High School Graduation Requirements
for Students Applying to
University of California

The University of California campuses are located in Berkeley, Davis, Santa Cruz, Los Angeles, Merced, Santa Barbara, Irvine, Riverside and San Diego. The University of California in San Francisco is primarily a graduate program in the health professions.

The University of California selects applicants from the top twelve percent of California's high school graduates. Admission is based on the student's grade point average in a specific sequence of high school courses called the "a-g" subjects, his/her score on the American College Test (ACT) or the SAT I: Reasoning Test and his/her score on two S.A.T. II: Subject tests. The critical reading, writing, and math scores on the S.A.T. I must be from the same sitting. The "a-g" G.P.A. is based on work in the specified courses completed in the 10th and 11th grade.

A student is required to complete 15 "a-g" subjects as described below with at least a "C" grade in each. At least seven of the required classes must be taken in the last two years of high school. Because admission to the University of California is so competitive, it is recommended that students enroll in more than the minimum requirements. If admission tests are taken more than once, the highest scores from a single sitting are used in admission decisions. For additional information about the UC (including the current a-g list), we recommend visiting www.ucop.edu/pathways.

In addition to academic requirements, the University of California requests the following:

  1. Extracurricular Information:
    • Honors and awards
    • Extracurricular activities including positions of leadership
    • Volunteer work and community service
    • Employment history

    (Beginning in 2004, some applicants will be asked to submit verification of these experiences.)

  2. Personal Statement/Essay: Applicants are also required to submit an essay/personal statement of no more than two pages. The statement must address one of two specific prompts and is the opportunity to tell the University something about the individual that is not obvious in a transcript and/or list of activities. Some students will be asked to submit verification of their personal statement.

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.

University of California Subject Requirements for Admissions in Fall 2004

  • History: Two years required. One year of United States history or one semester of United States history and one semester of civics or American government, and one year of world history, cultures and geography.
  • English: Four years of college preparatory English required. Only two semesters of English taken in the 9th grade can be used to meet this requirement.
  • Mathematics: Three years in algebra, geometry and advanced algebra are required. Math courses completed in the 7th and 8th grades may be used to fulfill part of this requirement if the high school accepts them as equivalent to its own courses.
  • Laboratory Science: Two years required. Two years of laboratory science such as biology, chemistry, or physics or physiology. Three years are recommended.
  • Language other than English: Completion of level two of a foreign language is required; however, level three is strongly recommended.
  • Visual and Performing Arts: One year of a UC approved course in dance, drama/theater, music or visual arts must be completed.
  • College Prep Electives: One year required. Courses to meet this requirement must be chosen from the following areas: history, English, advanced mathematics, laboratory science, a language other than English, social science and visual and performing arts.

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