• As we head into your student's final year in high school, let's prioritize their college preparation to-do list.

1. 1. 1. Writing Essays

      2. Resume

      3. Gathering Letters of Recommendation

      4. Application Fee Waivers

      5. Early Admissions

      6. Target Schools

      7. Safe Schools

      8. Commitment

      9. Graduation

      10. Transcripts

• The list should be approached in that order. Before the start of the school year, let's brush up on each targetted school's mission statement, campus offerings, and the reason why your student is selecting that school. 

• If your student is applying for early admissions at one or more of their selected institutions, the application process starts now! Please remind your student to request letters of recommendation and to begin their admissions essays. Essays should:

  • • Incorporate how the mission of the specific school will help serve your student and how your student will help further the values of the school

    • Explain the reason why your student is selecting their major at the specific school.

    • Answer any questions the student asked in the essay prompt.

• If you need a fee waiver, either for early admissions or regular admission, start looking into the process now! College admissions offices have guidelines, and the CCC  can help!

• Your student should order official SAT, ACT, and high school transcripts and send them to all colleges and universities to where they are applying for early admissions. Along with the other application items, those items must be received by the college's indicated deadline. Early admissions deadlines vary by each college but tend to fall between November 1st - 15th.

• It's an excellent idea for a College and Career Center member or guidance counselor to review your student's admissions essays. Make all recommended edits

• Your student should have collected all letters of recommendation by now.

• Not applying for early admissions? Now is a good time for your student to outline their admissions essays. Plan and review the outline with the CCC. This will help your student's writing process.   

• APPLICATIONS FOR EARLY ADMISSIONS ARE DUE! See your college's admissions requirements for exact due dates. 

• For traditional admissions, deadlines tend to fall between mid-January and mid-March. Be sure to have your student check and admissions deadlines at all institutions to apply. Your student must order official high school and SAT/ACT testing transcripts to be sent to the colleges where your student is applying.

• Begin to write your admissions essays and collect your letters of recommendation. Remember to: 

  • • Incorporate how the mission of the specific school will help serve your student and how your student will help further the values of the school

    • Explain the reason why your student is selecting their major at the specific school.

    • Answer all questions asked in the essay prompt.

• Your student should use this month to connect with guidance counselors, CCC staff, or teachers to edit and enhance their college admissions essays and resume. In some cases, a few rewrites and edits may be suggested. We do this because we want your student to be as successful as possible.

• Be sure to re-review admissions and application requirements for all colleges where your student will be applying. Doing so is a great way to discover the college admissions process in great detail and help foster a better understanding of the challenges college students face.

• COLLEGE APPLICATIONS ARE DUE! See each college's admission guidelines for exact due dates. January is a popular month for due dates.

• By now, your student has completed all of the following:

1. 1. 1. Admissions Essays

      2. Resume

      3. Obtained Letters of Recommendation 

      4. Submitted any application fee waivers (if needed)

      5. Submitted official high school and testing transcripts to all colleges where the student will be applying.

      6. Completed each college application.

• If all requirements for each college application are correctly complete, then it's time to submit the applications. 

• If your student has not received an email confirmation after submitting the application, contact the college's admissions department and request an emailed confirmation (it's best to have  a receipt of the application in writing)

• Be patient! Admissions decisions are usually sent out after March 1! We know the waiting period can be stressful, but let's prepare for good news and explore how to cover college costs.

• FAFSA, which stands for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is the U.S. Government's official college loan and grant application. It is free to complete and available at studentaid.gov.

• CSAC, which stands for the California Student Aid Commission, is the official system used by the State of California to apply for state grants and submit Dream Act applications. For more on these applications and the requirements, visit the following links:

  • • FAFSA & CSAC

    • Dream Act

• On your FAFSA application, be sure to list all colleges that received an application for admissions from your student.

• PRIORITY DEADLINE FOR FINANCIAL AID! If you don't submit your FAFSA or CSAC by March 1, you will still be able to do so later; however, meeting the March 1 deadline is a great way to be considered for additional grant (free money) funding.

• ADMISSIONS DECISIONS! March tends to be the month when students received a decision from the colleges where they applied. Whether accepted or not, this period can be an emotional one. Be sure to support your student, no matter the outcome. Remember that the CCC is here to help your student explore other college options between now and graduation.

• No matter the outcome, 

DO NOT GIVE UP!  

• As of now, your student has been accepted into a college or is working with the CCC to explore options. The financial aid applications have been submitted. Graduation is approaching, and with each passing day, your student closer to adulthood. While your student is clearly on a path towards success, engaging with their future college is a practical next step.

• Explore summer programs for incoming first-year students. Visit the college campus and familiarize yourself and your student with the campus layout, services provided, and how to locate those services.

• COMMITMENTS DUE! May tends to be the month when colleges require your student to confirm their attendance or "commit" to attending. There is almost always a tuition deposit required, which will not be covered by financial aid. If needed, contact your college's admissions department to request a deposit waiver. 

• Have your student reconnect with their guidance counselor to review their standing and confirm that they are on track to graduate.

• Pay any past dues owed to the school.

• If not done already, order your cap and gown.

• Purchase a yearbook (optional)

• Attend Cabrillo campus events that celebrate your college success!

• High school graduation is here. Your student made it.

• Be proud.

• Most colleges, universities, and city colleges will offer summer preparation programs. Suggest that your adult student contacts their college's admissions department to request information on summer transition programs.

• After graduation, be sure to have your student order another official copy of their high school transcript to be sent to their college. The college will require this to confirm graduation. 

• The transition into adulthood is now a reality for your student. Whether it be college, work, or both, your student will now have to advocate for themselves.

• Having followed this timeline, you have helped your student succeed while simultaneously learning about their upcoming college experience. As a parent, you went beyond supporting your student's access to college. Instead, you set your student up to have success in college.

• You and your adult student should always feel free to contact the CCC for additional support. 

• You did it! Be proud! It was a lot of hard work This is success in the west.

9th Grade College Prep Timeline

10th Grade College Prep Timeline

11th Grade College Prep Timeline