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College Application Process

Written & Researched By: Nataly Meza

In order to attend a college or university, you need to fill out an application. These applications can vary in price and usually begin to open around August 1st of each year. These deadliness are to be taken extremely seriously, you cannot turn in a late application. If you fill this application out during August, you are considered for early admission, but these deadlines stretch to around November-February. Its important to note that the UC & CSU System have their own types of college application system that allows you to NOT need to fill out an application for each individual college. For this process, youll fill out a general common application, then choose which UC or CSU colleges you are applying to. There are also different types of applications you can fill out as long as that college/university accepts that type.

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Different types of College Applications

  • Common Application: The Common Application also known as the Common App, is the application used internationally. This is the type most applicants choose to apply with each year if they aren't applying to a college within the UC system. This means out-of-state colleges, CSU schools & such. You can sign up regardless of what year in high school you are in to familiarize yourself with the application and maybe even begin brainstorming for the essay prompts by clicking here.  It is important to remember these applications represent you, and you can start them at any time, improve them along the way until it is perfect for you. This process is considerably longer than any project that you may have done and you should never try to wing a college application, starting early is an amazing option. These are the parts to the Common App:​

  • The first part is the informational section, you'll need to provide information such as:​

  • High school transcript ( These can be found on Power schools or your school's application that provides grades etc.)

  • Extracurricular activities 

  • Test scores (SATs & ACTs,) 

    • It is important to note that starting in 2020, it is now optional to provide test scores for some schools. Be sure to do your own individual research to find out if it is needed you take the SAT/ACT. It is illegal for opting colleges to view these test scores if the student doesn't provide them. I still strongly encourage that students take the SAT regardless if it is feasible, this will allow you to see where you are & if you do great, you should add it to your application. ​

  • Parent or Legal Guardian information (educational background, occupational information, employer information, etc.)

The next section is your Essay. This is your chance to express yourself and choose an essay prompt.  Here is the expected essay prompts for rising seniors :

  1. Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.

  2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?

  3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?

  4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?

  5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.

  6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?

  7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

  • University of California Application: If you plan to apply to a UC school, then this means you'll need to apply with their very own application. The UC System has created an application of their own that is different from the Common App because it does not require an essay, but specialized questions called "Personal Insight Questions". This application process is unique to only Universities of California, meaning if you are applying to a CSU, which is different from a UC, or an independent university, you'll be filling out multiple types of applications and this is one of them. These applications are DUE NOVEMBER 30th of each fall term. If you are applying to multiple UC schools, you only need one application. You will fill out one through the UC system portal, then apply the one application to all the campuses you'd like in a list of all UC schools that will be on your screen. These are the parts of the application:

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  • Important Information About You ( Annual Income, Address, etc.)

    • Campuses & Majors​

      • This is where you will choose all the UC campuses you are applying to. Once you have selected your chosen UC schools, you will then select which majors you are interested in. If you are a student who still does not know what field they truly want to pursue or major, then you have the complete ability to choose "Undecided". Remember this is completely okay, not every high schooler is expected to have their entire future planned out, college will be a great opportunity to explore your interests. Everything will be okay, your passion will find you.

    • SAT & Other Test Scores

      • This is the section where you can submit SAT & ACT scores optionally. The UC System is no longer considering these scores in applications unless the student provides them. Secondly, you can also submit AP Scores. This part is also considered optional, you can provide any scores you comfortable with, considering if you have gotten 1's & 5's, you can choose to just upload the scores of 5's you've received! 

    • Activities & Extracurriculars

      • This is the section where you are given the chance to show what you do besides what classes you take, This can be clubs, sports & other important programs. The activities you choose to provide must fall under one of these categories:  Award or honor, Educational preparation programs (any programs that have enriched your academic experiences or helped you prepare for college), Extracurricular activity, Other coursework (courses other than those required for UC admission/courses that do not fit in UC’s A-G subject areas), Volunteering/Community service and Work Experience.

    • Scholarships: This is simply the section where you will provide any scholarships you received. There is no limit.

    • Personal Insight Questions

      • These are the questions that you need to answer instead of an essay. There are 8 questions in total, you need to choose & answer 4. These questions each have a limit of 350 words, so make the most of it. It'd be great if you choose the 4 questions you'd like to answer, curate your response and improve them over time until you have created the perfect response for each one. These are the personal insight questions you will have to choose from: â€‹

  • Describe an example of a leadership experience in which you’ve positively influenced others, helped resolve disputes, or contributed to group efforts over time.

  • Every person has a creative side, and it can be expressed in many ways: problem solving, original and innovative thinking, and artistically, to name a few. Describe how you express your creative side.

  • What would you say is your greatest talent or skill? How have you developed and demonstrated that talent over time?

  • Describe how you’ve taken advantage of a significant educational opportunity or worked to overcome an educational barrier you’ve faced.

  • Describe the most significant challenge you’ve faced and the steps you’ve taken to overcome this challenge. How has this challenge affected your academic achievement?

  • Think about an academic subject that inspires you. Describe how you’ve furthered this interest inside and/or outside the classroom.

  • What have you done to make your school or your community a better place?

  • Beyond what has already been shared in your application, what do you believe makes you stand out as a strong candidate for admission to the University of California?

Once you've finished. you will need to pay for the application fees, if you have a waiver you apply there. It is important to make sure you haven't already automatically qualified for the waiver. During the application process, you should get a message notifying you that you qualify for the waiver. After this,  you will hit submit and will recieve your Student ID & password. This will allow you to log in to all the portals of UC schools you have applied to in order to view your application status.​

  • Individual Application: While the majority of colleges you will likely apply to would be found on the Common App or in the UC Application system, there might be some which ask for an individual application, unique to the specific college you apply to. Without specifics, it is hard to say what you will find on one of these applications as far as prompts or questions you have to answer, but if you refer to the common application section, you are likely to find a lot of similarities.  

  1. Because this varies from college to college, feel free to chat with us in the "Contact Us" message bubble or join our Discord to discuss if you have questions about any specifics! - Nicholas

Learn more about application Fee Waivers on my website by clicking on this button:​

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