Use this link to get more information: https://www.act.org/content/act/en/students-and-parents/seniors.html

What should I do in 12th grade to apply for and be prepared to start college?

• Register early for SAT I/ACT
• Begin your online application Oct. 1st
• Be sure you are taking the correct courses for the college(s) of your choice.
• Start working on your essays—have your English teacher read them.
• Avoid Senioritis! Remain academically competitive.
• Apply for scholarships.
• Continue participation in extracurricular activities all year long.
• Keep reading all year long.
• Obtain dates for the financial aid workshop offered at your school.
• Students are encouraged to take the SAT II Subject Tests for certain colleges and majors. 
• Please check the college website to see what they recommend about SAT II's

October

• Begin sending CSS profile for private schools. Check the date it is due.
• Take SAT/ACT.
• If you need a letter of recommendation, be sure to turn in your brag sheet to your senior counselor. Your teachers may also ask for a brag sheet.
• Begin filling out UC and/or CSU applications. Applications open on October 1st.
• Many college representatives will visit Hoover. Check Senior Corner and the Counseling Newsletter for dates and events. 
• Email and contact your senior counselor regularly; ask for college recommendations and scholarship applications.
• Apply for scholarships.
• CSU application period is October 1–November 30. Be sure and check specific school deadlines.
• Select teachers you will ask to write letters of recommendation.

November

• Take the SAT I/ACT and if needed the SAT II.
• UC applications must be submitted between November 1-30, but you can start Oct. 1st.
• Apply for scholarships.
• Have parents file tax returns early for financial aid applications.
• Ask politely for teacher recommendations—remember give them at least three weeks notice. 

December

• Last time to take the SAT I, ACT, or SAT II for UC’s.
• Fill out your financial aid applications (FAFSA). Submit it early between January 1–March 2.
• Check for scholarships.
• Attend Financial Aid workshop if offered.

January

• File FAFSA as soon after January 1 as possible.
• UC deadline for scholarships is this month.
• The senior counselor will work and submit any midyear reports.
• If your college wants official fall grades, request them from the Registrar.
• Continue to check for scholarships.
• Check private school's financial aid deadlines.
• Hoover automatically uploads student's GPA for Cal Grants.

February

• Check that colleges have received all the required files.
• Carefully read all information from colleges.
• Continue to check for scholarships.
• File FAFSA information.
• If you change your class schedule from what you stated on the college application, inform every college.

March

• UC decision notifications are released this month.
• If colleges request additional information, send it to them immediately.
• Register for AP exams.
• Register for CSU placement tests.
• If you are accepted to a college, let your counselor know.

April

• All colleges should have responded by now.
• Decide where you wish to go. Make final visits if you are still unsure—see a counselor with questions.
• Financial aid offers will begin to arrive.
• Avoid senioritis—hang in there!

May

• Take AP exams.
• Make final decision—send deposit and “Statement of Intent to Register” by May 1.
• Fill out housing forms (some schools ask for it earlier).
• Notify colleges you will not attend.

June

• Graduation.
• Order final transcript to be sent to the college you will attend.
• Make sure you have responded to all requests by your college.
• Remember to thank everyone who helped you this year.
• Thank your counselor.

How to Apply for College Admission (12th Grade)

1. In early October, obtain an application from the website for the California State University and the University of California campuses.
   
   These applications need to be completed NO LATER THAN THE END OF NOVEMBER. No letters of recommendation or transcripts need to be sent with the application, so simply fill it in, make a copy for yourself, and submit.
   
   
2. If you wish to apply to other colleges and universities outside of the California State University systems, call, write, or email those campuses directly. (The Counseling/Career Center personnel and the counselor can help you obtain addresses, if necessary.)
   
   If the application for admission requires information to be completed by your high school, take the school report form to the counselor with a stamped, addressed envelope. Order a transcript from the registrar. The counselor will fill in the form, attach a transcript, and mail it. Request letters of recommendation from teachers and/or your counselor at least two weeks before due date. Provide each with the recommendation form, a stamped, addressed envelope, and your “brag sheet” (personal information about yourself and your accomplishments).
   
   
3. If you wish to apply to any community college, ask the counselor for an application form, complete it, and take the form, along with an unofficial transcript, to the College Admissions Office at any community college. For more specific information regarding Glendale Community College, please see page 14.
   
   
4. In late September, secure an application from the counselor for the SAT I and/or the ACT, required for admission to the California State Universities, the University of California, private colleges and universities, and the Scholars Program at Glendale Community College, and the SAT II, required by the University of California and most private colleges. Complete the application, enclose a check for the required amount, and mail it by the deadline. All admission tests should be taken by the end of December of your Senior year.
   
   
5. Attend scheduled meetings (held during months of October and November). The counselor will be there to assist you with the application process. Read the school bulletin for times and dates.

How to Choose a College or University

The choice of a college is a personal task that should begin early in the high school career. Several suggestions can be followed to make the final decision easier:

1. Visit as many campuses as possible on weekends and during vacation.
   
   
2. Talk to as many people as possible who are attending, or who have attended, various colleges.
   
   
3. Study the various aspects influencing college choice and personal desires and make wise decisions regarding them.
   
        A large or small college
        A school near home or far away
        A coeducational or other type of institution
        A liberal arts or a highly specialized college
        The cost of the school in relation to what one can afford
        What scholarships and/or financial aid is available
   
   
4. Look at college catalogs. A complete library of catalogs and bulletins is maintained at the schools. They may be checked out for a few days or the student may send directly to the college for a copy.
   
   
5. Attend meetings scheduled by the high school with college representatives.
   
   
6. During your sophomore/junior years, visit the Career Center and use the computer program CHOICES, eguidance, or CSU mentor and print out possible colleges and/or vocational choices.
   
   
7. By the end of your sophomore/junior years, know the admission requirements for prospective colleges.
   
   
8. At the beginning of your senior year, see your counselor regarding the college application process.
   
   
9. Attend the Glendale Unified School District College and Career Fair held in the fall of every year.
   
   
10. Visit the college web sites.

College Admission Glendale College

There are 108 community colleges in the State of California. Glendale College is a community college that serves the various needs of different levels of education. Admission to the college is granted to any person who meets one of the following qualifications:

1. Is a high school graduate
2. Reached the age of 18
3. Passed the California High School Proficiency Exam
4. Established California Residency (subject to change)

Glendale College counselors, however, urge you to take as strong a college prep program as you are able to handle in high school and keep your record free of any D grades. Careful planning and goals that are realistic are most often the best combination for success. How do I transfer from a community college to a university?

In order to transfer, a student must have successfully completed (with a grade of C or better) all admission requirement classes (see college admission) plus 60 units of college coursework. Students who wish to transfer to a 4-year college or university should attempt to complete most admission requirements in high school before entering the community college, as it will take a full 2 years (and usually longer) to complete the 60 units of general education college classes required to transfer into the junior year (3rd year) of the university. Visit the GCC Transfer Center early in your first semester at GCC.

Students who have a minimum GPA of 3.25 and a combined SAT score of 1000, may also apply for the Scholars Program at Glendale Community College. Please see your counselor for details and an application. Students must also take the SAT by December of their senior year.

Associate in Arts/Associate in Science: Education toward the granting of AA/AS degree(s) is provided in accordance with approved graduation requirements. General education and major coursework from the core of the required curriculum, the balance being electives. See your community college manual for specific details.

University of California and California State University

The University of California and California State University systems' minimum entrance requirements are aligned. However, the UC requires SAT I or ACT and SAT II; but the CSU system requires only SAT I or ACT. Requirements for entrance to the state university are planned to allow admission of the top one third of all high school graduates. Entrance requirements for the UC system allows admission of the top 12.5 percent.

The following requirements are:

1. English 4 years college preparatory
2. Mathematics 3 years (Algebra 1, Geometry, Algebra 2)
3. Social Science 2 years including U.S. History/Government
4. Lab Science 2 years
5. Foreign Language 2 years of the same language (subject to waiver for non-English speaking students demonstrating equivalent competency)
6. Visual and Performing Arts 1 year (only approved courses)
7. Electives 1 year (college preparatory courses from the following fields: history/social science, English, advanced math, lab science, foreign language, and the visual and performing arts.)

Students with a given GPA must present the corresponding ACT composite or SAT total score. A formula is used for eligibility. Note: The higher the test score, the lower the GPA required.

Private Colleges and Universities

Most private colleges and universities look for academic course work comparable to subjects listed as requirements for entrance to the University of California. Students are advised to consult the catalogs for the campuses in which they are interested for specific requirements and to obtain the appropriate application forms directly from the private school. The private institutions offer students a wide variety of geographic locations, sizes, and specializations from which to choose an educational opportunity to meet individual interests and needs.