Here is "Part 2: Academic Readiness" of a comprehensive guide to college readiness: Get Me To College: A College Readiness Primer Written by Dr. Rebecca Joseph Please use this but cite me. I provide free or low-cost consulting to those working with under-represented students and also lead workshops to schools and community groups around the country and Canada. getmetocollege@gmail.com

1. Part 2: Academic Readiness
Dr. Rebecca Joseph
getmetocollege@gmail.com
rjoseph@calstatela.edu

2.  Email
 rjoseph@calstatela.edu
 getmetocollege@gmail.com
 Phone
 323-646-5759
 Facebook
 Getmetocollege Freeadvice
 Twitter
 @getmetocollege
 Online
 Getmetocollege.org (focus on first generation and
under-represented students)
TO LEARN MORE

3. HOW DO WE BEGIN TO PREPARE?

4.  Grades
 Academic Rigor
 Standardized Test Scores
 Strong applications
 Great essays
 Counselor Reports
 Extracurricular Activities
 Teacher Letters of
Recommendation
 Other Unique Features
WHAT COLLEGES LOOK FOR IN MATCH
STUDENTS-NACAC 2009

5. GRADES
 Colleges look for students who
demonstrate
 Continuous strong performance
 Upward progression
 Particular academic strengths
 Exceeding basic admissions requirements.
For example, in California, going beyond the
A-G requirements required by the UC and
CSU systems.
For top privates, taking advanced classes in
and out of high school.

6. UCS
 The UCS have nine campuses.
 They require the successful completion of the
A-G requirements.
 They accept the top 9% of each high school.
Students must meet UC admissions
requirements.
 They require a 3.0 minimum GPA but are
much more rigorous for top five.
 They only look at 10 and 11th
grades. They
count AP and honors classes in 12th
grade.
 They require no grade lower than a C in each
A-G course.

7. UCS REWARD GRADES IN
RIGOROUS CLASSES
UCs award extra points for honors
and AP classes.
A maximum of four semesters of
honors courses taken in grade 10 are
assigned honors grade points.
None in 9th
grade receive points, yet
they count as initiative and rigor.
http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/
educators/counselors/adminfo/freshma
n/advising/admission/scholarshipr.ht
ml

8. A. History/Social Science – 2 years required
Two years of history/social science, including
one year of world history, cultures and geography, one year
of U.S. history, or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half
year of civics or American government.
B. English – 4 years required
Four years of college-preparatory English. No more than one
year of high ESL-type courses can be used to meet this
requirement.
C. Mathematics – 3 years required, 4 years
recommended.
Algebra 2 is minimum for Cal States and UCs.
Three years of college-preparatory mathematics that include
the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and
two- and three-dimensional geometry. Approved integrated
math courses may be used to fulfill part or all of this
requirement, as may math courses taken in the seventh and
eighth grades that your high school accepts as equivalent to
its own math courses.
A-G Requirements

9. D. Laboratory Science – 2 years required, 3 years
recommended
Two years of laboratory science providing fundamental
knowledge in at least two of these three foundational
subjects: biology, chemistry and physics. Advanced
laboratory science classes that have biology, chemistry or
physics as prerequisites and offer substantial additional
material may be used to fulfill this requirement, as may the
final two years of an approved three-year integrated science
program that provides rigorous coverage of at least two of
the three foundational subjects.
E. Language Other than English – 2 years
required, 3 years recommended
Two years of the same language other than English.
Courses should emphasize speaking and understanding, and
include instruction in grammar, vocabulary, reading,
composition and culture. Courses in languages other than
English taken in the seventh and eighth grades may be used
to fulfill part of this requirement if your high school accepts
them as equivalent to its own courses. Foreign students who
receive 800 on SAT II foreign language or approved AP
score can test out of language requirement. One year of sign
language at a community college also can count.
MORE A-G REQUIREMENTS

10. F. Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) – 1 year
required
A single yearlong approved arts course from a single VPA
discipline: dance, drama/theater, music or visual art. dance,
drama/theater, music or visual art.
G. College-Preparatory Electives – 1 year
required
One year (two semesters), in addition to those required in
"a-f" above, chosen from the following areas: engineering,
technology, visual and performing arts (non-introductory
level courses), history, social science, English, advanced
mathematics, laboratory science and language other than
English (a third year in the language used for the "e"
requirement or two years of another language).
MORE A-G REQUIREMENTS

11. ACADEMIC RIGOR
Colleges look at
 How difficult each student’s course load is
compared to academic options offered at
school
 Whether students keep up rigorous
schedules and/or drop too many core
classes.
 Academic reputation of school
 Particular strength and exploration in
particular content areas
ACADEMIC RIGOR

12. PRIVATES and OTHER PUBLICS
 Each have their own admissions requirements.
 Most count 9th
-12th
grade grades.
 They have GPA requirements that widely vary
and differ by school
 Students must try to do what they can to
maximize their grades and to retake classes
when necessary.

13. SO…
 Take the most challenging courses possible while
keeping grades as high as possible.
 Make a four year plan and make sure all your classes
count.
 Take honors and AP classes in stronger content areas
if planning to apply to top colleges
 Continue to increase rigor in higher grades.
 Remember many high school schools accepts Ds to
graduate. Most colleges, including the UCs and Cal
States, do not accept Ds in any A-G classes.
 Do not drop core content in junior or senior year
 Use summers for advancement and enrichment, not
just for fulfilling high school graduation requirements.
 Understand that colleges will compare student
academic choices to those offered at school.
 If foreign language is a struggle, consider sign
language. One year at community college equals two
years for CSU and UCs and many colleges.

14. Take Courses Outside of High School
 If you run out of classes at your high school, take
classes at your local community colleges. High school
students get AP credit for these classes. Taking
advanced classes impresses colleges, and they are free
(except for fees and books). If you have time, also take
community college classes in areas that interest you
such as Psychology or Art History. Consider taking
English 101 to enhance your reading and writing
skills.
 Note community colleges are cutting back so sign up as
early as you can or look to take classes at local four
year university.
 Find other academic programs, such the UC Cosmos
program for science, to advance, deepen, or expand
your academic interests. For example, here is a list of
programs for students interested in math
http://www.ams.org/employment/mathcamps.html
http://www.petersons.com/summerop/specnote.asp
 If you need to retake a class because of a low grade,
consider Brigham Young online. Please clear low
grades early. Don't wait until your senior year. Get
this approved from your school first.
http://ce.byu.edu/is/site/courses/highschool.cfm

15.  Email
 rjoseph@calstatela.edu
 getmetocollege@gmail.com
 Phone
 323-646-5759
 Facebook
 Getmetocollege Freeadvice
 Twitter
 @getmetocollege
 Online
 Getmetocollege.org (focus on first generation and
under-represented students)
TO LEARN MORE