1. Diamond Bar High School
Navigating DBHS academics
&
CSU/UC requirements
Ginger Auten and Marc Natividad – Class of 2016 GLC’s

2. College Admission Video

3. Topics
DBHS Graduation Requirements and Grad check A-G: Subject Requirements A-G: Options for Satisfying A-G Honors and AP classes = Strength of schedule ACT and SAT Senior Year

4. DBHS Graduation Requirements
English – 4 years
Math – 2 years (and through Algebra I)
Social Science – 3 years
Science – 2 years
PE – 2 years
Fine Arts / Foreign Language – 1 year
Applied Arts – 1.5 years
Computers / Health - .5 year each
220 total credits minimum

5. Graduation Check

6. A-G: Subject Requirements
CSU/UC Counselor Conference

7. CSU/UC Counselor Conference
Purpose of A-G Courses
Prepare students to participate fully in their first-year program at the University.
Provide students with a foundation of general knowledge for new and advanced study.
Help students develop critical thinking and analytical skills.
CSU/UC Counselor Conference

8. CSU/UC Counselor Conference
A-G Course Pattern
The 15 “a-g” courses are:
Subject requirement
Required # of years
History / social science (“a”)
2 years
English (“b”)
4 years
Mathematics (“c”)
3 years
Laboratory science (“d”)
Language other than English (“e”)
Visual and performing arts (“f”)
1 year
College-preparatory elective (“g”)
*Shading = difference between CSU and UC
CSU/UC Counselor Conference

9. History / Social Science (“a”)
The requirement = 2 years
CSU
1 year of U.S. history OR ½ year of U.S. history and ½ year of government
1 year of history / social science from either the “a” or “g” subject area UC
1 year of U.S. history OR ½ year of U.S. history and ½ year of government
1 year of world history
CSU/UC Counselor Conference

10. CSU/UC Counselor Conference
English (“b”)
The requirement = 4 years
May use 1 year of ESL/ELD English
Must be on “a-g” course list!
Can’t be taken during student’s senior year
CSU/UC Counselor Conference

11. CSU/UC Counselor Conference
Mathematics (“c”)
The requirement = 3 years (4 years recommend)
CSU
Must complete coursework in:
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Higher-level math courses validate lower-level coursework.
Exception: Statistics only validates Algebra 1 and Algebra 2. UC
Must complete coursework in:
Algebra 1
Geometry
Algebra 2
Higher-level math courses validate lower-level coursework.
Exception: Statistics only validates Algebra 1 and Algebra 2.
Can no longer validate omission of Geometry
CSU/UC Counselor Conference

12. Laboratory Science (“d”)
The requirement = 2 years (3 years recommend)
CSU
Must complete coursework in:
1 year of physical science
1 year of biological science
May use 1 course from “g” area to satisfy either physical or biological science requirement.
A grade of C or better in the 2nd semester of chemistry will validate a D/F in the 1st semester. UC
Coursework chosen from 2 of 3 disciplines:
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
Both courses must be from “d” subject area.
Chemistry cannot be validated.
CSU/UC Counselor Conference

13. Language Other Than English (“e”)
The requirement = 2 years (3 year recommended)
Must be of the same language other than English
Higher-level LOTE course will validate lower-level work.
Certification of competence in a language other than English.
Formal schooling in a language other than English.
Assessment by exam or University.
CSU: Additional methods!
CSU/UC Counselor Conference

14. Visual and Performing Arts (“f”)
The requirement = 1 yearlong course
Coursework completed in either:
Dance
Music
Theater
Visual arts
Single course must be completed sequentially.
Not required to complete within the same academic year.
CSU/UC Counselor Conference

15. College-Preparatory Elective (“g”)
The requirement = 1 year
An “a-f” course beyond those used to satisfy the requirement. OR
Course that is approved solely for use as “g” electives.
CSU/UC Counselor Conference

16. Options for Satisfying A-G
CSU/UC Counselor Conference

17. Satisfying A-G with High School Courses
Most common method of fulfilling the subject requirements.
Must be on the high school’s “a-g” course list for the year in which the student completed the course.
Student must earn grade of C or better.
No Pass/Fail or Credit/No credit grades!
Can use approved courses from other California high schools and online schools.
CSU/UC Counselor Conference

18. CSU/UC Counselor Conference
The A-G Course List
A-G Course List website:
View any school’s or program’s course list.
CSU/UC Counselor Conference

19. Honors/AP courses = Strength of Schedule

20. ACT and SAT We recommend taking both
Taking both – this will not have a negative impact on one’s admission status
Colleges want the score that best helps the candidate
Most colleges and universities accept scores from either exam
Register and information:
ACT SAT

21. Current SAT vs. Redesigned SAT
3.5 hours long w/ 10 sections. Includes essay
Math, Reading and Writing
Score range
5 choices with incorrect score penalized
Math up to Algebra II with calculator
3 hours 4-5 sections (optional 50min essay)
Math, Reading and Writing
Score range
Essay scores stands by itself
4 choices, no penalty
Math up to Pre-Calculus (calculator can be used on 1 part)
2017 (option)
2018 (Mostly new)

22. Senior Year – Ready or Not!
College App process
FAFSA
Senior Profile

23. Senior Profile
Designed to assist students in looking thoughtfully about themselves in the college application process
Snapshot of the students activities, accomplishments, strengths, etc.
Workshop during Spring of Junior Year
Only used for students applying to Private Universities
GLC’s use this in writing Letter of Recommendation

24. Comprehensive Review Grade-Point Average Test Scores
Courses Completed/Planned
Honors Courses
Top 9% 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

25. Questions?

26. Resources
UC-CSU Comparison of Minimum Eligibility Requirements for Freshman Admission: comparison-matrix.pdf
A-G Course List website:
CSU Admissions Handbook:
“Options for Satisfying UC’s ‘A-G’ Subject Requirements for Freshman Applicants”: satisfying-a-g.pdf
ASSIST:
California Colleges:
ACT SAT