College Information and Preparation

TESTING TIPS FOR JUNIORS

With today’s ever-changing college admissions landscape, we thought it would be helpful to provide some guidance for university-bound juniors in regards to taking the SAT or ACT.

Click here for more information

COLLEGE NIGHT PRESENTATION

Spring 2024 Presentations

Preparing for College Applications (Part 1 Powerpoint) (Spring 2024)

Applying Broadly: More Important Than Ever Before (Part 2 Powerpoint with Recording) (Spring 2024): Featuring Independent Educational Consultant and Knowledge Worx 4 College founder Nagla Orlando who specializes in private school admissions. This amazing presentation explains how institutional priorities determine what is and isn't in your control and why it's more important than ever to consider schools beyond the CSU and UC.

Beyond the UC & CSU Systems: How Private and Out-of-State Universities Can Be a Better Financial and Personality Fit for California StudentsFeaturing Independent Educational Consultant and Knowledge Worx 4 College founder Nagla Orlando with special guest University of Oregon Northern California Representative Loretta Klosterman.

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITIES

All CSU applications will be available online October 1 - November 30.

Learn which California Universities are in the CSU system

CALIFORNIA COMMUNITY COLLEGES

California community colleges offer great and affordable opportunities for your future, including certificate and proficiency programs, associate degrees, and transfers to our bigger state universities, UC or CSU. Click on the link below for valuable search information throughout the california community college system. You can search by academic area, in depth, and/or geographical area. Explore links from the results!!

HERE

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

University of California applications are available online now with submission dates from November 1 through November 30. Click Here to go directly to the University of California Website. You'll be able to research all of the locations and gain information on admission requirements, majors, and answers to your questions about each campus. You will also be able to apply from this website.

COLLEGE APPLICATION GUIDANCE

College	SAT/ACT Scores	SAT Subject Test scores	Letter of Rec.	Personal Statement/Essay	Transcripts
California State University (CSU)	Test Blind- can send/report for college math/English placement	Test Blind	No	No	Not unless asked for and after graduation
University of California (UC)	Headed toward all campuses being Test Blind- all are Test Optional and some are Test Blind	Test Optional or Test Blind although headed to all being Test Blind	No	Yes	Not unless asked for and after graduation
Out of State	Almost all are Test Optional or Test Blind. Some are still requiring scores for merit aide	Check each campus, most are Test Optional or Test Blind	Usually, yes	Usually, yes	Yes-send with application. If on Common App, counselor will send for you
Private-Religious	Almost all are Test Optional or Test Blind. Some are still requiring scores for merit aide	Check each campus, most are Test Optional or Test Blind	Usually, yes	Usually, Yes	Yes-send with application. If on Common App, counselor will send for you
Common Application	Almost all are Test Optional or Test Blind. Some are still requiring scores for merit aide agency	Check each campus, most are Test Optional or Test Blind	Yes-usually 2 teacher and 1 counselor	Yes	Yes, sent by Counselor

SAT/ACT COVID FAQS

Applications for California State Universities are accepted online between October 1 and December 4th. More information

Applications for the University of California are accepted online between November 1-30.

University of California Link.

Contact your counselor to obtain a copy of your transcript and to discuss your plans.

All seniors will be invited and encouraged to participate in the application, assessment, and orientation for Cuesta Community College. More information will be available through your counselors and delivered to your senior classes. Typically the application process takes place at THS during the month of December.

UC PERSONAL INSIGHT QUESTIONS

Click on the file link... Personal Insight Questions, information and tips on writing this section of your UC application.

COLLEGE PREPARATION

THS provides its students with excellent opportunites to be more than eligible to gain acceptance to public, private, in and out of state 4yr colleges and universities. Students must complete their college preparatory courses with C's or better in order to remain eligible. A's and B's are highly recommended because colleges prefer applicants with 3.0 GPAs and above. Colleges also require college admission tests, prior to the application process. College entrance is becoming more competitive each year. Be prepared! Work hard! Focus on your studies! Start your college research early. Valuable links are at the bottom of this page.

SAT AND ACT EXAM INFORMATION

Testing in the time of COVID

SAT Reasoning and Subject Tests

ACT Exam

Minimum Requirements for UC and CSU

These requirements must be met in order to be eligible to attend a four- year college right after high school. Any student can attend a Community College for General Education units and then transfer as a junior to a four-year College/University.

4 Years of College Prep, Honors, or AP English
2 Years of Social Sciences, one year of World History and one year of US History OR a semester of US History and a semester of Civics
3 Years of College Prep Mathematics, including Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II (4 recommended)
2 Years of College Prep Lab Sciences, including 1 Life and 1 Physical (3 highly recommended)
2 Years of the same Foreign Language (3 or more highly recommended)
1 Year of Traditional Fine Art
1 Year of College Preparatory Elective (examples could include World Geography and World History)

In addition to these MINIMUM requirements students must also complete entrance exams. The SAT Reasoning or ACT is required for nearly all four year colleges and universities. The UC system no longer requires two SAT Subject Exams, but they highly recommend them in order to make students more competitive.

USEFUL COLLEGE LINKS FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION AND APPLICATIONS

California Community Colleges

Cuesta Community College

California State Universities

Cal Poly, SLO

Universities of California

All California Colleges and Universities - Public and Private

They provide APs and SATs, but also have a great college search.

Authors of the big 2 and 4 year college books- great way to search for colleges.

Another great resource for a variety of colleges.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

Students should complete Letter of Recommendation Packet prior to asking a teacher or counselor for a letter of recommendation. The completed form can be copied and given to each prospective recommender. It is also advisable to provide the recommender with a copy of your transcript.

SENIOR PARENT NIGHT INFO

Presentation from Senior Parent Night

Useful websites handout

SCHOLARSHIPS

Scholarships are available to every student in a variety of categories. The easiest way to see available scholarships is to go to the THS Scholarship webpage. There are online sites for FREE information and applications. Amanda Miller is our Scholarship Coordinator. Tips: Scholarships should be FREE and require no monetary investment or purchase.

ATHLETES AND THE NCAA CLEARINGHOUSE

Students wanting to pursue their sport in a NCAA college or university must register online through the clearinghouse. The application fee is approx. $65. Register online, print the two transcript release forms, and submit them both to Amanda Miller in the main office.

Eligibility center

CSU, CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITIES

This is a great site with a plethora of information including: college major information, campus matching assistant, admissions, the application, campus facts, and comparative views.

Information here

SAT code for CSUmentor is 3594

Start using the High School Planner now to help you plan and track your progress in meeting the CSU subject requirements. This includes great planning tools for 9-12 grade students. Start your preparation early!

CSU Preview Days

COLLEGE PREP CLASSES AT THS

UC/CSU approved courses

Click on the link above for access to the UC/CSU approved high school courses

HELPFUL LINKS TO CHOOSING THE RIGHT COLLEGE

Choosing a College - A link to 20 questions that will help you narrow your college search.

Campus Explorer is a new college search engine that aims to help students determine which college is the best match for them. Students enter information such as their SAT or ACT scores and grade-point average, and the site determines which schools they are eligible for. The site then matches students with specific schools on this list, based on the preferences they indicate on topics such as distance from home, academic interests, and their financial situation. The site lists both two- and four-year institutions, as well as trade schools and career education options, with more than 6,000 schools included in its database. The site's creators say they wanted to help students determine which college fits them the best in an education system where the student-to-counselor ratio is often 250 to 1.

Campus Explorer