These requirements are minimum entrance requirements. In many cases, the student needs to exceed these requirements in order to be admitted.

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY ENTRANCE REQUIREMENTS

1. SUBJECT REQUIREMENTS

To establish eligibility for admission as a first-time freshman, an applicant is required to:

1. Be a high school graduate;
2. Have completed, with grades of “C” or better each semester, each of the courses in the required college preparatory subject requirements (i.e., UC/CSU “a-g” list); and
3. Have a qualifiable eligibility index.

The CSU Subject Requirements (“a - g” list):

NOTE: Students must earn at least a “c” or better each semester.

ELIGIBILITY INDEX

Once you calculate your grade point average, you can use this formula to see if your grade point average and test scores meet the minimum required eligibility index.

• California residents must have a minimum eligibility index of 2900 using SAT scores or 694 using ACT scores. (The SAT score component for CSE is the sum of the mathematics and critical reading scores. Neither ACT nor SAT writing scores are included in the calculation of the CSU Eligibility Index.)
• California nonresidents or nongraduates of California high schools must have a minimum eligibility index of 3502 using SAT scores or 842 using ACT scores.

2. SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENTS

CSU campuses offer a variety of scholarships awarded on the basis of merit and financial need as well as donor specified criteria. Interested students should contact the campus financial aid or scholarship office for information on application procedures.

3. EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS

An applicant is required to take either the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT exam. All testing must be completed by December of your senior year in high school. Many impacted CSU campuses expect seniors to complete their testing by October of their senior year. All students are strongly encouraged to take the SAT and/or the ACT exam at least once during spring semester of their junior year in high school.

4. EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY PROGRAM (EOP) ADMISSION REQUIRE­MENTS

EOP is designed to improve access and retention of low income and educationally disadvantaged students who may need admission assistance or academic support services to succeed in the CSU. Students typically enrolled in the program have a history of low income, need support services, and have the potential to achieve academically. EOP services include assistance with admission and educational planning, academic advising, tutoring, and EOP grants for students who demonstrate need for financial assistance (see more on www.calstate.edu/ar/eop/index.shtml.)

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY ELIGIBILITY INDEX

For determining the eligibility of graduates of California high schools (or California legal resi­dents) for freshman admission to a state university or college.

Please refer to the Eligibility Index Table below. The CSU does not use the SAT writing score to calculate the CSU Eligibility Index. Also, grade point averages are bases on work completed in the “a-g” courses only, and courses taken after grade 9.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA FRESHMAN ADMISSION REQUIREMENTS

These requirements are minimum entrance requirements. In many cases, the student needs to ex­ceed these requirements in order to be admitted.

To satisfy the Subject Requirement, students must complete the high school courses listed below during grades nine through twelve. Students must earn a grade of “C” or better in all high school courses used to satisfy the subject requirement. This sequence of courses is also known as the "a-g" subjects or require­ments. (A one-year course is equal to one unit; a one-semester course is equal to one-half unit.)

Fifteen of these required units must have been earned in academic or college preparatory classes as speci­fied and defined below. Also, at least seven of the fifteen units must have been earned in courses taken during the last two years of high school.

1. History/Social Science - 2 years required

   Two years of history/social science, including one year of world history, cultures and 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 - 4 years required

   Four years of college preparatory English--composition and literature.

3. Mathematics - 3 years required, 4 recommended

   Three years, including Algebra 1, geometry, and Algebra 2.

4. Laboratory Science - 2 years required, 3 recommended

   Two years of laboratory science selected from two of these three areas: biology, chemistry, and physics. Not more than one year of grade nine laboratory science can be used to meet this requirement.

5. Languages Other than English - 2 years required, 3 recommended

   Two years of a language other than English. Students educated in a language other than English may have satisfied their world language requirement. Students should see a counselor for specifics.

6. Visual/Performing Art - 1 year required

   Students entering the university in 2006 or later must satisfy the requirement by completing a single year-long approved course from a single visual/performing arts area (dance, drama/theatre, music or visual arts.

7. College Preparatory Electives - 1 year required

   One unit (two semesters), in addition to those required in "a-f" above, chosen from the following areas: visual and performing arts, history, social science, English, advanced mathematics, labora­tory science, and languages other than English (a third year in the lan­guage used for the "e" requirement or two years of another language).

Courses Satisfying the "g" Requirement

History and English: Elective courses that fit the general description in item "g" (College Prepara­tory Electives) are acceptable. Advanced speech, debate, or advanced journalism may meet the "g" requirement. The student should consult with a counselor for specific courses meeting "a-g" re­quirements.

Advanced Mathematics: Trigonometry, linear algebra, pre-calculus (mathematical analysis), cal­culus, statistics, computer science, and similar courses are acceptable. Courses containing signifi­cant amounts of material from arithmetic or consumer or business mathematics are not acceptable.

Laboratory Science: Acceptable courses should cover topics from the biological or physical sciences. An introductory course such as Earth Science is an acceptable elective, but cannot be used to satisfy the "d" (Laboratory Science) re­quirement.

World Language: It is recommended that the course be in the same language that is used to satisfy the "e" require­ment. In order for a second language to qualify as an elective, at least the second year of this language must be completed.

Social Science: Elective courses that fit the general description in item "g" (College Preparatory Elec­tives) are acceptable. In addition, these courses should serve as preparation for lower-divi­sion work in social science at the University. Courses of an applied, service, or vocational nature are not acceptable. The student should consult with a counselor for specific courses meeting "a-g" requirements.

Visual/Performing Arts: Elective courses in visual/performing arts should enable the student to under­stand and appreciate artistic expression and to talk and write with discrimination about the artistic mate­rial studied. Courses devoted to developing creative artistic ability and courses de­voted to artistic per­formance are acceptable. Courses that are primarily recreational are not acceptable.

SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENT

Grade Point Average
To determine your eligibility, 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-g” courses. Points are assigned as follows: A=4 points, B=3 points, C=2 points, D=1 point and F=0 points (Pluses and minuses are not calculated in the grade point average.) Only the grades you earn in “a-g” subjects in the 10th and 11th grades – including summer sessions – are used to calculate your preliminary GPA. Courses you took in ninth grade can be used to meet the Subject Requirement if you earned a grade of C or better, but they will not be used to calculate your GPA.

Honors Courses
The University assigns extra points for up to eight semesters 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 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 re 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 in order to apply it toward your Subject Requirement. The original D or F grade will not be included in the GPA calculation, and the new grade will be used. If you repeat a course in which you initially earned a grade of C, the second grade will not be used.

UC Score Total

The University calculates your UC Score Total as follows:

If you took the SAT Reasoning Test:
The University converts your highest scores in critical reading, math, and writing from a single sitting and two SAT Subject Tests from different subject areas to equivalent UC Scores (see translation table below). Than all five UC Scores are added together to produce your UC Score Total (critical reading + math + writing + subject test 1 + subject test 2).

If you took the ACT plus its Writing Exam:
The University takes your highest math, reading, science, and combined English/writing scores from a single sitting and converts them to equivalent UC scores (see the translation table at right). To give the ACT writing component equal weight to the SAT writing exam, the University multiples the sum of your converted math, reading, and science scores by two-thirds, and then adds the converted English/writing. This subtotal is then added to your two highest SAT Subject Test SAT Subject Test scores from two different subject areas, which are also converted to equivalent UC Score Total ([math + reading + science] x 0.667 + English/writing + subject test 1 + subject test 2).

Below are the combinations of GPA and UC Score Totals that meet UC’s minimum requirements.

SAT Test Score Translation

ACT Test Score Translation

1. Subject Deficiencies

   Students, who by the time of high school graduation, have deficiencies due to "D" or "F" grades in certain “a-g” subjects may clear those grades in the summer immediately following high school graduation by enrolling in appropriate high school or college courses. Students are limited to clearing a total of two semesters in the “a-g” subjects. This avenue for clearing “D” or “F” grade deficiencies may NOT be allowed at some campuses. Students should consult with the campus Admission Office.

2. Repeated Courses

   Any "a-g" subjects in which a student received a grade of "D" or "F" may be repeated once. The repeated grade is used in calculating the Scholarship Requirement GPA. If a student repeats a course in which he or she originally earned a grade of “C” or higher, the repeated grade will NOT be used to calculate the GPA.

3. "D" or "F" Grades

   Grades of "D" or "F" in "a-g" subjects may be cleared in one of two ways. First, the course may be re­peated and passed with a satisfactory grade, as explained above under Repeated Courses. Second, in the sequential areas of world language, and mathematics, if a student earns a “D” or “F” in the first semester, it is treated as a subject omission and a scholarship deficiency. A student may clear both the subject omission and the scholarship deficiency by earning a “C” or better in the second semester of the course. (The higher grade validates the course.) Both semester grades will be used to calculate GPA.

4. Credit/No Credit

   Courses used to satisfy the “a-g” requirements may not be taken for Credit/No Credit.

5. Minimum Grade Point Average

   A grade point average below 3.00 in all “a-g” courses taken in the 10th and 11th grades eliminates a student from admission eligibility. Students are reminded that many UC campuses and some majors are extremely selective. Therefore, students applying to selective campuses or majors will have to have a grade point average much higher than a 3.00 to be admitted to the campus of their choice or in a few cases, to the major of their choice.

EXAMINATION REQUIREMENT

Effective for students entering the UC as freshman in fall 2006, each applicant must submit scores on a core test of mathematics, language arts, and writing. Taking either of the following exams can satisfy this requirement.

• SAT Reasoning Test (critical reading, mathematics, and writing), or
• The ACT exam plus ACT Writing Test.

In addition, all applicants must complete two SAT Subject Tests in two different subject areas: history, laboratory science, English Literature, mathematics level IIC, or language other than English.

All testing must be completed by December of your senior year. The UC prefers that testing be completed by November of your senior year.

An Eligibility Index for students entering the UC is available at www.universityofcalifornia/edu/admissions/.

ADMISSION BY EXAMNATION ALONE

If you do not meet the scholarship and subject requirements for admission and have completed less than 12 transferable college units after high school graduation, you can qualify for admission as a freshman by examination alone. You cannot qualify for this path if you have taken transferable college courses in any subject covered by the SAT II: Subject Tests. Given the new SAT I, SAT II, and the new ACT Writing Exam requirements, the required total score on the SAT I has yet to be determined. Likewise, the SAT II: Subject Test total score has yet to be determined. High school graduation or a passing score on the California High School Proficiency Exam is required for students who qualify for admission by examination. For the most current information regarding “admission by examination alone” go to: www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/.

COMPREHENSIVE REVIEW

The University of California makes every effort to find a place on one of its campuses for all California residents who meet the minimum admissions requirements and who apply on time. In recent years, however, the number of applicants to many campuses and majors has greatly exceeded the spaces available. This increased competition, combined with recent cuts in state funding for enrollment growth at UC means the university may no longer be able to guarantee admission to all students.

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

Factors Considered in Comprehensive Review:

1. Academic grade point average in all completed “a-g” courses, including additional points for completed University-certified honors courses.
2. Scores on the SAT Reasoning or ACT with writing, and the SAT Subject Tests.
3. Number, content of and performance in academic coursed beyond the minimum “a-g” requirements.
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 tope 4 percent of your high school class at the end of your junior year (“eligibility in the local context”).
6. Quality of your senior-year program, as measured by the type and number of academic courses in progress or planned.
7. Quality of your academic performance relative to the educational opportunities available in your particular 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 your academic GPA and the quality of coursework completed or in progress.
11. Special talents, achievements and awards in a particular field, such as visual 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 your promise for contributing to the intellectual vitality of a campus.
12. Completion of special projects undertaken in the context of your high school curriculum or in con-junction with special school events, projects, or programs.
13. Academic accomplishments in light of your life experiences and special circumstances.
14. Location of your secondary school and residence.

REMEMBER, the most important factor in the admission process is your academic grade point average in all completed “a-g” courses, including additional points for completed University-approved honors courses.

To view a comparison of the CSU and UC Entrance Requirements, please open the PDF file below.
CSU-UC Comparison of Eligibility Requirements for 2011-12 Freshman Admission