“Congratulations, you’ve been conditionally accepted into the University of La Verne.” Brent Baier, University of La Verne’s assistant director of admissions, conditionally admitted more than 70 Rancho Cucamonga High School students for ULV’s fall semester.

Rancho Cucamonga, CA – Applying to college can be a grueling process. Just ask Marley Dunford and Amy Lara, two Rancho Cucamonga High School seniors determined to attend four-year universities next fall.

“It’s been long and nerve-racking,” Amy said, just minutes before learning that she had been conditionally accepted to the University of La Verne through a partnership between ULV and the Chaffey Joint Union High School District.

Amy, who wants to study psychology, and Marley, who is considering biology as a major, were the first in line Tuesday to receive their on-the-spot admissions to the university, based on their high school transcripts and their scores on entrance exams such as the ACT and SAT. Brent Baier, ULV’s assistant director of admissions, is visiting high schools in the Chaffey District to sign up students for the fall semester.

On Monday, 12 students at Los Osos High School received their conditional acceptance. At Rancho Cucamonga High School, more than 70 students took advantage of the opportunity.

“I feel like I’m prepared for college, but not prepared at the same time,” Marley said. “This helps tremendously. La Verne is a great school, and it’s all very exciting.”

La Verne is among eight colleges and universities that offer Chaffey District students guaranteed enrollment if they meet mutually agreed-upon admission requirements. The others are California Baptist University, California State University San Bernardino, California State Polytechnic University Pomona, California State University Bakersfield, University of Redlands, Azusa Pacific University and Grand Canyon University.

In La Verne’s case, accepted students receive a minimum scholarship of $10,000 per year ($40,000 total) and a waiver of the formal application fee.

“Our guaranteed enrollment partnership are an important part of our commitment to ensuring that every student has a pathway to college and career,” said Dr. Mathew Holton, Superintendent of the Chaffey District. “The college application and admittance process can be daunting. This streamlines the process and opens up opportunities for more and more kids to pursue their dreams.”

The Chaffey District has emerged as a model throughout the region and statewide when it comes to providing college opportunities for its students. Since 2008, the percentage of District students passing the A-G coursework needed for admission into the Cal State or University of California systems has jumped from 24.6% to 63.6% last year – one of the highest rates of growth in California.

“We understand how big a priority this is for students and their parents, and our entire District team is focused on preparing students for life after high school,” Holton said.

About the Chaffey Joint Union High School District

With about 24,000 students, the Chaffey District is the second largest high school district in California. In addition to its eight comprehensive high schools, Chaffey has a continuation high school, an online high school, a community day school, an adult school and alternative programs.