<p>Hey, everyone, I was wondering how strict the University of California system is about the subject requirements, in particular UCSB and UCSC. With the sciences, they requires two of physics, chemistry, and biology. That leaves me in a bind because I only took biology out of those. However, I took AP Environmental Science and did well. I did so because I figured it would more relevant with my major, political science. And I’m also out of state and was ignorant about all of these until it was too late. Could they see that I’m still a good student, I took APES for a good reason, and be flexible? Or will they see the lack of physics and chemistry and autoreject me?</p>
<p>You can also qualify for UC by examination alone. I believe you need to average 710 per test to qualify in such a way. </p>
<p><a href=“http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/paths_to_adm/freshman/exam_eligibility.html[/url]”>http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/paths_to_adm/freshman/exam_eligibility.html</a></p>
<p>Otherwise, there is almost no flexibility unless you are a recruited athlete.</p>
<p>I have certainly heard of OOS students being rejected for not meeting the arts requirement. And the subject tests.</p>
<p>I am just curious; you are willing to pay 50K for ucsc? why?</p>
<p>I’m willing to pay for Santa Barbara without second thought, it’s my top school. Santa Cruz, maybe. It depends on my other options. I’m really aiming for out of state so, almost no matter what, I’m getting into financial shenanigans.</p>
<p>I know this is a double post, but I just found some new updates for the fall 2012 people (…me).</p>
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<p>It doesn’t specify the subjects for the lab science anymore, is that new, or can the individual schools dictate that? APES is a lab science. It also no longer requires, but only recommends subject tests. It also has to mentions of the weighted GPA anymore, which worries me.</p>
<p>Thoughts or explanations on this?</p>
<p>No subject tests required (but “considered”) for class of 2012.</p>
<p>Yeah, that’s a relief for me. But I was banking on the weighted UC GPA system because literally all my junior year classes were weighted and difficult, and now they are being vague. Should I call the admissions office for either UCSB or UCSC?</p>
<p>As far as I know, UC GPA’s are still calculated the same. BTW, weighted for AP’s only when OOS.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/paths_to_adm/freshman/scholarship_reqs.html#H[/url]”>http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/undergrad_adm/paths_to_adm/freshman/scholarship_reqs.html#H</a></p>
<p>That’s fine, I’ve taken plenty of APs, though it does somewhat damage my UC GPA. Also the language from the new requirements makes it seem as if they are assessing freshman to junior now. If so, I’m like…doomed. Freshman year was not good for me and had no APs.</p>
<p>9th grade counts for subject requirements but not GPA. What language are you referring to? Can you copy and paste?</p>
<p>Anyway, your GPA will be fine.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/pdf/ucsb_chart.pdf[/url]”>http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/pdf/ucsb_chart.pdf</a></p>
<p>“Complete 15 college-preparatory courses (“a-g” courses), with at least 11 finished by the end of your junior year.”</p>
<p>It makes it sound open ended like they are assessing up to junior year. Which would then include freshman year. But since that post I’ve discovered you are correct.</p>
<p>IMO, APES is nothing but a sub-set of Biology, so it will not meet the a-g requirement of two distinct lab sciences. But, that is just my opinion.</p>
<p>OP: e-mail every UC campus’ admissions and ask. Be prepared for inconsistent responses, however. </p>
<p>Add another voice of reason: You are beyond foolish to pay OOS fees to attend SB or SC.</p>
<p>The a-g requirements are the same for 2012 (in terms of the laboratory science issue you have). The change has to do with how “competency” is evaluated (the UC-eligibility requirement is going away, replaced by the 11 a-g course completion requirement).</p>
<p>UC admission requirement is complicated and difficult to understand; it’s particularly bad for out-of-state applicants. It’s best to contact the admissions office directly for information (but assess the knowledge base of the person you speak to on the phone, sometimes student workers will answer the phone and the information they provide may not be reliable). Follow the requirements exactly because there is no room for mistakes (UCs are quick to disqualify students for admission if the requirements are not met).</p>