UC vs CSU
When applying to a California public college, students often wonder, “What is the difference between a CSU or UC?” For acceptance into both Cal State and UC Schools, a student must complete their high school graduation requirements as well as meet the “a-g” requirements in order to be eligible for acceptance. Below are the minimum requirements for admissions; please refer to individual school websites for specific admissions details.
CSU Requirements for Freshman Admission
- Minimum 2.0 GPA
- Two years of History/Social Science, including one year of U.S History or U.S. History and Government and one year of an additional approved social science.
- Four years of college preparatory English courses
- Three years of Mathematics, four years recommended, including Algebra I, Geometry and intermediate algebra or higher mathematics
- Two years of Laboratory Science, including one year of biological science and one year of physical science with lab
- Two years of the same Language Other Than English
- One year-long course of Visual and Performing Arts (dance, drama, theater, music, or visual art)
- One year of approved college preparatory Elective
- CSU uses an eligibility index to determine if a student will be accepted
- Must take the SAT and/or ACT
- Visit https://www2.calstate.edu/apply for additional information
UC Requirements for Freshman Admission
- Minimum 3.0 GPA
- Two years of History/Social Science, including one year of World History and one year of U.S. History or one-half year of U.S. History and one-half year of civics or Government
- Four years of college preparatory English courses
- Three years of college preparatory Mathematics, four years recommended, that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry
- Two years of Laboratory Science, three years recommended, in two of these three foundational subjects: biology, chemistry and physics
- Two years of the same Language Other Than English, three years recommended
- One year-long course of Visual and Performing Arts (dance, drama, theater, music, or visual art)
- One year of UC approved college preparatory Elective
- UC asks students to write a personal statement, and takes other extracurricular activities into consideration
- Must take the SAT and/or ACT
- Visit http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to-apply/index.html for additional information