CSUCI will offer guaranteed admission to select local graduates

Getting into college in Ventura County just got a little easier.

Starting next school year, CSU Channel Islands will begin offering guaranteed admission to high school seniors graduating from select Ventura County school districts, provided they meet basic academic criteria.

University leaders say the program will open college as an option to more students while increasing CSUCI’s enrollment, which has declined in recent years.

The Fillmore Unified, Santa Paula Unified, Oak Park and Oxnard Union High school districts have already approved memorandums of understanding with the university to be part of the program. Roxana Tunc, CSUCI admissions director, said Ojai Unified and Simi Valley Unified are in conversations about their own agreements. The same is true for Moorpark Unified and Conejo Valley Unified, according to statements from each district. Ventura Unified Assistant Superintendent Greg Bayless said in a statement that the district is still evaluating the program and corresponding agreement.

Fillmore Unified Superintendent Christine Schieferle said in a statement that the district’s agreement confirms to students that CSUCI believes in them.

“This makes college a reality for our students before they graduate from high school,” she wrote.

Tunc said the university serves a large population of first-generation students who might be hesitant to apply to college. With guaranteed admission, Tunc said, the university hopes to relieve that pressure.