This step can be started as soon as 9th grade! You can begin by deciding what is important to you in a college. Try making a list! Do you want a small university or a large one? A public university or a private? You can use google to start your research or collegeboard.org to search different colleges.

The UC and CSU applications open on November 1st and must be submitted by November 30th. For private schools, the deadlines vary. You can either find an application to the school on their website or select colleges will use The Common Application. To find out which school uses which application, visit their website.

College can be expensive, which is why it is important to apply for financial aid. If you have a social security number then you should fill out the FAFSA. If you do not, you should fill out the CA Dream Act. The deadline to submit the applications is March 2nd. There are also other forms of financial aid like private scholarships. These can be found by googling scholarships. Your counselor also sends emails frequently regarding different scholarships, so make sure you are checking those. You can also check the Financial Aid tab to see other resources for financial aid.

Once you apply to your colleges, you will receive an email confirmation along with next steps. In this email you will also receive a link to your portal, which you should check at least once a week to see if any additional materials are needed from the college. Also make sure to check your email from updates from the colleges.

Around mid- March to April, decision letters will be coming out. This is where you will learn which colleges you have been accepted into. This is a very important decision so make sure you and your family have thorough conversations about which college is best for you. You will also be able to see your financial aid package from each college. Feel free to contact your advisor with any questions regarding your college decision. Decisions must be finalized by May 1st.

Once you have committed to a college, they will send you next steps. Some of these steps may include payment, applying for housing, and registering for classes. These steps will be sent via email, so check your email frequently. Contact your advisor with any questions!