Best Practices

Apply for Community Colleges, CSU, UCs, Trade Schools, Private Schools, Military, etc.

Ask relevant staff members for letters of recommendations

Apply for scholarships

Apply for financial aid (FAFSA/CSS/DREAM)

Celebrate your milestones, accomplishments, and decision

Search and apply for scholarships

Take career self-assessments to research potential jobs, careers, and pathways

Create a tier list of colleges (based on your own goals)

Prepare to take the SAT/ACT

Stay in contact with potential staff members to ask for letters of recommendation 

Start researching your field of interest, major, or concentration for post-graduation

Apply for opportunities for research, volunteer work, summer programs, etc.

Meet with your academic counselor to make sure you are meeting A-G eligibility 

Visit college campuses to build interest

Build a resume to keep track of your activities, volunteer hours, and awards

Create an account to input your courses on California Colleges (automatically transfers to your CSU app for senior year)  

Visit college campuses to take tours

Plan to take advanced or higher-level courses (AP, IB, or college-level)

Apply for opportunities for research, volunteer work, summer programs, etc.

Build strong relationships with teachers and staff members