Navigating Change: CFHS Counselors Prepare Students for New U of A Admissions Landscape

The CFHS counseling team:

Back row (l-r): Chris Hsieh, Dana Michaels, Lyanne Glasner

Front row (l-r): Kat Graham, Randie Collier (department chair), Robin Larson, Lori Leary

While news reports highlight families surprised by changes to the University of Arizona's admissions policies, Catalina Foothills High School seniors entered the process well prepared, thanks to proactive guidance from our outstanding counseling team.
The results speak for themselves: 52% of CFHS seniors applied to the University of Arizona through early action, and 88% were admitted. Even more impressive, 90% of admitted students received merit awards averaging $5,873 per year. Those who earned the highest awards ($12,000+) had completed an average of 10 Honors/AP courses.

Understanding the New Landscape
The University of Arizona recently restructured its enrollment strategy to prioritize Arizona students while ensuring admitted students have the support they need to progress, graduate, and pursue lifelong opportunities. The changes introduced clearer and, in some cases, more rigorous requirements.
For Arizona resident incoming first-year students under 22 years of age, the university now requires:

• 4 years of English
• 4 years of mathematics
• 3 years of lab science
• 2 years of the same second language
• 2 years of social sciences (including 1 year of American history)
• 1 year of fine arts or career and technical education (CTE)

Students must maintain an unweighted overall GPA of 2.0 on a 4.0 scale in each subject area and may not have more than two deficiencies. Critically, they cannot have deficiencies in both math and laboratory science or in the same subject area.

Guaranteed Admission—With Conditions
Arizona students can earn guaranteed admission if they attend a regionally accredited high school and earn an unweighted GPA of 3.0 or higher in their core coursework, with no more than two deficiencies as outlined above. However, and this is where confusion has arisen for some families, having a 3.0 GPA alone does not guarantee admission if a student has deficiencies in required coursework.
As a University of Arizona spokesperson explained, "Our enrollment process has been designed carefully and intentionally so that every student has a fully comprehensive review that takes into account all materials that a student submits, not simply the GPA."

The CFHS Advantage: Higher Standards from Day One
CFHS graduation requirements exceed the University of Arizona's admissions standards, ensuring our students are not only eligible for admission but also exceptionally well prepared for college success.
To receive a diploma from Catalina Foothills School District, students must complete 24 credits:

Discipline	Required Courses	Credits
English	English 9, 10, 11, and 12	4.0
Math	Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2, and additional post-Algebra 2 math	4.0
Science	Biology, Chemistry, and Physics (or physics-based course: Field Science, Astronomy, or Applications of Biotech); OR Biology, Physical Science, Earth and Space Science	3.0
Social Studies	World History, U.S. History, AP Psychology OR Perspectives on Modern History, American Law & Justice, Government (.5), and Economics (.5)	4.0
World Languages	Spanish or Chinese (or two credits of other approved language)	2.0
Fine Arts or CTE	Varies	1.0
Kinetic Wellness	.5 Health, .5 PE Group Fitness, .5 PE Individual Fitness	1.5
Electives	Student choice	4.5
TOTAL		24.0

While U of A requires three years of lab science, CFHS requires all students to complete Biology, Chemistry, and Physics (or an equivalent physics-based course). While U of A requires two years of social studies, CFHS requires four years, including government, economics, and additional history coursework. CFHS also requires four years of math, including a college preparatory math class after completing Algebra 2.
These higher standards mean CFHS students don't just meet minimum college admissions requirements; they exceed them, arriving on campus prepared for rigorous college coursework and competitive academic programs.

Preparation and Communication
Our counselors ensured that CFHS students and families understood both CFHS graduation requirements and evolving university admissions standards well before application deadlines. By closely monitoring coursework, identifying potential deficiencies early, and helping students build strong applications that went beyond GPA, counselors positioned CFHS seniors for success in what the university describes as "the most competitive academic pool of applicants that we've ever had."
The 97% acceptance or deferral rate for CFHS early action applicants, combined with the exceptional merit award achievement, demonstrates that preparation matters. When students understand requirements, complete appropriate coursework that exceeds minimum standards, and submit comprehensive applications, they succeed even in increasingly competitive admissions environments.

Looking Ahead
Recent news coverage has highlighted families feeling blindsided by U of A's admission changes, with some students who expected guaranteed admission based solely on a 3.0 GPA receiving denials due to course deficiencies or competitive program requirements.
These stories underscore the importance of early, accurate college counseling and rigorous academic preparation, exactly what CFHS provides. By maintaining graduation requirements that exceed university admissions standards and providing expert guidance throughout the college application process, CFHS ensures students are positioned for success at Arizona's public universities and beyond.
The University of Arizona remains committed to Arizona students, offering multiple pathways to a degree and emphasizing support for student success and graduation with minimal debt. For CFHS seniors, that commitment, combined with exceptional preparation, has resulted in outstanding outcomes.
Congratulations to the CFHS Class of 2026 on their excellent admissions results and to our counseling team for guiding students so effectively through a changing admissions landscape.