Lately, it seems that the big hype for AP seniors on campus subsists around the Eligibility in the Local Context, in other words the (ELC) program. So, what exactly is the ELC? The ELC program recognizes a total of 66 students' individual accomplishments in view of the opportunities offered by their particular high schools.

The UC system then narrows the 66 students down to a mere 22 academically commended students of each high school. If a student ranks in the top 4 percent of students of a high school's graduating class as determined by UC, and the high school takes part in the program, only then can a student can become UC eligible through the ELC program.

ELC is one of three paths to freshman eligibility for the University of California, along with Eligibility in the Statewide Context and Eligibility by Examination Alone. The ELC program increases the pool of eligible students periodically and was designed to return UC to the guidelines set by the California Master Plan for Higher Education. These principles require:

* That the top 12.5% of public high school graduates meet the UC eligibility criteria.

* The ELC program gives UC a presence in each California high school and serves to stimulate a college-motivated culture at those schools that typically do not send many graduates to the University.

* The ELC program recognizes and rewards individual academic accomplishments in the context of the student's high school and the opportunities available to the student.

To be qualified for ELC, a student must complete the equivalent of 11 yearlong courses of the Subject Requirement by the end of junior year. With the support of each participating high school, the University will distinguish the top 4 percent of students on the foundation of GPA in UC accepted coursework completed in the 10th and 11th grades.

The ELC requirements include a GPA greater than or equal to a 3.0 and must have 11 yearlong courses including: 1 year-History/Social Science, 3 years-English, 1 year-Laboratory Science, 3 years-VPA or Electives

If a student is UC eligible through ELC, the University will notifies the student beginning their senior year. The student must then apply to UC in November and complete remaining eligibility requirements-including the SAT/ACT and Application requirements -to be considered fully eligible. ELC students who complete these requirements are guaranteed a spot at five of the nine UC's undergraduate campuses which include UC Davis, UC Merced, UC Riverside, and UC Santa Barbara. The ELC program does not ensure acceptance into all nine UC’s, nor does it include any scholarship endorsements.