A-G Requirements

To be eligible for admission to a UC or CSU, students must complete the A–G subject requirements with a grade of C or higher. These courses prepare you for college-level work and are an important part of your high school plan.These are also the classes you need to graduate from high school. Meeting A–G requirements means you are not only earning your diploma but also keeping your college options open.

Why Going Beyond Matters

Meeting the minimum A through G requirements means you can apply, but it does not guarantee you will be admitted. UC and CSU schools are competitive, especially the ones that are harder to get into. Students who take more than the minimum usually have a better chance of being accepted.

Taking an extra year of math, science, or language shows that you are ready to challenge yourself. Choosing AP, honors, or college classes shows that you can handle college level work. Admissions officers want students who not only meet the requirements but also go beyond them.

Meeting the minimum opens the door, but going beyond the minimum can help you stand out from other applicants.

Grade Point Average (GPA)

Your GPA is one of the most important parts of the college admissions process. UC and CSU use a special A-G GPA that is based only on the classes you take in 10th and 11th grade.

This means:

Only A through G classes count. These include English, math, history, science, language other than English, visual and performing arts, and college prep electives.
9th grade matters for graduation and A-G completion, but those grades are not included in the UC and CSU GPA calculation.
12th grade still matters, because colleges look at those grades after you apply to make sure you keep doing well.

GPA Ranges for Admission

UC campuses require at least a 3.0 A through G GPA. Honors, AP, IB, and dual enrollment courses can raise your GPA because they give extra points.
CSU campuses require at least a 2.5 A through G GPA. Some CSU campuses may consider students with a GPA between 2.0 and 2.49 if they meet other requirements.
Competitive advantage: Higher GPAs make you stronger as an applicant. Many selective UC and CSU campuses admit students with GPAs well above the minimum.

Tips to Strengthen Your GPA

Take challenging classes such as honors, AP, or dual enrollment to earn extra points.
Be consistent in all subjects because every grade counts.
Seek support if needed. If you struggle in a class, ask about tutoring, credit recovery, or repeating the course to raise your grade.