The College Application Community College * Cal State University * University of California *
Community College Basic Application Process
Complete the online application and follow the instructions provided on the college website.
There is usually a placement exam in math and English required, at the campus.
Placement results will identify the level of math and English in which the student may enroll.
If student is enrolling as a high school student, obtain and complete the Special Admit form, obtain counselor or principal approval and signature, and bring to the college.
If applying after high school, adhere to the assigned college counselor date and class registration date. High School transcripts may be required.
Use the online course catalog to locate courses for which to register.
If in high school, up to 11 college units per semester may be used to complete high school requirements. High School counselor will need the college transcript.
Students can apply for financial aid now. The priority filing period for FAFSA and the California Dream Act Application ends March 2. Personal Insight Questions Guide: Click Here Application to the UC
Suggestions, Tips, and Common Mistakes (From the UC, directly) Before Beginning: Research each of the 9 colleges. Some are larger than others, and some have majors that others don't have; gather materials; apply to more than one; (only ONE application is needed, but select as many campuses as you want); ask counselor, teachers, family, and friends for advice and feedback; create an email that is NOT your high school email because you will create a portal for each college you apply to and you will need to check your email. After graduation, your high school email will be invalid.
Personal Insight Questions: Do not wait until the last minute. 1.) Do a quick run-through of the application. 2.) Edit it 2 weeks later 3.) Edit it again 2 weeks later 4.) Do not work on it or email the UC during Thanksgiving break (Advice from the UC)
Getting Started: Create a password that you can remember Application Navigation: Use internal navigational tools, not browser tools High School Transcript must have a spring Graduation Date on it Applicant Level/Residency/Citizenship: If in high school, select "Freshman"; (Do not select "transfer") If you have a social security number, you have to enter it. If you are not a citizen, select "No Selection"
Campus/Major Selection: Select as many campuses as you would like to apply for. (There is a fee to apply to each) Select the majors for the campuses you select The one application will be sent to all campuses that you select, so you only need to complete one application ** Read the information and follow instructions for supplemental applications (Beige box) You might be admitted to the UC, but not to your major of choice
Scholarship Section: When you apply, you will only see the scholarships available at each campus
About You Section: Fee Waiver Process: Choose the "Help" Button if you get stuck
Academic History: DO NOT DO THIS PART BY MEMORY Must be exactly as it will be on the transcript that your school submits. Ask for an unofficial transcript and complete this section using that. 7th and 8th grade courses: A-G Math and Foreign Language courses with a C or better, can count!! Write them on the application. Geometry is required. If you took it in 8th grade, make sure that is on your high school transcript for the course credit. These have to be reported on the application but it is not necessary to have your Jr. High transcript. If you took Algebra 2 in high school, that is verification that you took Algebra 1. List ALL high schools you have attended. If it was out of the area, be sure to include the city and state. Write the start date and the end date that you attended each school. UC looks at Grade 10 and 11 for GPA eligibility, including summer after grade 9 and summer after grade 11. If you need that course to boost your GPA, DO NOT take it in 12th grade. Take in the summer between 11th and 12th. If you only took a semester of a course, put "NO" for the 2nd semester. If the grade was a P/F, select "OTHER". Report all grades as they are on the transcript: If you have an A-F system, all courses have to be included. (Bad and Good-The UC will clean it up). If a course is not listed, type it in. PE is not an A-G course and should not be included as such. List 12th grade courses as "in progress" or "planned" If a college course is listed on your high school transcript, list it twice: Once for high school credit and once for college credit. Community College Courses are taken in place of AP courses.
Achievements Beyond Academics: Should show a dedication and commitment to something. It is good to demonstrate that you have a strength. Activities, Honors, and Awards-Show the level of achievement. In what context? How competitive was it? (1 out of 10 or 1 out of 10,000?) Non-A-G Coursework, such as leadership, religious organizations, Volunteer and Community Service AVID and Ed Prep courses Work Experience/Internships (Paid or unpaid) Extracurricular Activities-Show depth and the continued participation over time. DO NOT USE acronyms. SPELL these out. Explain the organization and explain your participation.
Test Scores: ACT or SAT w/writing Must be taken BY December of your senior year You can still take the SAT reasoning test (as of Sept 6, 2017) Send scores to just one campus-they will be shared by all that you apply to The SAT test is only required for some majors. Do not use "Score Choice". Only send scores to one campus. It will delay the process The UC does not mix and match scores. They take the highest comprehensive score from a single-sitting test. The writing portion needs to be taken on the same day as the rest of the exam AP and IB test scores: Request those be sent to the UC AFTER you accept the admission offer. Only send them ONE TIME and to ONE campus. BUT, put the scores on the application, because AP scores may fulfill subject deficiencies (A score of "2" on an AP exam is not held against you. A score of "5" earns college credit)