How High School Students with “Mixed” Academic Records Can Meet Admission Subject Requirements

Presentation Content Using international secondary school courses to meet “a-g” subject requirements

Starting Points A student with mixed records presents records from schools in both the United States and other countries. UC does not accept pass along credit from international secondary school – will not accept U.S. high school’s interpretation. Applicants must report international academic courses exactly as they appear on their official secondary school record.

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE September 2014 Accurate Self-Reporting of International Courses on the Admission Application Pass along credit is a “no-no”

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE September 2014 Report Courses & Marks exactly as they appear on the official secondary record = area “b” = area “e” = area “c” = area “d” = area “a” = area “a” or “g” = area N/A

A-G Requirements Each subject area requirement will be discussed with examples shown from real transcripts.

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE September 2014 a.History/Social Science If graduating from a U.S. high school: a year-long U.S. History course, or one semester of U.S. History and one semester of U.S. Government is required in addition to one year of World History/Geography/Cultures.

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 2014 Example: History/Social Science Courses

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 2014 b. English- Language of Instruction in Composition & Literature Use courses in composition and literature in the language of instruction for coursework outside of U.S. and use English courses for coursework completed in the U.S. If the student graduates from a California high school: a non-ESL/ELD college prep English course is required in the senior year (a senior-year level course is not specifically required).

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 2014 Example: Language of Instruction

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 2014 c. Mathematics Combinations of math courses in an integrated-style with single subject discipline courses are acceptable. NOTE: Depending upon how the geometry material is covered, the combinations for some integrated programs may be different. UC provides guidance on acceptable combinations of courses.

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 2014 Example: Mathematics

Geometry Details about meeting area “c” and UC’s Geometry requirement

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 2014 Meeting the Geometry Requirement with Integrated-Style Math Courses All applicants must complete a Geometry course or a sequence of courses covering the equivalent of a full year of geometry concepts) with a letter grade of “C” or better to satisfy the math “c” subject requirement. Combinations of integrated-style mathematics courses can fulfill the Geometry requirement.

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 2014 d. Laboratory Science If a student completes only part of an integrated-style science course sequence outside the U.S., the combinations may be used to satisfy the full area “d” subject requirement.

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 2014 Example: Lab Science

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 2014 e. Language other than the language of instruction (LOLI – aka foreign language) Use the language of instruction beginning with the U.S. equivalent of sixth grade based on middle school transcripts. Generally, a bilingual student is considered to have met the “e” requirement and may choose not to enroll in courses in a language other than English. Other options for satisfying area “e”: Assessment by language faculty at college/university Certification by the high school principal

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 2014 Example: Language Other Than The Language of Instruction

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 2014 f. Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) A student who did not complete a yearlong VPA-type international course must complete a yearlong UC- approved VPA course. Online courses: UC does not accept online high school VPA courses. College/university VPA online courses are acceptable.

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 2014 Example: Visual and Performing Arts

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 2014 Validation of Coursework: “Subject Omission” means validation of a lower-level course even if the lower- level course was not actually completed. Validation of Grades: “Grade Deficiency” means validation of “D” and/or “F” grades in a lower-level course after completion of a higher-level course with a letter grade of C or better.

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 2014 Validation of Geometry Grade deficiency—yes deficient grade 1 st sem validated by 2 nd sem grade deficient grade 2 nd sem validated by advanced math course Omission—no By exam—no If no specifically named geometry course—integrated- style math courses with geometry content are acceptable

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 2014 Repeating courses Courses used to satisfy the minimum “a-g” requirements in which a student earns D or F grades must be repeated with grades of C or better to satisfy the subject requirement. NEW: effective immediately, each “a-g” course in which a student received a grade of “D” or “F” may be repeated as many times as necessary until the first instance in which the student receives a grade of “C” (or better). The repeated grade of “C” (or better) will be used in calculating the GPA.

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 2014 Repeating an academic year Even if a student “repeats” an academic year, they must report their entire academic history. Students cannot choose to exclude any courses/marks

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 2014 English Proficiency Requirement If the student has had less than 3 years of instruction in English, they must demonstrate English proficiency.

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 2014 English Proficiency Proficiency can be demonstrated in any one of the following ways: Combined ACT English/Writing - score 24 or higher SAT Writing - score 560 or higher AP English Language and Composition or AP English Literature and Composition =score 3,4 or 5 IB Standard Level exam English: Literature, or English: Language and Literature =score 6 or 7 IB Higher Level exam English: Literature, or English: Language and Literature =score 5, 6 or 7 TOEFL -score 80 or higher IELTS - score 7 or higher Examinations must be completed by December of the senior year of high school & official scores must be submitted to UC by the following January.

Evaluation Tips/Tools

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 2014 External Exams results Student must report external exam results on the admission application. After accepting an offer of admission, the student must submit the official external exam results to the UC campus.

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 2014 Tips External agency evaluations are not considered/accepted by UC and can be costly for your students. Encourage students to obtain an official, sealed academic record/transcript as early as possible. UC very rarely makes exceptions for submitting official academic records/transcripts of international coursework. If your student reports difficulty with obtaining official records, encourage them to contact the Ministry of Education in the country for their records.

In Closing

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 2014 Counselor Resources Quick Reference for Counselors – September 2014 Options for Satisfying A-G Subject Requirements Validation Matrix On website: guides/index.html guides/index.html Geometry Factsheet To determine the language of instruction at the international school, try Google search

UC COUNSELOR CONFERENCE SEPTEMBER 2014 Student Resources UC Admission Application Additional Comments boxes Explanation about Academic Record/History Explanation of school calendar, grading system, external marks Provide explanation of anything in the application they may be unclear

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