The Office of Undergraduate Admissions is responsible for the admission of new undergraduate freshmen and transfer students. The Office is also responsible for the addition of transfer units to the UCR records of continuing and readmitted students. Inquiries may be addressed to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions, 1138 Hinderaker Hall, University of California, Riverside, Riverside, CA 92521. General admission information is available by telephoning (909) 787-4531, or sending e-mail to discover@pop.ucr.edu. Additional information about admissions is available on UCR's Web site at http://www.ucr.edu. The undergraduate application for admission to the University of California is contained in the UC Undergraduate Application for Admission and Scholarships packet. Application packets are available from the counseling office of any California high school or community college or from any University of California Admissions Office. Applications are available about four weeks before the opening date of the filing period.

Applicants should submit their completed application form together with the required nonrefundable application fee to:

University of California
Undergraduate Application Processing Service
P.O. Box 23460
Oakland, CA 94623-0460

Prospective students may also submit their fall quarter UC application electronically via the World Wide Web at http://www.ucop.edu/pathways. Only applications for fall quarter are accepted electronically.

When to Apply for Admission

To ensure that applicants will be considered for admission to the campus and major of their choice, the completed application and the application fee should be postmarked during the priority filing period. UC Riverside will consider all applications filed during this period.

After the priority filing period has ended, campuses will consider applications only if they still have openings for new students. This means some campuses may still be able to process additional applications in some majors and other campuses may not. Prospective UCR applicants who have not filed during the priority filing period should contact Undergraduate Admissions for more information about the advisability of filing a late application.

ADMISSION AS A FRESHMAN

The admission requirements summarized on the following pages are the minimum needed to be considered eligible for admission to UCR and other campuses of the University of California. Some programs are highly competitive and can accept only a limited number of students each year; completing the required high school courses with satisfactory grades may not automatically guarantee that a student will be admitted to majors with additional selection criteria. Check specific majors in this catalog to determine if additional requirements exist.

The University defines a "freshman applicant" as a student who has graduated from high school and has not enrolled in a regular session of any collegiate-level institution. Summer sessions immediately following high school graduation are excluded in the determination.

Freshman applicants who are not residents of California must meet higher scholarship requirements. See Nonresident Admission Requirements below.

Advanced standing credit will be granted for an acceptable college course taken while still in high school if reported on a valid transcript issued by the college that conducted the course.

If, at the time of high school graduation, students do not meet the subject and/or scholarship requirements for admission to freshman standing or do not qualify by examination, they may be admitted after meeting the requirements for admission as a transfer student. See the section below on Admission as a Transfer Student.

Basic Eligibility Requirements

A minimum of 15 high school units must be completed, and at least 7 of the 15 must be taken in the last two years of high school. (A one-year course is equal to 1 unit; a one-semester course is equal to ¹/2 unit.) The 15 high school units required to meet minimum eligibility for admission to the University must be earned in academic or college-preparatory courses in English, mathematics, laboratory science, language other than English, history, social science, and fine arts. These required courses are often called the "a through f" subjects. To meet the subject requirement, these courses must appear on a certified course list which is available in the high schools for California applicants.

SPECIFIC "A THROUGH F" COURSE REQUIREMENTS

• a. History--2 units: One year of United States history or one-half year of United States history and one-half year of civics or American government; and one year of world history, cultures, and geography.

• b. English--4 units: Four years of college-preparatory English--composition and literature. (All English courses must require frequent and regular practice in writing expository prose compositions of some length. Only two semesters of a certified English-as-a-Second-Language (ESL) course will be accepted. Also, not more than two semesters of ninth grade English will be accepted for this requirement.

• c. Mathematics--3 units (4 units recommended): Must consist of college preparatory mathematics which include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry. (Mathematics courses taken in grades 7 and 8 may be used to meet part of this requirement if they are accepted by the high school as equivalent to its own courses.)

• d. Laboratory Science--2 units: Two years of laboratory science providing fundamental knowledge in at least two of these three areas: biology, chemistry, and physics. Courses taken in grades 9-12 are accepted, but not more than one year of ninth-grade laboratory science can be used to meet this requirement.

• e. Languages other than English--2 units: Two years of a language other than English. Courses should emphasize speaking and understanding and include instruction in grammar, vocabulary, reading, and composition. (Foreign language courses taken in grades 7 and 8 may be used to meet this requirement if they are accepted by the high school as equivalent to its own courses.)

• f. College-Preparatory Electives--2 units: Two years or four semesters in addition to those required in "a" through "e" above, to be chosen from the following subject areas: history, English, advanced mathematics, laboratory science, languages other than English, social science, and fine arts.

In general, elective courses should involve considerable reading and should aim to develop a student's analytical and reasoning ability and skill with written and oral exposition. Students are urged to consult with their high school counselor in the selection of course work to fulfill this requirement.

COURSES SATISFYING THE "F" REQUIREMENT

History and English--Elective courses that fit the general description in "f" above are acceptable.

Advanced Mathematics--Trigonometry, linear algebra, precalculus (mathematical analysis), calculus, statistics, computer science, and similar courses are acceptable. Courses containing significant amounts of material from arithmetic or from shop, consumer, or business mathematics are not acceptable.

Laboratory Science--Courses in the biological and physical sciences are acceptable.

Languages other than English--Elective courses may be in either the same language used to satisfy the "e" requirement or in a second language. If a second language is chosen, however, at least two years of work in that language must be completed.

Social Science--Elective courses that fit the general description in "f" above are acceptable. In addition, these courses should serve as preparation for lower-division work in social science at the University. Courses of an applied, service, or vocational nature are not acceptable.

Fine Arts--Elective courses in fine arts should enable students to understand and appreciate artistic expression, and to speak and write with discrimination about the artistic material studied. Courses devoted to developing creative artistic ability and courses devoted to artistic performance are acceptable. Courses that are primarily recreational or are offered under physical education are not acceptable.

SCHOLARSHIP REQUIREMENT

If an applicant's grade point average (GPA) is 3.3 or higher in the "a-f" subjects taken after the ninth grade, the applicant will be eligible for admission to the University regardless of scores on the standardized test used for the examination requirement. If the GPA is below 3.3 but above 2.82, the applicant will be eligible if achieving the composite or total test score specified on the eligibility index (see next page). GPAs will be based on semester grades unless a high school gives only year grades.

Grades earned in "a-f" subjects taken in the ninth grade or earlier will not be used to calculate the applicant's GPA for admission. However, these courses will be used to meet the subject requirement if they are completed with grades of "C" or better.

All courses must be completed with "C" grades or better. If an applicant takes more than the minimum number of courses required in an "a-f" subject, only the highest grades will be used to determine minimum eligibility.

Honors-Level Courses. The University wants to encourage students to take demanding, advanced academic courses in high school. The grades earned in up to 4 units of work in courses that are (a) certified by the high school as offered at an honors level, and (b) taken in grades 10 through 12 will be given extra weight in computing the grade point average for admission. A maximum of 2 units may be taken in grade 10. Grades in honors courses will be counted as follows: "A"=5 points, "B"=4 points, "C"=3 points, and "D"=1 point.

To be counted, these grades must have been earned in honors courses approved by the University in history, English, advanced mathematics, laboratory science, and languages other than English. Courses in these subjects designed to prepare students for the Advanced Placement Examinations of the College Board or Higher Level International Baccalaureate Examinations are examples of honors courses.

Repeated Courses. Any "a through f" subjects in which a student received a grade of "D" or "F" may be repeated once. The new grade earned in the repeated course, and shown on the high school transcript, will be used in computing the grade point average for admission.

"D" or "F" Grades. Grades of "D" or "F" in "a through f" subjects may be cleared in one of two ways. First, the course may be repeated and passed with a satisfactory grade, as explained above under Repeated Courses. Second, in the sequential areas of foreign language, chemistry, and mathematics courses, an advanced-level course successfully completed with a grade of "C" or higher validates the previous course. In this case, the original "D" or "F" grade is averaged with the subsequent "C," "B," or "A" in computing the grade point average for admission.

Senior Year Scholarship Requirement. UCR urges students to take particular care in planning the senior year program. The senior year should be used to prepare for the first year of college and should include honors and advanced courses as well as courses that will strengthen overall academic preparation. A challenging senior year program, successfully completed, is a natural bridge between high school and UCR course work. All admitted freshmen are expected to complete all courses taken during their senior year with "C" grades or better.

HIGH SCHOOL PROFICIENCY EXAMINATION

The University of California will accept the Certificate of Proficiency, awarded by the State Department of Education upon successful completion of the California High School Proficiency Examination; proficiency tests from other states; or the General Education Development (GED) Certificate in place of the regular high school diploma. However, all other University entrance requirements (subject pattern, grades, tests) must be met. Entrance by College Board scores will remain an option for students submitting the Certificate of Proficiency but who are ineligible on the basis of their high school record.

EXAMINATION REQUIREMENTS

All freshman applicants (and transfer applicants who have earned less than 12 units of college credit subsequent to high school graduation) must submit scores from the following examinations:

1. One aptitude test--either:

• a) The College Board Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT I: Reasoning Tests)--the verbal and mathematics scores submitted from this test must be from the same sitting; or

• b) The ACT Assessment Test composite score.

2. Three SAT II: Subject Tests, which must include (a) the writing test, (b) mathematics (level 1C or 2C), and (c) one from English literature, social studies, foreign languages, or science.

The test results of all students will be used for the purposes of selection, counseling, guidance, placement, and, when possible, to satisfy the Subject A requirement.

Selection Criteria for Freshman Applicants (All Colleges)

Applicants accepted for admission are those who demonstrate the strongest comprehensive academic preparation as measured by the following criteria:

1. Academic grade point average calculated on all academic courses completed in the "a through f" subject areas, including additional points for completing honors courses. The maximum value allowed for the GPA is 4.00.
2. Test scores on the following standardized tests: Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT I) or ACT, and the SAT II: Subject Tests.
3. The number and content of courses completed in academic subjects beyond the University's minimum admission requirements.
4. The number of University-approved accelerated, advanced placement, honors, and college-level courses completed or in progress.
5. Talents, experiences, or interests that demonstrate unusual capacity for leadership, excellence, and contribution in a particular field such as civic life, the arts, or athletics.
6. Academic accomplishments in light of the applicant's life experiences and special circumstances. These experiences and circumstances may include, but are not limited to, disabilities, low family income, first generation to attend college, need to work, disadvantaged social or educational environment, difficult personal and family situations or circumstances, refugee status or veteran status.

COLLEGE OF ENGINEERING

Freshman applicants to the College of Engineering who excel in the academic criteria, with additional emphasis on mathematics and science preparation, and who qualify for first-quarter calculus, are selected. Students not qualifying for the college, but meeting campus selection criteria, are considered for their alternate major.

DIVISION OF BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES

Applicants who excel in the academic criteria, with additional emphasis on mathematics and science preparation, are considered. The following are essential: a) at least three high school laboratory courses; b) mathematics competency so as to qualify for college-level calculus; and c) English composition proficiency so as to qualify for placement either in English 1A or Basic Writing 1. Students not qualifying for the Biomedical Sciences major, but meeting campus selection criteria, are considered for their alternate major.

Student Conduct

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

Transfer Credit

Transfer credit may be granted to a freshman applicant for an acceptable college course taken while still in high school when an official transcript is received from the college that conducted the course.

International Baccalaureate

The University grants 8 quarter units credit for each International Baccalaureate (IB) higher level examination on which a student scores 5 or higher. Higher level examinations are considered honors courses. The University does not grant credit for subsidiary level examinations.

Some higher level examinations may be considered equivalent to freshman level courses in the subject and may be used to satisfy general education or breadth requirements.

The units granted for IB examinations are not counted toward the maximum number of credits required for formal declaration of an undergraduate major or the maximum number of units one may accumulate prior to graduation from the University. Students who enter the University with IB credit do not have to declare a major earlier than other students nor are they required to graduate earlier.

ADVANCED PLACEMENT

The University grants credit for all College Board Advanced Placement Tests for which a student scores 3 or higher. The credit may be subject credit, graduation credit, or credit toward general education or breadth requirements, as determined by each college office.

The units granted for AP tests are not counted toward the maximum number of credits required for formal declaration of an undergraduate major or the maximum number of units a student may accumulate prior to graduation from the University. Students who enter the University with AP credit do not have to declare a major earlier than other students, nor are they required to graduate earlier.

College courses taken prior to or after enrolling at the University may duplicate the content of AP examinations. In these cases, the University may not award credit for both the course and the AP exam.

The University grants credit for Advanced Placement tests as described in these charts.

High School-University Program (HS-UP)

The opportunity to enroll in UCR concurrent with the senior year of high school is available to qualified accelerated students. Admission to HS-UP is based upon a combination of criteria including grades, standardized test scores, and preparation in the field of interest.

Through HS-UP, qualified students (usually seniors) from area high schools may enroll in UCR courses, receive grades based on the same standards as full-time UCR students, and receive full University of California credit for their work.

To continue at UCR after high school graduation, a HS-UP student may enroll as a full-time student without filing another application for admission. For further information about the High School-University Program, call (909) 787-3881.

Preparation for University Work

In addition to the high school subjects required for admission to the University, certain preparatory subjects are recommended for many University curricula to give students an adequate background for their chosen field of study. Details of lower-division requirements are found in this catalog.

A California resident needing additional preparation is advised to attend one of the many California community colleges. There students can take courses applicable toward the requirements of the college or school of the University in which they wish to enroll.

Subject A. Every undergraduate is required to demonstrate an acceptable level of ability in English composition. For further details, see Subject A requirements in the Academic Regulations section of this catalog.

Admission by Examination Alone

A student who does not qualify for admission as a freshman on the basis of course work and grades may qualify for admission by examination alone.

To qualify, a California resident must achieve a total score of at least 1400 on the SAT I. If ACT is presented, the minimum score is 31. Students must also attain a minimum total score on the three required SAT II: Subject Tests. The total must be at least 1760 with a minimum score of 530 on each test.

The test sequence is to be completed by the time of high school graduation. SAT II tests cannot be accepted in academic subjects covered by transferable college courses a student may have taken.

Examination Arrangements

Students applying for the fall quarter are urged to complete the required examinations as early as possible. Taking the examination after the December date, or selecting the SAT's score choice option, will delay the processing of the application.

SAT PROGRAM TESTS

To register for SAT tests, a student must obtain a registration packet from the high school counselor. Students can also register online at http://www.collegeboard.org.

*ACT is scored in intervals of 1 point, from a minimum of 1 to maximum of 36.
**SAT I is scored in intervals of 10 points, from a minimum of 400 to a maximum of 1600.