Embedded Files
Student who want to attend a 4 year University need to meet the A-G requirements. These requirements are minimum requirements, in order to be more competitive when applying it is recommended that students exceed the minimum requirements. Students must earn a C or better in these courses.
A. History- 2 years, 1 World History and 1 US History
B. English Language Arts – 4 years
C. Math – 3 years, 4 recommended – Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2
D. Lab Science- 1 year Physical, 1 year Biological
E. Foreign Language- 2 years same language, 3 years recommended
F. Visual/Performing Art- 1 year
G. College Prep Elective- 1 year
A-G approved course list for El Camino High School:
https://hs-articulation.ucop.edu/agcourselist/institution/2172
Know Your "Reach," "Target," and "Safety" Schools
Reach: A reach school is one in which your GPA and SAT/ACT score falls between (or below) the 25th and 50th percentile. It means that you are unlikely to gain acceptance into the school but still want to apply for the small chance you might get in. Students typically pick 1 to 2 reach schools to apply to.
Target: A target school is one in which your academic profile falls well within the range of recently accepted students. In other words, your GPA and SAT/ACT score should be within the 50th to 75th percentile. You are likely to be accepted to your target schools, and you should apply to 3 to 4 of them for the sake of having options.
Safety: A safety school is one in which you are highly likely to be accepted to. The purpose of applying to safety schools is that in the case you don’t get into any of your other target or reach schools, you still have places to fall back on. Your stats should fall above average for your safety school with >60% acceptance rates, and you should apply to 2 to 3 of them.
2. Check the Majors & Opportunities
Make sure the colleges offer the major(s) you’re interested in.
Look for good internships, research, or work possibilities nearby.
3. Pick Location & Size
Think about how far from home you want to be, what kind of town (big city vs rural) you prefer, weather, and local culture.
Consider school size:
Big school = more majors, bigger resources, large classes
Small school = more tight-knit, smaller classes
4. Don't Ignore Cost & Financial Aid
Look at Cost of Attendance (tuition + room, board, fees, travel), not just tuition.
Research each school’s scholarships, grants, and average aid.
Don’t immediately eliminate expensive schools—they might offer enough aid to make them affordable.
Apply to schools you really want first, then see what financial aid you get.
College Board suggests 5–8 schools.
👉 A good plan is to apply to 8 total schools:
2 Reach schools
4 Target schools
2 Safety schools
This online platform offers students, families, and educators a single access point for college and career readiness, college applications, tools, and information to help plan for the future after high school.
UCs, CSUs, and California community colleges are all accessible through this one account!
Launch an application from the College Tab at the top of the page
The University of California system is one of the two public four-year University institutions in California. There are nine undergraduate campuses to choose from:
Berkeley, Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Merced, Riverside, San Diego, Santa Barbara, and Santa Cruz.
Check Majors offer by all the UC
Take a Majors Quiz
UC Financial Aid Planner
UC Personal Insight Questions
UC Application
Presenting Yourself on the UC Application
UC Application Tutorial (Youtube Videos)
Do you need assistance with your UC application?
The California State University (CSU) system is one of two public four-year University institutions in California. There are 22 CSU campuses to choose from:
Bakersfield, Channel Islands, Chico, Dominguez Hills, East Bay, Fresno, Fullerton, Humboldt, Long Beach, Los Angeles, Monterey Bay, Northridge, Pomona, Sacramento, San Bernardino, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, San Luis Obispo, San Marcos, Sonoma, and Stanislaus.
Check out the CSU Admissions Handbook for 2026-2027 here
Click this link to visit all campus website and compare CSU campuses.
Some CSU campuses and/or majors are impacted and therefore may require additional course work or a higher threshold for entrance. Look here for a list of impacted campuses and majors:
CSU Impacted Programs Matrix
CSU Majors
Need help choosing a campus?
San Francisco State University
Community College
All students can attend a community college. There are multiple paths for community college students including, preparing students to transfer to a 4 year institution or technical training including over 100 vocational and academic programs earning Associates degrees or certificates.
There are several steps to fully matriculate to a community college including application, orientation, and registration.
CCCApply
Choose a college, and you will be routed to the college's website for complete instructions to apply for admission online.
Skyline Degrees & Certificates
Private & Independent Colleges
There are 77 private and independent four year colleges in California. There are also private community colleges. They vary in size prestige and cost. Below are some resources for private and independent colleges. Many college use the common application and students may require an essay and/or letters of recommendation from a teacher and counselor. If you need to request a letter of recommendation it is highly recommended you give you teacher or counselor a minimum of 4 weeks to complete if possible.
"Our 52 college partners are actively seeking students like you. Apply for free to the nation’s best colleges and be considered for early admission and a full four-year scholarship. The National College Match application gives you extra space to tell your unique story as a student who has excelled academically despite financial hardship.
If admitted to a college partner through the Match or QuestBridge Regular Decision, you will join a supportive community of over 10,000 other QuestBridge Scholars currently attending our college partners, and upon graduation, you'll be welcomed into a network of over 20,000 QuestBridge Alumni for continued support, networking, and growth opportunities."
Eligibility:
Eligibility:
High school seniors, regardless of citizenship, currently attending high school in the U.S. and planning to attend college the fall after graduation, and U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents living abroad
Earning primarily A’s in the most challenging courses offered
Demonstrating strong writing skills and intellectual curiosity, plus resilience, integrity, and motivation to succeed
Typically from a household earning less than $65,000 annually with minimal assets (for a household of four members).
Deadline for the Match is September 30, 2025!
Page updated
Report abuse