Frequently Asked Questions

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

  • What is an AA/AS degree and a BA/BS degree?

    • An AA/AS is an Associate's degree and generally takes two years to complete at a community college.

    • A BA/BS is a Bachelor’s degree and typically takes at least four years to complete at a 4-year college or university.

  • What is the minimum GPA needed to go to a 4-year college right after high school?

    • To go to a California State University (CSU), a student must have at least a 2.00 GPA in all of their college prep classes.

    • To go to a University of California (UC), a student must have at least a 3.00 GPA in all of their college prep classes.

    • To go to a private or independent college, minimum GPAs vary.

  • What college admission tests are required to go to college?

    • CSUs and UCs require either the SAT or ACT. Most CSUs do not require the Writing portion of these tests, but it is always recommended to take the Writing portion in case you want to apply last-minute to a college that DOES require it.

    • SAT subject tests are required by some private colleges and UCs. Click here to see which UCs recommend/require certain SAT Subject Tests for particular majors.

  • Will McNair High School sign me up to take the SAT and/or ACT?

    • No. Students sign themselves up online. Click here for more information.

  • Do I have to take the SAT or ACT to go to a community college?

    • No.

  • When should I take the SAT, SAT subject tests, and/or ACT?

    • The SAT and/or ACT should be taken first in the spring semester of your junior year, and then can be retaken in the fall semester of your senior year.

    • The SAT Subject Tests should be taken as soon as you finish the course you will be testing in.

    • You cannot take the SAT Subject Tests and the SAT Test during the same test administration; but you may take up to three SAT Subject Tests on a single test date.

  • What if my family cannot afford the fees to take the SAT/ACT or to apply to college?

    • There are fee waivers you can apply for when registering to take the SAT or ACT and when you apply to college. You qualify for a fee waiver if you are enrolled in the Free & Reduced Lunch Program at McNair High School. You receive 2 SAT fee waivers and 2 ACT fee waivers throughout your high school career. Visit the College & Career Center for more information.

  • What if I earned a “D” in one of my college prep courses, do I need to retake the course?

    • If you plan to go directly to a 4-year college after high school, you need to retake the grading period in which you earned a “D”. Non-college preparatory classes do not apply to this rule.

    • If you plan to attend a community college after high school, you do not need to retake the class, but you would be better prepared for college level work if you did.

  • How many colleges should I apply to?

    • An average number of colleges to apply to is about 6-7. You could apply to 1-2 "reach" schools (highly competitive), 2-3 moderate schools, and 1-2 safe schools (highly likely to get accepted).

  • Should I apply for financial aid? And when do I do that?

    • YES, everyone should apply for financial aid regardless of GPA or family income level. Financial aid is given for different reasons and can be used at all different types of colleges: 2 year, 4 year, and career/technical. Students should apply for financial aid in October of their senior year of high school. Click here for more information.