A-G College Requirements

What are A-G

Requirements?
• 15 High School Classes you must
take in order to go directly to a UC
or CSU after high school.
• The classes will prepare you to
succeed in college.
 What you need to know:
• Without the A-G requirements you
cannot even apply to a 4-year
University in California.
• You must take ALL classes- there
are no exceptions!
• They are college prep classes so
you should take them even if you
plan to go to school out of state.
What you need to know:
• They are not the same as
graduation requirements.
• You must earn a C or better in
these classes.
• A-G’s can change year to year and
are not the same at all high
schools. Ask your counselor for
more info or you can check the UC
course list at
https://doorways.ucop.edu/list/app/home/
What you need to know:
• The A-G’s are just the minimum.
• Whenever possible you should try to
take the extra recommended year of
math, lab science, and foreign
language.
• Take honors and AP classes
whenever possible.
• Up to 4 classes or 8 semesters of
Honors or AP courses count toward
CSU or UC GPA.
 4 Year College “A-G’s”

A. English 40 credits (4 years)

B. Mathematics 30 credits (3 years)
C. History 20 credits (2 years)
D. Laboratory Science- 20 credits (2 years)
Biology & Chem/Physics
E. Foreign Language 20 credits (2 years)
F. Visual or Performing Arts 10 credits (1 year)
G. College Prep Elective 10 credits (1 year)
Total 150 credits
College Requirements- Grades of A, B, or C
GPA/Grades for UC/CSU’s
• Only A-G courses taken in grades
10th and above are used in GPA
calculation
• Only “C” grades and above satisfy
college requirements (including 9th
grade)
• Honors classes are weighted
(worth an extra point- A=5pts,
B=4pts, C=3pts).
 Minimum Requirements for UC
Courses G.P. A Tests
(A-G Requirements)
Courses Years
History/ Social 2 years
Science
1 US/ 1 World

English 4 Years ACT plus ACT Writing

Students must have a G.P.A
Math 3 Years of 3.2 or better SAT Reasoning Test
Algebra II (3.4 if are non-residents)

Lab Science 2 Years These test must be taken

(Bio, Chem, More competitive campuses by December of your senior
Physics) (At least 4.0)
year
Foreign 2 Years Less competitive campuses
Language (Recommend 3) (UCR, UC Merced,)
(Same
Language(

Visual and 1 Year

Performing Arts

Electives (CP) 1 Year

 College Systems

UC (Univ. of Calif.) For admission, UC’s look

10 campuses including: most heavily at:
• UC Berkeley Comprehensive Review
• UC Davis • GPA
• UCLA • Test Scores
• Strength of curriculum
• UC San Diego
• Essays (Personal
• UC Santa Barbara Statements)
• UC Santa Cruz • Extracurricular activities
• UC San Francisco
• UC Irvine
• UC Merced
• UC Riverside
 Acceptance Rate

School Number of Middle 50% SAT Middle 50% ACT Acceptance

Undergraduates Score Score Rate
UC Berkeley 30,574 1340-1530 29-35 15.1%
UCLA 31,002 1240-1490 27-33 16.1%
UC San 28,587 1250-1470 29-34 36%
Diego
UC Santa 22,186 1240-1470 26-32 32%
Barbara
UC Davis 30,145 1120-1360 25-31 43.5%
UC Irvine 29,307 1170-1410 24-30 36.5%
UC Santa 17,577 1160-1370 24-30 51.4%
Cruz
UC Riverside 20,069 1090-1300 23-29 57.2%
UC Merced 7,375 1020-1230 18-23 69.1%
 Average GPA’s for UC’s

UC (Univ. of Calif.) Average GPA

• UC Berkeley 4.16- 4.30
• UC Davis 3.97- 4.25
• UCLA 4.16- 4.31
• UC San Diego 4.0-4.28
• UC Santa Barbara 4.00 - 4.26
• UC Santa Cruz 3.76- 4.16
• UC Irvine 4.00 - 4.26
• UC Merced 3.46 - 3.96
• UC Riverside 3.66 - 4.09
CSU High School course requirements
 College Systems
CSU (Cal State Univ.)
23 campuses including:
• Sacramento State
• Chico State
• Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
• Sonoma State
• San Diego State
• Cal State Fullerton
• Long Beach State
• Humboldt State
• Cal State San Marcos
For admission, CSU’s
look most heavily at:
• GPA
• Test Scores
*Exception is Cal-Poly SLO,
which also considers:
– includes 9th grade grades
– bonus for extra college prep
courses
– supplemental application
– demonstration of
involvement in area of
interest?
– Prefer the ACT
Average GPA for CSU’s
CSU (Cal State Univ.) Average GPA
• Sacramento State 3.2
• Chico State 3.27
• Cal Poly San Luis Obispo* 3.92
• Sonoma State 3.16
• San Diego State 3.78
• Cal State Fullerton* 3.37
• Long Beach State* 3.6
• Humboldt State 3.16
• Cal State San Marcos 3.35
• Cal Poly Pomona * 3.36
• Cal State San Bernardino 3.24
A – G course breakdown

• The CSU requires a minimum 15-unit

pattern of courses for admission as a
first-time freshman.
• Each unit is equal to a year of study
in a subject area.
• A grade of C or better is required for
each course you use to meet any
subject requirement.
 College Requirements
IT IS NEVER TOO EARLY TO START PREPARING

• GPA (NO D’S OR F’S)

• ACT/SAT
• Volunteer hours
• Club participation
• Sports
• Letters of recommendation – 2 weeks needed,
forms are available in the career center
• Be honest
QUESTIONS???