California offers three systems of public higher education: University of California, California State University and California Community Colleges.

University of California

The 10-campus UC system is the most competitive to get into -- what educators call "highly selective." To qualify for enrollment, students must complete a number of specified classes in high school.

The program includes at least two years of history or social science, four years of English courses, three years of math, two years of laboratory science, two years of a foreign language and a year of visual and performing arts, and one year of college-prepartory electives.

But admissions officials recommend students take more than the minimum required coursework in some subjects in order to be optimally positioned for UC admission. Officials recommend four years of math, for instance, and three years of science courses.

Admission is granted to the top 12.5 percent of students in the state as ranked by grade-point average and scores on college admissions tests such as the SAT and ACT.

AP and honors courses count heavily in UC's application process, with grades in those courses giving extra "weight" to students' grade-point averages.

Enrollment in UC's overcrowded campuses is highly competitive -- and even completing the required coursework doesn't guarantee a student a spot at the UC campus of his or her choice.

Systemwide, the average GPA for students admitted to UC is 3.76. But at UCLA, one of the system's most competitive universities, the overall GPA of the 10,507 freshmen admitted to the campus next year is 4.24, including grades in honors and AP courses.

UC offers degrees from bachelor's to doctoral. Tuition is $4,017 annually for California residents, although UC's governing board likely will approve a tuition increase of as much as 24 percent in the coming weeks, bringing tuition and miscellaneous student fees to $5,082 annually.

UC serves more than 197,000 students throughout the state.

California State Universities

The 23-campus CSU system is what educators call a "broad-access institution." First-time freshmen must be in the upper one-third of their high school class, which requires the equivalent of a 3.0, B-average GPA.

To be eligible to attend a CSU, students also must complete the same program of courses required for admission to UC.

Like UC, many CSU campuses are overcrowded and competition is high to get into the most popular campuses, such as San Diego and Los Angeles. The average GPA of students admitted in fall 2001 was 3.27.

The system serves about 408,000 students and offers bachelor's and master's degrees. CSU students also can pursue doctoral degrees through partnerships with UC and private universities.

CSU tuition is $2,070 a year, but system trustees also are likely to approve a fee increase next month, which could raise fees by as much as 25 percent to $2,466.

Community colleges

California Community Colleges are the state's broadest access -- or least selective -- institution. They are often called two-year colleges because of the traditional length it takes students to achieve an associate degree, the only degree community colleges offer. There are no eligibility requirements to attend one of the 108 community colleges in the state.

Any high school graduate can attend a community college, regardless of courses taken, GPA or scores on placement tests. But a high school diploma isn't a requirement for admission. Anyone older than 18 "who can benefit from instruction" can enroll in a community college.

Students pay $11 per every unit they enroll in, with most classes counting for three or four units. That fee, however, also is likely to increase. The Legislature, which sets community college tuition, is considering a proposal that would raise fees to $18 per unit. A final vote is expected this summer.

Many academic courses at community colleges count as transferable units to four-year institutions. Many students will choose to attend a community college to complete their associate degree in general courses, then transfer into a four-year college to complete their bachelor's degree.

But community colleges also offer a variety of other programs for students who don't wish to pursue a bachelor's degree, including vocational courses, and personal enrichment courses open to the entire community.

More than 2.9 million students are enrolled in community colleges throughout the state.