College Application Process
California Community College
Minimum Eligibility: High School Diploma or 18 years of age
Community colleges offer a smooth transition to a four-year institution. Sixty percent of students who received their bachelor’s degree at a California State University and thirty percent of students who graduated from a UC school started their education at a California Community College. Most community college campuses provide a large variety of services such as academic advising; disabled student services; honors programs; learning and tutoring programs; scholarships; child care and career center to assist students in pursuing their educational and career goals.
The application to a California Community College is available on each schools individual website.
Community College Transfer Agreement Guarantee Information
Ohlone College Transfer Admission Guarantees
California State University
Application Submission Period: October 1st - November 30th
www2.calstate.edu/apply
Minimum Eligibility: 2.0 GPA &Â CSU A-G Course Requirements
Students seeking admission as undergraduates to any of the 23 campuses of the California State University will apply using Cal State Apply. Cal State Apply assists students in planning for college, in selecting the appropriate CSU campus to attend, in planning how to finance their education, and in applying for admission. The open filing period for applications is from October 1 to November 30. FILE YOUR APPLICATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE DURING THE OPEN FILING PERIOD. The system is always overloaded during the last few days of November.
Be sure to complete SAT or ACT with Writing by the October/November test date and send scores. No recommendation is required and official transcripts are not due until July.
University of California
Database Opens: August 1 Â Â Submit: November 1st-30th
universityofcalifornia.edu/apply
Minimum Eligibility: 3.0 GPA &Â UC A-G Course Requirements
Students seeking admission as undergraduates to any of the nine general campuses of the University of California will be able to have their applications considered simultaneously at more than one campus. Each student will submit one application to the University of California indicating the campus or campuses at which he or she wishes to be considered and paying a fee for each campus. The applications will then be sent to the appropriate campuses. Students may have their applications considered at as many campuses as they wish. The open filing period for applications is from November 1 to November 30. FILE YOUR APPLICATION AS SOON AS POSSIBLE DURING THE OPEN FILING PERIOD. The system is always overloaded during the last few days of November.
Be sure to complete SAT or ACT with Writing and SAT Subject Tests (recommended but not required) by the October/November test date and send scores. No recommendation is required and official transcripts are not due until July.
Private Schools and Out of State Public Schools
Students will use Common Application to apply for admission as an undergraduate with private schools and out of state public schools. Students will create an account and apply for their school of choice through Common Application.
Majority of Universities utilize Common Application, however there are some that do not and we call them Non-Common App Schools.  For these schools, students will need to follow the universities’ application procedure.
Some Universities give students the option of applying early to their school. Please review the following to determine if this is the best option for you.
EARLY DECISION plans are binding. Your child agrees to attend the college if accepted and if the college offers an adequate financial aid package. Although your child can apply to only one college for early decision, applying to other colleges though the regular admissions process is allowed. If your child is accepted by the first-choice college early, all other applications must be withdrawn.
EARLY ACTION plans are similar but not binding. If accepted, your child can choose to commit to the college immediately, or wait until the spring. Under these plans, your child may also apply early action to other colleges.
RESTRICTIVE EARLY ACTION / SINGLE-CHOICE EARLY ACTION is offered by a few colleges. This plan works the same way as other early action plans, but candidates may not apply early (either Early Decision or Early Action) to any other college. Your child can still apply regular decision plans and is not required to give a final answer until the regular decision deadline.
Early Action and Early Decision plans should be used with discretion. If a student has any reservations about attending that school, or if their application profile is not complete, they should wait to apply regular decision.
For All Students Applying Using Common Application or applying to a Non-Common App school needing a secondary school report and/or letter of recommendation you need to follow the directions below and complete the senior profile.
Letter of Recommendation Information
Ordering Transcripts
Part of the application process is ordering your high school transcript to be sent to the universities you’re applying to. Each university has their own deadlines that you must follow. For students applying through Common Application, transcripts must be ordered by your profile packet deadline.
You will electronically order your transcript through Parchment.
- If you are using Common Application, you will order one transcript to be sent to your Common Application account. This one transcript will be sent to all the universities you are applying to through Common Application.
Note: You will not submit a transcript with your application to UCs or CSUs. Transcripts to UCs and CSUs are ordered and submitted in June unless otherwise requested by the individual school.
Follow the attached procedures to order transcripts through Parchment.
Tips in Completing College Applications
- Read the application carefully. Follow directions and make sure to answer the questions asked.
- Answer truthfully and concisely. Be prepared to verify anything you write in your application.
- Explain any acronyms or duties that are not self-explanatory.
- Prioritize your applications and meet all deadlines.
- For online applications, be sure to get a verification of receipt.
- Check email frequently, as colleges may reach out regarding required information, documents, and deadlines.