California CollegesA Three Tiered System

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

UC/CSU/Community College

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

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.

University of California (UC)

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) or3.0 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.

California State University (CSU)

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

Similarities

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

California Community Colleges (CCC)