Agreement provides direct admission to college for high school seniors

Graduates from San Bernardino City Unified School District will now have greater access to a college education thanks to an agreement between the San Bernardino County Superintendent of Schools (SBCSS) and California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB).

Qualifying high school seniors will receive guaranteed admission to CSUSB, removing the initial application process for them.

The agreement, signed at CSUSB on Sept. 24, aims to increase the college-going rate in the region by guaranteeing admission to CSUSB when high school students meet the A-G admission and grade-point average requirements.

“Now with the direct admission program, the path to college is even clearer for students, knowing that we can be admitted without the stress and anxiety of the application process,” said Valerie Aparicio Maldonado, a senior from Cajon High School in the San Bernardino City Unified School District. “It removes so many barriers for students. It gives us confidence, it gives us hope, and it makes higher education feel possible and within reach.”

The memorandum of understanding (MOU) outlines the promise of the transformative agreement as a valuable mechanism for increasing the number and percentage of San Bernardino graduates qualifying for admission into CSUSB.

CSUSB will provide guaranteed admission for graduating seniors who meet the minimum California State University (CSU) requirements, have a grade point average of at least 2.5, complete the CSU’s A-G coursework, submit their applications during the priority application period during their senior year, and also assist students who choose to enroll at a community college first to enter the CSUSB Transfer Success Pathways Program, which provides them access to the university and resources needed prior to transferring to CSUSB.

The university will also develop a four-year degree plan for incoming San Bernardino County students to facilitate degree completion; provide materials and information about the university regarding enrollment; work with the county and districts to communicate the admissions guarantee to students, staff and community members; share first-year course expectations with teachers, counselors and administrators; assist and support students at CSUSB with structured programs to reduce the college dropout rate; and facilitate financial aid, scholarship and financial literacy workshops for students and parents. Additionally, CSUSB will provide SBCSS with regular reports on students’ degree progression and graduation by cohort.

For more information on the guaranteed admission agreement between CSUSB and SBCSS, contact the CSUSB Admissions Operation & Systems office at (909) 537-5188 or email
moreinfo@csusb.edu.