CSU/UC Admission and Courses
University of California Admission Information
There are 9 undergraduate campuses offering programs leading to a Bachelor’s degree.
I. Application Dates- The application filing period (submission) for fall is October 1 through November 30th. Applications open on August 1st, if you want to get a head start on applying!
II. Application Fees- $80.00 for each campus; fee waivers are available to qualifying students. Waivers may be used for up to four schools.
III. Subject Requirement- To satisfy the Subject Requirement (a-g requirements), students must
complete the high school courses listed below with a C grade or higher.
Students must take 15 units of high school courses to fulfill the Subject Requirement- eleven units of which must be done by the end of the junior year. A unit is equivalent to an academic year, or two semesters. The course must appear on the UCOP approved “a-g” course list in order to be acceptable to the University.
History/ Social Science - two years required
(One year of U.S. History or ½ year of U.S. History and ½ year Government, and one year of World History)
English – four years of composition and literature
(maximum of one year of English in 9th grade)
Mathematics - three years required; four years recommended
(Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II)
Laboratory Science – two years required in at least two of these three areas:
Biology, Chemistry, or Physics; three years recommended
Language other than English– two years required; three years recommended
(minimum of two years of the same language)
Visual & Performing Art (VPA) – one consecutive year of UC approved Visual and Performing Arts required
College Preparatory Elective- one year of a college prep elective, or one year of advanced coursework in one of the “a-f” areas above.
IV. Scholarship Requirements-
Students must maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better. In calculating an applicant’s Grade Point Average (GPA) for admission, the University will use only the grades earned in the “a-g” courses (described above) taken in grades 10 and 11, including summer school. See your counselor for more detailed information on the GPA requirement for the UC.
You must earn a grade of C or better in all high school courses used to satisfy the “a-g” requirements. Courses taken in the ninth grade and completed with a grade of C or better can satisfy a subject requirement but will not count in the grade-point average.
Personal Insight questions
UC Applications require you to respond to four personal insight questions. There are eight questions to choose from. Responses must be under 350 words.
1. Describe an example of your leadership experience in which you have positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes or contributed to group efforts over time.
2. Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.
3. What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?
4. Describe how you have taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you have faced.
5. Describe the most significant challenge you have faced and the steps you have taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?
6. Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you have furthered this interest inside and/or outside of the classroom?
7. What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?
8. Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you a strong candidate for admissions to the University of California?
California State University Admission Information
There are 23 state universities throughout California, all offering degree programs. These programs provide training for all careers that require a Bachelor’s degree.
CSU applications do not have essays!
Application Dates- The application-filing period is October 1- November 30.
Campuses will only accept applications that are submitted online.
II. Application Fees- A fee of $70 must be included with each campus application. *The fee waiver application is part of the general application for admission. Waivers may be used for up to four schools.
III. Admission Requirements
Years
Subjects
4
English
3
Mathematics (4 years recommended)
2
U.S. History or ½ U.S. History and ½ Government and 1 year of social science
2
Laboratory Science (Biology, Chemistry, Physics): At least one biological science and one physical science
2
Language Other than English (same language)
1
Visual and Performing Art (Art, Dance, Drama/Theater, or Music)
1
Approved college preparatory electives (English, Adv. Math, Lab Science, Foreign Language, Social Science, Visual and Performing Arts, or Agriculture)
15
TOTAL UNITS REQUIRED
IV. Examination Requirement
All freshman applicants must submit test scores, as described below:
One aptitude test, either a or b:
SAT Reasoning Test www.collegeboard.com
ACT (American College Test) including the Writing Option www.act.org
**The California State University (CSU) will temporarily suspend the use of ACT/SAT examinations in determining admission eligibility for all CSU campuses for the 2021-2022 academic year. This temporary change of admission eligibility applies only for the fall 2021, winter 2022 and spring 2022 admission cycles.