First-Year Student Admission

UCR seeks to recruit and retain an academically strong student body that has demonstrated the rigorous preparation needed for admission to a major research institution and reflects the diversity of our state and region.

This section describes the two-phase undergraduate admission and selection process at UCR:

• 1. Satisfying the University of California minimum admission requirements

• 2. Selection by UCR according to the principles of Comprehensive Review,

as determined by the UCR faculty

Meeting UC minimum admission requirements will not guarantee admission to UCR. Applicants who seek to increase their likelihood for admission should strive for achievement well beyond UC minimum requirements.

Final determination of admission will be made within the context of campus enrollment goals.

First-year Students interested in entering the University as first-year need to satisfy the following requirements:

1. Complete a minimum of 15 college-preparatory courses (a-g courses) with at least 11 finished prior to the senior year. The a-g course requirements are shown in the box on this page. More information about the a-g course requirements can be found at admission. universityofcalifornia.edu/admission-requirements/freshman- requirements/subject-requirement-a-g.html. The university will accept only those “a-g” courses that appear on the official UC-Certified Course List for the California high school the student attended. The UC-Certified course list is available at ucop.edu/agguide. Students who have attended high school outside the state of California will have their high school coursework evaluated in the context of the general A-G requirements noted on this page.

2. Earn a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better (3.4 for non-residents) in these courses with no grade lower than a C.

a. Honors Courses The university assigns extra points for up to four year- long university- certified honors level, Advanced Placement, and/or UC-designated International Baccalaureate courses taken in grades 10, 11, and 12: A=5 points, B=4 points, C=3 points. College-level courses in the a-g college preparatory courses that are transferable to the university are also assigned honors grade points. A maximum of two yearlong courses taken in grade 10 are assigned honors points. Grades of D are not assigned extra honors points. (Extra points will be awarded to 10th graders only when they take honors courses that have been certified by the university as honors-level courses.) Acceptable honors-level courses include Advanced Placement courses, specific Standard Level and all Higher Level International Baccalaureate courses, and college courses that are transferable to the university. UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSION

a. History/Social Science (2 years required) Two years of history/social science, including one year of U.S. history or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of civics or American government; and one year of world history, cultures, and geography.

b. English (4 years required) Four years of college preparatory English that include frequent and regular writing, and reading of classic and modern literature. Not more than two semesters of ninth-grade English or no more than one year of approved ESL-type courses can be used to meet this requirement.

c. Mathematics (3 years required, 4 years recommended) Three years of college preparatory mathematics that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry. Approved integrated math courses may be used to fulfill part or this entire requirement, as may math courses taken in the seventh and eighth grades that the student’s high school accepts as equivalent to its own math courses.

d. Science (2 years required, 3 recommended) Two years of college-preparatory science, including or integrating topics that provide fundamental knowledge in two of these three subjects: biology, chemistry, or physics. One year of approved interdisciplinary or earth and space sciences coursework can meet one year of the requirement. Computer Science, Engineering, Applied Science courses can be used in area D as an additional science (i.e., third year and beyond).

e. Language Other Than English (2 years required, 3 years recommended) Two years of the same language other than English. Courses should emphasize speaking and understanding, and include instruction in grammar, vocabulary, reading, composition, and culture. Courses in language other than English taken in the seventh and eighth grade may be used to fulfill part of this requirement if the student’s high school accepts them as equivalent to its own courses.

f. Visual and Performing Arts (1 year required) A single yearlong approved arts course from a single visual and performing arts discipline: dance, drama or theater, music, or visual art.

g. College Preparatory Electives (1 year required) One year (two semesters) in addition to those required in “a–f” above, chosen from visual and performing arts (nonintroductory-level courses), history, social science, English, advanced mathematics, laboratory science, and language other than English (a third year in the language used in the “e” requirement or two years of another language). 3. Testing Requirement For the most up to date information on the exam requirement for students applying for admission to the University of California as freshman, please visit the following website:

https://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/admission- requirements/freshman-requirements/exam-requirement.

For the highest-achieving California applicants, we have two paths to admission. If you are in one of the following groups and you are not admitted to any of the UC campuses you apply to, you may be offered a spot at another campus if space permits.

1. Statewide Path Students who rank in the top 9 percent of California high school students according to the UC admissions index, which can be found at admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/admission-requirements/ freshman-requirements/california-residents, or

2. Local Path (ELC) Students who rank in the top 9 percent of their graduating class at a participating high school. Students whose high schools participate in the ELC program – which most California high schools do – will be identified to be in the top 9 percent on the basis of GPA in UC-approved coursework completed in the 10th and 11th grades. To be considered for ELC, students must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and complete the following a-g courses prior to their senior year:

• a. History/Social Science

1 Year

• b. English

2 Years

• c. Mathematics

2 Years

• d. Laboratory science

1 Year

• e. Language other than English

1 Year

• f. College-preparatory elective (chosen from the

subjects listed above or another course approved by the university) 4 Years

After students enter their coursework and grades in their applications, the University of California will compare their GPAs to the historic top GPA for their school. Students who meet or exceed that GPA, will be identified as ELC and will be designated as such on their application. For more information on this process, go to Local guarantee (ELC).

UC Riverside will not consider SAT or ACT test scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. If you choose to submit test scores as part of your application, they may be used as an alternative method of fulfilling minimum requirements for eligibility or for course placement after you enroll. Details regarding UC’s testing policy can be found at admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/admission-requirements/ freshman-requirements/exam-requirement/.

The following information is provided by UCR’s Institutional Research (ir.ucr.edu). Percentages represent the share of the cohort starting in the indicated fall term that graduated within the specified time. Graduation rates are cumulative and are measured through the final summer of the corresponding year.

6-Year Rate for the 2014 Cohort: 77.3% 4-Year Rate for the 2016 Cohort: 62.4%

Comprehensive Review is the process by which UCR evaluates freshman applicants, who meet minimum UC requirements, using multiple measures of achievement and promise, while considering the context in which each student has demonstrated accomplishment. UCR will calculate an Academic Index Score (AIS) for all UC-eligible freshman applicants. Admission to UCR will be determined within the context of campus enrollment goals. Although no particular AIS will guarantee admission to UCR, prospective students who strive for the highest possible AIS increase their likelihood for admission. For detailed information regarding what factors are included in UCR’s comprehensive review process please visit https://admissions.ucr.edu/freshman#apply.

Two paths to UC eligibility exist for nonresidents at the freshman level. The first is the same as described under UC Admission Requirements and the second is the same as described under Admission by Examina- tion, with the following exception: Non-resident students must have a minimum GPA of 3.4.

UC Riverside has developed an admission program for homeschooled or other nontraditionally educated students in recognition of the benefits of the education these students have received, including the depth of learning, socialization, maturity, creativity, and vision. These qualities provide excellent foundations for pursuing an education at UC Riverside.

Contact admissions.ucr.edu/ask for more information about how UCR defines a homeschooled or other nontraditional education and specific admission requirements.

Students may apply electronically during the priority filing periods at admission.universityofcalifornia.edu. Early in the application filing period, students should submit the following to Undergraduate Admissions: official certificates and detailed transcripts of record, including hours and marks, accompanied by English translations; and course syllabi. if you’ve completed all or some high school or secondary school in a country where English was not the language of instruction, you will be required to demonstrate English proficiency if you have had less than 3 years of instruction in English. Ways to demonstrate English proficiency can be found at the following website: https://admission. universityofcalifornia.edu/admission-requirements/freshman- requirements/english-language-proficiency.html.

The university considers a transfer applicant a student who has graduat- ed from high school and enrolled in a regular session at a college or uni- versity immediately following the summer after high school graduation. (Students cannot disregard their college record and apply as freshmen.)

California Residents must complete the following to meet minimum admission requirements:

• 1. Complete 60 semester (90 quarter) units of transferable college

credit with at least a 2.4 GPA (2.8 for nonresidents). No more than 14 semester (21 quarter) units may be taken Pass/Not Pass.

• 2. Complete the following seven transferable college courses, earning

a grade of C or better in each course:

• a) Two courses in English (1 course in English Composition, 1 course

in Critical Thinking);

• b) One course in mathematical concepts and quantitative reasoning;

• c) Four courses chosen from at least two of the following subject

areas: arts and humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and physical and biological sciences.

Each course must be worth at least 3 semester (4–5 quarter) units.

Students who satisfy the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) prior to transferring to UC, may satisfy the seven-course pattern outlined above, depending on the courses taken. For more information, visit assist.org.

Students who were eligible for admission to the university when they graduated from high school — meaning that they satisfied the subject, and scholarship requirements, in addition to campus selection — may be eligible for lower division transfer to non-selecting majors in the College of Humanities, Arts, and Social Sciences; School of Education and School of Public Policy if they have a 2.0 GPA (2.8 GPA for non-residents) in all transferable course work. Nonresidents of California The minimum admission requirements for nonresidents are very sim- ilar to those for residents. Students who are not California residents should consult with Undergraduate Admissions for details. However, nonresidents must have a GPA of 2.8 or higher in all transferable college course work.

The UC does not grant credit for scores earned on the College-Level Examination Program (CLEP).

A regular undergraduate student who is registered at any campus of the UC may apply for transfer to another campus of the UC by filing the UC Undergraduate Application for Admission and Scholarships. Fees and procedures are the same for all undergraduates, and there is no special procedure for intercampus transfer.

An undergraduate student in good standing, currently registered at UCR, may apply for intercampus visitor status at another UC campus for one term. Forms and instructions are available at the Office of the Registrar, 2249 Student Services Building.

Disciplinary suspension or dismissal from a previously attended educational institution is considered in the admission decision.

Credit for English-as-a-Second-Language Course Work Students whose first language is not English may receive up to 12 quarter units of credit for English-as-a-second-language course work. Students may receive workload credit (for financial aid purposes) for courses taken beyond this 12-unit limit but will not receive additional unit credit applica- ble to the bachelor’s degree.

Credit for Native Language Students whose first language is not English may receive credit for course work in their native language and literature, provided such courses were completed at the college level in the country of the first language or at the upper-division or graduate level at UCR or another accredited English-speaking institution.

Unit Credit for Courses Taken Elsewhere The University grants unit credit only for courses consistent with its curriculum that have been completed at other accredited colleges and universities. To be accepted for credit, the courses must be comparable to those offered at the university.

Undergraduate Admissions determines the acceptability of courses taken at an institution other than the university. The faculty of the particular school or college in which the student plans to enroll determines the applicability of such course work in satisfaction of degree requirements.

As an integral part of the system of public education of California, the university accepts approved transfer courses at full unit value that have been completed with satisfactory grades in the community colleges of the state of California.

Limitations on Transfer Credits Students will be granted up to 70 semester/105 quarter units of credit for lower-division coursework completed at any institution or any combi- nation of institutions. For units beyond the maximum, subject credit for appropriate coursework taken in excess of this unit limitation will be granted and may be used to satisfy requirements.

• Units earned through: AP, IB, and/or A-Level examinations are not included in the limitation and do not put applicants at risk of being denied admission.

Units earned at any UC campus (Extension, summer, cross/current and regular academic year enrollment) are not included in the limitation but are added to the maximum transfer credit allowed and may put appli- cants at risk of being denied admission due to excessive units.

Transcripts and Test Scores Undergraduate Admissions requires complete, accurate, and up- to-date information about a student’s academic program and work in progress in order to process and respond to the application in a timely manner. The transcript and other documents submitted as part of the application become the property of the university; they cannot be returned or forwarded in any form to another college or university.

First-Year Applicants Applicants are notified if a preliminary high school transcript is required. If submitting standardized test scores for consideration, applicants are responsible for requesting that testing agencies report to UCR Undergraduate Admissions.

Admitted students must forward an official final high school transcript that shows the date of graduation, final transcript(s) for college work at- tempted, and official passing scores from Advanced Placement or Interna- tional Baccalaureate specific Standard Level and all Higher Level exam- inations. Transcripts are due to the Office of Undergraduate Admission postmarked on or before July 1st. All other required information is due postmarked on or before July 15th.

Transfer Applicants Applicants are notified if the university requires a preliminary tran- script(s). Applicants must request a final transcript from each college they attended. A transcript from the last high school they attended may also be required. Attendance at any other school or college after an ap- plication has been filed is considered to be part of the student’s record and must be reported to Undergraduate Admissions. Transcripts are due to the Office of Undergraduate Admission postmarked on or before July 1st. All other required information is due postmarked on or before July 15th.

UCR attempts to accommodate as many qualified students from other universities and colleges as possible, particularly as juniors and seniors.

In addition to meeting minimum UC eligibility requirements, transfer students will be selected on the basis of academic preparation as assessed by their GPA in all transferrable coursework and completion of required major preparatory coursework where applicable. Applicants with 120 quarter units or more are also subject to screening beyond the minimum requirements for transfer students.

School of Business Actuarial Science will begin accepting transfers Winter 2025.

Business Administration admission is selective based on the GPA in all transferrable coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.7. It is preferred that applicants complete the Intersegmental General Education Transfer Curriculum (IGETC) or all breadth requirements, along with the seven published lower-division business prerequisites (with a minimum GPA of 2.5). Further information may be obtained from The School of Business, 2340 Olmsted Hall, at (951) 827-4551.

Bourns College of Engineering Students are selected on the basis of academic preparation. Admission is selective based on the GPA in all transferrable coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.8, and completion of required major prepa- ratory course work. See Admission to Majors under the Marlan and Rosemary Bourns College of Engineering section of this catalog or go to assist.org. For further information call Student Academic Affairs at

• (951) 827-ENGR (3647).

College of Natural and Agricultural Sciences Students are selected primarily on the basis of academic prepara- tion, as assessed by their GPA in academic coursework and strength of preparation for the intended major. Admission is selective based on the GPA in all transferable coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.7 and completion of required major preparatory coursework. Students should visit assist.org for updated and comprehensive major prepara- tion requirements.

College of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences Admission is selective based on GPA in all transferrable coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.4. Neuroscience and Psychology applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.7 in all transferable college coursework. Psychology applicants must also have a minimum of one UC transferable mathematics course equivalent to Math 004 or higher. Business Economics and Economics applicants must also have a minimum of one UC transferable mathematics course equivalent to Math 1A. For further information call Student Academic Affairs at

• (951) 827-3683.

School of Public Policy Students are selected primarily on the basis of academic prepara- tion, as assessed by their GPA in academic coursework and strength of preparation for the intended major. Admission is selective based on the GPA in all transferable coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.4 and completion of required major preparatory coursework. Stu- dents should visit assist.org for updated and comprehensive major preparation requirements.

School of Education Students are selected primarily on the basis of academic prepara- tion, as assessed by their GPA in academic coursework and strength of preparation for the intended major. Admission is selective based on the GPA in all transferable coursework with a minimum GPA of 2.4 and completion of required major preparatory coursework. Stu- dents should visit assist.org for updated and comprehensive major preparation requirements.

120 Quarter Units or More Applications from UC-eligible applicants with 120 quarter units or more of transfer credit are reviewed by the Associate Dean of the College for completion of a specified pattern of courses that provides continuity with upper-division courses within the major.