Graduation Requirements

PSAT

The PSAT is administered each year in mid-October. All nine through eleventh-grade students will take the PSAT during school. The high school will be on a half-day schedule. Additional information will be sent home in September, shortly after the beginning of school.

The ACT

The ACT (American College Test) assessment is a 3-hour multiple-choice examination designed to measure academic achievement in 4 major curriculum areas: English, Mathematics, Reading, Science Reasoning. It is heavily used in the Midwest and is becoming more common in the western region of the U.S. Many colleges will accept either the ACT or SAT I exam. It is recommended that you take both before you apply to college. It is up to the student to know which tests are required by the colleges you are considering. However, Academic Counselors will provide assistance when necessary.

The SAT I

The SAT (Scholastic Assessment Test) is the most widely used test in college admissions. It is a 3-hour exam designed to measure aptitude in two areas: math and verbal. It is developed by the College Board and then presented through the Educational Testing Service (ETS).

SAT II-Subject Tests

These one-hour tests measure the student's achievement in specific subject areas. Some colleges require a subject test along with an SAT I or ACT test scores. Students may take up to three subject tests in one day but cannot take the SAT I and II on the same day.

Applications for the UC system will be released during the month of August and can be found at: http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/apply-online/. 

The application for the fall quarter/fall semester should be submitted November 1-30. Only one application is submitted by each senior applying to the UC system. Students will then select the campuses of their choice. Nine UC campuses offer undergraduate and graduate education; one (UCSF) is graduate/professional only. 

• UC Berkeley
• UC Davis
• UC Irvine
• UCLA
• UC Merced
• UC Riverside
• UC San Diego
• UC San Francisco
• UC Santa Barbara
• UC Santa Cruz 

Other educational centers reach across California and beyond.

*Key Facts to Remember When Applying

Transcripts and letters of recommendation

Don't send official transcripts when you apply. If you're admitted to UC, then you must submit final transcripts to your campus admissions office.

UC does not require (nor read) letters of recommendation at the time of application. A campus may ask for them later as part of a supplemental review, so be sure to check your email.

Requirements for admission to the UC system are based on a student’s grade point average in required subjects and standardized testing data. Remember each campus holds its own requirements so check online before you apply. If you are still uncertain about your decision, please visit: http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/.

CVCS students who take the required CVCS core curriculum to graduate will meet the minimum number of a-g courses required by the UC system and will have no difficulty in meeting those minimum subject requirements. The intent of the “a-g” subject requirements is to ensure that students have attained a body of general knowledge that will provide breadth and perspective to new, more advanced study. Please visit: http://www.ucop.edu/agguide/a-g-requirements/. 

*It is favorable to take more than the minimal number of required courses during your four years at CVCS to increase your chances of being admitted to the UC campus of your choice. Generally, it is advisable to take four years of academic credit in the five core academic disciplines (Math, Science, English, History, and Foreign Language). 

California State Universities (CSU):

Applying to a UC School is not for everyone. That is why California offers admission to 23 other great campuses. So if you would like to stay in California, and attend a Public University, you will want to look into applying at California State Universities. Please explore your options by visiting: https://www2.calstate.edu/ 

This website is intended to help students and their families learn about the CSU schools, explore campuses, plan for college, apply online, learn about financial aid and chat with a CSU expert.

*Before applying, check grades and test scores requirements to make sure you are eligible: https://www2.calstate.edu/apply/freshman/getting_into_the_csu/pages/admission-requirements.aspx

Independent Colleges And Universities

For those of you looking towards a quality education close to home, the State of California does not disappoint. In addition to the UC and Cal State systems, the private schools in California offer quality education and personal approach to learning on a smaller scale. Visiting The Common Application website: www.commonapp.org will help you find an independent or private university of your choice. There are now over 500 Common Application members in 47 states and the District of Columbia, as well as in Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, France, Germany, Italy, Latvia, Qatar, Singapore, Switzerland, and the United Kingdom. While they represent tremendous diversity in size, mission, location, and selectivity, they all share a commitment of promoting access through holistic admission.

*Do not let cost intimidate you in the private school sector. Financial aid from private schools generally comes from the school endowment and will differ widely from school to school.