Q & A

Q. I got a letter asking me to sign something to release information about my daughter for something called Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC). What is this, and should I sign it?

A. The purpose of the ELC program is to recognize and reward the academic accomplishment of high school seniors who have made the most of the opportunities available to them. In other words, the UC system wants to identify top students in each high school, so that students are evaluated based on their circumstances. In previous years, having an ELC designation would also guarantee admission into some UC’s such as UC Santa Barbara. Next year, it will probably only guarantee admission to UC Merced so unfortunately, the ELC designation has lost some of its benefit. However, yes, you should sign the release as this is a nice designation for UC applications.

Q. My son isn’t sure if he should take SAT Subject tests?

A. This answer is different for every student and it usually has a lot to do with the selectivity of the schools to which he is applying. However, at the WACAC conference this week, a representative from the UC Office of the President made it clear that while the Subject Tests are no longer required for admission to UC’s (starting this year), they may be recommended for some majors. Also, the official stated that an applicant “will not be at a disadvantage if he/she doesn’t take Subject Tests, but [Subject Tests] make the application more competitive.” Clear as mud! (Note: feel free to call us if you would like to discuss your child’s specific situation.)