Getting into a college is like approaching any other goal in life that’s important: it takes hard work, commitment and attention to dates and details. The resources on this page are designed to help students navigate their post high school options, with information on college admissions testing, the college application process, choosing a college and possible major, career research, alternative post high school options and more.
The Anatomy of a College Application
UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY
PRIVATE COLLEGES
PUBLIC OUT OF STATE COLLEGES
SAT REASONING & SAT SUBJECT(S) TESTS
SAT REASONING
The SAT is one of the Standardized tests required by colleges. It measures three skill categories: critical reading, mathematics and writing. Each section is worth 800 points, with a total of 1600 points. The SAT test has 4 sections, and writing is optional.
SAT SUBJECT(S)
The SAT Subject(s) Test is required by several private colleges. Check their websites. It is not required by the UCs, but it is recommended if you are an engineering major. The test measures a student's knowledge in a particular subject area. Each test is worth 800 points. A student can take up to three subject tests in one sitting. The subject areas include languages, history, science, english and mathematics.
List of "Test Optional" Colleges
PSAT/NMSQT
The PSAT (Preliminary SAT) is a standardized test that provides practice for the SAT. Juniors who take the test can qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The PSAT has three sections: critical reading, math and writing skills. It is offered once a year in October.
AP TESTS
Advanced-Placement (AP) are considered to be college-level courses students can take while in high school. Students usually take the AP test in their course's subject matter. AP tests are administered in May
Advanced-Placement (AP) are considered to be college-level courses students can take while in high school. Students usually take the AP test in their course's subject matter. AP tests are administered in May and the score ranges from 0 to 5, with 5 as the highest. Three is considered the minimum passing score.
Unlike honors courses, students may earn college credit, depending on their AP test scores and the college's requirements. To find out more about AP tests, please visit the CollegeBoard website.
TOEFL
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is occassionally required by colleges for students who are (or have been) enrolled in an English Learner course in high school. In some cases this test is dependent on a student's residency. We recommend that students check out the testing requirements of the colleges that they are interested in.
FREE ONLINE TEST PREPARATION
ACT
The ACT is one of the standardized tests required by colleges. It has five categories: english, mathematics, reading, science and an optional writing section. Each section is scored separately and combined together for a composite score. The highest score a student can receive is 36.
The California Community Colleges can help students get the training needed to qualify for a well-paying job with room for advancement. Career education vocational programs are offered in hundreds of areas that employers need. Areas of vocational (occupational) education include health occupations, electronics, and computer sciences, business and finance, agriculture and industrial trades, and many others. Community colleges have up-to-date equipment and facilities and vocational instructors who are experts in their fields. Depending on the occupation you select, training may take from six months to two years. Associate degrees and certificates (shorter-term) programs are available in many fields.
GENERAL COLLEGE INFORMATION
College Board - SAT information and registration, CSS Profile information (see Financial Aid), a variety of other college resources
ACT - ACT online registration and information
The Education Conservancy - site dedicated to the return of sanity in the college admission process; a must-read for students and parents
Athletic Aid - information for student athletes about the recruiting process
NCAA - National Collegiate Athletic Association site; information about registration for students who are capable of playing NCAA sports in college
College Navigator - college search site sponsored by National Center for Educational Statistics
The Princeton Review - tips, advice, college search
College Quest - the Peterson's site, with tips, advice, college search
CollegeSource Online - more than 14,000 online college catalogs
Best Colleges by Career - BestCollege.com has rankings of best school by career
The Common Application - online and downloadable Common Application site
Khan Academy SAT prep - free online SAT preparation
Colleges That Change Lives - information about the colleges featured in the book Colleges That Change Live
Common Lounge - A community to help navigate the college application process.
To find specific college websites, try www. (type in the name of the college).edu; in some cases, the name of the college may be abbreviated, but your computer's search engine will find it for you.
ASSIST - statewide student transfer information for California students
CSUMentor - California State University information (links to individual campuses)
CaliforniaCollege.edu - information about all types of colleges within California, plus financial aid and more
Selecting a major does not mean you will limit the career choices available to you after graduation. If you choose a major that you intrinsically enjoy, you are more likely to excel academically, you will be more motivated in the classes you take, and when it is time to start looking for a job or applying to graduate school you will be able to explain with enthusiasm why you chose your major and what you gained from doing so.
When choosing a major it is beneficial to understand your strengths and your interests. Consider taking one or more of the self-assessment questionnaires offered on this site.
SELF ASSESSMENTS
MAJOR INFORMATION
For more than six decades, The Culinary Institute of America has been setting the standard for excellence in professional culinary education.
Schools across the world with the certification of Le Cordon Bleu. They strive to provide you with the cooking training and culinary education that is second to none. Their chef instructors are made up of a team of culinarians who are highly passionate about the industry. With all of the skills and knowledge that the staff has to offer, you will find that they will be able to offer classical teachings that lead to opportunities in the culinary field.
Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising (FIDM)
Universal Technical Institute (UTI)
Online Information Technology Programs
Online IT programs. This resource focuses only on not-for-profit public and private higher education institutions.
Search for both technical and academic programs at community colleges.
Search engine for private vocational schools.
The Vocational Information Center website is an education directory that provides links to online resources for career exploration, technical education, workforce development, technical schools and related vocational learning resources.
California Conservation Corps: Work hard protecting and restoring California's environment and responding to disasters
CITY YEAR: Unites young people of all backgrounds for a year of full-time service, giving them skills and opportunities to change the world
Corporation for National and Community Service: Federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America, and leads President Obama's national call to service initiative, United We Serve.
LEAPNOW: Offers GAP Year-for-Credit alternative college programs
Start your college exploration and compare schools here!
College Scorecard is designed to help students and parents identify which schools provide the biggest bang for your buck. Designed with input from those who will use it most, the Scorecard offers reliable data on factors important to prospective students.
In an economy where some higher education is still the surest ticket to the middle class, the choices that Americans make when searching for and selecting a college have never been more important. That’s why College Scorecard provides reliable information that helps students find the college that best fits their needs so that they can succeed
https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/
Get information about:
Average Annual Cost - The Average Annual net price for federal financial aid recipients after aid from the school, state or federal government. For public schools, this is only calculated for In-State students.
Graduation Rate - The graduation rate after six years for schools that award predominantly four-year degrees and after four years for all other schools. These rates are based on full-time students enrolled for the first time.
Salary After Attending - The median earnings of former students who received federal financial aid at 10 years after entering the school.
6 STEPS TO GETTING INTO COLLEGE
Sure, high school is supposed to be fun, but putting some effort into your schoolwork and extracurricular experiences can make applying to your choice colleges a lot less stressful. Though it might sound like boring advice, the following steps are extremely important!
Work hard for good grades.
Enroll in challenging courses.
Spend time preparing for the SAT or the ACT and SAT Subject Tests.
Polish your writing skills.
Establish relationships with teachers and advisers who can write strong letters of recommendation for you.
Get involved in some activities, community service, or work experiences that will enable you to show your values, talents, and skills.
( Princeton Review's The Best 376 Colleges, 2012 Edition)
FIND YOUR COLLEGE MATCH
Feeling overwhelmed with the process of choosing a college? Take a look at some suggested tips from the College Board website -
Identify Your Priorities
Think about who you are and what you're looking for in a college. Make a list of what's most important to you - here's some things to consider
Affiliation - Public or Private? Independent or Religion Affiliated?
Size of the Student Body - Size will affect many of your opportunities and experiences, including: Range of academic majors offered, Extracurricular activities, Amount of personal attention you'll receive, When considering size, look beyond the raw number of students attending; a large school may offers some smaller departments or learning communities. Investigate not just the ratio of faculty to students, but how accessible faculty are.
Location - Do you want to visit home frequently, or do you want to experience a new part of the country? Perhaps you want a city or urban location with access to museums, major league sports, or ethnic foods. Or maybe you prefer easy access to the outdoors or the culture of a small college town?
Campus Life - Consider what life will be like beyond the classroom. Aim for a balance between academics, activities, and social life. Consider what extracurricular activities, athletics, and special interest groups are available? Does the community around the college offer interesting outlets for students and are students welcomed by the community? Think about the geographic, ethnic, racial and religious diversity of the students. How do fraternities and sororities influence campus life? How are dorms assigned? Is Housing guaranteed - and for how many years?
Research Colleges
Academic Programs - If you know what you want to study, research reputations of academic departments by talking to people in the fields that interest you. If you are undecided, relax and pick an academically balanced institution that offers a range of majors and programs.
Athletic Programs - If you are an Athlete, which sports are offered and what Division?
Accreditation - Accreditation is a voluntary process of review and self-regulation by members of an accrediting agency. Accreditation ensures that the instutution meets the basic standards of that particular Agency in their administrative procedures, physical facilities and the quality of their academic programs. There are many regional and national accrediting agencies with varying standards. Colleges accredited by an agency recognized by the US Department of Education meet the basic standards for college-level study, their students can apply for Federal Financial Aid and/or federal education tax breaks, and the degree you will earn at the end of your studies will be recognized by future employers.
Admission Requirements - Required Course work, Tests, GPA?
Selectivity - How many students apply each year and how many are accepted? What are the average GPA and Test Scores for those accepted?
Retention and Graduation Rates - Learn the percent of students who return after the first year and the percent of entering students who remain to graduate. Comparatively good retention and graduation rates are indicators that responsible academic, social, and financial support systems exist for most students.
If the Campus or Major is impacted due to overcrowding, what is the likelihood of getting the courses I need and what is the projected time required to complete the degree program?
What is the school's policy regarding Advanced Placement high school courses?
As a freshman, will I be taught by Professors or Teaching Assistants?
Is the surrounding community safe?
Can I Afford this College? Today's college price tags make cost an important consideration for most students. Most colleges work to ensure that academically qualified students from every economic circumstance can find financial aid.
Attend College Fairs - Pick up catalogs and brochures, talk to representatives and other students, and feel like you're officially starting the search process.
Attend Presentations by visiting Admissions Representatives in the Career Center - See Mrs. Conger in the Career Center for a calendar of which campuses will be visiting Dos Palos High School.
Schedule Campus Visits - You've heard the old saying, "A picture is worth a thousand words." Well, a campus visit is worth a thousand brochures. Nothing beats walking around a campus to get a feel for it. Campus visits are a chance to see the campus and its dorms, libraries, and other facilities in person, talk to admissions officers, observe classes and talk to students, and much more. Visiting may even make you think of needs you didn't know you had.