University of California (UC) Average GPA and SAT Scores

Like most U.S. colleges, the University of California uses several criteria to establish eligibility. These include your high school grades, course grades from other colleges, ACT scores, and SAT scores. Your minimum test scores required are based on your GPA. While the University of California admission application is rigorous, knowing what reviewers look for can make the difference between getting in the U.C. and getting into the U.C. of your choice.

A-G courses

The University of California uses a subject requirement to satisfy part of its admissions process. To satisfy the subject requirement, fifteen full year courses must be completed in high school, with at least seven completed in your junior and senior years. A grade of “C” or above must be attained on the fifteen courses.

Approved subjects are referred to as the a-g courses:

A – social sciences and history

B – English

C – mathematics

D – laboratory sciences

E – foreign languages, classical languages, and sign language

F – dance, music, drama, theater, visual arts

G – college-prep electives

GPA scholarship requirements

To calculate your GPA, the grade earned for each course listed above is assigned a point value. An “A” is worth four points, a “B” is worth three points, a “C” is worth two points, and a “D” is worth one point. A grade of “F” is not assigned any point value. All the points are then added together and divided by the number of courses completed.

Honors courses, Higher Level International Baccalaureate courses, Standard Level International Baccalaureate courses, and Advance Placement classes taken in the last three years of high school and college courses transferable to the University of California earn extra points. An “A” is assigned five points, a “B” is assigned four points, and a “C” is worth three points. In this case, a “D” has no value.

Your total University of California score

To get your total UC score, your highest SAT scores in math, writing, and critical reading, along with your scores from two SAT subject exams are used. The scores from math, writing, and critical reading must be from a single sitting.

If you took the ACT with Writing exam, this can be used to calculate your total score. The highest scores from a single sitting in reading, math, science, and English/writing are used to calculate your total UC score.

University of California eligibility requirements

Along with your GPA, your score on the ACT with Writing exam or the SAT Reasoning exam will be used to assess your eligibility. This score must be high enough to meet the university’s minimum requirements in order to be eligible for acceptance. The lower your GPA, the higher your test scores must be:

With a GPA of 3.0-3.04, your total score must be at least 223.

With a GPA of 3.05-3.09, your total score must be at least 210.

With a GPA of 3.10-3.14, your total score must be at least 198.

With a GPA of 3.15-3.19, your score must be at least 187.

With a GPA of 3.20-3.24, your total score must be at least 175.

With a GPA of 3.25-3.29, your total UC score must be at least 165.

With a GPA of 3.30-3.34, your total score must be at least 157.

With a GPA of 3.35-3.39, your total score must be at least 152.

With a GPA of 3.40-3.44, your score must be at least 147.

If your GPA is higher than 3.45, your total UC score must be at least 143.

If your GPA is lower, I suggest you have exceptional athletics skills or write a very large check to the UC Alumni fund of the school of your choice, ;).