College Applications

Our CVUSD District uses CCGI - CaliforniaColleges.Edu, a program that will give students the opportunity to explore colleges both in and out of California.  Plus, CCGI - CaliforniaColleges.edu can be used to apply directly  to UC and CSU campuses. 

To learn more about CCGI, click HERE. 

Applying to college is a big job. It can feel overwhelming!!  

However, you can make the process much easier by breaking it down into small steps. 

• •  Get Informed

    • Colleges want to know the real you. When you apply to colleges, don’t try to make yourself look better by listing the accomplishments or writing the essay you think they want to see. If you're honest about who you are and what you've done, you're more likely to end up at a college that's a good fit for you.

    • Understand the common terms you'll see during the application process. 

    • Review the application deadlines you should follow when applying for college.  Every school has its own deadlines!!

    • Discover the individual items needed for every college application.  For example, schools usually ask for supplemental application materials like letters of recommendation, transcripts, and written essays.

• • Get Organized

    • Create a folder for storing documents.

    • Print a checklist to track your progress on each part of the application. Or use your phone or iPad "Notes" function to keep your specific lists for each school.

    • Build a spreadsheet to stay on top of submission deadlines.

• • Gather the Necessary Documents

    • Your high school CEEB code. (053502 for Thousand Oaks High School)

    • A copy of your high school transcript.

    • Your score report with your SAT/ACT or AP exam scores.  **Please note, many colleges are not using SAT/ACT scores in admission considerations.

    • Request a letter of recommendation from your teacher and/or counselor, as needed. Click here to learn about Letters of Recommendation.

• • Review Your Application Before Submitting

    • Make sure you’ve included all required information and that the information filled out on the forms is accurate and spelled correctly.

    • Confirm that any required attachments are the correct files and have been properly uploaded.

    • Double-check that you filled out all fields and followed all instructions.

    • Ask for help if you need it!  Contact the College and Career Center; reach out to your counselor; have a parent or older sibling looks things over.  The more eyes on the application BEFORE you submit, the better.

    • Take a deep breath. Click submit!

University of California (UC)

• Focuses on academic research

• Offers programs for bachelor's, master’s, and doctoral degrees

• Provides professional education in fields like law, medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine

• Known for top-level research and advanced degrees
  
  

California State University (CSU)

• Offers bachelor’s, master’s, and some doctoral degree programs 

• Tends to focus more on practical and career-oriented  education with a focus on direct workforce preparation

• Some faculty do research, but teaching is the main focus

• Doctoral programs offered include education, nursing, audiology, physical therapy and are often in partnership with UC or other schools
  
  

California Community Colleges (CCC)

• Provides the first two years of college (general education and career training)

• Offers support classes and English as a Second Language (ESL) courses

• Offers vocational and workforce training and degrees 

• Community enrichment courses (like cooking, art, etc.) and non credit classes for adults

• Since 2021, some community colleges can offer bachelor’s degrees in areas not offered by CSU or UC

First-Year College Students

• California Community Colleges (CCCs) are open to everyone after high school.

• California State Universities (CSUs) accept students from the top one-third (33.3%) of high school graduates.

• University of California (UCs) accept students from the top one-eighth (12.5%) of high school graduates.
  
  

Transfer Students

• UCs and CSUs plan for 40% of students in lower-division (freshman/sophomore level) and 60% in upper-division (junior/senior level), so more community college students can transfer.

• Students from community colleges get priority when transferring to UCs and CSUs.