College Application Information

Do you dream of going away to college? Maybe you’d rather stay close to home. You probably have a lot of questions about which college is best for you, and that’s OK. It’s a big decision. Be sure to explore all your options before you make up your mind. If you live in California, there are a lot of great choices in your home state.

Going to college in California could save you money. 

• You’ll pay in-state tuition at public colleges in California. That means you pay less than students from other states.

• You could get state financial aid, like the Cal Grant. You can use it at all public colleges and most private colleges in California.

Tip for undocumented students: You can pay in-state tuition and get state aid, too! You just have to meet AB 540 requirements. 

If you decide to go to an out-of-state college, you can’t get state aid. You might be able to pay in-state tuition at some out-of-state public colleges. Usually, you’ll pay more. 

Learn more about federal and state financial aid. 

Get to know your options.

Money isn’t the only reason a California college could be right for you. No matter what your career goals are, there’s probably a college in California that can help you meet them. Here are some fast facts about public and private colleges in California. Click the links to learn more.

Public Colleges

• California Community Colleges (CCC).

  • There are 116 CCCs. One of them is totally online.

  • You can get a certificate or associate degree. Some CCCs offer bachelor’s degrees.

  • You can transfer to a four-year college after two years.  

  • You need to be 18 or have a high school diploma. You might be able to take classes while you’re still in high school. 

• California State University (CSU).

  • There are 23 CSUs. 

  • You can get a bachelor’s degree in a wide variety of majors. CSUs also offer master’s degrees and some doctoral degrees.

  • Campuses range in size, from just under 1,000 to almost 40,000 students. 

  • You need to complete “a-g” courses and meet CSU eligibility requirements. 

• University of California (UC).

  • There are 10 UCs. 

  • Nine UCs offer bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral degrees in a wide variety of majors. UC San Francisco only offers graduate programs in health sciences.

  • Most UCs have 20,000 to 30,000 students. UC Merced, the newest campus, has just under 8,000. 

  • You need to complete “a-g” courses and meet UC eligibility requirements. 

Private Colleges

• Association of Independent California Colleges and Universities (AICCU).

  • Over 80 private colleges are AICCU members. They are all not-for-profit. 

  • The size and focus of every college is different. Members range from small liberal arts colleges to large research universities. 

  • Some colleges specialize in a certain field, like the arts. 

  • Each college has its own admission requirements.  

What about for-profit colleges?

There are for-profit colleges all over the U.S. For-profit means they make money off their students. You won’t find them in our search tools. Many for-profit colleges mislead students. They may make false promises about getting a job after graduation. Your for-profit degree may not be worth as much as you think. Learn more about the dangers of for-profit colleges. 

What about specialty schools?

Some colleges have a specialized focus. They might support certain communities. They could have a lot of history. Some are religious and others might be geared toward specific majors. Use the filters in the College Search Tool to see what colleges fit your needs. Learn more about specialty schools. 

Next Steps

Now you know about your options in California. Here are a few things you can do next. 

• Build your college list. Research colleges and save your favorites. 

• Learn about “a-g” courses you need to take to get into a CSU or UC. Meet with your counselor often and use your Academic Planner to stay on track. 

• Learn about the different kinds of degrees and certificates you can earn in college.

• Learn about financial aid to help you pay for college. 

When you fill out your FAFSA or CADAA, remember to list at least one California college. That way, you’ll be considered for state aid.

California Community College:

 California Community Colleges (CCC) are public, two-year colleges. No matter where you live in California, there's probably a CCC pretty close to you. There are 115 physical campuses all over the state. Another one is totally online. You have a lot of CCC options.  

Why choose a CCC?

• You need an associate degree or certificate for the career you want. 

  • A few CCCs even offer bachelor’s degrees in high demand fields. 

• You want to start your career sooner. Associate degree programs usually take two years. Certificate programs take even less time. 

• You’re looking for hands-on career training. CCCs have more than 200 Career Education programs in health, agriculture, technology, and more.  

• You want to prepare to transfer to a four-year college. 

• You want to spend less money on college tuition. CCCs have the lowest fees in the country. You can even get financial aid. 

• You need flexible classes in the evening, on weekends, or online so you can fit college into your life. 

• You want to get a head start on earning college credit while you’re still in high school. 

CCCs make up the largest higher education system in the country. More than 2 million students attend a CCC. They offer a high quality education and lots of opportunities to help you reach your goals. They serve their local communities. A few CCCs have on-campus housing, but most students live within driving distance. 

What are the requirements? 

CCCs help make college possible for everyone. 

• You don’t have to complete “a-g” requirements.

• There’s no minimum GPA.

• You don’t have to take an admissions exam. 

• If you’re 18 or older, you don’t need a high school diploma.

  • If you didn’t graduate from high school, you might have to take some extra classes in college. If you want to transfer to a four-year college, some majors may require you to get your GED. 

How much do they cost?

• All CCCs charge the same amount to take classes. It’s $46 per unit.  

  • If you take 15 units a semester, that’s about 5 classes. The cost would be $1,380 per year.  

• You’ll also have other costs, like housing, transportation, food, and books. 

Remember, most students can get financial aid to help pay for college! 

• Learn about financial aid for community college students. 

• As you plan to pay for college, focus on your net price. That’s how much it costs to go to college for one year after free money, like grants. 

Promise Programs

The California College Promise Grant lets you go to any CCC for free. Many campuses also offer Promise Programs. They’re tailored to meet their students’ needs. Some Promise Programs cover your enrollment fees, even if you don’t qualify for the grant. Others offer financial aid for costs like childcare or transportation. 

All Promise Programs have these things in common:

• They work with local school districts to help students successfully go from high school to community college.

• They help students get financial aid if they need it, like the Pell Grant or Cal Grant.

• They make it easy for students to take the right classes for their career path. They offer guidance at every step. 

Check out this list of College Promise Programs in California. 

What if I want to transfer to a four-year college?

After two years at a CCC, you can transfer to a CSU, UC, or private college to finish your bachelor’s degree. It’s a smart choice for a lot of students. Two programs can even guarantee you a spot at some four-year colleges. 

• The Associate Degree for Transfer (ADT) for CSU, HBCU, and private colleges.

• The Transfer Admission Guarantee (TAG) for UCs.

Can I take CCC classes in high school? 

You can take classes that will count toward your high school diploma and earn college credit at the same time. It’s called dual enrollment. Some high schools offer classes taught by college professors. You may also be able to take classes at your local CCC before you graduate. 

Talk to Ms. Shepherd about dual enrollment options. 

California State University:

 With 23 campuses and thousands of degree choices, the California State University (CSU) can be a great option to start your college journey. If you plan to apply to a CSU as a first-time freshman, you must meet certain requirements for admission. In addition to your graduation from high school, CSU will take into account the courses you have taken, your grades, and your test scores when reviewing your application. Familiarize yourself with the CSU requirements and meet with your counselor regularly to monitor your progress. 

To qualify for CSU as an incoming freshman:

• Earn a high school diploma or the equivalent.

• Complete your “a-g” subject requirements with a grade of C- or better.

• Earn a minimum GPA of 2.0 in all “a-g” coursework completed after 9th grade.

• Meet any additional requirements if your campus or major is impacted. 

What is “a-g?”

Your high school "a-g" courses refer to classes that fall into subject areas labeled "a" through "g". For example, area “a” is History, area “b” is English, and so on. All CSU campuses have the same minimum requirements for freshmen to ensure that every student is equally prepared to be academically successful. 

Here is a quick overview of the “a-g” subject requirements for CSU: 

• Area “a” History/Social Science: 2 years required. 

• Area “b” English: 4 years required. 

• Area “c” Mathematics: 3 years required, 4 years recommended.

• Area “d” Science: 2 years required, 3 years recommended. 

• Area “e” Language other than English (LOTE): 2 years required, 3 years recommended. 

• Area “f” Visual and Performing Arts (VPA): 1 year required. 

• Area “g” College Preparatory Electives: 1 year required.

You must pass “a-g” classes with a letter grade of C- or better.  

• Due to COVID-19, “Credit” or “Pass” grades are allowed for classes you completed during the following terms.

  • Academic Year 2019-2020.

    • Winter, Spring or Summer terms.

  • Academic year 2020-2021.

    • All terms—Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer.

• For 2021-2022 and beyond, only letter grades can count toward “a-g.” 

For more details about the “a-g” requirements see this chart (pdf). 

Be sure to review the “a-g” requirements often with your counselor to stay on track.

Certain Career and Technical Education (CTE) courses may be used to meet these subject area requirements. Also, certain classes completed in 7th or 8th grade may be used to satisfy "c" (Math) and "e" (Language other than English) requirements. Ask your counselor for information.

If you earned a D or F in an “a-g” course, you may repeat it as many times as needed to earn a C- or better. Alternatively, you can meet the requirements for some courses through validation, which means that you earn a C- or better in a higher-level course than the one in which you earned a D or F.  Talk to your counselor about the options available to you. 

All CSU campuses will require you to submit your final high school transcript to verify course grades and completion.  While the minimum coursework above is the requirement for CSU admission, pursuing coursework beyond the minimum can help you gain more knowledge and skills that better prepare you for college. For example, many first-time freshmen enrolled in a CSU complete four years of math.  

GPA

Completing all the “a-g” courses is the first step to meeting CSU eligibility. The CSU will also look at your High School GPA. That’s your GPA for all “a-g” courses you completed after 9th grade. It may be different from the overall GPA listed on your high school transcripts. 

Use the CSU GPA Calculator to figure out your GPA. Remember to enter your GPA for “a-g” classes you took after 9th grade.  If you’re in a partner district (Los Banos Unified is a partner district), you can find it in the CSU Eligibility tab in your Academic Planner. 

How are honors courses treated in the GPA calculation?

You can earn honors points when you pass an approved honors course with a grade of A, B, or C. A maximum of eight extra points are awarded for a maximum of eight semester courses taken in 11th and 12th grades, including up to two International Baccalaureate (IB) or Advanced Placement (AP) courses. Honors courses taken in the 10th grade that have 11th or 12th grade content may receive up to two honors points. There are no honors points awarded for grades of D and F.

Is there an exam requirement? 

The CSU recently made some big changes to the exam requirement.  

For Fall 2022 and beyond:

• CSU will not look at ACT or SAT scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. 

• You can submit SAT or ACT scores if you want to. It’s not required. If you don’t submit scores, it won’t hurt your chances of getting in. 

• SAT or ACT scores could still be used for first-year course placement in English or math courses. 

How do validations work?

A validation is when you successfully complete advanced coursework (earning a letter grade of C- or better) in an area of sequential knowledge. Doing so presumes you have mastered the lower-level coursework. There are two types of validation:

• Validation of coursework: Validation of a lower-level course even if the lower-level course was not actually completed (“subject omission”).

• Validation of grades: Validation of a D or F grade (“grade deficiency”) in a lower-level course after completion of a higher-level course with a grade of C- or better.

Note the following validations for Math, Language other than English (LOTE), and Chemistry courses: 

• Math 

  • Earning a grade of C- or better in the first semester of Algebra II can replace both semesters of Algebra I. 

  • Earning a grade of C- or better in Trigonometry or Pre-calculus replaces the entire high school college preparatory requirement. 

  • Integrated style Math 2 will be accepted in place of a geometry course.

• Language other than English (LOTE) 

  • Earning a grade of C- or better in a second semester of a higher-level course replaces a lower-level course. 

  • A higher-level LOTE course can replace the appropriate number of units based on the level. 

  • A college course can replace a high school LOTE course. The level of validation, or replacement, depends on the college course prerequisite and description.

• Chemistry 

  • Earning a grade of C- or better in the second semester of Chemistry will replace the first semester.
    
    

Discuss course validation options with your school counselor. 

Satisfying Subject Requirements with Test Scores:

Required "a-g" courses may be satisfied with appropriate test scores on Advanced Placement (AP) exams or designated International Baccalaureate (IB) exams.

University of California (UC) freshmen come from all over California and throughout the world. If you plan to apply to a UC, you must meet certain requirements for admission. In addition to your graduation from high school, UC will take into account the courses you have taken, your grades, and your test scores when reviewing your application. Familiarize yourself with the UC requirements and meet with your counselor regularly to monitor your progress. To qualify for UC as an incoming freshman:

• Earn a high school diploma or the equivalent.

• Complete your “a-g” subject requirements with a grade of C- or better.

• Earn a minimum grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 in “a-g” coursework taken in the 10th and 11th grade (3.4 if you are a non-resident).

While the minimum coursework above is required for UC admission, pursuing coursework beyond the minimum can help you gain more knowledge and skills that better prepare you for college, and make you more competitive for the UC campus and/or program to which you apply.

In addition to the basic admission requirements, each campus selects its freshman class through a comprehensive review of your qualifications. All nine UC campuses use the same 13 factors to evaluate applications, though they often apply these factors differently. Academic factors considered include:

• Your weighted and unweighted UC GPA.

• Your planned 12th grade courses.

• Your pattern of grades over time.

• The number of college preparatory, Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), honors, and transferable college courses you have completed.

• Your scores on AP or IB exams.

For the highest-achieving California applicants, the UC has two programs: the statewide path and the local path. Learn more about the freshman selection processes for California residents.

All UC campuses will require you to submit your final high school transcript after admission to verify course grades and completion. 

What is “a-g?”

Your high school “a-g” courses refer to the classes that fall into subject areas labeled “a” through “g.” For example, area “a” is History, area “b” is English, and so on. All UC campuses have the same minimum requirements for freshmen to ensure that every student is equally prepared to be academically successful.

Here is a quick overview of the “a-g” subject area requirements for UC: 

• Area “a” History/Social Science: 2 years required. 

• Area “b” English: 4 years required. 

• Area “c” Mathematics: 3 years required, 4 years recommended. 

• Area “d” Science: 2 years required, 3 years recommended. 

• Area “e” Language other than English (LOTE): 2 years required, 3 years recommended. 

• Area “f” Visual and Performing Arts (VPA): 1 year required. 

• Area “g” College Preparatory Elective: 1 year required. 

You must pass “a-g” classes with a letter grade of C- or better.  

• Due to COVID-19, “Credit” or “Pass” grades are allowed for classes you completed during the following terms.

  • Academic Year 2019-2020.

    • Winter, Spring or Summer terms.

  • Academic year 2020-2021.

    • All terms—Fall, Winter, Spring, Summer.

• For 2021-2022 and beyond, only letter grades can count toward “a-g.” 

For more details about the “a-g” requirements, see this chart (pdf). 

Be sure to review the “a-g” requirements with your counselor often to stay on track.  

For UC, 11 of the 15 required courses must be completed by the summer of your 11th grade year (or the summer before your last year of secondary school). Certain classes completed in 7th or 8th grade may be used to satisfy area "c" (math) and "e" (language) requirements. 

If you earn a D or F in an “a-g” course, you may repeat it as many times as needed. The first instance of a letter grade of C- or better will be used in the GPA calculation. Alternatively, you can meet the requirements for some courses (math and language other than English only) through validation, which means that you earn a C- or better in a higher-level course than the one in which you earned a D or F. You can also satisfy “a-g” requirements by completing college courses or by earning particular scores on SAT, Advanced Placement (AP), or International Baccalaureate (IB) exams. 

Since admission to a UC is considered competitive, you are encouraged to complete more than the minimum required courses listed above. Talk to your counselor about the options available to you.

How does the UC calculate my GPA?

Learn about the GPA requirement for freshmen and how the UC will calculate your GPA. 

• Grades of “Credit” or “Pass” won’t be included in your GPA calculation. You also won’t earn an extra point for “Credit” or “Pass” grades in honors, AP, or IB courses. 

How can I plan and track my “a-g” courses while I’m in high school?

Use your account to plan and track the “a-g” courses you are taking in high school to be eligible for UC. Discuss your grades with your counselor and plan future coursework to stay on track. 

To review, add, or edit courses:

1. Click on My Plan in the menu bar, and then Academic Planner.

2. Review the courses in your Academic Planner. These courses come directly from your school district.

   • Click on the UC Eligibility tab and review the courses in this view. 

   • Green courses are verified “a-g” courses. 

   • Yellow courses are unique because your school considers them “a-g” courses, but they cannot be verified by the UC Course Management Portal.

   • Courses in red indicate you received a grade of D or F; be sure to review these courses with your counselor.

3. To plan courses for future grades, there are three simple steps to add a course:

   • Select a subject area and a grade level.

   • Select a course from the dropdown menu.

   • Indicate term type, term, and click Submit. 

4. To edit courses you add to the Academic Planner, click on the course, make your changes, and click on Submit. 

5. To delete courses, click on the course, and then Delete.

6. You cannot edit or delete completed or enrolled courses that come from your school district.

When I select courses in the Academic Planner, where do the courses come from?

The dropdown menu is populated by “a-g” courses for that subject area and grade level as indicated in your school district’s course catalog. 

How do validations work?

A validation is when you successfully complete advanced coursework (earning a letter grade of C- or better) in an area of sequential knowledge. Doing so presumes you have mastered the lower-level coursework. There are two types of validation:

• Validation of coursework: Validation of a lower-level course even if the lower-level course was not actually completed (“subject omission”).

• Validation of grades: Validation of a D or F grade (“grade deficiency”) in a lower-level course after completion of a higher-level course with a grade of C- or better.

Note the following validations for Math and Language other than English (LOTE) courses:   

• Math: 

  • A year-long Geometry course (or a math course with Geometry content) must be completed; higher-level math courses will only validate a letter grade of D or F earned in a Geometry course but cannot take the place of Geometry altogether. However, taking a second semester of Geometry can validate a missing first semester of Geometry. 

  • Only the Trigonometry portion of an Algebra II/Trigonometry course will validate a grade deficiency in Geometry. 

  • The Algebra II portion of an Algebra II/Trigonometry course validates Algebra I/Math I and Algebra II/Math II. 

  • A standalone Trigonometry course validates a deficient second semester grade in Geometry, and validates subject omissions and grade deficiencies in Algebra l /Math I and Algebra II/Math II. 

• Language other than English (LOTE): 

  • For any language, a higher-level of the same language validates a lower-level course. 

  • The second semester of a course validates the first semester of a course at each level. 

  • A higher-level course validates all levels below it.

Discuss course validation options with your school counselor. 

Satisfying Subject Requirements with Test Scores

Required "a-g" courses may be satisfied with appropriate test scores on AP exams or designated IB exams. For UC, the omission of a course in Geometry cannot be validated by any examination score. Learn more about satisfying subject area requirements.

You can use your account to see your validated courses. From your Academic Planner, go to the UC Eligibility tab, and you will see the notation “Validated by a test score or by high level course work.”

What is Eligibility in the Local Context (ELC)?

The UC may identify you for the ELC program if you rank in the top 9% of your California high school class at the end of your junior year. This achievement adds value to your application.  

To qualify for UC’s ELC program:

• Complete the following 11-course pattern with a grade of C- or better before you start 12th grade:

  • Area “a” History/Social Sciences: 1 year.

  • Area “b” English Composition and Literature: 2 years. 

  • Area “c” Mathematics: 2 years.

  • Area “d” Science: 1 year.

  • Area “e” Language other than English (LOTE): 1 year.

  • 4 years of other "a-g" courses.

• Have at least a 3.0 GPA, and meet or exceed the top 9% GPA benchmark established by the UC for your high school. 

• Complete the remaining "a-g" requirements in your senior year. 

As an applicant from California, your application will be automatically screened for ELC eligibility when you apply; there is no extra paperwork.

Is there an exam requirement? 

For Fall 2022 and beyond: 

• UC will not look at ACT or SAT scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships. 

• You can submit SAT or ACT scores if you want to.  It’s not required. If you don’t submit scores, it won’t hurt your chances of getting in. 

• SAT or ACT scores could still be used for first-year course placement or as an alternative way to meeting “a-g” course requirements. 

Learn more about college admission exams.

Private Universities:

 The Common Application (Common App) is an online college application. You can use it to apply to more than 900 different colleges. It’s mostly used for private colleges, but some out-of-state public colleges use it, too.

• Deadline: You can create a Common App account anytime. Application deadlines are set by each college.

• Fee: Application fees are set by each college. They usually range from about $30 to $75. You may be able to get a fee waiver from Common App or your college.

Before you begin.

• Use the College Search Tool to find colleges that use the Common App.

  • Under California College Type, click on Independent Colleges. That’ll narrow down your results to colleges that use the application.

  • Click on the name of a college to learn more about it.

  • Click the heart icon to save your favorites to your College List in My Plan.

• Start working on your personal essay. Give yourself time to draft, get feedback, and revise.

• Learn about the CSS Profile. It’s a financial aid application you need to fill out for many private colleges. (You’ll still have to fill out the FAFSA or CADAA, too.)

• Have this important information handy.

  • Your high school transcript. You’ll need it to enter your courses and grades.

  • A list of your activities in and out of the classroom. You can include work, hobbies, clubs, and family responsibilities. Remember, you can keep track of these in My Experiences in My Plan.

  • A list of your academic achievements, like honors or awards.

  • SAT or ACT exam scores.

  • Information about your parent’s job and education.

How to apply.

1. Hover or click on College at the top of your screen.

2. Under Apply to College, click on Common Application. You can also go straight to the website.

3. Click on Start your application.

4. Create an account for the kind of student you are. If you’re in high school, choose first year student.

   • You’ll enter some basic information, like your name and contact information.

   • Be sure to give an email address you can still use after you graduate from high school. Check it often!

5. Add up to 20 colleges to your account. They’ll show up in your Dashboard. That’s where you can keep track of the deadlines and requirements for each college.

6. Invite recommenders to submit documents for you, like your official transcripts or letters of recommendation.

7. Check your college’s writing requirements. You may need to write a personal essay or answer extra questions.

8. Complete your application.

When you’re done, remember to come back to CaliforniaColleges.edu! Add your submission date to the College Applications section of My College Plan.

Common App tips.

The application guide for first-time students has lots of information about how to use the Common App. You can also find answers to common questions at the Student Solutions Center. Here are some other helpful tips.

Application Deadlines

Each college sets its own application deadline. Some colleges may give priority to students who apply early. Others may accept applications at any time. Here are some terms you should know.

• Early Action: You can apply and find out if you’re accepted earlier than other students. You can still apply to other colleges. If you’re accepted, you don’t have to attend.

• Early Decision: This is similar to Early Action, but you can only apply to one college Early Decision. If you’re accepted, you must attend. Be 100% sure you want to go to a college before you apply this way. Your counselor can help you decide.

• Priority Application: Some colleges have a priority deadline. If you apply by this date, you’ll have a better chance of getting in than if you apply by the regular deadline. You could get more scholarships, too.

• Rolling Admissions: This means there’s no official deadline. They’ll keep taking applications until all the spots are filled.

Writing Requirements

From your Common App Dashboard, you can see the requirements for the colleges on your list. Pay close attention to the writing requirements. They’ll be different for every college.

• The Common App has seven first-year essay prompts. Answering one may be required or optional.

• Some colleges have supplemental writing requirements. That means you may have to answer special questions just for that college. They could be short-answer questions or essay prompts.

Check out College Admissions Essays for writing tips and resources. Also, review the writing requirements by college.

Fee Waiver

Most colleges charge an application fee. If you get a fee waiver, that means you don’t have to pay. You can qualify for a lot of different reasons. Here are some examples.

• Your family is low-income.

• You got a fee waiver for the ACT or SAT.

• You get free or reduced price lunch at your high school.

• You’re a foster youth. You’re homeless.

Talk to your counselor if you think you might qualify for a fee waiver. You can request one in the Profile section of the Common App. Your counselor will also need to complete a form. You can also reach out to the admissions office about getting a fee waiver directly from your college.