Private / Out of State Colleges
Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities
AICCU is comprised of 78 private, nonprofit colleges and universities, which make up the Independent California Colleges and Universities (ICCU) sector. AICCU institutions are located throughout the state with 25 main campuses located in Northern California and 53 main campuses located in Southern California.
Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)
WUE (pronounced “woo-wee”) is the Western Undergraduate Exchange, and it is coordinated by WICHE. WUE is a regional tuition-reciprocity agreement that enables students from WICHE states to enroll in more than 150 participating two- and four-year public institutions at 150 percent of the enrolling institution’s resident tuition. WUE is the largest program of its kind in the nation, and has been in operation since 1987! WUE is not a short term exchange—it is meant to be used for a full degree.
Minimum Requirements
The CSU/UC "A-G" requirements are a good baseline for most other states (must have a “C” or better).
A. History/Social Science, 2 years required
B. English, 4 years required
C. Mathematics, 3 years required
D. Laboratory Science, 2 years required
E. Language other than English, 2 years required
F. Visual and Performing Arts, 1 year required
G. College Preparatory Elective, 1 year required
SAT and/or ACT
All UCs and CSUS no longer require SAT or ACT tests!
Community Colleges do not require SAT or ACT tests. Community colleges use a college placement test to assess your reading, writing and math skills to determine appropriate class placement at the college level.
Most universities have gone TEST OPTIONAL as of spring 2020. Incoming freshmen are not required to submit SAT/ACT scores to be considered for admissions. You will need to check your schools' admissions requirements to find out if SAT/ACT scores and SAT Subject Tests are required as part of their admission process.
- What does TEST OPTIONAL mean? At its most basic definition, test optional means that you do not need to submit SAT or ACT scores to be considered for admission to a particular school. While you may submit test scores if you want, you are not actually required to do so. Your school will make its admission decision based on your application, transcript (course history, course rigor, GPA, grades), essay(s), if required, and letter(s) of recommendation.
It's good practice to take the ACT and/or SAT in the spring of your junior year. If you aren't satisfied with your scores, it would benefit you to study and take practice tests over the summer and retake the test(s) in the fall of your senior year.
Some schools may require that you take a specific test (either ACT or SAT), so make sure to check the school's website before you register for testing.
Application Process
Most California privates and out of state colleges use the Common App process for applications. Check with each school’s website as to their application process.
Some colleges and scholarships ask for two or three recommendation letters from people who know you well. These letters should be written by someone who can describe your skills, accomplishments and personality.
After You Have Been Accepted
All admission decisions are conditional on the successful completion of your senior year. Colleges may rescind admission to students who earn low grades in college preparatory classes during their senior year. Make sure you arrange to have your final transcript sent to the university you have chosen.