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Navigating Your College Application Process

Time to apply:  Spring semester for best course selection.Fee to apply: none. Testing: not required for admission
Math and English placement based on high school coursework, grades and GPA
No letters of recommendation.
No essays.
Must be 18 or have a high school diploma to enroll.
Some Community Colleges have residence halls.
If you are interested in attending a community college other than SJDC, visit that school’s website for more information.
 

California State University: www2.calstate.edu/Apply
Time to apply: October 1 – November 30. 
Fee: $70 per campus
Testing required: No SAT/ACT testing requirement for Fall 2022 admission
Students must satisfy A-G course requirements.
Minimum GPA to apply: 2.0
No letters of recommendation.
No essays.
 
 
University of California: www.universityofcalifornia.edu/apply
Time to apply: November 1 – 30 only, but can begin application Aug. 1st
Fee:   $70 per campus.
Testing required: No SAT/ACT testing requirement for Fall 2022 admission.
Students must satisfy A-G course requirements.
Minimum GPA to apply: 3.0
No letters of recommendation.
Four personal insight questions required. 
Each response has a maximum of 350 words.  
 
 
Private and Out of State Public Colleges & Universities
Time to apply: varies
Where to get applications: check websites
Common Application available at www.commonapp.org
Most private and out of state colleges will require teacher and counselor recommendations.  Give your teacher and counselor recommenders at least 3 weeks notice!  
Final deadline to request a letter of recommendation from a teacher or counselor is October 1st.  
Provide them with a resume and SCOIR questionnaire.  
Writing recommenders a thank you note is polite and recommended.
Remember to “invite” and “assign” your teacher and counselor recommenders.  
Fee for applying: varies.
Testing required: Will vary for Fall 2022 admission cycle.  Check with colleges for their SAT/ACT requirement.
Recommendation required: varies. Usually required for most private colleges. Essays are usually required. 
 

The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE): http://wiche.edu/wue
WUE is a program of the Western Interstate Commission for Higher Education (WICHE).  Students who are residents of WICHE states may enroll at participating two and four-year college programs outside of their home state at a reduced tuition rate.  
 

Testing Information: see requirements under each type of college
Scores must be sent directly from ACT or College Board to colleges or universities. 
Request score reports.
Scores are not on your transcripts.
SAT Subject Tests-Some schools may require SAT subject tests for certain majors. Please refer the specific college websites.
 

Scholarships and Financial Aid 
On the St. Mary’s webpage go to Counseling Department. Scholarship & Financial Aid information
Everyone is strongly encouraged to apply for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).  It is available beginning on October 1st @ www.fafsa.gov
Ask private colleges for specific financial aid and scholarship information.Check and apply early (October 1st).Some private colleges require the CSS Profile: http://profileonline.collegeboard.com/index.jsp and have some early deadlines.   
 
 
Transcripts
St. Mary’s is partnered with Parchment to send official transcripts electronically.  
UCs do not want a transcript when you apply.
Some CSUs want a transcript when you apply.  Read their website and pay attention to e-mails.
San Joaquin Delta College wants your final transcript in June.
Private schools want a transcript.  If you apply through the Common App your counselor will upload your transcript when you apply.
Every Student Will Need To Send Their Final Transcript Through Parchment in June!
 
 
 
Helpful Websites
College Search & Applications
www2.calstateapply.edu/apply California State University (CSU) System
www.universityofcalifornia.edu University of California (UC) System
www.commonapp.org Common Application
www.deltacollege.edu San Joaquin Delta College
www.scoir.com College, career and scholarship search
www.wiche.edu/wue   160+ WUE schools have reduced tuition for CA students 
www.aiccu.edu Independent Colleges search tool
www.catholiccollegesonline.org Catholic College Admission Assoc.
www.californiacolleges.edu California Colleges-college/career planning
www.bigfuture.com College, career scholarship searchand scholarship search
 
College Admission Testing
www.act.org   ACT registration, score reporting, practice tests
www.collegeboard.org  SAT registration, score reporting
 
Financial Aid
www.saintmaryshighschool.org St. Mary’s High School Scholarships
www.fafsa.gov FAFSA application
www.cssprofile.collegeboard.org Mission of making college affordable
www.csac.ca.gov California Student Aid Commission (CalGrant)
www.fastweb.com Scholarships
 
Athlete Resources
www.eligibilitycenter.org NCAA eligibility registration
www.naia.org National Assoc. of Intercollegiate Athletics
 

General Tips
  1. Save copies of EVERYTHING.
  2. DEADLINES are absolute! You must stay on track with due dates for college, scholarship, financial aid, and housing applications.
  3. Have a “good” e-mail address and read all messages carefully!  Check your spam folder often, too.
  4. After your applications are submitted you will receive an email from each school advising you to set up a portal.  Check each portal frequently as colleges use this as a primary source of communication with you.