COLLEGE APPLICATION DATES
Do's & Don'ts
- Be 100% honest, colleges do verify everything and will "cancel" your admittance if they discover discrepancies, if you don't complete classes you've listed on the application, or if your grades drop dramatically in the final semester.
- All classes taken should be listed on the "self-report" portion of the application, even those that were repeated later.
- Report all required test scores. Also list any upcoming test dates you have scheduled, even if you don't have a score. Read the "DO'S & DON'TS FOR ONLINE APPLICANTS" section below.
- Contact all campuses you applied to immediately if:
- You receive a D or F in your senior year.
- There are any changes to the reported classes for your senior year.
- You have a change of address, phone number or e-mail address.
CRITICAL ISSUES
- Continue to focus on academics! Grades count during your senior year.
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Pay attention to the deadlines for all applications (admissions, housing, financial aid, scholarships etc...)
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If you have not sent your SAT and/or ACT scores to the colleges you're applying to - send them now (if required)!
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Visit the SAT and ACT websites for sending scores to colleges.
THE UC/CSU APPLICATIONS PROCESS
UC/CSU Admissions
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Both the UC & CSU systems require that students submit applications via their online application. For your convenience, these websites have been hyperlinked under the "Online Applications Links" section below.
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Neither system requires transcripts at the time of application. However, as part of an augmented or supplemental review, some students may receive special requests from a particular UC or CSU campus to submit a transcript - but this is the exception. If a student ultimately decides to attend a UC or CSU campus - it is only that individual school that they will need to send a transcript. Furthermore, unless requested otherwise, it will likely only need to be a final transcript. A final transcript includes all four years of high school work, plus verification that the High School diploma has been earned.
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For AP scores: students are responsible for submitting a request for their scores to be sent to specific colleges/universities through MyAP.
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Neither the UC or CSU systems require Letters of Recommendation (except UC Berkeley), Secondary School Reports, Counselor Reports, or Mid-Year Reports. If you try to send them recommendations or other supplementary information not asked for by the UC/CSU system - they will be shredded!
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The UC system requires four essays based on the personal insight questions.
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The CSU system does not require an essay.
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October 1st to November 30th is the window for submitting applications to both the UC & CSU.
The UC online application:
http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/
The CSU online application:
http://www.csumentor.edu/AdmissionApp/
APPLICATION PROCESS AT PRIVATE, INDEPENDENT & OUT-OF-STATE COLLEGES
Private & Independent colleges differ from the UC & CSU's significantly in their admissions application processes. Generally speaking, they will have the same subject requirements as the UC/CSU's "a-g" subject pattern. However, students should check the home website of the college in question to be certain. Please note, for most private, independent and out-of-state colleges:
Students must download all application materials from either the home website of the school they are applying to, or from one of the online application services listed below. Most Private/Independent & Out-of-State colleges will require essays. Most Private/Independent & Out-of-State colleges will require transcripts at the time of application. Most will also want "mid-year" transcript updates after the fall semester senior grades have posted!
Most Private/Independent & Out-of-State colleges will require a form to be completed by the Counseling Office. These forms are called a variety of names (i.e. Secondary School Reports, School Reports, Counselor Reports, Counselor Evaluation, etc...) Student must download these forms and give them to their Counselor with the Request for Letter of Recommendation form and stamped envelopes no less than 3 weeks prior to their deadlines!
As with the UC's & CSU's students must arrange to have their SAT and/or ACT scores sent to them directly from the College Board or American College Testing Inc.
Early Action/Decision. Application deadlines vary from as early as October 1st (for Early Action/Decision programs) to as late as February for some schools. However, most "Regular Admission" deadlines, will be somewhere between December 1st and January 15th. Click here for more information about the Early Action/Decision Application process. For more info, go to www.collegeboard.com/parents/apply/college-applications/21342.html
Financial Aid. Many Private Schools require financial aid information in the form of a "CSS/Financial Aid Profile." Go to the "Financial Aid" page to get more information on this profile. Click here for more information about the CSS/Financial Aid Profile
Recommendations. Most Private/Independent & Out-of-State colleges will require letters of recommendations. Follow this link for more information about the protocol for requesting Letters of Recommendation.
Private Colleges. Click here for more information about admissions at Private & Independent Colleges.
Transcripts. As mentioned above most Private/Independent & Out-of-State colleges will require transcripts. Follow this link for information about protocol regarding Transcript Requests.
DO'S & DON'TS FOR ONLINE APPLICANTS
Do… create a user name and password that you'll remember easily.
Record it and keep it in a safe place. If you forget your user name, you'll have to start a new application.
Do... disable pop-up blockers in order to view the part of the application that display in pop-up windows.
Do... check your e-mail service's spam or junk mail settings.
Make sure that you have set your e-mail service so that it will not block e-mail from the colleges you are applying to!
Don't... use an overly cute or suggestive e-mail name.
You want them to think of you as being intelligent and mature!
Do… follow directions and complete all steps.
On each page and in every pop-up, scroll to the bottom to avoid missing any information.
Don't… forget to save your work.
You usually have no more than 30 minutes per page before you'll be timed out. Whenever you save an entry or move to a new page, your work is automatically stored, but if you plan to leave your application for any length of time — to go grab a snack or answer the phone — use the save/logout feature to store your application, then log back in.
Don't… compose your personal statement online.
Take time to compose it and then copy and paste it into the appropriate boxes in the online application. Your personal statement must be original and genuine.
Do... print out copies of your personal statement to cross-check your work and request feedback from your counselor and/or an instructor.
Do... carefully review the summary page.
Look for any instance where it says, "no information added," and if you didn't intend to leave that area blank, click "modify" to return to the step where you can fill it in.
Don't... be afraid to ask for help.
If you have technical difficulties, don't be afraid to ask the "Help Desk," "Technical Support," or "Contact" links.
Do... click "Submit Application" when you've finished.
Your application won't be sent to the University until you do.
Do... print out your receipt and keep it so you will have a record of your application ID number and a complete summary of your application.
ONLINE COLLEGE APPLICATION LINKS
Common Application is accepted by 255 independent colleges and universities. Many schools accept it as the sole application document, while others may still require a supplemental form of their own to complete the application process. The concept is simple: Students complete one Common Application form, photocopy it, and send the form to any of the participating colleges. To order a Common Application you may call 1-(866)647-7253. or download and print it directly from the internet at: http://www.commonapp.org
The (CSU) California State Universitysystem has established a system wide homepage that provides hotlinks to all CSU campus home pages. School comparisons by region, SAT/ACT scores, major, and GPA are available. CSU applications are also be submitted through this site! You must disable your "pop-up" blocker to use the application feature. It can be accessed at: http://www.csumentor.edu
The (UC) University of California system has established the following web site for all electronic application/admission information for the UC system on the Internet. Contains links to all UC campus websites, High School "a-g" lists as well as Junior College Transfer Agreements. You must disable your "pop-up" blocker to use the application feature. It can be accessed at: http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/
CCC Online Application Center gives students one place to begin the application process to any California Community College. It can be accessed at: https://home.cccapply.org/en/
AICCU (Association of Independent CA Colleges and Universities) offers total access to information and admissions applications for degree granting independent colleges and universities within California. The student is responsible for the standard fee charged by a college or university upon submitting an application for admission, but otherwise, Mentor™ systems are provided free of charge. https://aiccu.edu/