<p>it is not a new system, it is the basis of the curriculum for college preparatory work at California high schools. </p>
<p>Admissions understands that OOS and international schools have different standards and practices - many applicants do not have the visual arts requirement. </p>
<p>Applying to a UC involves two distinct steps - being eligible to apply and then evaluation for admissions. a-g are requirements to be eligible, but there are other ‘routes’ to eligibility. If you standardized test scores are high enough, you will be eligible regardless of the a-g. It is a separate door to enter eligibiily, totally independent. High enough scores and you don’t need even one of the a-g requirements. There is a third ‘door’ which is an exception system. </p>
<p>[University</a> of California - Admission by exam](<a href=“http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/freshman/requirements/examination/index.html]University”>http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/freshman/requirements/examination/index.html) - for admissions by std test scores for those who don’t have a-g</p>
<p>[University</a> of California - Admission by exception](<a href=“http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/freshman/requirements/admission-by-exception/index.html]University”>http://www.universityofcalifornia.edu/admissions/freshman/requirements/admission-by-exception/index.html) -for those who don’t have high enough test scores but also don’t have all the a-g, you make your case for admission. discussing the high academic caliber of your high school system and your preparation as an international student would be a potential way to cover the lack of a-g.</p>
<p>all the above is for ELIGIBILITY to apply. Once your application is being reviewed, the admissions staff at Cal will read the application to decide whether to offer a spot for next year. Admissions is holistic - looking at the entire person and totality of their accomplishments and context, not just individual items. If you don’t have any g courses but are strong in other areas, that balances out. Every positive factor helps, thus if it is reasonable to take the g courses in your senior year or summer, it is one more small positive factor in your portfolio.</p>