excerpts below) includes the test score and weighted CSU GPA (see Calculating GPA for details)
Similar to the use of additional criteria for UC admission, CSU may
also use additional factors in considering students for particular
campuses and specific majors.