Fresno Unified School District, the third‑largest district in California, has recorded a steady rise in University of California (UC) admission rates, moving from 78% in 2021 to 82% in 2025. The improvement reflects a concerted effort by school counselors to make the college‑application process more accessible and supportive, rather than the recent removal of SAT/ACT requirements.
Proactive counseling drives results
At McLane High School, applications more than doubled in the past year, jumping from 45 to 104, while admissions rose from 33 to 80. Counselor Berenice Tapia attributes the surge to a series of workshops, individualized guidance, and a new “Rising Scholars” program that takes students on campus visits. “We provide application workshops, individual support and consistent communication throughout the college application process,” Tapia said.
Edison High School sees a similar story. Head counselor Marie Aguirre emphasizes early identification of students who meet the A‑G course requirements and regular check‑ins on applications, financial aid, and transition planning. She notes that the gap between high‑school graduation and college enrollment especially affects first‑generation students, prompting the district to invest more resources in that critical period.
Partnerships expand pathways
University partners have added guaranteed‑admission programs that further boost access. UC Merced’s Merced Automatic Admission Program, launched with Fresno Unified in 2025, created a direct pathway for local seniors. Vice Chancellor Scott Hagg said the program, combined with the removal of test scores, “provided greater access to students and applications went up.”
Fresno State’s “Bulldog Bound” initiative, started in 2023, reserves spots for qualifying freshmen and community‑college transfers. Interim director Jesse Farias notes that the program has helped low‑income and first‑generation families see college as a realistic option, with many students expressing newfound confidence as early as ninth grade.
Debate over testing resurfaces
Statewide, the UC system is reconsidering the SAT/ACT requirement that was dropped in 2020. More than 3,000 UC faculty have signed a letter urging a return to testing, arguing that standardized scores help gauge academic readiness. A handful of Republican state senators have introduced legislation to require the UC Board of Regents to reinstate the exams.
While some attribute the admission gains to the testing change, district counselors stress that hands‑on support remains the decisive factor. “Access to information and help during the process is what is critical to getting students started on pursuing a higher education,” said Farias.
Ongoing support needed
Both counselors and university officials agree that admission is only the first step. Tapia highlights continued assistance with budgeting, time management, syllabus navigation, and connecting with professors—especially for first‑generation students who may not know what they don’t know. Hagg and Farias echo these concerns, noting that transportation, healthcare, and affordability continue to pose barriers for many Valley families.
As Fresno Unified and its partner institutions refine outreach and support structures, the district’s upward trend offers a hopeful example of how local schools can empower students, strengthen families, and uphold the community’s commitment to education and opportunity.
Original reporting: Fresnoland — read the source article.
