College Application Checklist

YOUR COLLEGE APPLICATION DOESN'T END WHEN YOU SUBMIT!

Keep working hard in all of your classes. Colleges can review your final grades, and your admission can depend on successfully completing your senior-year courses and maintaining required eligibility.

•  Check your grades regularly

• Stay on top of missing assignments

•  Ask teachers for help if you're struggling

• Talk to your counselor if you're at risk of failing a class

• Don't drop or change a course without checking how it could affect your college admission

• If you receive a D or F, talk to your counselor about credit recovery right away

Get Organized

•  Create/update your CaliforniaColleges.edu account.  View how to log in HERE.

• Complete your Highlight Reel - MAKE A COPY  

• Research majors and careers

• Research admission requirements

• Make a list of application deadlines

• Make a list of activities, awards, jobs, volunteer work, and leadership

• Identify teachers who may be willing to write recommendations

• Create a Common App account if needed

• Sign up for/take SAT or ACT if required by a college on your list

UC

• Launch your UC Application account through your CaliforniaColleges.edu account. 

• Use a personal email you check regularly

• Begin entering your information

Students can begin working on the fall application August 1.

UC APPLICATION

• Log in to CaliforniaColleges.edu

• Launch your UC Application through CaliforniaColleges.edu

• Connect your UC application

• Import your courses and grades from CaliforniaColleges.edu

• Review your imported courses and grades carefully

• Compare your application with your transcript

• Add/review activities and awards

• Research UC majors

• Write your first UC PIQ

• Write your second UC PIQ

CSU APPLICATION

• Log in to CaliforniaColleges.edu

• Launch Cal State Apply through CaliforniaColleges.edu

• Create your Cal State Apply account

• Review your personal information

• Import your courses and grades from CaliforniaColleges.edu

• Review your imported courses and grades carefully

• Check your A-G courses

• Research CSU campuses and majors

• Add your CSU campuses/programs

 RECOMMENDATIONS

• Request letters of recommendation if required - Some private schools and UC Berkeley MAY ask for a LOR; EOP Application for CSU

• Give teachers/counselors plenty of time - at least one month.

• Provide your Highlight Reel/resume if requested

• If you received a D/F or are missing credits, meet with your counselor about credit recovery

UC

• Finish your third UC PIQ.

• Finish your fourth UC PIQ.

• Complete the rest of your UC application

• Review courses and grades

• Review activities and awards

• Review PIQs

• Review campuses and majors

• Check application fees/fee waiver - Contact our JCYC advisor Kristin Tatum for fee waivers. Find her in counseling!

• Submit UC application

UC submission period: October 1–November 30, 2026

CSU

• Complete Cal State Apply

• Review courses and grades

• Check A-G matching

• Review campuses and majors

• Apply to EOP if you qualify. Learn more here. 

• Check application fee/fee waiver

• Submit CSU applications

 CSU submission begins October 1, 2026
Priority filing period ends November 30, 2026

FINANCIAL AID

• Complete FAFSA or CADAA when available

• Add colleges

• Save your confirmation

• View step-by-step instructions here.

🚨 BIG DEADLINE MONTH

UC

• Review application one final time

• Submit UC application(s)

• Save confirmation

• Check your email

• Check your UC application status

DEADLINE: November 30, 2026

CSU

• Submit CSU application(s)

• Save confirmation

• Check email

• Check Cal State Apply status

PRIORITY DEADLINE: November 30, 2026

Private Colleges

• Submit applications with November deadlines

• Check recommendation letters

• Check supplemental essays

🚨 Remember: submitting your application does NOT mean you can stop caring about your grades!

• Submit private college applications

• Submit applications with December deadlines

• Apply for scholarships

• Check college portals

• Check email regularly

• Complete financial aid verification if requested

• Complete FAFSA/CADAA if not already done

• Check FAFSA/CADAA status

• Complete requested verification documents

• Check Cal Grant information

• Check college financial aid portals

• Apply for scholarships

• Check application portals for missing documents

• Enroll in credit recovery if you still need credits

• Apply for scholarships

• Check college portals

• Check email

• Submit missing documents

• Complete financial aid requirements

• Continue scholarship searches

• Review admission decisions

• Review financial aid award letters

• Compare college costs

• Research housing

• Check housing deadlines

• Visit colleges/attend admitted-student events

• Apply for scholarships

• Make a list of your top choices

• Review all admission offers

• Compare financial aid packages

• Compare total costs

• Research housing

• Complete housing applications

• Apply for scholarships

• Attend admitted-student events

• Talk with family and counselor

• Choose your college!

• Submit your Statement of Intent to Register (SIR)

• Pay enrollment/deposit fee if required

• Accept financial aid

• Complete housing application

• Complete orientation

• Complete placement/testing requirements

• Check college email

• Check student portal

• Send final transcript when requested. You will receive an email from SFUSD/Parchment

• Make sure you have completed all SFUSD graduation requirements

YOU DID IT! Congratulations!