1. California Colleges A Three Tiered System

2.  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

3. University of California(UC) UC BerkeleyUC DavisUC IrvineUCLA UC MercedUC RiversideUC San DiegoUC San Francisco UC Santa BarbaraUC Santa Cruz

4.  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)

5.  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)

6.  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)

7.  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)

8.  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)

9.  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)

10.  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 9 th 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

11.  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

12.  Campuses —112  Emphasis —Workforce training, basic skills classes in English & math, certificate programs, & preparation to transfer to the university  Transfers —UC & CSU must give 1 st 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)