College Admissions

Choose from one of the college/university systems below to find college admission information specific to each.

The California Community Colleges
California Independent (Private) Colleges and Universities
The California State University System
The University of California System

The California Community Colleges

Admission is open to all students who have graduated from an accredited high school, passed the California High School Proficiency Exam, or are 18 years of age or older. (See your counselor for additional information regarding high school students taking community college courses.) Community colleges award Associate Degrees and Certificates of Achievement. For students transferring to a four-year college or university, community college can prepare you with the first two years of college; you will be a junior when you transfer! SAT and ACT tests are not required, but English and math placement tests are required for entering freshmen. Costs are economical, plus financial aid and the Board of Governors Enrollment Fee Waivers (BOGW) are available!

California Independent (Private) Colleges and Universities

Admission requirements to independent colleges and universities vary as widely as the campuses themselves. Your academic record (what courses you have taken and what grades you received in those courses) is the most important component in the process, followed by the SATI or ACT test scores. Additionally, some independent colleges may also require the SAT II.

Generally, the college admission process is more individualized and comprehensive in nature-combining quantitative measures of the cumulative GPA and entrance test(s) with the qualitative measures of a personal essay, letter(s) of recommendation, and, in highly selective colleges, class rank and/or an interview. Extracurricular activities and community service also play an important part in the admissions process. When considering independent colleges and universities, it is important to consult catalogs and informational brochures, and to visit campuses of interest.

The California State University System

Subject Requirements: Students entering the California State University must have completed 15 high school units (a unit is equal to an academic year or two semesters of study), with grades of "C" or better in each course. These courses must be certified by the high school as college preparatory in the subject areas listed below.

• English - 4 years
• Mathematics - 3 years (Algebra, Geometry, Intermediate Algebra, or higher level math)
• U.S. History or U.S. History and Government - 1 year
• Laboratory Science - 1 year (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or other acceptable Laboratory Science)
• Foreign Language - 2 years in the same language (subject to waiver for applicants demonstrating equivalent competence)
• Visual and Performing Arts - 1 year (Art, Dance, Drama/Theater, or Music)
• Electives - 3 years (may be selected from these areas: English, Advanced Mathematics, Social Science, History, Laboratory Science, Economics, Foreign Language, Visual and Performing Arts, and Agriculture)

Eligibility Index: Eligibility for admission for first time freshmen is also determined by an eligibility index based on all work completed after the 9th grade, not counting Military Science and Physical Education, and the scores on the SAT I or the ACT college entrance tests; excerpt below is for CA residents:

* Below 2.00 not eligible
** 3.00 and above eligible with any score

Note: Contact the specific CSU campus to check if a higher eligibility index for admission is required. The ACT or the SAT I must be taken by the October test date for SDSU. Some majors receive more applications during the filing period than can be accommodated and are designated as impacted majors. Admission to these majors is based on additional admissions criteria. Further, if you wish to be considered for an impacted major at two or more CSU campuses, you must also file an application to each program.

The University of California System

Subject Requirements: A student must complete the following required high school courses (known as the "a through f" requirements). It will take 15 units of high school work to complete the Subject Requirements (a unit is equal to an academic year or two semesters of study). At least 7 of the 15 units must have been earned in courses taken during the last two years of high school.

1. History/Social Science - 2 years: 1 year U.S. History (or one-half year U.S. History, and one-half year of Civics or American Government) and one year of World History, Culture, and Geography.
2. English - 4 years of college preparatory English.
3. Mathematics - 3 years/4 recommended (Algebra, Geometry, Intermediate Algebra, or higher level math).
4. Laboratory Science - 2 years/3 recommended (two of the following: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, or other approved college preparatory science).
5. Language other than English - 2 years/3 recommended (at least two years of the same language other than English).
6. College Preparatory Electives - 2 years (Academic courses in at least two of the following subject areas: Visual and Performing Arts, History, English, Advanced Mathematics, Laboratory Science, Foreign Language, and Social Science)

Test Requirements: Freshman applicants must submit either SAT I or ACT test scores along with SAT II which must include (A) Writing, (B) Mathematics level 1 or 2, and (C) one test score from either English Literature, Foreign Language, Science, or Social Studies. Examinations must be completed by the December test date of a student's senior year of high school to be considered for admission.

Eligibility Index: The Eligibility Index includes high school GPA and SAT I (or ACT) and SAT II test scores. The test score formula is [SAT I composite]+[2 x (SAT II writing + SAT II mathematics + third required SAT II)]. The website for the eligibility index is ( www.ucop.edu/pathways/infoctr/introuc/fresh.html#schol).

The Scholarship Requirement defines the grade point average (GPA) you must attain in the "a-f" subjects and the SAT I (or ACT) and SAT II test scores you must earn to be eligible for admission to the University. If your "a-f" GPA is 2.80 or above and your SAT I test score total corresponds to the Eligibility Index (found on the website above) you meet the minimum UC Scholarship Requirement.

Only the grades you earn in "a-f" subjects in the 10th, 11th, and 12th grades are used to calculate your GPA. Courses you take in ninth grade can be used to meet the Subject Requirement if you earn a grade of C or better, but they will not be used to calculate your GPA .

In recent years, the number of applicants for some campuses and some majors has far exceeded the number of spaces available. When a campus cannot admit all eligible applicants, it uses standards which the University calls selection criteria. Selection criteria for freshman applicants are described by campus on this website: www.ucop.edu/pathways/infoctr/introuc/select.html

Repeated Courses: "D" or "F" grades in the "a through f" courses must be repeated or validated. Consult with your counselor to determine how these grades can be improved and how the university will use them in evaluating your scholarship record. Grades for repeated courses in which you initially earned a grade of "C" or better will not be used.

Guidelines for Honors Level Courses: The University gives extra weight to grades earned in honors level courses in high school. The University assigns extra points for up to four units of certified honors level and advanced placement courses taken in the last three years of high school, (maximum of two units in the 10th grade). The grades in these courses will be counted on a scale: "A"=5, "B"=4, "C"=3, if these courses are certified by the University of California as being offered at the honors level. Note: A grade of "D" in an honors or advanced placement course does not earn extra points.