UC Admissions and Eligibility Updates

Personal statements for fall applicants

The UC Undergraduate Application for Admission and Scholarships now presents applicants two prompts instead of the previous three. University faculty approved the revisions to the prompts with the goal of eliciting information from students that is more helpful in the comprehensive review process. The new prompts have been designed to draw out information that will complement the rest of the application and give evaluators access to details that students might not otherwise include in their applications. There is still an “additional comments” section. Visit our Personal Statement page for tips on completing this section of the application.

Application questions to capture coursework other than “A-G" & foster-care status

The Undergraduate Application for Admission and Scholarships includes two questions designed to provide additional context in which to evaluate student achievement. The first is a voluntary response question allowing applicants to indicate whether they have ever been in foster care. This question helps evaluators see academic accomplishments in light of special circumstances. The second question allows applicants to list coursework outside admission requirements, which demonstrates a particular focus.

ELC course requirements adjusted

Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC) requirements have been adjusted to require an additional year of coursework in any of the required academic areas by the close of applicants’ junior year. Additionally, the mathematics requirement now requires 2 years of mathematics, instead of 3 years, by the close of applicants’ junior year; students have until the close of their senior year to complete a third year of mathematics. Students will still be required to complete a minimum of 11 units by the end of the junior year, with the full 15 unit requirement (including the 3-year math requirement) completed by the end of the senior year. All entrance exams must also be completed by the close of the senior year.

“A-G” course options broadening

The University of California continues to respond to shifting landscapes in high school education by addressing options such as online courses, home study, independent programs and career technical education.

• Last fall, faculty approved a policy that dictates which online providers and courses may be used to satisfy the “a-g” requirements. Until this new policy is fully implemented, only approved UC College Prep (UCCP) and Cyber High courses on each school’s “a-g” course list will be accepted. High school principals may certify online courses offered through other providers by listing the courses on student transcripts, along with credits and grades. UC staff and faculty are reviewing online provider applications and will be reviewing online course outlines for UC approval.
• Faculty continues to discuss establishing a policy under which non-classroom based/independent study schools and programs may establish and maintain “a-g” course lists.
• More than 5,000 career technical education courses have been approved to satisfy “a-g” requirements.
• Project-based course resources are now available on the “A-G” Guide Web site at ucop.edu/a-gGuide.
• Home schooled students who are part of a private, comprehensive high school, public charter or other public high school are treated the same as other students applying to UC in the statewide context. Those not enrolled in a recognized educational institution may become eligible by examination alone or may be considered for admission by exception.

Visit our Freshman Subject Requirement page for more information on the "A-G" course requirements.

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