UC Course requirements...uh-oh

<p>Is it true that in order to apply to the university of california you must have taken at least one year of visual/performance arts (music,drama,theatre,etc)?</p>

<p>yes that is a requirement. One year in one subject.</p>

<p>could it be in 7th or 8th grade</p>

<p>nope...sorry</p>

<p>Only 2 subjects from 7-8th grade that can be counted toward a-g requirements are math and foreign language, not art/drama.</p>

<p>how many semesters do you need? could i take one semester?</p>

<p>You need two semesters worth to fulfill the one-year requirement.</p>

<p>The a-g requirements are ridiculous in some respects. In California, all the schools know what they are and prepare Californian students accordingly, but the rules (especially on the arts) often exclude highly qualified applicants from outside the state.</p>

<p>They are also interpreted inconsistently. I gave a call two years ago or so to the admissions departments at UCLA, Berkeley, and UC Davis to see if a course in studying and creating films would qualify. Berkeley gave an unqualified "yes," UCLA gave a "maybe but we'd have to see a full course description," and Davis gave an unqualified "no."</p>

<p>Just for grins, I asked them if Jodi Foster, had she decided to attend a UC instead of Yale, could have qualified for a UC if she hadn't taken a year of high school theater. I was told, in very, very strict terms and with profoundly pedantic delivery, that Jodi Foster could NOT have gotten into a UC without a year of high school theater or some other approved arts course.</p>

<p>Bureaucrats. Can't live with 'em, can't live ... hey, maybe we can!</p>

<p>TV/Video/Film does qualify as a requirement. You get different answers from different UC because they have new people answer the phone. There are some newbies.</p>

<p>this is such BS. I'm so ****ed off right now. I'm highly qualified for admission to the uc system but i can't apply just because i didn't take one year of a visual or performing art (which is a waste of a class in my opinion). i called the office of undergraduate admissions and the lady said that i could take an ap exam in a visual/performing art and if i got a 3 or above then that would meet the visual/performing art requirement. i think i'll have to do that.</p>

<p>Take two semesters of the same Art next semester, and you would be qualified. Just make sure that this art is a UC qualified course. I know there are a couple of classes at my (Californian) school that don't qualify for any of the A-G courses. </p>

<p>You will probably be best off taking two sections of Art (1 and 2) or something of that sort. Just make sure you don't take two DIFFERENT art classes.</p>

<p>That's ridiculous. The AP thing is also kind of absurd, as I believe the only visual/performing arts AP is AP Studio Art, and I'm sure most students even with a year of art classes might be able to get a three on that. Are you a senior this year?</p>

<p>There are 3 ways to qualify for UC eligibility, I got this info from a person that works in the outreach program for UCLA/UCB:

[quote]
There are three ways to meet minimum eligibility: Eligibility in the Statewide Context, which means you completed the a-g requirements, took the required standardized exams, and achieved a certain GPA (3.0 with 8 semesters max weighted); ELC, which means you are in the top 12.5% of your high school (UCs make a differentiation between the top 4% and the top 12.5%, but the distinction is a bit vague; feel free to chime in if you know what the differences are); or Eligibility by Examination Alone, which means you scored exceptionally well on the standardized tests despite your less than perfect school records (so if you didn't meet the Eligibility in the Statewide Context but did really well on the SAT/ACT and SAT Subject exams, you will still qualify to apply).

[/quote]
</p>

<p>You might want to call and ask them.</p>

<p>I meet both the ELC and the Eligibility by Examination Alone so does that mean i can apply?</p>

<p>Call the UC and ask. Have your application ready and call Monday to clarify. Make sure you get to talk to a supervisor. Some of the people answer the phone are new.</p>

<p>You don't need a year in order to apply to UC, but you do need one year by the time you graduate. See other options here:</p>

<p>University</a> of California - Admissions</p>

<p>
[quote]
Berkeley gave an unqualified "yes," UCLA gave a "maybe but we'd have to see a full course description," and Davis gave an unqualified "no."

[/quote]
</p>

<p>Well, different UC campuses will have different standards. While overall, the University of California may have some policy, the different UCs will bend it somewhat, or have completely different policies. For example, rank is, supposedly, used only for ELC purposes. In the CDS, Berkeley says it isn't considered, yet UC Santa Cruz lists it as "important." So there are varying standards, even some in the course requirements (though obviously not much).</p>

<p>so then why even have Eligibility by Examination Alone if you can apply anyways?</p>

<p>Part of the reason is that the campuses have different standards. Obviously, if you try to opt out of classes by taking an exam, you probably won't get into the top UCs. Of course, you'd need to explain yourself. Are you sure you can't take something next semester, or at a local community college?</p>

<p>If you are top 4% of your Californian high school, you are automatically admitted to a university. It will not be Berkeley or UCLA though, some schools like Davis and Merced are sending out letters now that if you're ELC (top 4%) then you are accepted into their school once you apply.</p>

<p>Is it the same deal for Eligibility by Examination Alone?</p>