<p>I hope the UCs stick with their mandate to serve the top 12% of California students. People not familiar with the California system may assume this shuts people out of public college but it doesn't since the remainder are served by the CalState system (rather than UC) or by the CCs. I can think of no reason for this change other than as an excuse to dip further to target particuar groups or individuals. </p>
<p>It's true that being in the top 12% doesn't guarantee admission into a particular UC but one s/b able to get into one of the UCs. I believe that UCM could have accepted more students this year (they're still in their infancy) and UCR can generally take any UC qualified student.</p>
<p>Rick - the 4% number is for 'eligibility in the local context - ELC' which means that the top 4% of any particular HS are guaranteed admission into the UC system (but not a guarantee to any particular one). This is to ensure that those who may be attending a small school that doesn't offer APs, attend school in an under-performing area, etc. aren't shut out from the UC system. The theory is that if you're in the top 4% regardless of where you are, you're likely to succeed well at a UC.</p>