How UC Campuses Review
Freshman Applications
UC Counselor Conference
September 2015
193,873
COUNSELOR CONFERENCE 2015
How We Select Students
Requirements vs. Selection
Every UC Campus
• Receives the same application
• Reviews for minimum
requirements
• Reviews for admission individually
using content of the application
COUNSELOR CONFERENCE 2015
Comprehensive Review
Campuses Look For
• Strong grades, test scores & course
preparation
• An inclusive educational experience
Assess Student Within Context
• Educational/Family environment
• Available resources and opportunities
• Not just the personal statement
COUNSELOR CONFERENCE 2015
Comprehensive Review Methods
Fixed Weight
Quantitative values placed on various
criteria
Holistic
No fixed weights placed on any one criteria
Hybrid
Part quantitative and part holistic
COUNSELOR CONFERENCE 2015
Freshman Comprehensive Review
• Grade-Point Average
• Test Scores
• Courses
Completed/Planned
• Honors Courses
• Top 9% Local Context
(ELC)
• Quality of Senior-Year
Program of Study
• Academic Opportunities in
California High Schools
• Performance in Academic
Subject Areas
COUNSELOR CONFERENCE 2015
• Achievements in Special
Projects
• Improvement in Academic
Performance
• Special Talents,
Achievements, and Awards
• Participation in Educational
Preparation Programs
• Academic Accomplishment
Within Life Experiences
• Geographic Location
The Personal Statement
Clarify Distinctions
• Between applicants with similar academic records
• Adds translucency, richness and meaning to
application
Understanding
• The student as a unique individual
• Information that was not clear in other parts of the
application
COUNSELOR CONFERENCE 2015
6/20/201
8
Case Study One
School Environment
Some High School, Bay Area, CA
Setting
Urban
Type
Public
Enrollment
1,837
Grade Span
9-12
Approved Course List
Y
WASC
Yes
Avg. Family Income
$165,926
API Rank
10
First Gen College
8%
English Learners
4.6%
Did not Complete A-G
18.2%
10th Grade Attrition
2.6%
Elig. For Free Meal
4.6%
Female
49.5%
Avg. SAT CR
630
Honors Courses
23
Avg. SAT M
689
Avg. ACT Composite
30
Avg. SAT W
657
Grading System
ABCDF
COUNSELOR CONFERENCE 2015
Home Environment
Family Environment
Family Income
$200,000
No. in Home
5
Parent 1 Education
Post Graduate Study
Parent 2 Education
Postgraduate Study
Parent 1 Employment
Physician
Parent 2 Employment
Dentist
Present in CA for Last
3 years
Yes
Student Information
Place of Birth
San Jose, CA
First Language
English and Another
Language
Military Service
None
Second Language
Chinese
COUNSELOR CONFERENCE 2015
GPA & Test Scores
Major: Neurobiology
GPA
Fully Weighted
3.95
Honors Grade 10-11
Weighted Capped
3.86
Honors Grade 12
Unweighted
3.50
Honors Available
A-G Courses
42
ACT – 04/2014
English
34
Science
27
Math
33
Writing Subject
9
Reading
33
Composite
32
SAT Subject Exams
Math Level 2
11/2014
---
Molecular Biology
11/2014
---
COUNSELOR CONFERENCE 2015
Coursework, Grade 9
A-G Subject Area
Class Title
Honors
Term
Grades
B-English
Literature and Writing
NH
Semester
BB
C-Geometry
Geometry Enriched
NH
Semester
AA
D-Biology / Life
Sciences
Biology
NH
Semester
AB
E-LOTE Level 3
Chinese 3
NH
Semester
AB
F-Visual Arts
3D Design 1
NH
Semester
AA
COUNSELOR CONFERENCE 2015
Coursework, Grade 10
A-G Subject Area
Class Title
Honors
Term
Grades
A-World History/
Cultures/ Hist.
Geography
World History
NH
Semester
BB
B-English
World Literature and Writing
NH
Semester
AA
C-Algebra II /
Trigonometry
Algebra 2/Trigonometry
NH
Semester
AA
D-Chemistry
Chemistry Honors
HL
Semester
BB
E-LOTE Level 4+
Chinese 4 Honors
HL
Semester
AA
COUNSELOR CONFERENCE 2015
Coursework, Grade 11
A-G Subject Area
Class Title
Honors
Term
Grades
A-U.S. History
US History
NH
Semester
BB
B-English
American Literature and Writing
NH
Semester
AB
C-Advanced Mathematics Pre-Calculus Honors
HL
Semester
BB
D-Biology / Life Sciences AP Biology
AP
Semester
BB
E-LOTE Level 4+
AP Chinese Language and Culture
AP
Semester
AA
G-Laboratory Science Physical Sciences
Engineering Technology
NH
Semester
AA
COUNSELOR CONFERENCE 2015
Coursework, Grade 12
A-G Subject Area
Class Title
Honors
Term
Grades
A-Civics / American
Government
AP Government and Politics United States
AP
Semester
IP PL
B-English
European Literature/Writing
NH
Semester
IP PL
C-Advanced
Mathematics
AP Calculus AB
AP
Semester
IP PL
D-Physics
Physics Honors
HL
Semester
IP PL
G-Interdisciplinary
Economics and Virtual Enterprise
NH
Semester
IP PL
COUNSELOR CONFERENCE 2015
Awards/Activities
Educational Preparation Programs
• Rosetta Institute, 11th
• National Student Leadership Conference, 10th
Awards
• Honorable Mention Award, 2014
• Second Team All League, 2012 & 2013
• 1st Place, NCSM, 2012
• Varsity Swim First Place, 2011
Work Experience
Little League Umpire, 9-11
COUNSELOR CONFERENCE 2015
Extracurricular/Volunteer Activities
Extracurricular Activities
Item
Years
Hrs/Wk
Wks/Year
Baseball Team
9-12
14
20
Classical Guitar Lessons
9-12
2.5
45
Varsity Swim
9-11
1.5
40
Chinese School
9-11
3
36
Chess Club
11
1
35
Volunteer/Community Service
Item
Years
Hrs/Wk
Wks/Year
Camp Counselor
9-12
40
2
Link Crew
12
2
35
CSF
11
12
35
Nursing Center Volunteer
10
4
13
COUNSELOR CONFERENCE 2015
Personal Statements
Prompt 1
Describe the world you come from – for
example, your family, community or school
– and how your world has shaped your
dreams and aspirations.
COUNSELOR CONFERENCE 2015
Personal Statements
Prompt 2
Tell us about a personal quality, talent,
accomplishment, contribution or experience
that is important to you. What about this
quality or accomplishment makes you
proud and how does it relate to the person
you are?
COUNSELOR CONFERENCE 2015
Case Study One Review
Summary
• Strong academics, but not as strong in school
context.
• Well resourced school.
• Well rounded, consistent participation
w/leadership.
• PS1 provided some additional information.
• PS2 spoke to personal growth.
COUNSELOR CONFERENCE 2015
Case Study Two
School Environment
Some High School, Bay Area, CA
Setting
Urban
Type
Private
Enrollment
1,400
Grade Span
9-12
Approved Course List
Y
WASC
Yes
Avg. Family Income
$219,916
API Rank
First Gen College
--%
English Learners
--%
Did not Complete A-G
--%
10th Grade Attrition
3.4%
Elig. For Free Meal
--%
Female
--%
Avg. SAT CR
602
Honors Courses
23
Avg. SAT M
597
Avg. ACT Composite
Avg. SAT W
617
Grading System
COUNSELOR CONFERENCE 2015
ABCDF
Home Environment
Family Environment
Family Income
$191,000
No. in Home
4
Parent 1 Education
4 Year Graduate
Parent 2 Education
Postgraduate Study
Parent 1 Employment
Manager/Admin
Parent 2 Employment
Teacher
Present in CA for Last
3 years
Yes
Student Information
Place of Birth
San Jose, CA
First Language
English
Military Service
None
Second Language
None
COUNSELOR CONFERENCE 2015
GPA & Test Scores
Major: Neurobiology
GPA
Fully Weighted
4.13
Honors Grade 10-11
8
Weighted Capped
4.13
Honors Grade 12
7
Unweighted
3.77
Honors Available
23
A-G Courses
44
ACT – 10/2014
English
25
Science
27
Math
29
Writing Subject
7
Reading
26
Composite
28
Critical Reading
600
Math
660
Writing
580
Composite
1840
SAT Subject Exams –
5/2014
US History
620
Physics
520
Math 2
660
SAT – 10/2014
Coursework, Grade 9
A-G Subject Area
Class Title
Honors
Term
Grades
A-World History/
Cultures/ Hist.
Geography
World History 1
NH
Semester
AB
B-English
English 100
NH
Semester
AA
C-Algebra II
Algebra 2 (H)
NH
Semester
AA
D-Biology / Life
Sciences
Biology
NH
Semester
AB
E-LOTE Level 1
Spanish 1
NH
Semester
BB
COUNSELOR CONFERENCE 2015
Coursework, Grade 10
A-G Subject Area
Class Title
Honors
Term
Grades
A-World History/
Cultures/ Hist.
Geography
World History 2
NH
Semester
A NO
B-English
English 200
NH
Semester
BA
C-Geometry
Geometry (H)
NH
Semester
AB
D-Chemistry
Chemistry (H)
HL
Semester
AA
E-LOTE Level 2
Spanish 2
NH
Semester
BA
F-Music
Music Appreciation A & B
NH
Semester
A NO
COUNSELOR CONFERENCE 2015
Coursework, Grade 11
A-G Subject Area
Class Title
Honors
Term
Grades
A-U.S. History
AP United States History
AP
Semester
AA
B-English
English 300
NH
Semester
AA
COLLEGE
C-Advanced
Mathematics
Precalculus Honors
HL
Semester
AB
D-Physics
Physics (H)
HL
Semester
AA
E-LOTE Level 3
Spanish 3
NH
Semester
AA
G-History / Social
Science
Foundations of Ethics, Morality and Justice
NH
Semester
BA
COUNSELOR CONFERENCE 2015
Coursework, Grade 12
A-G Subject Area
Class Title
Honors
Term
Grades
A-Civics / American
Government
AP Government and Politics United States
AP
Semester
IP PL
B-English
English 460 - Fiction into Film
NH
Semester
IP NO
B-English
English 482 - Literature and Composition: Nonfict
NH
Semester
NO PL
C-Advanced
Mathematics
AP Calculus BC
AP
Semester
IP PL
D-Physics
AP Physics C: Mechanics
AP
Semester
IP PL
F-Music
Music Appreciation A & B
NH
Semester
IP NO
COUNSELOR CONFERENCE 2015
Awards/Activities
Coursework Other Than A-G
• 4 years of religious studies courses
Awards
• Honor Roll – 9th, 10th, 11th, 12th
Work Experience
• Safeway Courtesy Clerk – 11th, 12th
COUNSELOR CONFERENCE 2015
Extracurricular/Volunteer Activities
Extracurricular Activities
Item
Years
Hrs/Wk
Wks/Year
STEM Club
11-12
30
1
Golf Team
10-12
16
11
Cross Country (Fr/JV)
9-10
16
11
Track and Field
10
16
11
Volunteer/Community Service
Item
Years
Hrs/Wk
Wks/Year
Classroom Asst. (1st grade)
9-11
2
8
Little League Umpire
12
2
10
Summer Program Aide
(Kinder.)
11
19
4
Golf Camp Instructor
11
14
2
Welcome Committee
9
3
8
COUNSELOR CONFERENCE 2015
Personal Statements
Prompt 1
Describe the world you come from – for
example, your family, community or school
– and how your world has shaped your
dreams and aspirations.
COUNSELOR CONFERENCE 2015
Personal Statements
Prompt 2
Tell us about a personal quality, talent,
accomplishment, contribution or experience
that is important to you. What about this
quality or accomplishment makes you
proud and how does it relate to the person
you are?
COUNSELOR CONFERENCE 2015
Additional Comments
Attending a rigorous Jesuit high school.
Has been challenged spiritually and
academically and has developed leadership
skills.
Enrolled in ASL at a community college to
be able to communicate with extended
family and to assist grandparents.
COUNSELOR CONFERENCE 2015
Case Study Two Review
Summary
• Strong academics. 2 subject exams.
• Not much sustained participation, and a
lack of leadership.
• PS1 and 2 added value.
• Good use of Additional Comments
COUNSELOR CONFERENCE 2015
Resources
UC Comprehensive Review & Campus Selection
Processes
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/freshman/ho
w-applications-reviewed/index.html
Downloadable Guides
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/counselors/
downloadable-guides/index.html
UC Counselors & Advisers Bulletin Sign-up
http://ucal.us/bulletin
Questions?
AskUC@ucop.edu
COUNSELOR CONFERENCE 2015
Thank you!