Eligibility in the Local Context
- Are courses taken in the summer before 10th grade considered in the evaluation of a student for ELC?
How is ELC status determined?
Beginning with the class applying for admission for fall 2012, ELC status will be determined by UC after students submit their applications. Using the self-reported academic record, the application will check to see if an applicant has met or exceeded the benchmark 9 percent GPA for his or her school and whether the student has completed the minimum course requirements.
What is the ELC benchmark GPA?
By reviewing past transcript information collected for ELC, UC has determined a GPA cutoff for the top 9 percent of the rising senior class for each participating high school. This benchmark GPA will be recalculated for one-third of the high schools each year.
How will a student know if he or she is ELC?
After submitting a UC application, a student from an ELC-participating school can return to the My UC Application page to see whether or not he or she has been designated as being in the top 9 percent of his or her class.
Can students appeal their ELC status?
ELC status is determined at the point the application is submitted, using the student-entered academic information on the application and the benchmark GPA UC has established for the school. Academic record changes will not result in a reassessment of ELC status.
High schools with questions about the transcript collection schedule for benchmark GPA resetting purposes can email elc@ucop.edu.
To be considered for ELC, do students have to take 11 specific "a-g" courses prior to senior year?
Yes. To be considered for ELC, students must complete the following courses with a grade of C or better prior to the senior year:
- History/social science: 1 year
- English: 2 years
- Mathematics: 2 years
- Laboratory science: 1 year
- Language other than English: 1 year
- College-prep elective: 4 years, chosen from the subjects listed above or another course approved by UC
Are courses taken in the summer before 10th grade considered in the evaluation of a student for eligibility in the local context?
Yes. All "a-g" courses taken in grades nine through 11, including the summer after 11th grade, are counted toward the 11 courses required for ELC. Applicants should list courses taken in the summer before 10th grade with 10th grade coursework. While UC does not calculate grades earned in ninth grade in the GPA, we do use the grades earned in the summer before 10th grade in the GPA calculation.
Are courses taken in the summer after 11th grade considered in the evaluation of a student for ELC?
Yes, courses taken in the summer after junior year will be accepted for ELC. Applicants should list courses taken in the summer after 11th grade with 11th grade coursework.
A student with ELC status hasn't taken a visual and performing arts course and doesn't have room in his schedule to take one this year. Does he need to complete a year of VPA?
In order to be fully eligible, students must complete all "a-g" coursework by the end of their senior year, including an approved yearlong VPA course. If the student can't take a course at your school, he may enroll in a one-semester, transferable community college course. It must be at least 3 semester units and fall within one of the four VPA disciplines: drama/theater, dance, music or visual art.
How many years of language other than English are required for ELC students?
The requirement is the same as for applicants who are eligible in the statewide context — two years — but at least one year must be completed before senior year for ELC consideration.
In the past, a high school could note certification of language other than English proficiency on the transcript for students missing these courses when appropriate. How is this handled in the new ELC process?
ELC status is determined systematically by the UC application system based on student-entered coursework and grades. The system will attempt to clear subject area deficiencies by a student's reported test scores. If no language other than English course or test score is reported in the application, the student will not be considered for ELC. Students should provide in the Additional Comments area of the application an explanation regarding subject area deficiencies for campus consideration.
Does my school need to submit transcripts for ELC?
ELC no longer requires transcripts from every school every year. Schools will be notified in the spring if transcripts are required to be submitted in a given year for resetting of the ELC benchmark GPA. If transcripts are required, the deadline for submission is Sept. 30. High schools can contact the ELC Help Desk at 800-839-8507 to confirm if transcripts are needed.
How can my school join the ELC program?
The ELC process for schools starts in the spring. Please send an e-mail to elc@ucop.edu for information about joining the ELC program if your school has not been participating. View more information about high school ELC eligibility criteria.