Early College Workshop:
College Information and Resources
General Information on who may attend college classes
In California, it is illegal for public colleges and universities to discriminate on the basis of age with regard to admissions. Here are the laws:
University of California — The University of California, in accordance with applicable federal and state law and University policy, prohibits discrimination, including harassment, on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, physical or mental disability, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic characteristics), ancestry, marital status, age, sexual orientation, citizenship, or status as a covered veteran. This nondiscrimination policy covers admission, access, and treatment in University programs and activities." From the UC Berkeley Extension page on Nondiscrimination Policy.
California Community Colleges — "Each community college district has primary responsibility to insure that its programs and activities are available to all persons without regard to ethnic group identification, national origin, religion, age, race, sex, color, sexual orientation, ancestry, or physical or mental disability, or to their association with a person or group with one or more of these actual or perceived characteristics. Therefore, each community college district shall investigate complaints of unlawful discrimination in its programs or activities, and seek to resolve those complaints in accordance with the provisions of [sections 59300 et seq.]." (Title 5, California Code of Regulations, section 59320.) See more here.
However, individual colleges may require evidence of what they consider a sufficient level of educational preparation for taking college courses. Without a high school diploma, students younger than age 18 may be required to show other evidence of adequate preparation.
Any California community college will accept the California High School Proficiency Exam (CHSPE) as the equivalent of a high school diploma and therefore adequate preparation for attendance, regardless of age. The CHSPE consists of two sections: an English-language Arts section and a Mathematics section. If a student passes both sections of the CHSPE, the California State Board of Education will award a Certificate of Proficiency, which by state law is equivalent to a high school diploma. However, the University of California and other 4-year colleges also require that subject matter and exam requirements be met by most people (admission by exam and exception are also possible).
Following is information about other early college attendance options at selected colleges in the Bay Area and some in Southern California.
City College of San Francisco — CCSF offers concurrent enrollment for high school students who have completed at least 120 high school credits (equivalent of 10th grade). The parent/legal guardian of a home schooled student must verify in writing the academic standing of his/her daughter or son. A written verification in the form of an academic transcript is required. Concurrently enrolled high school and homeschooled students are authorized to enroll in a maximum of 3 semester units at a time. Note, this information is not available online but if you ask at the Registrar they have a printed information packet. Admissions Policy | Admissions & Records
Berkeley City College - part of the Peralta Community College District, which also includes College of Alameda, Laney College (Oakland), and Merritt College (Oakland). Offers High School Student Concurrent Enrollment which is "specifically designed to accelerate the academic career of K-12 students" and includes "high school and pre-high school students" who may enroll as "special part-time students." Such students may enroll in more than 6 units with the approval of the VP for Student Services. A transcript is recommended, but not required. More Information
UC Berkeley - All of UC Berkeley's Admissions Publications are available online, as well as its catalog of courses.
UC Berkeley Extension - Acting Dean Diana Wu tells us that UC Berkeley Extension has no age restriction on its courses, except for the Travel with Scholars program.
Skyline College - part of the San Mateo County Community College District (SMCCD), which also includes College of San Mateo and Cañada College (which have the same policies). Students who have completed their sophomore years may apply for concurrent enrollment. Admission of high school freshmen and sophomores may be considered for concurrent enrollment with the approval of the principal or designee indicating why an exception should be made. Concurrent Enrollment students are enrolled on a space available basis. A high school transcript should be submitted with application. [R-4] Homeschooled students must attach a current and complete private school affidavit form with confirmation number. Application for Admission
College of San Mateo - See Skyline College, above.
Cañada College - See Skyline College, above.
Foothill College - Students who have completed the tenth grade may take classes with permission from a parent/guardian and high school principal. Permission form required; transcript not required. For more information, the Foothill College Outreach Office may be reached at (650) 949-7423. Application & Registration
De Anza College - Offers a Concurrent Enrollment program for students who have completed tenth grade. Students may take up to 11 hours at a time. De Anza offers an Outreach Program to learn more about the college.
West Valley College - There is a Concurrent Enrollment program for students who are at least 16 years of age and who have completed the tenth grade. Such students must apply in person each semester by turning in an application and concurrent enrollment form signed by their high school principal or counselor. Students grade K - 10 and students under 16 years of age are not eligible to participate in the Concurrent Enrollment Program. [However, we note this article in The Chronicle of Higher Education, which states that current Stanford student Julie Boiko began attending West Valley College at age 13.] Admissions & Records
San Jose City College - High school students under the age of 18 must be attending high school part-time and have an Attendance Approval form for Special Part-Time High School students (R-40) completed and filed in the Admissions & Records Office. Special part-time students may take up to 12 units at a time. A parent of a student under 18, not attending high school, or of a student who has not completed the 8th grade, may petition the Dean of Counseling for special admission as a part-time student. Forms (R-42) for this purpose are available in the Office of Admissions and Records. Admissions Guide
Mission College - part of the same community college district as West Valley College (see above). Like West Valley, Mission College states that students must be 16 years of age to be eligible for concurrent enrollment. Admissions & Records
San Jose State University - Offers a Step to College program for students at least 16 years of age or are in their junior or senior year of high school. They may take up to six units of university credit per semester. Admissions & Applications
Gavilan College - A student in 9th grade or above may enroll as either a special part-time student or a special summer session student for pre-collegiate courses (courses numbered 100-400) during the summer session or for advanced courses in the fall and spring semesters. A transcript is required. Students may enroll for a maximum of six units fall and spring semester, 4 units for summer. If home schooled [via R-4 private school], verification that the school is registered with the school district in which it operates is required.
Evergreen Valley College - High school students (9th grade and above) may enroll as a Special Part-Time Student in up to 11 units per semester with permission from their principal (R-40 form). Students under 18 who are not attending high school, are home schooled, or have not completed the 8th grade, may petition the Director of Admissions and Records for special admission as a part-time student. Forms (R-42) for this purpose are available in the Office of Admissions and Records. High School Admission
Pasadena City College - Their "Application Instructions" advise "K-12 students" that "If you wish to take classes at PCC, you must also complete the Recommendation for Admission of Selected Students form." This form includes the signature of the school principal recommending the student for work at PCC along with parents' consent. Students are allowed to take “advanced scholastic” or enrichment coursework, defined as (1) higher levels of math, language, or science that are not offered at the student’s school; fulfilling Pasadena City College general education requirements; college transferable courses; courses not available to the student from a school within his/her district. They also have "Fast Track," a program designed for students to begin attending Pasadena City College while still in high school (concurrent enrollment). Course Catalog.
UCLA Extension – offers many college credit courses. Their Web site includes descriptions of summer progams for high school students as well as 7th and 8th graders. However, for homeschoolers who are able to attend classes during the regular school year, an academic advisor there said that they do not have age restrictions on who can attend any of the classes in their program, or receive college credit for those classes. She said that "the only thing that matters is that they are able to do the work."
Early Entrance to Full-Time College Programs
The Early Entrance Foundation is a non-profit organization that assists profoundly gifted students who are ready for early college entrance by providing them with support, guidance, and counseling.
There are a number of colleges and universities around the U.S. that offer Early Entrance Programs specifically tailored for full-time attendance by younger-than-usual students, providing social and emotional support. See EarlyEntrance.org for a listing of these as well as other information about these programs in general.
The only full-time program of this kind in California is:
Cal State LA's Early Entry Program – program specifically designed for "extraordinarily gifted" young students to complete their college degrees in lieu of high school. Students begin full-time college as early as age 11. There is a thorough description of the program on their Web site.
There is also a Resident Honors Program at the University of Southern California for early full-time entrance by academically excellent high school students.
Articles and Information about Early College Attendance
"Tips for Parents: Some Thoughts about College Admission," by Wes Beach. From Davidson Institute for Talent Development's Young Scholars Seminar, 2006.
Davidson Institute's Resources for Early College Attendance, including their Guidebook for Investigating Early College Entrance
Research from the Robinson Center for Young Scholars at the University of Washington
Articles about early college attendance at Genius Denied, GT-Cybersource Library
"Home-Schooled Students Rise in Supply and Demand," article in The Chronicle of Higher Education, Oct. 12, 2007 (not specifically about younger or gifted students).
Books
Early Entrance to College: A Guide to Success, by Michelle C. Muratori
Online Course Resources (not for credit)
UC Berkeley videos of course lectures, YouTube
MIT's Open Courseware
Early College Workshop - Main Page
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