The Common App is a standardized online college application platform.  Each year, more than 1 million students apply to more than 1,100 Common App member colleges worldwide. It streamlines the college application process by allowing students to enter their core information, academic record, and personal essay just once, and then submit it to multiple intitutions. Although some colleges have application fees, using the Common App platform is free. Learn more about applying by following their step-by-step YouTube guide above or by going to their website at commonapp.org.

With over 188 private colleges, California offers an extensive selection of independent higher education institutions alongside its robust public university and community college systems. These schools range from major research universities and specialized colleges to liberal arts colleges and faith-based institutions. Examples include Stanford University, the University of Southern California (USC), Occidental College, the Claremont Colleges, the University of Redlands, Fresno Pacific University, Loyola Marymount University, and Mills College.

Navigating the admissions and financial aid landscape of these institutions requires careful planning:

• Varying Admission Criteria: Admissions requirements differ significantly by campus, making direct research into each institution's specific requirements essential.

• Application Streamlining: The majority of private colleges utilize "The Common App" platform for admissions.  This platform requires a personal statement and letters of recommendation, so plan ahead to make sure your application is competitive in your applicant pool. 

• Academic Planning Alignment: Students should schedule a meeting with their school site counselor to verify that their coursework aligns with the expectations of private campuses.

• A–G and Testing Nuances: Satisfying California A–G requirements serves as an excellent foundation, but individual private schools may require additional courses or standardized tests like the SAT or ACT.

• Financial Aid Opportunities: Although tuition rates are higher, private colleges offer extensive institutional aid and scholarship packages that frequently lower the net cost substantially for families.

Planning is key to successfully being admitted to and paying for private colleges and universities.

Understanding Financial Aid and Tuition

Financing an out-of-state education requires careful planning, as state-funded financial aid programs like Cal Grants cannot be applied to institutions outside of California. Furthermore, public out-of-state universities typically charge higher non-resident tuition rates.

However, affordable pathways do exist:

• Tuition Waivers: Some public universities waive non-resident fees for students with high academic potential.

• WUE Program: The Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE) allows students from Western states to attend participating out-of-state public colleges at a significantly reduced tuition rate.  Please note that not all institutions participate in this program. You can verify eligible campuses and review specific program terms by [checking here]

Navigating Out-of-State College Admissions

Exploring higher education options outside of California opens up a vast network of public and private institutions. While California’s A-G requirements provide a rigorous academic foundation, out-of-state universities often maintain distinct admission criteria that differs from college to college. Some campuses may require additional coursework beyond California's A-Gs; for example, they may require an extra year of advanced mathematics or laboratory science.

Standardized Testing Requirements

Unlike California's public university systems, many out-of-state institutions are not test-blind. Most will require either an SAT or ACT score as part of the admissions evaluation process. If you are considering out-of-state options—even as a possibility—we strongly recommend planning for these exams early. This timeline ensures adequate time for preparation and potential retakes to achieve your target score. Click here or more information on the SAT or ACT.

Academic Planning and Resources

We encourage students to schedule a meeting with their school site counselor to discuss out-of-state aspirations. Counselors ensure that your high school course schedule aligns perfectly with the specific enrollment goals of your target universities.