University of California Comprehensive Review 201

Today’s Presenters  Elizabeth Tisdale, Counselor, Undergraduate Admissions, UC Riverside  Gary A. Clark, Jr., Director, Undergraduate Admissions, UC Los Angeles  Michael McCawley, Director, Undergraduate Admissions, UC Santa Cruz

Comprehensive Review 102 Minimum qualifications for a freshman UC Riverside overview UC Los Angeles overview UC Santa Cruz overview A case study – one of over 100,000+ that applied for admission

Freshman Minimum Qualifications Complete a minimum of 15 college-preparatory courses (“a-g” courses), with at least 11 finished prior to senior year.g” courses Earn the required grade point average (GPA) in “a-g” courses 3.0 California resident 3.4 Non-residents Meet the examination requirement by taking the ACT with Writing or the SAT Reasoning Test by December of your senior year.examination requirement GPA calculated from 10th & 11th grade course work weighted by a maximum of 8 semesters UC-approved honors grade points 9% x 9% UC systemwide guarantee for CA resident applicants

The Required “a-g” Course Pattern UC looks for academically strong students who enrich the student experience and succeed academically to a timely graduation. A-G Subject AreaRequirement a. History/social science2 years b. English4 years c. Mathematics3 years (4 years recommended) d. Laboratory science2 years (3 years recommended) e. Language other than English2 years (3 years recommended) f. Visual and performing arts1 year g. College-preparatory elective1 year

Comprehensive Review Grade-Point Average Test Scores Courses Completed/Planned Honors Courses Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC) Quality of Senior-Year Program of Study Academic Opportunities in California High Schools Performance in Academic Subject Areas Achievements in Special Projects Improvement in Academic Performance Special Talents, Achievements, and Awards Participation in Educational Preparation Programs Academic Accomplishment Within Life Experiences Geographic Location 14 UC Faculty-Approved Criteria

Implementing Campus Selection Each campus has a faculty committee that has plenary authority over undergraduate admissions / selection. Determine the model of Comprehensive Review that fits the campus – all campuses use comprehensive review. Campuses determine which of the 14 criteria they will use, and what weight each criterion will be given.

UC Riverside Application Review Process

Fixed weighted system Academic Index Score (AIS) Score developed by Faculty Selectivity varies by major Comprehensive Review Criteria GPA Test Scores AP/IB Socio Economic Factors Personal Statement Provides context and additional information not found on application Supplemental Review Process

Moving Towards Holistic Review Admit rate is nearing 50% Holistic review process is in its early stages –Selection criteria will be reviewed by faculty Projected to move to Holistic Review in 2016 –Pilot program will be launched in 2015

The Holistic Review

The Holistic Review Process UCLA uses the holistic evaluation process to identify the best candidates for admission to The College of Letters and Sciences. The professional schools use the holistic score in conjunction with departmental reviews when making their decisions. All our readers participate in an extensive training and certification process throughout the months of November and December prior to beginning their review of real cases. Each application is read twice by two independent readers. The reviews are blind and neither reader knows the score of the other. If the scores of the two readers differ significantly, the application will be read a third time by a senior reader. We refer to this as a “disparate” review (we have a disparate rate under 4%). Quality control checks include by-school reviews, high/low checks, and special populations including foster youth, twins and veterans.

Holistic Review Criteria Academic Criteria: Grades (unweighted and weighted GPA), ELC status College preparatory courses (strength of curriculum, rigor, senior year course load) Test Scores (SAT or ACT plus writing, AP, IBHL) Other evidence of intellectual achievement (extraordinary, sustained achievement in any field or intellectual endeavor) Achievement in academic preparation/enrichment programs Personal qualities of the applicant: Leadership ability, character, motivation, tenacity, initiative, demonstrated concern for others and the community Non-academic achievements: Accomplishments in the performing arts or athletics, employment, leadership in school or community organizations or activities, community service Likely contributions to the intellectual and cultural vitality of the campus Diversity of personal background and experience

What is our form of Comprehensive Review? Our method is called Holistic Review We use all 14 faculty-approved criteria Fully trained Admissions Readers conduct our Holistic Review

WHAT WE REVIEW Entire application read, including personal statements and additional comments We review for “context” – student in comparison to their peers School characteristics

HOW WE ASSESS/SCORE Read a minimum of two times No fixed weights/points Single score for each applicant Recognizes academic achievements, leadership, talents, projects, and personal circumstances

A Case Study What our three campuses would say about this applicant

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