1. The University of California

2. Why Attend a UC?
 ―If you want to be educated in the heart of where knowledge is created-
medical discoveries that cure diseases, inventions that revolutionize how
cars are powered and food is grown, new technologies that push the
boundaries of media and music- then UC is for you. On our campuses,
you’ll learn from men and women famous for reshaping how the world
works and thinks. The point of a UC education isn’t just to earn a degree;
it’s to do something amazing with it.‖

3. The Universities They provide
The UC system consists of 10 research based institutions.
exciting environments that foster world-class educational and research
opportunities and generate a wide range of benefits and services that
touch the lives of Californians every day.
 UC Berkeley (CAL)  UC Los Angeles
 UC Davis (UCD) (UCLA)
 UC Merced (UCM)  UC Riverside (UCR)
 UC Santa Cruz  UC Irvine (UCI)
(UCSC)  UC Santa Barbara
 UC San Francisco (UCSB)
(UCSF)  UC San Diego

4. Admissions Requirements
Admissions Requirements

5. Freshman Admission Requirements
 Coursework
• Complete any 11 UC-approved ―a-g‖ courses prior to senior year
• Complete all 15-course ―a-g‖ subject pattern by the end of senior
year
• Courses must be completed with a grade of C or better
Grade point average
• Minimum 3.00 weighted GPA (for CA Residents)
• Minimum 3.40 weighted GPA (for Non-CA Residents)
• Based on ―a-g‖ courses completed in 10th and 11th grades, including
summer courses
Examinations
• ACT with Writing or SAT Reasoning Test by December of senior year

6. Submitting Test Scores
Should a student submit their test scores to more than one
UC campus?
 Freshman applicants for fall 2012 must arrange to
have official score reports sent to us by December
2011.
 If you report your scores to one campus, they will
be shared with every campus to which you have
applied.

7. Important Dates and Deadlines
•October: Application opens for fall 2012 at
www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply
•Nov. 1-30: Filing period for fall 2012. Applications must be submitted by
11:59 p.m. Nov. 30.
•Jan. 1: Filing period opens for GPA Verification Form (required of California
residents for Cal Grant consideration) and Free Application for Federal
Student Aid (www.fafsa.gov).
•March 1-31: Notification of fall 2012 admission decisions
•March 2: Deadline for applicants for all terms to submit FAFSA and GPA
Verification Form
•May 1: Deadline for fall 2012 admitted freshmen to submit the Statement of
Intent to Register to their chosen campus
•July 1-31: Filing period for winter quarter/spring semester 2013. See
www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/how-to-apply/check-majors for

8. A-G Requirements

9. • U.S. History/Social Science- 2 Years
 One year World History, Cultures, or Geography A-G
 One year U.S History
 Ex: Modern World History, Race and Social Justice
 English-4 Years
 Composition and Literature
 Ask your counselor to sign you up for college preparatory
English classes.
 Mathematics-3 Years (4 Recommended!)
 Algebra, Geometry, Algebra 2
 Consider taking: Trigonometry, Pre-Calculus, Calculus and
other Adv. Math Courses to make yourself more
competitive.

10.  Laboratory Science- 2 Years (3 Recommended!)
 Anatomy, Physiology, Chemistry, Physics, Biology
 Language other than English- 2 Years (3 Recommended!)
A-G
 MUST be in the SAME language!
 Can be waved if you pass the AP Exams or score high enough on
SAT Subject test.
 Visual and Performing Arts - 1 Year *
 Drama, Dance, Theatre, Art History, Choir, Photography, Drawing,
Art, Music Appreciation
 College Prep Electives - 1 Year*
 Earth Science, Journalism, Economics, Sociology, Psychology
Political Science, Computer Science, Child Development,
*Ask your counselor what courses are available that meet UC
requirements.

11. Validating
 Occurs when student successfully completes an advanced
course (C grade or higher) in area of sequential knowledge;
student is presumed to have completed the lower-level
coursework.
 Example: Spanish 2 is completed with a C grade; Spanish 1 is
validated by Spanish 2.
 Can also be used to clear subject deficiency in which a grade
of D or F was earned
 Example: Algebra 1 is completed with a D grade; Algebra II is
completed with a C grade; Algebra I is validated by Algebra II
 Grade of D or F remains in the GPA calculation.
 Applies to courses in mathematics and languages other than
English

12. Repeating
 Repeating a course occurs when a student earns a
D or F grade and then a course with the same
curriculum is taken to clear the grade.
 The new grade earned will be used in the GPA
calculation.
 All “a-g” coursework (original and repeats)
should be reported on the application.

13. What are the rules on repeating courses?
 A course in which a D/F is earned can be repeated with a
course that has the same curriculum, even if the course title
is not identical (e.g., Algebra 1 and Beginning Algebra).
 If a C or better is earned, the original D/F will not be included in the
GPA calculation. Only the new grade will be used in the GPA
calculation.
 A course in which a grade of C was earned cannot be
repeated.
 There is no limit to the overall number of repeated courses
an applicant may present, but each course can be repeated
only once.
 Students must list all courses, including the original course,
on their application.
13

14. Tips for Using Online Courses to Satisfy Requirements
UC will honor online courses offered by other providers IF:
• The high school principal certifies that the course is
comparable to other college preparatory courses offered
at the school site
• Lists the course on the student's transcript and includes
the institution/provider through which the course was
taken, the number of units, and the grade(s) received
Online courses in laboratory science and visual and
performing arts do not satisfy UC requirements.
Students must self-report all online courses on their application.

15. The Application Process
How Is My Application Reviewed?

16.  Nine campuses. One application.
 The application fee is $60 for each UC campus to which you apply.
You must include the fees with your application or it will not be
processed.
 Report test results.
 Prepare personal statement.
 Describe the world you come from — for example, your family,
community or school — and tell us how your world has shaped
your dreams and aspirations.
 File on time.
(For High School
Seniors)
 Ask for help.
 For More Info Visit: http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/

17. Application Checklist
 Transcripts
You’ll need to enter courses and grades from all schools you have attended, including any
collegeswhere you have taken courses. Don’t enter information from memory;
misreporting your academic record can jeopardize your admission. If you took advanced
math and/or a language other than English in middle school, you will need to tell us how
many semesters you completed.
 Test scores
These include your ACT with Writing and/or SAT scores and any Advanced Placement.
Know the test dates for upcoming exams you plan to take.
 Annual income (optional)
If your parents claim you as a dependent on their tax return, ask them for their annual pre-
tax income for 2010 and 2011. Refer to tax records or pay stubs.
 Social Security number (if you have one)
We use your Social Security number to verify your identity and match your application to your
transcripts, test score reports and, if you apply for financial aid, your FAFSA. It will be kept
confidential.
 Citizenship status
You must enter your country of citizenship (or "No Selection"). If you select a country other
than the United States, you'll need to provide your immigration status and the type of visa
you hold (e.g., F-1).
 Statewide Student ID (optional)
Each K–12 student in California public schools is assigned an ID number. If it’s not printed on
your high school transcript, obtain it from your school counselor or registrar.
 Credit card
You'll need the account number, expiration date, cardholder’s name and billing address. (If

18. How Is My Application Reviewed?
 UC has been using comprehensive review since 2002.
 All 9 UC campuses use comprehensive review.
 Consists of 14 academic and personal factors
 Comprehensive review is the process used to evaluate an applicant
for admission using multiple measures of achievement and promise
within the context of educational opportunities and life experiences.
 This allows UC to go beyond grades and test scores and review each
applicant fully based on everything in their application.

19. Comprehensive Review Factors
 Campuses draw from 14 academic and personal factors approved by
University faculty, including:
Grades and test scores and:
 Quality of senior year program
 Special talents, achievements & awards
 Promise for leadership
 Recent, marked improvement in academic performance
 Significant community service
 Participation in student government
 Intensive study and exploration of other cultures
Full list of factors:
www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/freshman/how-applications-reviewed/

20. How Is My Application Reviewed?
 Academic grade point average in all
completed ―A-G" courses, including
additional points for completed UC-certified
honors courses.
•Scores on the ACT With Writing or SAT
Reasoning.
 Number of, content of and performance in
academic courses beyond the minimum ―A-
G" requirements.

21. How Is My Application Reviewed?
 Number of and performance in UC-
approved honors and Advanced
Placement courses.
 Identification by UC as being ranked in the
top 9 percent of the your high school class
at the end of your junior year (Eligible in
the Local Context, or ELC).
 Quality of your senior-year program as
measured by the type and number of
academic courses in progress or planned.
 Quality of your academic performance
relative to the educational opportunities
available in your high school.
 Outstanding performance in one or more
academic subject areas.
 Outstanding work in one or more special
projects in any academic field of study.

22. How Is My Application Reviewed?
 Completion of special projects undertaken in the context of your
high school curriculum or in conjunction with special school
events, projects or programs.
 Academic accomplishments in light of your life experiences and
special circumstances.
 Location of your secondary school and residence
 Recent, marked improvement in academic performance as
demonstrated by academic GPA and the quality of coursework
completed or in progress.
 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

23. The Personal Statement

24. Personal Statement
 An opportunity for applicants to provide information that
supports and enhances review process
 Adds clarity, richness and meaning to application and completes
the application
 Enables applicant to make the best possible case for admission
 An admission decision is never based on the content of the
personal statement alone

25. Personal Statement Prompts
 Applicants are asked to respond to two prompts:
 Describe the world you come from—for example, your
family, community or school—and tell us how your world
has shaped your dreams and aspirations.
 Tell
us about a personal quality, talent, accomplishment,
contribution or experience that is important to you. What
about this quality or accomplishment makes you proud and
how does it relate to the person you are?
 Word Count: 1,000 words total

26. Admission Rates

30. The 4 Year College Process
9th Grade 10th Grade 11th Grade 12th Grade
• Plan Out 4 Year • Grades Matter! • Take on Academic • Continue to
Class Schedule • Continue Challenges Succeed
• Explore Involvement • Pursue • Apply to UC University of
Extracurricular • Prepare for ACT Leadership • Apply for California
Involvement and/or SAT Opportunities Scholarships
• Explore • Take Exams
Campuses • Tour Campuses

31. 9th Grade
• Refer to your high school’s
•Plan Out 4 Year UC-approved “a-g” course list
Class Schedule on the Doorways site:
•Explore doorways.ucop.edu/list/
Extracurricular • Options for Satisfying A-G
Involvement Chart
• CSU-UC Comparison Chart
• Online Classes
• Community College Classes
universityofcalifornia.edu/counselorconferences

32. 10th Grade
UC “a-g” GPA calculation:
10th Grade
•Approved “a-g” courses completed
•Grades Matter! in grades 10 and 11 (including
summers)
•Continue
Involvement • Additional grade points awarded for
grades of C or better in approved
•Prepare for ACT honors, AP, designated IB courses
and/or SAT and transferable college courses
•Explore Campuses • Points for UC-certified honors
courses capped at 4 yearlong courses
(8 semesters). No more than two
yearlong courses (4 semesters) of
honors credit may be applied to
courses completed in 10th grade.

33. 10th Grade
Tools to Explore Campuses:
10th Grade
•UC Campus websites
•Grades Matter! •Zinch: www.zinch.com/
•Continue •College Board’s College Search:
Involvement collegesearch.collegeboard.com/searc
•Prepare for ACT h/index.jsp
and/or SAT •Cappex: www.cappex.com/
•Explore Campuses •The Princeton Review’s School
Search:
www.princetonreview.com/schoolsear
ch.aspx
•CollegeWeekLive:
www.collegeweeklive.com

34. 11th Grade
Test taking tips:
11th Grade
•Read!
•Take on Academic •Take practice tests early to know
Challenges where you may need help
•Pursue Leadership •Consider your other time
Opportunities commitments when signing-up for
tests
•Take Exams
•Re-take tests if necessary
•Tour Campuses
•UC accepts both ACT with Writing
and the SAT Reasoning Test and will
take your highest test score from a
single test date

35. 12th Grade
•UC Application Fall filing period:
12th Grade November 1–30
•Continue to Succeed www.universityofcalifornia.edu/
apply
•Apply to UC
•Admissions notifications
•Apply for (posted online):
Scholarships March 1-30
•Students must opt-in to waitlists
•Submit Statement of Intent to
Register (SIR):
by May 1
•Official high school and college
records due:
by July 15

36. Resources
 UC Admissions website:
www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/
 Comprehensive review:
http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/freshman/how-applications-
reviewed
 Admissions index:
http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/freshman/california-
residents/admissions-index/
 ELC student and parent information:
http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/freshman/california-residents/local-
path/
 Recommended Subject Tests:
http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/freshman/requirements/examinatio
n-requirement/SAT-subject-tests/
 “a-g” Guide website for detailed information on online courses:
www.ucop.edu/a-gGuide/ag/online_course.html
 Doorways “a-g” website: http://www.ucop.edu/doorways/