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College and Career Advising

Counseling is available for students to explore resources and services related to college planning and career exploration.  It is our goal to provide the guidance needed to help students make informed decisions about their future.

Counseling Team
Ms. Silva s3silva@ucsd.edu Students with the last name A- Garcia G
Ms. Cobbs acobbs@ucsd.edu Students with the last name H-S.Nguyen
Ms. Patrick empatrick@ucsd.edu Students with the last name T.Nguyen -Z
Ms. Bandy sbandy@ucsd.edu

College and Workforce Coordinator, (Junior/Senior College and Career Advising, Work Permits, Concurrent Enrollment)

College Visits:  See the list of Colleges coming to The Preuss School at Naviance Family Connection.

SAT/ACT School Code: 051479

School Profile 2023-24

Academic Planning for Graduation

Preuss Graduation Requirements

Students must complete 270 credits in the following subject areas to qualify for The Preuss School UC San Diego High School diploma:

Subject Area Credits Required
- History/Social Science 30
- English 40
- Mathematics 30
- Laboratory Science 30
- Foreign Language 20
- Visual and Performing Arts 10
- Physical Education/EHS 20
- UCSD EAOP Senior Seminar 10
- Senior Exhibition/Wheel 10
- Electives 70
Total Credits to Graduate:  270

 

In addition to meeting all The Preuss High School UC San Diego graduation requirements, all students are required to complete an internship and research paper within their Senior Wheel course, a service learning project within their junior year, and present all three at a Senior Exhibition in order to receive a diploma.

College Admission Requirements

How does the University of California determine eligibility?

All California high school seniors who fulfill the following requirements will be entitled to a review of their application at each UC campus to which they apply.  They must:

  • Complete a minimum of 15 college-preparatory courses (a-g courses) with a letter grade of C or better, with at least 11 courses finished prior to the beginning of your last year of high school.
  • Maintain a GPA of 3.0 or better (weighted by honors/AP bonus points) in the “a-g” courses taken after ninth grade. You may use this tool to calculate your UC/CSU Eligibility GPA.

How does the California State University determine eligibility?

All California high school seniors who fulfill the following requirements will be entitled to a review of their application at each CSU campus to which they apply.  They must:

  • Complete a minimum of 15 college-preparatory courses (a-g courses) with a letter grade of C or better
  • Maintain a GPA of 2.5 or better (weighted by honors/AP bonus points) in the “a-g” courses taken after ninth grade. You may use this tool to calculate your UC/CSU Eligibility GPA.
  • A student earning a GPA between 2.00 and 2.49 may be evaluated for admission based upon supplemental factors including: Number of courses exceeding minimum “a-g” requirements, GPA in math and or science courses, Household income, or Extracurricular and leadership involvement.

How do private schools and community colleges determine eligibility?

  • Completion of the UC/CSU requirements (above) meets minimum course requirements of most private schools. Check with your specific colleges of interest for more information and for minimum GPA requirements. 
  • Successful graduation from Preuss will meet minimum eligibility requirements for community colleges.

UC/CSU A-G Courses

History/Social Science- 2 Years Required
  • One year of world history, cultures, or historical geography
  • One year of U.S. history or one semester of U.S. history and one semester of American government or civics
English - 4 Years Required
  • Four years of college preparatory English composition and literature
Mathematics - 3 Years Required, 4 Years Recommended
  • Three years of college-preparatory mathematics that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry. 
  • A geometry course or an integrated math course with a sufficient amount of geometry content must be completed. 
  • Approved integrated math courses may be used to fulfill part or all of this requirement, as may math courses taken in the seventh and eighth grades if the high school accepts them as equivalent to its own courses; also acceptable are courses that address the previously mentioned content areas and include or integrate probability, statistics or trigonometry. 
  • Courses intended for 11th and/or 12th grade levels may satisfy the required third year or recommended fourth year of the subject requirement if approved as an advanced math course.
Laboratory Science - 2 Years Required, 3 Years Recommended
  • Two years of college preparatory science providing fundamental knowledge in two of these three foundational subjects: biology, chemistry and physics. 
  • One year must be a biological science, and one year must be a physical science. 
  • Computer Science and Engineering courses may be used in area D as an additional science (i.e., third year and beyond).
Language Other Than English - 2 Years Required, 3 Years Recommended
  • Two years of the same language other than English are required. 
  • Courses should emphasize speaking and understanding, and include instruction in grammar, vocabulary, reading, composition and culture. 
  • American Sign Language and classical languages, such as Latin and Greek, are acceptable, as are Native American languages. 
  • Courses taken in the seventh and eighth grades may be used to fulfill part or all of this requirement if the high school accepts them as equivalent to its own courses.
Visual and Performing Arts - 1 Year Required
  • One yearlong course of visual and performing arts chosen from the following: dance, drama/theater, music or visual – or two one-semester courses from the same discipline. 
College Preparatory Elective - 1 Year Required
  • One year (two semesters) chosen from courses specific to the elective (G) subject area or courses beyond those used to satisfy the requirements of the A-F subjects.

 

Sample 7-Year Course Plan

Grade English History Math Science University Prep World Language Physical Eduaction Electives
6 Language Arts 6 Social Studies 6 Core Math 1 Advanced Science 6 University Prep 6 Literacy Enrichment EHS 6 Elective Wheel 6
7 Advanced English 7 World History & Geography 7 Core Math 2 Advanced Science 7 University Prep 7 Spanish or Literacy Enrichment EHS 7 Elective Wheel 7
8 Advanced English 8 US History & Geography 8 Integrated Math 1 Advanced Science 8 University Prep 8 Spanish Sports Academy  Elective Wheel 8, Orchestra, Tech or ASB
9 Advanced English 9 Ethnic Studies Integrated Math 2 Advanced Biology University Prep 9 Spanish EHS 9/10, JV Ath, or Ath Elective
10 Advanced English 10 AP African American Studies Integrated Math 3 Advanced Chemistry  University Prep 10 Spanish or Elective EHS 9/10, JV Ath, or Ath Elective
11 AP English Lang/Comp AP US History PreCalc Physics UCSD Junior EAOP Seminar Spanish or Elective JV/Athletics or Elective  Elective
12 AP Eng Lit/Comp AP US Gov and Politics Calc or Data Science AP Science or AP Psych UCSD Senior EAOP Seminar Spanish or Elective JV/Athletics or Elective  Senior Wheel 

Notes: 

  • Students must complete one year of visual and performing arts within their high school elective courses.
  • Students may have to repeat a course or attend summer school for earning a D/F grade in a core high school graduation course.
  • Per the charter of The Preuss School, students must complete Spanish through AP Spanish Language.
  • Students may be placed in literacy or math enrichment courses in lieu of electives, at the recommendation of teachers.

Resources and Websites

Naviance Family Connection

The Preuss School’s resource for college research and information for juniors & seniors and their parents - registration code required. Program helps students and parents keep track of college plans, applications and scholarships. Also provides test prep and career planning resources.

The Common Application

Online application accepted by over 300 colleges and universities.

University of California Application

On-line application for the University of California system (UC’s). Includes information about application requirements.

Cal State Apply

Website for the California State University system. Provides tools for exploring, planning and applying for admission to California State Universities (CSUs).

University of California EAOP Website

The University of California's largest academic preparation program, EAOP works directly with students at underserved schools to increase the number of students who have the opportunity to achieve a college education. This site provides resources regarding financial aid and applications for students and parents.

UC San Diego EAOP Website

Lists a number of helpful links for parents regarding financial aid, college applications and supporting students in college.

College Search Engines

Financial Aid and Scholarships

FAFSA

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid; which is required for all need-based financial aid programs.

CSS Profile

Financial aid application required by many private schools.

Planning Ahead: Applying for Awards, Grants, Scholarships and Financial Aid

A guide book filled with information regarding financial aid for college along with a listing of many different scholarships available to students.

Finaid

A comprehensive resource for all aspects of financial aid.

Fastweb

A free comprehensive scholarship search service.

San Diego County Office of Education

Listing of local scholarships available.

San Diego Foundation

Application and information regarding 75 different scholarships available to San Diego residents.

Scholarship Database

Free access to scholarship and grant database.

Web Grants for Students (WGS)
WGS will allow students to manage their Cal Grant and/or Chafee account(s) online.  Seniors should create an account no later than May of their senior year. 

Transcripts & Test Scores

The Office of the Registrar is responsible for academic records, degree audits, enrollment verifications, grading, student records, and transcript requests. 

If you need offiical transcripts or test scores sent to colleges or another prgainization please email the registrar at preussregistrar@ucsd.edu and include your:

  1. Full Legal Name 
  2. Date of Birth
  3. Current Grade Level
  4. Description of Request
  5. Phone Number

Processing time is 3-5 business days (Monday through Friday). You will receive an email when your request has been processed and ready for pick up. Forms will not be generated during holiday closures. Expect a week delay during the week grades are released. For more information, reference our Academic Calendar here

If you require expedited processing, please call Paty at (858) 822-2525.

Testing

SAT and SAT Subject Tests

The College Board; online registration for SAT Reasoning and Subject Test.

ACT

Online registration for the ACT test.

PSAT 8/9 and PSAT/NMSQT
8th-11th grade students will take the PSAT every year in October.  This is a practice exam for the real SAT. 

 

PSAT/SAT/ACT School Code: 051479

Athletics

NCAA

National Collegiate Athletic Association; provides information about sports and schools.

NCAA Eligibility

NCAA Eligibility Center; students must register, pay after and submit transcript and test scores to be eligible to play Division I or II sports in college.

Division III Site

Site devoted to Division III collegiate athletics and institutions.

Other Educational Resources

A-G Course List

The Education Conservancy

The Education Conservancy — a non-profit organization committed to improving college admission process for students, colleges and high schools.

Colleges That Change Lives

Colleges That Change Lives web site — "40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College"

National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC)