Transcript California Colleges

California Colleges
A Three Tiered System
UC/CSU/Community College
 Higher Education System—California’s three-tiered higher
ed. system has firm guidelines that govern:
 what degrees are offered
 how students can move directly into one of the four-year
universities or from a community college to a CA university
 Public Universities—California is home to 2 world
renowned public university systems: University of California &
Cal State Universities
 People from all over the country & world attend our home state
colleges/universities.
 Some of the least expensive in the country.
 Private Universities—not a part of this system
University of California (UC)
UC Berkeley
UC Davis
UC Irvine
UCLA
UC Merced
UC Riverside
UC San Diego
UC San Francisco
UC Santa Barbara
UC Santa Cruz
University of California (UC)
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Purpose: research institution for the State of California
Campuses—10, but only 9 accept freshman applicants
Total # Students—About 200,000 students system-wide
Degrees Offered—bachelor, masters, PhD (doctorate); also
professional certificates such as Law, Medical, Pharmacy,
Veterinary, Dental
 Cost—approx. $12,000 per year for tuition
University of California (UC)
 Admissions—top 12.5% of California high school seniors;
 Guarantee admission to top 9% in the state and top 9% of each
high school
 Minimum GPA of 3.0 but academic index of 277
 based on a comprehensive review of courses, grades, SAT or
ACT (including writing portion), activities and personal
statement.
 SAT Subject Test scores also considered as value added but
do not count against the applicant even if scores are low.
 Greatest weight given to courses and grades.
University of California (UC)
 Class size—Typically larger. General Ed or even some upper
division major courses 200-300 students.
 Professor vs. TA—Prof lectures; graduate student
Teaching Assistant (TA) leads a discussion section and
grades students
 Emphasis—Research & theoretical based educational focus
w/ post-graduate options.
 Quarter vs Semester System—Most campuses run on the
quarter system:
 Three 10 weeks terms per year.
 Exceptions—Berkeley and Merced.
California State University (CSU)
 Professors—Focus on teaching; not required to “publish or
perish”
 Campuses—23: San Diego, San Marcos, Fullerton, Long Beach, Los
Angeles, Dominguez Hills*, Pomona, Northridge, San Bernardino,
Bakersfield*, Channel Islands*, San Luis Obispo, Fresno, Stanislaus*,
Monterey Bay*, San Jose, San Francisco, East Bay*, Maritime Academy*,
Sacramento, Chico, Sonoma, Humboldt
 Total # Students—Approx. 415,000 students system-wide
 Degrees Offered—Bachelor and masters degrees. Recently have
been allowed to offer EdD and limited number of other professional
doctorate degrees. Few offer joint PhD’s in partnership with a local
UC or private institution.
California State University (CSU)
 Cost—approx. $6000 per year
 Admissions—based on:
 Eligibility index calculated using GPA and test scores;
 Top 33% of CA high school students accepted;
 Campuses are not impacted, therefore, students with the
minimum eligibility are accepted:
2.0 GPA with 1300 SAT (CR & Math) or
3.0 GPA with any SAT score
California State University (CSU)
 Class Size—Typically smaller
 Emphasis—focus more on professional, non-research
oriented options.
 Research opportunities do exist though.
 Quarter vs Semester System—Most campuses run on
semester system
 All campuses will switch to semester within the next 5 years.
Similarities
 A – G—Students must complete the 15 A – G courses for
minimum eligibility:
 History/social science (2yrs); college-preparatory English (4 yrs);
college-preparatory mathematics (3 yrs/4 recommended); lab
science (3yrs/4 yrs recommended); language other than English (2
yrs of same language/3 yrs recommended); visual and performing
arts (1 yr)
 Each w/ grade C or better & 11 of them before senior year
 Grades—those from 9th grade are NOT included in the GPA but
must be C or better in academic classes
 With a higher GPA the test score required goes down.
Similarities
 Applications—Closing date is November 30 for the
following Fall semester/quarter.
 If qualified for a fee waiver, you can apply to 4 campuses for
free. 4 UC, 4 CSU.
 Transcripts are NOT sent to the campuses with the
application.
 No letters of recommendation are accepted.
 Transfer Students
 Those from community college must be given first priority
 VERY limited transfers from any institution other than
California Community College
California Community Colleges (CCC)
 Campuses—112
 Emphasis—Workforce training, basic skills classes in English & math,
certificate programs, & preparation to transfer to the university
 Transfers—UC & CSU must give 1st priority to transfer students from CCC
 Degrees Offered—Associate Degree programs
 Legislation pending that may allow CCC’s to grant some bachelor degree’s
in career fields that see a need for more highly educated workers, such as
automotive technology.
 Cost—$46 per unit
 Admissions—No requirements to be eligible to attend once 18 years
old