Applying to College

If yes, learn how to apply to a UC School (application opens August 1st) via the below information:

Applying to a UC 
 

Please attend the UC Workshop! 

*The University of California Application opened August 1st.

BEFORE you start your UC application, watch THIS!.

Make sure the UC to which you are applying offers the major you seek! Use THIS to confirm.

AFTER you decide if you are for-sure going to apply to a UC, consider launching your application from your CaliforniaColleges account. Doing so will import all your NP coursework directly into the UC application(s). For more information, please review THIS and THIS. 

Keep the following tips in mind as you apply:

1. You will NOT need letters of recommendation.

2. You should get a copy of your unofficial transcript in order to accurately enter your coursework (ask leilabernstein@conejousd.org ).

Concurrent/Dual Enrollment Titles

The University of California System

UC Admissions Home Page

*for a comprehensive step-by-step guide, check these out (NOTE...if you thoroughly review these two links, you can skip the rest of the instructions below them):

2025-26 Common App presentation slides

2025-26 Common App presentation (video)

Before you apply to any colleges, PLEASE do an objective major and college campus search FIRST. Go HERE, then click "take the free test." Majors will be matched to your personality and interests. 

After you narrow your major(s), go HERE and set up a free account. Enter your GPA, coursework, etc. and use the college search feature to narrow your list. After you add schools, use the chancing tool to get a BALLPARK (but somewhat optimistic) estimate of your chances. 

Next, find out IF any of your colleges allow you to apply via "the Common Application: HERE (note: some colleges allow you to use EITHER the Common Application OR their own application).

IF YOU NEED A COUNSELOR LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION, BE SURE TO ASK YOUR COUNSELOR IN PERSON AND COMPLETE THIS SURVEY (and have parent or guardian complete THIS SURVEY). 

IF YOU NEED A TEACHER LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION, BE SURE TO ASK THE TEACHER IN PERSON AND COMPLETE THIS SURVEY

IMPORTANT! YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE A TRANSCRIPT OR TRANSCRIPTS SENT TO YOUR COMMON APP SCHOOLS. TO DO SO, FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS EXACTLY!!!

1. Create an account at www.commonapp.org and note your Common App ID.
2. Follow the instructions to invite your counselor to be a Recommender. This will trigger an email to your counselor, which explains how to submit school forms online.
   • Your Counselor must accept your invitation to be a Recommender.
3. After you have created your Common Application account and invited your counselor to be a Recommender, create/sign in to your Parchment Account (NPHS's transcript delivery service).
   • If you don’t have a Parchment account yet, you will need to register. For help on registering, visit the Registration help topic.
4. Click Order under the name of your school.
5. Type "Common App" into the search box and click Select (FIRST YEAR applicants).
6. Enter your Common App ID and then continue the ordering process.
7. Once your school has approved your request and uploaded your transcript, your transcript will be sent directly to the Common App where it will be matched to your school forms and submitted on your behalf.

Additional Resources: 

NPHS IB Test Titles for Common App

Which Colleges Use It And What Do They Require?

Common App. Essay Brainstorming Tips

Creating/Refining Your College List

UPenn Application Tips (applicable to any Common App School)

If yes, review the below to learn how to apply:

Applying to a College that is NOT a UC, CSU or Common App School

For colleges that are not in the UC, CSU, or Common Application system, requirements vary. 

1. You MAY need to write personal statements

2. You MAY need letters of recommendation

3. You should get a copy of your unofficial transcript in order to accurately enter your coursework

4. You should make sure the college to which you are applying offers the major you seek. Use www.collegevine.com to do a search. 

If yes, Click HERE to learn how to apply to a community college.

Typically, there are three main sources of funding for which students can potentially qualify (other than whatever a family is going to a contribute from savings). The first is a GRANT, which is money that does not have to be repaid if the student fulfills his or her academic responsibilities. Grants depend on student financial need. The second is a LOAN, which can be either “subsidized” (the GOOD kind…for which interest does not accrue until after the applicant graduates college), or “unsubsidized” (the less than good kind…for which interest accrues since the day the loan is issued). The third kind is a scholarship, which is generally contingent on academic, athletic, or some other kind of talent.

If you are in grades 9-11, browse the links below to familiarize yourself with the general financial aid opportunities that exist (and check Naviance regularly for scholarships for which you can apply).

If you are a SENIOR, and you are seeking financial aid for college, you need to fill out The FAFSA application  ASAP after October 1st! 

Super Helpful FAFSA Tutorial

ATTEND A FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOP!

California Student Aid Commission (review this link for questions about all CALIFORNIA-specific aid)

Are You Applying to One of THESE Colleges? If so, click HERE! (CSS Profile)

Scholarships!

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

Negotiate?

Many colleges are “test optional” or “test blind.” For more information about whether or not you should submit scores, review THIS.

If you are applying to a 4-year college, you may want/need to send your OFFICIAL SAT and/or ACT scores for admissions consideration/merit award consideration/placement. Please read the following important items!

GENERAL OVERVIEW of SENDING SCORES for SAT and ACT

Read the instructions on the college website to determine if you need to/how to send your score(s). If you have taken multiple tests, review THIS link to check out the policies for *Score Choice for each campus. Although some colleges might require that official test scores be submitted during the application process, some colleges allow applicants to self-report and to send official scores AFTER they have been accepted. It is your responsibility to follow the instructions for each campus to which you apply!

* NOTE: for SAT, “Score Choice” gives a test-taker the option to pay to have ONLY the test scores from a specific test date sent instead of having ALL scores sent by default. For ACT, scores from only ONE sitting are sent (unless the test taker pays to have scores from multiple test dates sent).