High School Graduation Requirements
for Students Applying to
Private Universities & Colleges

There are hundreds of private (independent) universities and colleges in California and throughout the country. Students will find a great variety among these schools as each offers a unique educational opportunity. A student's individual needs and career plans will determine which private university he or she would be best suited for. While most private universities are relatively small in size, they also differ from public universities in educational emphasis: religious, nonsectarian, community service, career focus, and liberal arts. For additional information on private universities in California, we recommend visiting http://www.aiccumentor.org.

How Do Private Universities Make Admissions Decisions?

Private universities vary in terms of selectivity with some having highly selective admissions and others having a relatively open admissions program. Unlike public universities, most private school include grades from 9th grade to calculate the G.P.A. Listed below are key factors involved in admissions decisions.

General Admission Guidelines, Private Colleges
  • High School Courses - A strong program of college preparatory courses is recommended beginning as a freshman and continuing through the completion of the senior year.

Admission Requirements for Selective Colleges:

  • College Prep English
  • History & US Gov't
  • Mathematics
  • Laboratory Science (ie Biol, Chem, Physics)
  • Modern language
  • Visual/Performing Arts

 

4 years
3 years
3-4 years through trig or calculus
3-4 years

3-4 years
1 year

These are minimum requirements to have one's transcript evaluated.

Click here to see a recommended 4-year high school course sequence for the well prepared college-bound student.

  • Grades and Class Rank - Private universities look carefully at the grades in academic subjects as well as the number of Honors and AP (Advanced Placement) courses the student took throughout high school. The Fremont Union High School District does not rank students. Private universities utilize GPAs to infer ranking.

  • College Entrance Exams - The Scholastic Assessment Test (S.A.T. I: Reasoning test) and/or American College Test (A.C.T.) are used by most private colleges. Some of the more competitive institutions also require the S.A..T II. We recommend students take these test during the junior or senior year. Information regarding test dates and registration information may be found on each campus in the high school's Career Center.

  • Letters of Recommendation - Private colleges require letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, administrators, or community members.

  • Extra Curricular Activities - Activities in and out of school - clubs, athletics, music, art, drama, journalism, band, cheerleading, yearbook, alumni ties, and community service - may also be used in making admissions decisions.

  • Your Essays or Personal Statements - Short essays are required.

  • Special Talents and Achievements - Excelling in subject areas or activities and possessing leadership skills are also determining factors in private university admissions.

  • Cultural or Ethnic Diversity - Most private universities prefer a sampling of students from across the nation and abroad. Cultural and ethnic diversity are still considered factors in admissions.

  • Interview - Some independent colleges require or recommend an interview.

Reminder to Seniors: It is important to keep all of your classes and maintain the same GPA you had after you apply to colleges. Colleges will monitor your grades throughout the year even after acceptance. "D" grades are not accepted and could result in the colleges revoking your acceptance.