College Admissions

April 1, 2020

University of California suspends SAT/ACT requirements for 2021 applicants

UC's one-year pause in testing does not mean a permanent end to SAT/ACT for admissions. CSU may follow. Neither university will require letter grades for high school courses this spring.

Larry Gordon

April 1, 2020

Eight California State University campuses extend freshman enrollment deadlines to June 1

Accepted applicants are given an extra month, until June 1, to make deposits. Other CSU campuses may follow. UC is sticking with a May 1 deadline.

Larry Gordon

March 27, 2020

Coronavirus crisis spurs high school seniors’ anxieties about college plans

The health crisis has high school seniors worried about college enrollment deadlines. Other concerns rise about grades and financial aid. Colleges promise some flexibility.

Larry Gordon

March 18, 2020

UC Regents should consider impact of college admissions tests on public schools

UC admissions requirements should align closely with California's K-12 curriculum standards.

Michael Kirst and Saul Geiser

February 11, 2020

College costs, teacher shortage still top concerns in poll of California voters

Annual PACE/USC Rossier poll also finds support for increasing teacher pay, requiring ethnic studies and taking action to prevent gun violence.

John Fensterwald

December 19, 2019

College admissions tests are a poor indicator of college readiness

Removing tests from admissions process would allow UC to recruit and educate California’s best and brightest from all backgrounds.

Mo Hyman

December 10, 2019

Lawsuits seek to end University of California's SAT or ACT test requirement for freshman admission

Lawsuits challenge freshman admissions process for the University of California which requires students to take the SAT or ACT standardized test

Larry Gordon

October 24, 2019

How to make room for 100,000 more college students in California without major construction

The Central Valley and Inland Empire especially need to accommodate more students, a report finds.

Larry Gordon

September 13, 2019

Push for tougher laws wanes following California admissions scandal

Private colleges successfully pushed for a softer bill while another proposal bolsters admissions oversight at public campuses.

Larry Gordon

August 27, 2019

College Board revises plans for single “adversity score” as tool in admissions

In response to criticism, the College Board is reforming a new admissions tool meant to measure hardships that a freshman applicant faces.

Michael Burke

July 24, 2019

Opponents urge CSU to reject 4th year of high school math or related courses for admission

CSU expected to hear much criticism before trustees vote in November. Critics say the proposal will curtail college access.

Larry Gordon

July 3, 2019

Second chances for applicants shut out of crowded CSU campuses

A new CSU program offers freshmen and transfers a spot at nine campuses with room if they were rejected where they first applied.

Larry Gordon

May 1, 2019

Private California colleges win changes in scandal-related legislation

California private colleges continue to oppose a revised bill that seeks information on legacy admissions. They contend that a threatened Cal Grant loss will hurt low-income students.

Larry Gordon

March 28, 2019

California legislators seek reforms after college admissions scandal

Lawmakers say they want to level the admissions playing field. Sweeping proposals would add oversight to athletics admissions, ban legacy admissions and regulate private counselors.

Larry Gordon

March 28, 2019

College admissions scandal upsetting to California's low-income students

Some students wonder whether their college spots are taken by affluent cheaters. Most still believe hard work in high school will land them at a good college.

Larry Gordon