The A-G requirements are requirements that students need to achieve in order to apply at Cal States and UCs in California. The requirements are unique to Cal States and UCs; however, the list also applies to many universities throughout the entire country.
The requirements are as follows: two years of social science/history, four years of English, three years of math (including Geometry and Algebra II), two years of a lab science (Cal States require one year physical and one year biological), two years of language other than English, one year visual or performing art and one year of additional academic course or elective.
“By meeting the A-G requirements, students are taking courses that will prepare them for success,” says Mrs. Nguyen in the College and Career department.
The UCs and Cal States developed the requirements to ensure students took courses they felt were foundational in later college success.
Even if some students are planning on attending a community college first or are going straight to work after graduating, taking A-G courses can better prepare them to thrive because they are learning important skills that will help them later in life. Having skills in critical thinking, reading, writing, communication and reasoning will help students beyond high school and college.
Mrs. Nguyen says, “A-Gs set a great foundation. I think where students can really shine is by exceeding the minimal requirements and going above and beyond in the subject areas that align with a career or major of interest.”
While many students may believe that the A-G requirements are the same as high school graduation requirements, they are not the same, and the A-G requirements are meant for students to push themselves and go above and beyond the bare minimum.
It is not true that students are automatically placed in the subjects they need to meet the A-G requirements; they must speak to their counselors in order to get access to those classes. A common mistake students make is that they will forget to take their visual or performing arts class and will not take at least two years of a foreign language.
If students find themselves confused on what they need to reach the requirements for A-G, they should talk to their assigned school counselor or reach out to Mrs. Nguyen.
Mrs. Nguyen works at Aliso Niguel, and her office is in the College and Career Center across from the 400 hallway. She can offer valuable advice for anyone confused with the process.
Students can also monitor their A-G status using their CaliforniaColleges account. The district has created an account for all middle and high school students.
In order to do this, students will log into their Clever portal, then click on the CaliforniaColleges.edu app. From there, students can click on “My Plan”and select “UC Eligibility” to see where they stand with the A-Gs.
As an additional resource, the ANHS counseling team will be teaching an A-G lesson in all freshman English classes at the beginning of November.
