Local path
Our Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC) program recognizes your individual accomplishments in light of the opportunities offered by your particular high school.
Eligibility in the Local Context
If you rank in the top 9 percent of students in your California high school class — and your high school participates in our ELC program — you can qualify for admission to UC.
We will identify the top 9 percent of students on the basis of GPA in UC-approved coursework completed in the 10th and 11th grades. To be considered for ELC, you must have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and complete the following "a-g" courses prior to your senior year:
|
History/social science |
1 year |
|
English |
2 years |
|
Mathematics |
2 years |
|
Laboratory science |
1 years |
|
Language other than English |
1 years |
|
College-preparatory elective |
4 yearlong courses |
After you enter your coursework and grades in your application, we'll compare your GPA to the historic top GPA for your school. If you meet or exceed that GPA, you'll be designated ELC and we'll add a note to your application.
How we determine schools' historic GPAs
Since the inception of the ELC program, participating schools have submitted transcripts for the top 12.5 percent (15 percent beginning in 2011) of their students, with parental permission. Using this information, we have established a historic, or benchmark, GPA representing the expected GPA for the top 9 percent of the students from each school. Schools are periodically requested to submit transcripts so that we can monitor — and reset, if necessary — their benchmark GPA.
High school eligibility
Most California public high schools and more than 80 percent of private schools participate in the ELC program. To participate, a school must be accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, have an American Testing Program code, have a UC-approved course list, and be comprehensive (classroom-based). Magnet programs and charter schools that are considered dependent charters within a public school district and have a UC-approved course list on file are eligible.