THE COLLEGE LANDSCAPE

Two-Year Schools

Programs-     Career and job entry majors, transfer classes, AA degrees, and Certification programs

Entrance requirements for freshman:

18 years of age

High School graduate

No SAT/ACT requirement

CSU

Four-Year Schools with graduate programs

Programs-     Various majors depends on the campus, Pre-professional training, BA and BS degrees, Master’s degrees, Teaching credentials

Entrance requirements for freshman :

•  are a high school graduate

•  have a qualifiable eligibility index

•  have completed with grades of C or better each of the courses in the comprehensive pattern of college preparatory subject requirements. (See below)

Your high school grade point average is calculated using your grades in all your college prep "a-g" classes completed after the 9th through 12th grades.

Grades are only part of the equation unless you have a grade point average above 3.0 and are a resident of California. The CSU uses a calculation called an Eligibly Index which combines your high school grade point average with the score you earn on either an SAT I or ACT test. Even if you have a GPA above 3.0 it is a good idea to take either an SAT I or ACT.

High School Subject Requirements

SAT I(Reasoning test)or ACT

Application Period– Early October 1-October 31   online only

          Regular November 1-30

UC

Four-Year Schools with graduate and professional schools

Programs-           Various majors depends on the campus, BA and BS degrees, Master’s degrees, Doctorates and professional degrees (i.e. law, medicine, dentistry)

Entrance requirements for freshman:

Subject Requirement:   To satisfy this requirement, you must complete the 15 units of high school course work listed below.   (A unit is equal to an academic year of study)   These courses are also known as the “a-f” subjects or requirements.   At lest 7 of the 15 units must be taken in your last two years of high school.  

The a-g requirements can be summarized as follows:

1. History / Social Science – Two years, including one year of world history, cultures, and historical geography and one year of U.S. history or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of civics or American government.
2. English – Four years of college preparatory English that include frequent and regular writing, and reading of classic and modern literature.           
3. Mathematics – Three years of college preparatory mathematics that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry.
4. Laboratory Science – Two years of laboratory science providing fundamental knowledge in at least two of these three disciplines: biology, chemistry, and physics.
5. Language Other Than English – Two years of the same language other than English.
6. Visual & Performing Arts – One year, including dance, drama/theater, music, or visual art.
7. College Preparatory Elective – One year (two semesters), chosen from additional "a-f" courses beyond those used to satisfy the requirements above, or courses that have been approved solely for use as "g" electives.

Examination Requirements:   SAT I or ACT plus   SAT II – math and one of your choice (not other math)

Scholarship requirement:   This 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 GPA is 2.8 or above, you satisfy the minimum Scholarship Requirement if you achieve the test score total indicated in the Eligibility Index.

The University calculates your GPA in the “a-g” subjects by assigning point values to the grades you earn, totaling the points, and dividing the total by the number of “a-f” course units.   Points are assigned as follows: A=4, B=3, C=2, D=1, and F=0.  

Only grades you earn in “a-f” subjects in 10 th , 11 th , and 12 th grades are used to calculate your GPA.   Course you take in the 9 th 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.

Application Period - November 1-30

To see if you meet the Scholarship Requirement, find your GPA in the Eligibility Index below then read across to determine the Test Score Total you need. To figure your Test Score Total, use this equation:

[ SAT I composite ] + [ 2 x ( SAT II Writing score + SAT II Mathematics score + third required SAT II score )]

Your SAT I composite is the highest combined mathematics and verbal scores from a single sitting. (You may substitute an ACT score for a SAT I composite; a conversion chart is provided below.) For your SAT II scores, use the highest individual scores from any sitting.

Honors Courses

The University assigns extra points for up to four years of University-certified honors level and Advanced Placement courses taken in the last three years of high school: A=5 points, B=4 points, C=3 points. No more than two yearlong UC-approved honors level courses taken in the 10th grade may be given extra points. A grade of D in an honors or advanced placement course does not earn extra points.

The courses must be in the following "a-g" subjects: history/social science, English, advanced mathematics, laboratory science, language other than English, and the visual and performing arts. Also, they must be certified as honors courses by the University. In these subjects, as well as in computer science, acceptable honors level courses include advanced placement courses, Higher Level and designated Standard Level International Baccalaureate courses, and college courses that are transferable to the University.

D and F grades

If you have earned a D or F in an "a-g" course, you must repeat the course with a grade of C or better. The original D or F grade will not be included in the GPA calculation, and the new grade will be used.

PRIVATE COLLEGES

Programs- Varies according to size

Entrance requirements – Varies, most prefer the SAT or ACT, some require the SAT II,   Some require recommendations and interview

Application Period – Check with each college as it varies