Freshman Admission at the University of California: New Policies Starting 2012

1. Freshman Admissionat the University of California:New Policies Starting 2012

2. The following requirements are for students applying for fall 2012 and beyond. UC Requirements for Freshman Admission

3. UC Requirements for Freshman Admission, Starting 2012 If you meet the following requirements, your application will receive a comprehensive review at each campus to which you apply: • Complete at least 11 “a-g” courses by the end of your junior year with a minimum grade of C in each (you’ll need at least 15 courses by graduation) • Earn a 3.0 GPA (with a maximum of 8 honors points) • Take the ACT with Writing or SAT Reasoning Test

4. What’s 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. All campuses place the highest importance on academic achievement.

5. Comprehensive Review Factors Campuses consider the following factors in their evaluations: • Academic grade point average in “a-g” courses, including additional points for up to 8 semesters of honors courses • Scores on the ACT with Writing or SAT Reasoning Test • Number and content of and performance in academic courses beyond the minimum “a-g” requirements

6. Comprehensive Review Factors • Number of and performance in University-approved honors courses and Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and transferable college courses • Ranking in the top 9 percent of your high school class at the end of 11th grade • Quality of your senior-year program, as measured by the type and number of academic courses in progress or planned • Outstanding work in one or more special projects in any academic field of study

7. Comprehensive Review Factors (continued) • Quality of your academic performance relative to the educational opportunities available in your high school • Outstanding performance in one or more academic subject areas • Recent marked improvement in academic performance • Special talents, achievements and awards

8. Comprehensive Review Factors (continued) • Completion of special projects • Academic accomplishments in light of your life experiences and special circumstances • Location of your secondary school and residence After thoroughly reviewing all applications, campuses select their freshman class.

9. Guaranteed Admission to UC If you are a California resident, you are guaranteed a place at UC if: • You meet UC’s numerical index of grades and test scores, or • You are in the top 9 percent of your class at the end of your junior year after completing 11 specific “a-g” courses Even with a UC guarantee, you might not be admitted to a campus of your choice.

10. Apply! Even if you’re not guaranteed a spot, you still have a shot.

11. Preparing for UC: Courses In order to ensure that UC will read your application, you must complete at least 11 of the a-g classes by the end of junior year.  In order for UC to determine whether you will be guaranteed admission to the system (but not necessarily to a campus to which you apply), you must complete the following specific a-g classes by end of junior year: • 1 year history/social science • 3 years English • 2 years math • 1 year lab science • 1 year language other than English • 3 years chosen from among the remaining "a-g" requirements

12. Preparing for UC: Tests Take the ACT or SAT by December of your senior year SAT Subject Tests, AP and IB exams are optional but can demonstrate proficiency in a particular academic area More information: http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/news/eligibilitychanges/ 12

13. For More Information www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions