The following list is the A-G criteria established by the UC system.  Please talk to your assigned resource teacher about completing these courses for entrance into a UC/CSU system school, as a freshman. 

To satisfy this requirement, you must complete the 15 yearlong high school courses listed below. These courses are also known as the "a-g" subjects. At least 7 of the 15 yearlong courses must be taken in your last two years of high school.

The courses you take to fulfill the Subject Requirement must be certified by the University as meeting the requirement and must be included on your school's UC-certified course list.

Required "A-G" Courses

A:   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.

B.   English – 4 years required
Four years of college-preparatory English that include frequent and regular writing, and reading of classic and modern literature. No more than one year of ESL-type courses can be used to meet this requirement.

C.  Mathematics – 3 years required, 4 years recommended
Three years of college-preparatory mathematics that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry. Approved integrated math courses may be used to fulfill part or all of this requirement, as may math courses taken in the seventh and eighth grades that your high school accepts as equivalent to its own math courses.

D.  Laboratory Science – 2 years required, 3 years recommended
Two years of laboratory science providing fundamental knowledge in at least two of these three foundational subjects: biology, chemistry and physics. Advanced laboratory science classes that have biology, chemistry or physics as prerequisites and offer substantial additional material may be used to fulfill this requirement, as may the final two years of an approved three-year integrated science program that provides rigorous coverage of at least two of the three foundational subjects.

E.  Language Other than English – 2 years required, 3 years recommended
Two years of the same language other than English. Courses should emphasize speaking and understanding, and include instruction in grammar, vocabulary, reading, composition and culture. Courses in languages other than English taken in the seventh and eighth grades may be used to fulfill part of this requirement if your high school accepts them as equivalent to its own courses.

F.  Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) – 1 year required
A single yearlong approved arts course from a single VPA discipline: dance, drama/theater, music or visual art.

G.  College-Preparatory Electives – 1 year required
One year (two semesters), in addition to those required in "a-f" above, chosen from the following areas: visual and performing arts (non-introductory level courses), history, social science, English, advanced mathematics, laboratory science and language other than English (a third year in the language used for the "e" requirement or two years of another language).


There is great resource for parents and students, in regards to UC guidelines:

http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/students/welcome.html

The top ten things a college looks for in a freshman candidate:

1. High school grade point average in UC-required courses

2. Standardized test scores

3. Number of courses completed in academic areas beyond the University’s minimum eligibility requirement

4. Number of courses completed and performance in honors and AP courses

5. Quality of the senior year program relative to educational opportunities available in the applicant’s school

6. Outstanding performance in one or more academic subject areas and related projects

7. Recent marked improvement in academic performance

8. Special talents, achievements, and awards in a particular field, or experiences that demonstrate unusual promise for leadership or ability to contribute to the intellectual vitality of the campus

9. Academic accomplishments in light of an applicant’s experiences and circumstances, such as disabilities, low family income, first generation attending college, need to work, disadvantaged social or educational environment, difficult personal and family situations or circumstances, refugee status or veteran status

10. Location of the applicant’s secondary school and residence, to provide for geographic diversity in the student population and to account for the wide variety of educational environments existing in California

Note: Students who demonstrate strong academic performance and have challenged themselves to the best of their ability and circumstances will continue to receive the highest priority in admissions.

 

If your are needing more information about college admissions, then please contact www.universityofcalifornia.edu/