California Colleges 

You can use the College Search Tool to find colleges you want to learn more about

Systems of Higher Education

In general, there are four different systems of higher education: 2-year institutions, public 4-year institutions, private 4-year institutions, and vocational/technical schools.

Nationwide, there are thousands of colleges offering a wide variety of degrees and majors. These include community colleges, state universities, and elite research institutions.

Compare Careers

Choosing a career path is an important part of planning your future. One of the best ways to find the best career for you is to compare different careers, so you can choose what will be best for you and your future.

Benefits of California Community Colleges

• As you consider all your options for college, consider the California Community College (CCC) system. There are many benefits to community college, and some unique offerings that you will not find at other schools.

• Learn about Financial Aid

Financial aid is money that helps pay for college. There are different aid sources based on your situation. Some aid is based on financial need, your income, and your family’s income while other aid is based upon merit.

10th Grade - Take the PSAT test for practice

11-12th Grade - Take the SAT and/or the ACT tests for college (Standardized College Admissions Tests)

1. Choose your college - you might want to apply to several colleges to ensure you will be accepted to one

2. Apply to your chosen college - pay attention to application deadlines

   a. Request your transcript to be sent to your college now and after graduation

       To Order Transcripts go to:   Parchment.com 

   b. You might need letters of recommendatipara ons from teachers or counselors per application requirements

   c. Be sure your SAT/ACT scores are sent to the colleges you are applying to

3. Apply to FAFSA - Free Application For Federal Student Aid or apply for CADAA - California Dream Act 

    a. FAFSA and CADAA will provide the student an amount of money they do not have to pay back. This money is to help the student pay for classes,                 textbooks, and other college related items. 

            Financial aid will also provide an amount that they can borrow for college based on your family's financial need but you will have pay back the loan             whether the student the program/degree/drop out.

    b. The student might also qualify for a Cal Grant or a Pell Grant - Grants do not have to be paid back

3. If you are an athlete...Create an account with NCAA for Division 1, 2, and 3 colleges to get certified

4. Apply for Scholarships - scholarships are free $$$ you don't have to pay back

5. Turn in any awards to your counselor so that we can recognize your accomplishment at awards night & at graduation!

(For example... FAFSA Award letters, Grants, College Acceptance Letters, Scholarships, and/or Military Acceptance)

6. Once you are accepted to a college and commit to go there - go directly to the Financial Aid Office and ask the counselor for specific financial aid packages & scholarships you might qualify for outside of the FAFSA

The "a-g" Subject Requirements

The college preparatory course pattern is also known as the "a-g subject requirements". The University of California is responsible for reviewing high school courses in the state of California to certify that they meet the college preparatory standard. To satisfy the UC subject requirements, students must complete 15 units of UC-approved high school coursework. (A unit is equal to an academic year, or two semesters, of study - which would be a total of 30 semesters or 150 credits RUSD high school system.) Beginning with the class of 2012, 11 units of coursework must be completed by the end of junior year. 

To satisfy the UC and CSU subject requirements, students must complete 15 units of UC-approved high school coursework in the subjects listed below. These courses are also known as the "a-g" subjects or requirements. 

Required A-G Courses:

(A) History/Social Science – 2 years required

Two years of history/social science, including one year of world history, cultures and geography; and one year of U.S. history or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of civics or American government.

(B) English – 4 years required

Four years of college-preparatory English that include frequent and regular writing, and reading of classic and modern literature. Not more than two semesters of ninth-grade English or no more than one year of ELD can be used to meet this requirement.

(C) Mathematics – 3 years required, 4 years recommended

Three years of college-preparatory mathematics that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry.

(D) Laboratory Science – 2 years required, 3 years recommended

Two years of laboratory science providing fundamental knowledge in two of these three core disciplines: biology (which includes anatomy, physiology, marine biology, aquatic biology, etc.), chemistry and physics. The final two years of an approved three-year integrated science program may be used to fulfill this requirement. Not more than one year of ninth-grade laboratory science can be used to meet this requirement.

(E) Language Other than English (LOTE) – 2 years required, 3 years recommended

Two years of the same language other than English. Courses should emphasize speaking and understanding, and include instruction in grammar, vocabulary, reading, composition and culture.

(F) Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) – 1 year required

Two semesters of approved arts courses from a single VPA discipline: dance, drama/theater, music or visual art. If scheduling challenges demand, students may divide the year-long course in two different academic years, as long as the course curriculum is designed as a year-long sequence and approved as such by the University.

Note: Students may also meet the VPA requirement by taking a UC-transferrable community college course from IGETC category 3A. To determine which courses meet this requirement you can go to the "ASSIST" website at: http://www.assist.org/web-assist/welcome.html 

(G) College Preparatory Electives – 1 year required

One year (two semesters), in addition to those required in "a-f" above, chosen from the following areas: visual and performing arts (non-introductory level courses), history, social science, English, advanced mathematics, laboratory science and language other than English (a third year in the language used for the "e" requirement).

Transcripts

The UC & CSU’s do not require transcripts at the time you apply, but may ask for a transcript after you have completed your 1st semester of your senior year.  Then, if you ultimately commit to attend a UC or CSU school, you will need to send a final transcript that reflects your 2nd semester senior year grades to that school! This transcript must be requested before school ends to give ample time to be sent off before the July deadline.  Most Community Colleges also require an official high school transcript as part of their application process.

Many scholarship applications will also require an official transcript. To request a transcript, go to Parchment . 

Letters of Recommendation

The UC’s & CSU’s do not require letters of recommendation. However, private colleges and most scholarship applications will require both recommendations and transcripts. If students want their counselors to write a letter of recommendation, students must make a request to their counselor giving them enough time to compose the letter before the deadline. This includes requests for future applications, scholarships, and more.

Students can also request Letters of Recommendations from teachers. Please speak with the teacher at least three weeks in advance to determine the best way to request a letter. Please note, some schools only accept paper Letter of Recommendations.  Be ready to provide your teacher and/or counselor with a stamped, addressed envelope. Recommendations are supposed to be confidential. Students should not ask the writer for a copy! If students need multiple letters of recommendation, they should use the same teachers/counselors for those letters as well.

Private & Independent colleges are different from the UC & CSU’s significantly in their admissions application processes. Generally speaking, they will have the same subject requirements as the UC/CSU’s “a-g” subject pattern. However, students should check the home website of the college in question to be certain. Please note, for most private, independent and out-of-state colleges:

Students must download all application materials from either the home website of the school they are applying to, or from one of the online application services listed below. Most Private/Independent & Out-of-State colleges will require essays. Most Private/Independent & Out-of-State colleges will require transcripts at the time of application. Most will also want “mid-year” transcript updates after the fall semester senior grades have posted!  

Most Private/Independent & Out-of-State colleges will require a form to be completed by the Counseling Office. These forms are called a variety of names (i.e. Secondary School Reports, School Reports, Counselor Reports, Counselor Evaluation, etc...) Student must download these forms and give them to their Counselor with the Request for Letter of Recommendation form and stamped envelopes no less than 3 weeks prior to their deadlines!

As with the UC’s & CSU’s students must arrange to have their SAT and/or ACT scores sent to them directly from the College Board or American College Testing Inc.

To Register for NCAA Eligibility CREATE YOUR STUDENT ACCOUNT HERE 

 Academic Eligibility Facts (Div I, II & III) 

 CLICK HERE FOR Estimated Probability of Competing in College Athletics 

Cal State Universities - "Students who've experienced life in a foster home or group home often need extra support and resources to ensure they succeed in college. Here you'll learn about the many ways your CSU campus can help you thrive from the day you start your academic career until you earn your degree." (calstate.edu) 

Click on this link for more resources and information:

CLICK HERE FOR MORE RESOURCES & INFORMATION

University of California - Foster Youth Resources

All UC campuses are committed to helping current and former foster youth successfully transition to the university.

Various campus programs offer guidance and counseling, academic advising, housing, financial aid, and other support services that may include:

• Orientation to university life

• Student employment opportunities

• Assistance with financial aid applications

• Life skills counseling

• Career planning

• Priority class registration

Additionally, UC will waive the $80 application fee for up to four campuses for low-income students. You can apply for a fee waiver within the online application and be notified immediately whether you have qualified. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION 

Community College - Foster Youth Resources 

All community college campuses are committed to helping current and former foster youth successfully transition to college. 

Programs help support students from foster care, starting with academic support and extending to independent living skills, accessing financial aid and more, aiming to set them up for success in college and beyond. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION  

Extended Opportunity Programs and Services (EOPS)  is a student support program (Title 5)

Foster Support Services 

The Puente Program

The Promise Program 

The TRiO Program