<p>UC has three tests for eligbility. Does it matter which one you use? </p>
<p>My d meets the third admin test--admissions by test scores alone. (She doesn't meet the a-g course requirements because she took only one semester of art, not a full year. She is in an IB program and had limited scheduling flexibility.) </p>
<p>Does anyone "how badly" the failure to take a full year of art will count against her? The rest of her app (scores, classes, recos) will be excellent. Thanks.</p>
<p>To clarify, this is how UC describes the different paths to admission:
(1) Eligibility in the Statewide Context. Students who meet minimum requirements for coursework, grade point average and test scores are admitted by this path.
(2) Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC). Students who rank in the top 4 percent at participating California high schools may be admitted through ELC.
(3) Eligibility by Examination Alone. Students who do not meet the requirements for Eligibility in the Statewide Context or ELC may qualify for admission by achieving high scores on the SAT I or ACT and SAT IIs. </p>
<p>My d qualifies under #3.</p>
<p>it does not matter, but....</p>
<p>A student who has completed 12 or more units of transferable college work cannot qualify for admission by examination alone; nor can a student qualify if he or she has taken a transferable college course in any academic subject that is covered by the SAT Subject Tests.</p>
<p>You've posted in the Cal-Berkeley forum, so I'm assuming you want information directed at her chances for Berkeley's admissions. If you have a general question about the UC formula, you're best served posting in the Parents Forum.</p>
<p>Outside the Arts requirement, I'm assuming the rest of her classes are strong and balanced. That's the reason for having these "breadth" requirements. I don't think anyone here can gauge just "how much" it would hurt her, but the University would love to see it completed. Just remember that the University also looks at your daughter's high school course program. If there is a lack of art courses, then it will not go against her. If she is an IB-monger and will only do IB classes, then it is a reflection of her values- just why has she chosen to follow this path? Because she wants to be valedictorian? Does she only care about grades? At any rate, there is a short answer question on the UC application that deals with academics, and it is here that she should explain herself. Because, well, she must if your school offers plenty of art classes and she refuses to take them. Also keep in mind that Berkeley does not accept recommendations. I'm guessing they'll be "excellent," as you say, but without them it just means there will be a greater emphasis on your daughter's test scores and grades (and grades are heavily based on what courses she has taken).</p>
<p>In the end, it is not that big of a deal. I'm sure the University prefers that your daughter completes the requirements, but it sounds like she'll be competitive if (1) she doesn't apply to an impacted major or college; (2) her grades are strong.</p>
<p>Best of luck to your daughter,
TTG</p>
<p>Personally, I don't think I have heard of anyone getting in by examination alone. As a rule of thumb, you need to meet all of the A-G requirements simply because there is so much competition to getting into Berkeley.</p>
<p>If it was a private school, that would be another story since there would be a little more flexability. But for Cal, they receive so many applications that I am not sure if they would look too highly upon this application. Take more art, there is still time.</p>
<p>Thanks for you info. We knew it would be problematic when she set up her schedule this summer, but she is taking a risk and we wonder if she has a shot anyway. </p>
<p>In terms of her curriculum. . .Although her school offers art, her IB program (and the MYP honors program) offers very little course flexibility. My d took a semester of PE over the summer, a quarter of health independent study over the summer, challenged the the required competer course, and took driver's ed privately. She has not had a single non-required course on her schedule for four years. The only way she could have met all the a-g requirements was to (1) do more summer school or (2) drop an amazing IB anthro course for a dud of a theatre course. Some of the other IB kids made those choices in order to meet the a-g requirements.</p>
<p>Other than this one "blemish" my d's app will look quite strong. We are curious how UC Berkeley will respond.</p>
<p>I don't think the UCs offer that much flexilbility since there are so many applicants. I thought I realize that your d's application is strong, there are a lot of other very strong students also applying who have meet all of the eligibility requirements.</p>
<p>If she is interested in satisfying it before coming here, I believe you're supposed to put classes planned in their prpoer category. There is always the summer after senior year. Or not, if she wouldn't want to spend her time in a community college class for a portion of her summer. There are always community college classes on weekends or aftternoon/evenings to consider as well.</p>
<p>If the UC really wants all students to fullfill the a-g requirements, why would they show three different ways of becoming eligible? The website suggests that each of the three options is equally fine. . .The irony of course is that my Dreally is a strong applicant. In the conflict for her time between the a-g requiremetns and a full IB diploma, she chose the IB diploma. She has no trouble taking art classes, though, and would be fine taking theater or music or something over next summer.</p>
<p>To the OP,</p>
<p>Do not trouble yourself with some of the comments made. Some of them makes sense (but lacks an understanding of the complexities of undergraduate admissions) while others have failed to answer your question. I'll reiterate what I've said before, and that's if your daughter really does have solid essays, standardized test scores, and GPA, then she should be very competitive regardless of what class she has taken (or not taken). I hope that alleviates some of your fears. Things are out of your hands at this point. Please be patient. The best thing you can do now is help her out (if she asks for it) on the UC application and wish for the best come next spring. Best of luck,</p>
<p>TTG</p>