Application Process
"Get Your Ducks in a Row"

The college application process starts in earnest the fall of your senior year. It is important to plan ahead, use your time wisely, and stay organized throughout this process. Writing your essays, filling out applications, getting teacher recommendations, and amassing ancillary forms is time consuming. To ease the burden, you can begin drafts of college application essays and to fill out the application forms during the summer before your senior year. Here are some additional ways you can help yourself with the college application process:

  • Brag Sheet. Complete your "brag sheet" as soon as possible. This will help you organize the information you will need for your applications. Update your brag sheet as necessary.
  • Letters of Recommendation
    • Teacher recommendations are primarily required by private colleges and universities. They are not required by UCs, CSUs, or California Community Colleges.
    • You should give your brag sheet, teacher recommendation forms, and stamped envelopes addressed to the schools to which you are applying to each teacher who will be writing your recommendations at least two weeks before the first recommendation is due. Fill out the student information portion of each form before you give it to your teacher.
    • Include a cover sheet or letter listing all of the colleges to which they should send recommendations and the due dates. Also include reminders of some of the outstanding work you did while you were a student in the teacher's class, or ways in which you went above and beyond what was required. Teachers have many students, and they cannot be expected to remember all of the wonderful things about you!
    • Choose teachers carefully. Be sure you ask teachers if they can write you a favorable recommendation. Pick teachers who can comment on your academic drive, class participation, passion for the subject, and character.
    • Ask teachers to write your letters of recommendation as soon as you return to MCHS your senior year. Some teachers limit the number of recommendations they will write in a given year.
    • Make sure you follow up with these teachers to ensure they have completed the letters.
    • Thank your teachers, and keep them updated on your college acceptances.
  • Counselor Recommendation/Secondary School Report.
    • Your Educational Advisor will write a recommendation letter on your behalf, which you send directly to the colleges you are applying to, along with your transcript and a MCHS school profile.
    • You must give copies of your Secondary School Report forms to your Educational Advisor at least two weeks before they are due. Complete the student portion of these forms first. Also request an official transcript for each school from the registrar's office in the administration building.
  • Final Transcript. All colleges require you to submit a final transcript at the end of senior year.

Application Information by School Type

Different types of schools have different application requirements. Here are some basic steps to follow when applying to these different types of colleges.

Private College and Universities, and Out-of-State Public Universities

  • Apply either online or by mail to each college and university. Over 340 colleges and universities accept the Common Application, so this will cut down the number of applications you will need to complete. The Common Application is available at www.commonapp.org. Click here for a list of member schools. Colleges that accept the Common Application review it as they would their own application. Print out all of your applications and save a copy. If a college does not accept the Common Application, you can usually download a copy of that school's application or request one by mail.
  • If you choose to apply by mail, keep a copy of your entire application for your records. Get a Certificate of Mailing from the post office so you have proof that you mailed in the application in a timely manner.
  • For colleges that accept the Common Application, you must submit an application to each school. You can do this all at once or separately. Once you have submitted the Common Application, it is locked and you can't make changes. So preview your application first by pressing the "Print Preview" button. Don't forget to check if the colleges require a Supplement in addition to the Common Application. You can see which colleges require Supplements. In many cases, the supplemental essays are demanding and an important part of the application.
  • There is a newcomer to the scene - the Universal College Application. Over 70 schools are members of this new type of common application. A list of member schools is available on their website.
  • Don't forget to request teacher recommendations for schools requiring them, to turn in Secondary School Report forms, and get a counselor recommendation, as explained above.
  • Ask the appropriate testing agency to send your ACT score at www.actstudent.org and/or SAT scores and SAT Subject Test scores at www.collegeboard.com/student/index.html?student to each of the colleges to which you are applying.
  • Don't forget to send your Mid-Year School Report to each school that requires it after the end of your first semester of senior year.

University of California

  • Fill out the UC application online (preferred method) at and self-report your grades. Supply your e-mail address because most communications will be sent to you by e-mail. Come to the workshops in the CCC if you need help with your UC application. Check the Daily Bulletin for dates and times.
  • Apply online between November 1 and November 30. The application is available online after October 1. Don't wait until the last minute to apply because the server can get backed up on the last day or two. Spend time on your personal statement. This is your chance to reveal information about yourself not otherwise evident from your application.
  • Register for and take the SAT and/or ACT Plus Writing and 2 SAT Subject Tests from two different areas. Math level 1 SAT Subject Tests do not qualify. Ask the appropriate testing agency to send your ACT score at www.actstudent.org and/or SAT scores and SAT Subject Test scores at www.collegeboard.com/student/index.html?student to each of the UC campuses where you are applying.
  • You do not have to send your transcript when you apply or get any teacher recommendations. Official transcripts are sent later.
  • Use your application to apply for scholarships. Some scholarships are automatic; others require additional documentation.
  • See Admissions Requirements for California Public Colleges and Universities for additional information.

California State University

  • Fill out the CSU application online and self-report your grades.
  • You need to fill out one application for each campus.
  • Register for and take the SAT and/or ACT unless you are exempt (See Admission Requirements for California Public Colleges and Universities). You do not need to take the writing portion of the ACT. Ask the appropriate testing agency to send your ACT score at www.actstudent.org and/or SAT scores at www.collegeboard.com/student/index.html?student to each of the CSU campuses to which you are applying. You can send your SAT scores to all campuses by using the CSU code 3594 and pay only one fee.
  • Submit an official high school transcript only when instructed to do so by the CSU campus you have applied to.
  • Applications can be submitted from October 1 to November 30.
  • For general information about CSU, go to www.calstate.edu. There are 23 campuses to explore.

Community Colleges

  • California has over 100 community colleges. They do not require standardized test scores, recommendations, or essays. In addition to the application, most community colleges only require a transcript. You can usually apply up to and including the first few days of school.
  • You must be over 18, or a high school graduate, or have a GED.
  • * For information about applying to California Community Colleges, go to www.cccapply.org. Also see Admission Requirements for California Public Colleges and Universities for more information about community colleges.

Helpful Tips

  • Keep organized by creating a file for each college to which you are applying. Put your user name and password for each school on the front of the envelope. Place all correspondence from a college in the proper folder.
  • Keep a calendar of all dates and deadlines. Be aware that some colleges have early dates for submission of parts of your application, such as art portfolios and musical submissions.
  • Verify that your transcript is complete and correct.
  • Make sure you request that your standardized test scores be sent to all of the schools which require them.
  • Complete the applications and be sure they are error free, sign them, and submit them on time. Include the application fee.
  • Students can compare California colleges of all types by using www.Californiacolleges.edu.
  • The California Postsecondary Education Commission at www.cpec.ca.gov has a wealth of information, including college guides and college-going rates. The "statewide snapshot" includes statistical analysis. As an example, there is a list of the 20 most popular baccalaureate degrees awarded from California public institutions.
  • Check your email frequently for news and information from colleges.