Where do I begin?

Navigating the college admission process can be daunting!  There are over 4000 institutions of higher learning in the United States from large research universities to small liberal arts colleges. 

Here are some resources to help you:

College/Major Search Tools

• Naviance - provides College and Career readiness solutions that will assist you in planning your future goals by connecting your academic achievements to your post-secondary aspirations.  At Moorpark High School Naviance provides students access to request College and Career related items such as:

  • • Transcripts

    • Letters of Recommendation

    • College Applications

    • Career Assessment Surveys

    • College and Career Research Tools

• UC/CSU Information from MHS Counseling

• UC Prospective Student Events and Tours

• UCSB Virtual Presentations for future freshman

• CSU Guide for Preparing for College

• College Board Big Future - Search colleges, explore careers, get financial aid information

• MyMajors - Do you need help finding a college major? MyMajors can assist you in finding your best-fit college majors, schools, and career path!

• College Niche - Niche is a website that helps you discover the schools and neighborhoods that are right for you.

• Guidelines and Tips for a Successful Creative Portfolio

• NACCAP Virtual Christian College Fairs - Almost 50 thematic events November-February based on specific topics such as first generation students and student-athletes, by intended major, by geography if you’re looking for a school in a certain part of the country and more! 

• NACAC College Fairs  - Connect with hundreds of colleges and universities at NACAC Virtual College Fairs. High school students and families are welcome to attend for free. Sign up at virtualcollegefairs.org!

• The Matchlighters Program-   The Matchlighters Scholars Program pairs high-achieving students from low-income households with experienced college counselors – and it's totally free.

• Collegewise Runway - A series of college planning resources

• TeenLife - TeenLife provides the web's most comprehensive directory of STEM, gap year, pre-college, overnight summer and community service programs for students in grades 7-12. 

• AP Credit Policy Search - Find colleges that offer credit or placement for AP scores. For the most up-to-date AP credit policy information, check the institution's website. 

• NCAA Eligibility Center - Want to play sports in college?  Be sure you are eligible!

• 2023 Fall Diversity Fly-In Visit Programs - More than 70 colleges offer free summer and fall visits for under-represented and diverse students. 

Virtual Campus Tours

• Three Ways to Tour Colleges Virtually

• UC Campus Tours - Virtually tour all nine UC campuses

• You Visit - The global leader in virtual campus tours.

• CampusTours - CampusTours provides virtual tours of 1700+ colleges and universities and builds virtual tours and interactive maps for schools and organizations worldwide.

Transcript Fees - Transcripts for current students are a flat fee of $10, paid to the Student Store. Transcripts for graduates are $10 each, paid to the Registrar's Office.

4-Year College & University Applications

• Cal State Apply - California State University has 23 campuses.

• UC Admissions - University of California has 9 undergraduate campuses.

• Common Application - This one application gives you access to over 1,000 colleges and universities around the world.

• Coalition for College Access - One application, 113 member schools.

• Common Black College Application - Apply to any of the 54 HBCU's..

• Applying to a Military Academy?

College Application & Essay Information

• College Application Fee Waivers: Who Qualifies and How to Get Them

• List of Colleges that Accept the Common Application

• 2023-2024 Common App Essay Prompts

• Common App - Writing requirements by College

• Common App How-To-Guide

• Completing the Common App Guide

• Common App - Video Playlist

• AXS Companion to Common App - This resource is a guide to walk you through the Common Application (Common App) process.

• 23-24 CSU Freshman Application Guide

• UC Personal Insight Questions - From UC Admissions

• UC Application Made Easy - YouTube videos of each section of the application.

• UC Application Tips - From UC Berkeley

• UC Undergraduate Admissions Application Guide

• Guide to Undergraduate Admissions

• Essay Review - Get Schooled partnered with Scholarship Junkies to help students get the best help applying to college. You can submit your personal statement, college essays, and scholarship essays. Just create an account on Scholarship Junkies and submit your essays. You'll have feedback on your essay within one week. 

• How to Combine Your College Essay Prompts (To Save 20+ Writing Hours) - From The College Essay Guy

• Big Future College Application Essay Resources

• College Interview Questions & Admission Interview Tips - presented by Sallie Mae

• Guide to Writing a Personal Statement - from the College Essay Guy

• College Essay Guy Podcast - Practical, up-to-date interviews with experts in college admissions, financial aid, personal statements, test prep and more. 

• Applying to College Abroad: A Guide for American Students

• Story2 - Free resources from Story2. They teach students how to write powerful college essays that connect with admissions officers. (free trial, paid service)

• NextStepU Magazine - College and career planning magazine with award winning articles and resources from college admissions, guidance counselors and thought leaders

• College Confidential - Finding and getting into a school is one thing. Figuring out what to do with your education is another. At College Confidential, we're here to help you tackle both. 

• CSU-UC Comparison of Minimum Freshman Admission Requirements

• Safety, Target, & Reach Schools: How to Find the Right Ones

• 6 Factors to Consider When Choosing a College

• Assessing Your List of Colleges

• 1,675+ Accredited, 4-Year Colleges & Universities with ACT/SAT-Optional Testing Policies for Fall, 2023 Admissions