College Application Process

University Of California/California State University Requirements  English CP or Higher4 Years  Math Algebra 1CP Higher3 Years (4 Years Recommended)  History/Social Science2 Years  Laboratory Science2 Years (3 Years Recommended, UC requires at least 2 of these 3 disciplines – Biology, Chemistry, Physics)  Foreign Language2 Years (3 years same language recommended)  Visual/Performing Arts1 Year

Some Essential Resources

Some First Steps  Set up a professional account for all of your college applications, and check it regularly. It’s best to use your name.  Pick up an unofficial transcript from the office.  Prepare your teachers for your recommendation requests.  Use the same exact name on all college related correspondence.

Making Tentative Decisions  How many schools should I apply to?  Will I be comfortable there for four years?  How will I pay for this adventure?  What if I have no idea about a major?  But my friend’s sister, whose brother-in-law works at UC Santa Somewhere says…  Editorial comment: Don’t simply go to college to earn a degree. Go to learn to think, to challenge yourselves and others, and to gain a broad based education.

College Options Choices:  Independent Schools  Schools Outside California  University of California  California State University  Community Colleges

Private and Independent Schools  Costs for private and independent schools are greater than the public schools, but the gap has been closing recently.  Scholarships and financial aid may be more available for many private schools.  You may apply to private schools through their own websites or via the Common Application.  You will need to submit a counselor’s form (Secondary School Report), and one to two teacher recommendations for most private schools.  You will need to complete a transcript request for each private school to which you apply.  Most private schools require one or more personal statements.  Deadlines for private schools vary. Please be sure to check websites for information.  Notification of admission can also vary among private schools, as well as the method of delivery.  Testing requirements vary, as well. Your counselor can help you!

The Common Application  Many private and independent colleges accept the Common Application (  If you use the Common App, be sure to check for supplements that my be required for individual schools.

Public Schools Outside California  How difficult are they to get into?  What are their subject and testing requirements?  What about out-of-state costs?  What do their applications look like?  When are their deadlines?  When will I know about admission?

The University of California  Look now at  You may apply to all nine campuses with one application  You can download the application now, but you can’t submit it until November  They require two essays and an activities page, but no recommendations.  You must submit either the SAT Reasoning or the ACT with Writing. The SAT Subject Tests are no longer required, but they will help.  Scholarship applications are imbedded in the application for admission.  You will not submit transcripts to the UC until requested.

The California State University  Twenty-three campuses  You may apply immediately and until November 30 at  No essays, no recommendations, no activities list (Cal Poly SLO has a brief activities page)  You must submit the SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT. Writing scores are not considered.  Apply to each separately, but you won’t need to fill in new data each time except for the first page  Subject requirements for the UC and CSU are the same except for science: UC requires chemistry, while the CSU will accept Geosciences.

Community Colleges  Strong system in California that can lead to university transfer  Orientation, application, and registration will take place in the spring  Become familiar with the IGETC and  Community colleges are a terrific place to begin your education for any number of reasons  The Transfer Admissions Guarantee is offered by most UC and CSU campuses

The Application  Transcript: unofficial and official  Essay  Testing Requirements: SAT and ACT  Letters of Recommendation  Early Decision / Early Action  Deadlines are critical UC/CSU November 30 UC/CSU November 30 Don’t wait until then, submit it early. Don’t wait until then, submit it early.

Essay  You should be the STAR of the essay!  Answer the question and be specific.  Convey and prove it with examples.  Assign meaning and growth to the experience. What did you learn and how did it shape you?  What ACTION did you take?  Show that you took INITIATIVE.

Testing Requirements What do I need?  SAT test and/or ACT test  SAT Subject tests are not required, but will help  All test scores must be reported by the testing agencies ( or  You may send SAT history to all UC campuses simply by indicating one campus code  You may send SAT history to all CSU campuses by indicating CSUMentor as the recipient. Use code #3594.  You may also send your ACT scores to the CSU system using the ACT Scores Manager

Testing Requirements Continued  CSU: Early Assessment Program (EAP) Measures readiness for college level English and math (It is not an admission test. It just determines if the student needs remedial English or math.) Measures readiness for college level English and math (It is not an admission test. It just determines if the student needs remedial English or math.) English Placement Test (EPT) English Placement Test (EPT) SAT: 500, ACT: 22, STAR: Exempt or ReadySAT: 500, ACT: 22, STAR: Exempt or Ready Entry Level Math (ELM) Entry Level Math (ELM) SAT: 550 ACT: 23, STAR: Exempt or ReadySAT: 550 ACT: 23, STAR: Exempt or Ready

Letters of Recommendation  Ask your letter writers well in advance – give at least two weeks.  Fill out and return the student Letter of Recommendation questionnaire and Parent Questionnaire posted on our website.  Be appreciative. Write a thank you note.

Early Admissions Programs Early Decision / Early Action  Earlier application and earlier notification  Early Decision (Binding) – a promise to attend. If you renege, other schools honor the early decision, so it is unlikely that another school will accept you.  Early Action (Non Binding) – benefit of early notification without the obligations of early decision.

What To Do Now?  Begin your applications. Use an unofficial transcript to complete your coursework. Read the application, including the instructions and video!  Work on your essays for the UC and private schools. Share your essays with good readers for feedback.  Re-take the SAT/ACT up until December.  Request letters of recommendations, if needed.

Naviance  Be sure to list all of your schools that you are applying to, whether or not they are on the Common Application.  Be sure to complete the FERPA waiver so that your recommenders can submit your information online.

Dates and Deadlines  Oct. 1 – Nov. 30: CSU Filing Period  Nov. 1 – Nov. 30: UC Filing Period  Nov. – Jan. – Regular deadlines for many private and out of state public schools  Mid Year Reports: after semester 1  January 1 – March 2: File the FAFSA  March – April: Acceptance Notifications  May 1: Statements of Intent to Register

The Waiting Game  When will I know? Most admissions decisions are made in the spring, usually by April. However some schools will let you know more quickly.  What should I do in the meantime? Continue to explore and form a preliminary priority list, so your final decisions won’t be rushed. Start focusing on financial aid.

Financial Aid  FAFSA – Free Application for Federal Student Aid.  A little bit like doing taxes.  May not be filed until after January 1 the year your student begins college.

How Does It Work?  FAFSA determines Estimated Family Contribution (EFC).  Institution Creates Financial Aid Package based on that EFC.  Three Types of Financial Aid Grant and Scholarship = Free Grant and Scholarship = Free Loan – Federal or Institutional = Pay Back Loan – Federal or Institutional = Pay Back Work Study = Job on Campus Work Study = Job on Campus

Examples of Calculations SchoolCSUNUCLA Cal Lutheran Harvard Estimated Cost (FAFSA) $22,965$29,771$46,192$56,750 Your EFC? $5,000$5,000$5,000$5,000 Your Financial Need $17,965$24,771$41,192$51,750

Questions that need Answers  Does School meet 100% of need?  Does the School Gap Students?  Average Student Loan $30,000+

Good Luck!