University and Exam Requirements
To be eligible for admission to a four-year university, students must meet subject requirements. These requirements represent the minimum academic standards for eligibility. Meeting the minimum eligibility requirements does not guarantee admission. Admission to the campus and program of choice often requires students to meet more demanding standards including high entrance examination test scores. All courses taken to satisfy college admission requirements must be completed with a semester grade of "C" or higher.
Subject Admission Requirements for UC and CSU ("a-g")
| Subject |
UC and CSU Admission Requirements |
| a - Social Science |
2 years - 1 year of World History and 1 year of U.S. History or
½ year of U.S. History and ½ year of Civics |
| b - English |
4 years college preparatory English |
| c - Mathematics |
3 years including Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2 or higher levels.
(4 years recommended) |
| d - Science |
2 years lab science in two of three areas: Biology, Chemistry, Physics.
(3 years recommended) |
| e - Foreign Language |
2 years of the same foreign language (3 years recommended) |
| f - Fine Arts/Applied Arts |
Visual/Performing Arts
1 year-long course in Art, Drama, or Music |
| g - Specified Electives |
College preparatory electives:
1 year, in addition to those required above, chosen from the following areas: history, English, advanced math, lab science, foreign language, social science, visual arts or performing arts.
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The UC Certified Course list accessed at www.ucop.edu/doorways/list |
College Entrance Exams
PSAT, SAT, ACT
The PSAT is a practice test usually taken by students for exposure and experience before taking the SAT's. La Quinta provides all tenth graders the opportunity to take the PSAT at no charge during the fall. Colleges and scholarship programs use scores from the SAT and ACT as one of several tools to evaluate the academic preparedness of applicants. A schedule of testing dates for this year appears below. It is important to register early to avoid late fees and insure assignment to your first choice test center. Specialized tests such as the SAT II Language Tests are for students who are not native speakers, and extended-time testing for students with professionally diagnosed disabilities is offered on specified test dates only.
2009 - 2010 Exam Dates and Registration Deadlines
| SAT Reasoning / SAT Subject Exams |
ACT Exams |
| Test Date |
Registration Deadline |
Test Date |
Registration Deadline |
| 10/10/2009 |
9/9/2009 |
9/12/2009 |
8/7/2009 |
| 11/7/2009 |
10/1/2009 |
10/24/2009 |
9/18/2009 |
| 12/5/2009 |
10/31/2009 |
12/12/2009 |
11/6/2009 |
| 1/23/2010 |
12/15/2009 |
2/6/2010 |
1/5/2010 |
| 3/13/2010 |
2/4/2010 |
4/10/2010 |
3/5/2010 |
| 5/1/2010 |
3/25/2010 |
6/12/2010 |
5/7/2010 |
| 6/5/2010 |
4/29/2010 |
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College Related Links
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
This site contains information for the potential college athlete including eligibility requirements for Divisions I, II, and III schools. This is also the new clearinghouse Web site at which the prospective student-athlete can access the materials and forms necessary to register. The NCAA "strongly suggests" that prospective student-athletes who plan to participate in intercollegiate athletics at an NCAA Division I or II institution use this online registration.
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Peterson's College Quest
This site includes test preparation information, a college search area, online college applications, and suggestions and articles on paying for college.
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Private Colleges:
The Association of Independent Colleges and Universities (AICCU) represents approximately 77 private institutions in California. They provide an "Online Guidebook for Students" with college profiles, admission applications, and links to the institution's own web-sites. If you are interested in a private college in California you should check out this site for one-stop access to a variety of schools. It's informative, fun and easy to use.
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Schools in the USA
This site claims to be "the most comprehensive online resource available" allowing students to explore career paths and find the right college.
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The University of California:
This site will tell you everything you want to know about the University of California. You can also apply to the University of California online.
The UC Selection Criteria is called a "Comprehensive Review". All UC-eligible applicants are reviewed using a combination of academic and personal achievement factors including:
Uncapped GPA (maximum of eight semesters of approved honors or AP courses)
Scores of all required exams
Number of "a-g" courses beyond the minimum specified for UC eligibility
Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC is the top 4% of our senior class calculated at the end of the sixth semester)
Educational environment
Low family income
First-generation college attendance
Demonstrated leadership
Special talents
Achievements and awards
Volunteer/community service
Special circumstances and/or personal challenges.
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U.S. Department of Education
College Opportunities
This site is a direct link to more than 9,000 colleges nationwide.
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US Government
This is a US government website that provides information on federal services. The U.S. Department of Education is coordinating with other federal agencies to provide a "one-stop-shop," giving students access to information about financial aid, career development, education planning, consumer protection, and a wide variety of other topics.
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Wiredscholar
This site has an online guide to walk you through the entire college-preparation process
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