July 1996

GUIDELINES FOR IMPLEMENTATION OF UNIVERSITY POLICY ON UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS

On May 20, 1988, The Regents of the University of California adopted a University of California Policy on Undergraduate Admissions. The Policy states in part that:

"Mindful of its mission as a public institution, the University of California ... seeks to enroll, on each of its campuses, a student body that, beyond meeting the University's eligibility requirements, demonstrates high academic achievement or exceptional personal talent, and that encompasses the broad diversity of cultural, racial, geographic, and socio-economic backgrounds characteristic of California."

On July 21, 1995, The Regents endorsed a resolution, SP-1, Policy Ensuring Equal Treatment--Admissions, which states in part that "the University of California shall not use race, religion, sex, color, ethnicity, or national origin as criteria for admission to the University or to any program of study." In adopting this resolution, The Regents also restated the goals of the 1988 Policy in Section 9 of SP-1 as follows:

"Believing California's diversity to be an asset, we adopt this statement: Because individual members of all California's diverse races have the intelligence and capacity to succeed at the University of California, this policy will achieve a UC population that reflects this state's diversity through the preparation and empowerment of all students in this state to succeed rather than through a system of artificial preferences."

Additionally, SP-1 directed the President in consultation with the Academic Senate to revise existing admission guidelines in conformity with the new admissions policy, and to reframe selection guidelines so that no less than 50 percent and no more than 75 percent of the regularly admitted class will be selected solely on the basis of academic achievement.

Effective with applicants seeking admission for the spring quarter of the 1997-1998 academic year, the following revised guidelines and procedures shall be followed for implementation of the University of California Policy on Undergraduate Admissions and of SP-1.


I. SELECTION GUIDELINES

These selection guidelines apply to campuses that have to select from a pool of eligible applicants, and to students who have met the established UC eligibility requirements for admission. These eligibility requirements are established by the University in conformance to the specifications outlined in the California Master Plan for Higher Education, which recommends that the top one-eighth of the State's public high school graduates, as well as those community college transfer students who have successfully completed specified college work, be eligible for admission to the University of California.

These guidelines provide the framework within which campuses shall establish specific criteria and procedures for the selection of undergraduate applicants to be admitted when the number of eligible applicants exceeds the places available.

Campuses receiving applications in excess of the number required to achieve their enrollment target for a specific term shall select students for admission as follows:


A. Freshman Applicants

At least 50 percent but not more than 75 percent of freshmen admitted by each campus shall be selected on the basis of criteria as described in items 1 through 9, below. The remaining percentage of freshmen, exclusive of applicants admitted through admission by exception, shall be selected on the basis of criteria listed in items 1 through 9 plus criteria listed in items 10 through 13, below.

The following criteria provide a comprehensive list of factors campuses may use to select their admitted class. Based on campus-specific institutional goals and needs, individual campuses may choose all or some of the criteria listed below. It is strongly recommended, however, that admissions decisions be based on a broad variety of factors rather than on a restricted number of criteria to ensure attainment of the goals set forth in the University of California Policy on Undergraduate Admissions and in SP-1.


Criteria to Select 50 Percent to 75 Percent of the Admitted Class

Criteria 1 through 9 below are designed to assess applicants' academic achievement and promise:

1. Academic Grade Point Average (GPA) calculated on all academic courses completed in the subject areas specified by the University's eligibility requirements (the a-f subjects), including additional points for completion of University certified honors courses (see 4, below). It is recommended that the maximum value allowed for the GPA shall be 4.0.

2. Scores on the following tests: the Scholastic Assessment Test I or the American College Test, and the College Board Scholastic Assessment Test II: Subject Tests.

3. The number, content of, and performance in courses completed in academic subjects beyond the minimum specified by the University's eligibility requirements.

4. The number of and performance in University approved honors courses, College Board Advanced Placement courses, International Baccalaureate courses, and transferable college courses completed. It is recommended that caution be exercised in order not to assign excessive weight to these courses, especially if considerable weight already has been given in the context of 1, above. Additionally, in recognition of existing differences in availability of these courses among high schools, it is recommended that reviewers assess completion of this coursework against the availability of these courses at the candidate's secondary school.

5. The quality of the senior year program, as measured by type and number of academic courses (see 3 and 4, above) in progress or planned.

6. The quality of academic performance relative to the educational opportunities available in the applicant's secondary school.

7. Outstanding performance in one or more specific academic subject areas.

8. Outstanding work in one or more special projects in any academic field of study.

9. Recent, marked improvement in academic performance, as demonstrated by academic grade point average and quality of coursework (see 3 and 4, above) completed and in progress, with particular attention being given to the last two years of high school.


Criteria to Select the Remaining 50 Percent to 25 Percent of the Admitted Class

Criteria 1 through 9 listed above PLUS criteria 10 through 13 listed below shall be used to select this group of students. Criteria 10 through 13 are designed to further assess applicants' academic potential and promise as well as the potential to contribute to the educational environment and intellectual vitality of the campus. They provide evidence of personal traits, accomplishments, and experiences that show an applicant's promise to be a valuable contributor to the educational enterprise. These criteria, in combination with criteria 1 through 9, are devised to meet the goals of excellence and diversity outlined in the 1988 undergraduate admissions policy and in SP-1:


10. Special talents, achievements, and awards in a particular field, such as in the visual and performing arts, in communication, or in athletic endeavors; special skills, such as demonstrated written and oral proficiency in other languages; special interests, such as intensive study and exploration of other cultures; or experiences that demonstrate unusual promise for leadership, such as significant community service or significant participation in student government; or other significant experiences or achievements that demonstrate the applicant's promise for contributing to the intellectual vitality of a campus.

11. Completion of special projects undertaken either in the context of the high school curriculum or in conjunction with special school events, projects or programs co-sponsored by the school, community organizations, postsecondary educational institutions, other agencies, or private firms, that offer significant evidence of an applicant's special effort and determination or that may indicate special suitability to an academic program on a specific campus.

12. Academic accomplishments in light of the applicant's life experiences and special circumstances. These experiences and circumstances may include, but are not limited to, disabilities, low family income, first generation to attend college, need to work, disadvantaged social or educational environment, difficult personal and family situations or circumstances, refugee status, or veteran status.

13. Location of the applicant's secondary school and residence. These factors shall be considered in order to provide for geographic diversity in the student population and also to account for the wide variety of educational environments existing in California.

B. Advanced Standing Applicants

Advanced standing applicants shall be selected by each campus using the criteria listed below. Primary emphasis shall be given to criteria as described in items 1 through 4, below. However, in order to assess applicants' overall promise of success and to achieve strength and diversity in the campuses' advanced standing student body, consideration shall also be given to the criteria as described in items 10 through 13 in Section A above.

Priority consideration for admission of advanced standing applicants shall be given to upper division junior transfers from California Community Colleges.



Criteria to Select Advanced Standing Applicants

1. Completion of a specified pattern or number of courses that meet breadth or general education requirements.

2. Completion of a specified pattern or number of courses that provide continuity with upper division courses in the major.

3. Grade point average in all transferable courses, and, in particular, grade point average in lower division courses required for the applicant's intended major.

4. Participation in academically selective honors courses or programs.

(Refer to items 1 through 9 in Section A above for additional criteria to consider.)


II. APPLICATION PROCEDURES

A common filing period for submission of applications shall be established by the Office of the President in consultation with the campuses. These dates shall be observed by all campuses and may be extended only if a campus determines that additional applications are required to meet enrollment targets. All applications submitted during the prescribed dates shall receive equal consideration for admission.

Applicants shall file one application on which they shall indicate all the campuses where they wish to be considered for admission.

Campuses shall observe and publish a common notification period for notifying applicants of their admission status.


III. ACCOMMODATION OF UC ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS

UC eligible resident applicants, who have not been admitted at any of the campuses of their choice shall be offered a space at other UC campuses where space is available. This process, called referral, reaffirms the long-standing University commitment to provide a place for every eligible California applicant who wishes to enroll.


In addition to the referral process, campuses may choose to offer other enrollment alternatives to UC eligible applicants. Examples of such alternatives may include:

1. Fall term admission to a different major,

2. Deferred admission to another term; or,

3. Enrollment at a community college with provision for admission at a later time, if a stated level of academic achievement is maintained (for freshman applicants only).

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