1. College Night Presentation

2. University Of California/California State University Requirements
English CP or Higher Years
Math Algebra 1CP Higher 3 Years
(4 Years Recommended)
History/Social Science Years
Laboratory Science Years
(3 Years Recommended, UC requires at least 2 of these 3 disciplines – Biology, Chemistry, Physics)
Foreign Language Years
(3 years same language recommended)
Visual/Performing Arts Year
SAT Reasoning Exam or ACT with Writing

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

4. The University of California
Look now at
You may apply to all nine campuses with one application.
UC eligible students who apply to four or more campuses are
admitted at an 86% rate. Apply broadly!
The UC does not have any early action programs.
Application opens August 1, but you can’t submit until
November 1-30.
They have personal insight questions, but no letters of
recommendations. (Berkeley may ask for a letter)
You must submit either the SAT with Essay or the ACT with Writing.
The SAT Subject Tests are optional, but may be recommended for some majors at some campuses.
Scholarship applications are imbedded in the application for
admission.
You will not submit transcripts to the UC until requested.

6. The California State University
Twenty-three campuses
You may apply October 1st until November 30 at
Only Cal Poly SLO has an early action program
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 school 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 some of the CSU will accept Geosciences
CSU schools that are not impacted: Bakersfield, Channel Islands, Dominguez Hills, East Bay, Maritime, and Stanislaus

8. 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.
For most private schools, you will need a letter of recommendation from your counselor and one – two teachers.
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 may vary, as well. Check the school websites.

9. 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 may be required for individual schools.

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

12. Community Colleges Strong system in California that can lead to
university transfer, 110 Schools
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

14. Applying to Colleges 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 and learn to problem solve, to look at life from another perspective, and to gain skills that will lend themselves to your success in any field you choose.

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

16. Some First Steps Use a professional email account for all of
your college applications, and check it
regularly.
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

17. Essay or Personal Insight Questions
You should be the STAR of the essay.
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.
Show persistence, passion, and/or resilience.

18. UC Personal Statement
Complete 4 of 8 personal insight questions with 350 words for each response
Not an essay – no classic structure
Your interview with the UC in your voice
If you had a five minute conversation with the UC, what would you want them to know?
Write it separately, then copy & paste it in

19. UC Personal Insight Questions
Provides clarity, richness, and meaning to the application
The UC is seeking to learn the context for the student’s home, school, and community
How well have you done in the context of your environment?

20. Personal Insight Questions
Avoid:
using a title or repeating the prompt
acronyms
quotes/dialogue
creative writing
story telling or scene setting
repetition
asking a rhetorical question
inappropriate humor

21. Testing Requirements What do I need?
SAT test with essagy and/or ACT test with writing
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.
December is the last test date that most schools will accept (SDSU, CSUSLO, and SJSU - Nov SAT)

22. The New SAT Better reflect classroom learning.
More relevant with less obscure vocabulary
Focus on the math that matters most - Algebra
Eliminate the guessing penalty
Free test practice from Khan Academy -
Back to 1600 points – essay optional, but I recommend that you do the essay

23. 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.)
English Placement Test (EPT)
SAT: 500, ACT: 22, CAASPP: Standard Exceeded
Entry Level Math (ELM)
SAT: 550 ACT: 23, CAASPP: Standard Exceeded

24. 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.

25. 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.

26. 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.

27. 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.

28. 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
October 1 – March 2: File the FAFSA
March – April: Acceptance Notifications
May 1: Statements of Intent to Register

29. 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.

30. Financial Aid FAFSA – Free Application For Federal Financial Aid.
A little bit like doing taxes.
FAFSA may be submitted starting Oct. 1, 2016.
2015 taxes can be used

31. 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
Loan – Federal or Institutional = Pay Back
Work Study = Job on Campus

32. Examples of Calculations
School
CSUN
CSUCI
UCLA
Cal Lutheran
Harvard
Estimated Cost (FAFSA)
$25,500
$31,700
$51,195
$54,946
Your EFC?
$5,000
Your Financial Need
$20,500
$26,700
$46,195
$49,946

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

34. Final Thoughts… Good Luck!