Graduation + College Entrance Requirements

Graduation Requirements

Students must complete 220 credits in the following areas with a "D-" grade or better in order to earn a San Lorenzo High School diploma: 

• 40 credits English
• 30 credits Social Studies
• 30 credits Math  (must include Math 1)
• 30 credits Science (one physical, one life, and one additional year of either type)
• 5 credits Health
• 20 credits Fine Arts/Foreign Language AND/OR Career and Technical Education (CTE) Courses  
• 20 credits Physical Education
• 45 credits Electives

"A-G" Requirements

Students must earn a "C" grade or better in all the listed classes in order to be eligible for a 4-year college

a: History/Social Science: 2 courses required including U.S. History and World History

b: English: 4 college prep courses required

c: Mathematics: 3 courses required, 4 courses recommended: Math I, Math II, and Math Modeling or Math III at a minimum.

d: Laboratory Science: 2 courses required, 3 are recommended: Biology and Chemistry or Anatomy/Physiology, Physics, AP Chemistry.

e: Foreign Language: 2 courses are required, 3 are recommended. At least two courses in the same language.

f:  Visual and Performing Arts: 1 course required

g: College Preparatory Elective: an additional class in one of the above subject areas or other classes on approved list.

One year of a sheltered class in each subject area is allowed.

College Entrance Exams

CSU/UC colleges are not requiring students to take the SAT/ACT. tems and most 4 year universities However, you can use test scores for English and Math placement in college courses. 

• Register here for the SAT.
• Register here for the ACT.

Step One--Focus on You

1. What are your interests? (what do you like dislike?) What would you like to study in college? What career field are you interested in?
2. What skills do you have? What are you good at?
3. What is your personality? Use your personal strengths.
4. What would you like to major in? Does the college offer your major?
5. Location: Do you want to attend college near San Lorenzo? Do you want to live in a large city or be in a smaller town? Do you want to stay in California?
6. Size: Do you want to attend a large university or a small one?
7. Cost: Do you want to attend a community college or a 4 year public university or a private college? Costs vary a lot.

Step Two--Get Information

You should research colleges to find at least 3-5 that you might be interested in attending.

• Read books about colleges: Books are available in our counseling office, the library and the career center.
• Internet: There are some great internet websites that can give you excellent information. For California college information, try www.californiacolleges.edu. This website gives you some good tools to explores all colleges in CA. Another helpful website is www.collegeboard.com. (The College Board has national college information.)
• College Night College Fairs: Attend college night in October at SLz to get information about colleges in this region.
• Visit: Go on one of our school's college field trips to a local university or plan your own tour. You need to visit any college that you are seriously interested in.

Choose 3-5 Colleges or universities that you are interested in. Try to match your interests, abilities and personality with these colleges. Check out the costs and be sure to visit them!

Step Three--APPLY!

Applying for College/University

1. Apply during the fall of your senior year. November 30 is the deadline for all UC applications and the end of the priority filing period for all CSU campuses.
2. Apply online as an undergraduate/first time freshman for the CSU or UC system. Private colleges usually have applications available at their websites.
3. Attend the college workshops that the counselors offer in October and November to help you!
4. Complete your applications carefully, have someone review them, and send them in on time. 
5. Be sure that you have sent your college entrance exam scores to the colleges that you are applying to.
6. Be organized and keep your college materials in one file!

Applying for Community College

Chabot College can offer you an inexpensive way to start college and explore your interests. You can earn a certificate, AA degree, or transfer to a 4 year university. Learn more about their application and enrollment process here. 

Freshman Year

• Take college prep classes and try to get good grades
• Get involved in school and community activities: be a leader!
• Consider being in EAOP or other college oriented programs
• Create a CaliforniaColleges.edu account using your student gmail.
• Meet with your counselor 

Sophomore Year

• Continue taking college prep classes and learn as much as you can
• Start investigating colleges that you might be interested in
• Continue to be a leader
• Meet with your counselor