Undergraduate applicants are required to have completed a minimum level of preparation in six subject areas, called college academic distribution requirements (CADRs). Almost all applicants will have satisfied these requirements through high school course work, but it is possible to meet some of these requirements with college courses.

Choose a subject in the table below to learn more about the college academic distribution requirements (CADRs).

*Senior Year Math-Based Quantitative Course: During the senior year of high school, students must earn a credit in a math-based quantitative course. This requirement may be met through enrollment in one of the three required math courses listed; or by completing a math-based quantitative course like statistics, applied math, or appropriate career and technical courses; or by completing an algebra-based science course during the senior year.

Note: The senior-year math requirement does not mean a fourth credit of math is required, nor does it require a higher level of math; the intent is for seniors to take meaningful math.

Exception: Completion of higher-level math prior to the senior year exempts students from the senior-year quantitative course requirement (e.g., pre-calculus, math analysis, or calculus). 

**One credit must be an algebraic-based lab science.

Using college coursework to complete CADRs

Almost all applicants will have satisfied these requirements through high school course work, which is generally defined as that completed in grades 9-12. However, there are several ways to satisfy CADRs at the college level. In general, five quarter credits (or three semester credits) at the college level equals one credit of high-school study. If you completed a portion of these requirements in high school, you can pick up in college where you left off in high school. For example, if you completed three credits of English in high school, you can use one college English composition or literature course to bring your total to four credits.

Grading restrictions

To satisfy these requirements (except mathematics), a passing grade, including a 'D,' is acceptable in either high school or college work. Also acceptable is a grade of 'Pass' in a course taken on a 'Pass/Not Pass' basis. If you complete intermediate algebra at the college level, you must earn a 'C' (2.0) or better.

While 'Pass/Not Pass' is acceptable for most courses, if you are completing CADRs through college coursework, you are strongly encouraged to take courses for a letter/numerical grade. You may later want to apply these courses towards requirements for your major or university graduation requirements, for which 'Pass/Not Pass' grades are not accepted.