This parent/student guide describes recent changes in admissions policies at the University of California (UC). Traditionally, UC admitted the top 12.5% of high school graduating seniors, but beginning in 2001, the top 4% of students in the graduating class of every high school are eligible if they have completed 11 specific "a-f" courses by the end of the junior year. Under this program, "Eligibility in the Local Context," students are admitted to a specific campus, although not necessarily their campus of choice. With the entering class of 2003, a new policy will give students who rank between 4% and 12.5% at their high schools provisional admission to a UC campus after they attend a community college. This dual admissions policy gives students who have excelled academically in disadvantaged high schools a clear and affordable route to a UC degree. The guide defines the grades that count in determining eligibility, the grades and scores students will need, and expected further changes in admissions policies. Sources are given for further information. (SLD)