Preparing for College
Public Universities
Private Universities
Religious Colleges
Single-Gender Colleges
Large Universities (pop. 40,000 plus)
•Full scope of undergraduate majors and award master’s
and doctoral degrees
•Wide range of educational, athletic, and social experiences
•Smaller colleges or schools
•Public (UCLA, CSU Fullerton, U. of Michigan)
•Private (USC, Harvard, New York University)
Liberal Arts Colleges (pop. 5,000 or less)
•Picture-perfect campus, tucked away
•Residential campuses, smaller enrollment, class size, and
teacher-student ratios
•Learning for the sake of learning
•Fewer but great opportunities; personal touch
•Full-time faculty
•Public (Sonoma State); Private (Claremont College, Smith)
Small Universities (pop.
4,000 or less)
•Stringet admissions policies
•Well-recognized Graduate Programs
but established strong
undergraduate program
•Emphasize particular program
•Great majors with small campus
community
•Johns Hopkins University, University of
Notre Dame, Vanderbilt University
Technical or Specialized
•Specialized and saturated experience
•CalTech
•MIT
•Bentley College (business)
•Art Institute
•ITT & DeVry
•Co-op Institutions (learn & work)
Community Colleges
•Meet needs of community
•HS Diploma or 18 years old
•Vocational programs
•Associated of Arts/Science
•Transfer track
HS
Diploma
2.5 gpa
SAT Reasoning or ACT
3.0 gpa
SAT Reasoning or ACT
Two Subject Tests
High School
Private/Independent
University of California
CA State University
Community College
Pathways to Higher Education
Varies
0 – 3.5 gpa
SAT, ACT
SAT Subject
Systems at a Glance
System
Number of
Campuses
Required GPA &
Entrance Exam(s)
Degrees Offered
California Community
Colleges
(CCC)
California State
University
(CSU)
www.ccco.edu
www.csumentor.edu
109
23
University of California Independent Colleges
and Universities
(UC)
www.ucop.edu
www.aiccu.edu
10
More than 75
(9 of which undergrads can
apply to.)
No GPA
English and math
Placement test prior to
enrolling
2.5 GPA
ACT or SAT Reasoning
Associate degrees and
vocational certificates
Bachelors, Masters,
And limited Doctoral
Degrees
About $600 for fees;
Student Fees /
$1,250 for books and
Tuition
supplies. This assumes
(subject to change) that a student lives at
home.
Estimated costs:
$3,451 for fees;
$8,529 for room and
board; and $1,386 for
books and fees
3.0 GPA
ACT plus writing or
SAT Reasoning and
two SAT Subject Tests
Bachelors, Masters,
Doctoral and,
Professional Degrees
Minimum 2.5 – 3.0 gpa
Varies: (Check with College
or University of your choice)
Associates, Bachelors,
Masters, Doctoral, and
Professional Degrees
Estimated costs: $7,347
Estimated costs:
for fees; $12,555 for $31,000 for fees; $15,000
room and board; $1,500 for room and board;
for books and supplies
$1,500 books and
supplies
UNIVERSITY
SAUSD
Grades of : A, B, C, D
3.5 – years of History/Social Science
Grades of: A, B, C
a
2 - years of History/Social Science
4 – years of English
b
4 – years of English (CP/ Honors/AP)
3 – years of math (including geometry)
c
3 – years of math (including algebra II)
3 – years of science
d
2 – years of science (life & physical)
2 – years of same foreign language
e
2 – years of same foreign language
1 – year of fine arts
f
1 – year of fine arts
g
1 – year of college electives
4.5 – years of electives (45 credits)
2 years of PE, 1 semester of health &
CCP. Need to earn 240 credits in the
areas above and the CAHSEE.
College entrance exams:
SAT or ACT
Admission Factors

Grades & “a-g” completion

Personal Statement (essay)
– Family background, HS experience,
achievements

Extracurricular Activities
–
–
–
–

Sports
Community Service
Work experience
Summer Programs
College Entrance Exams
– SAT Reasoning
– ACT (plus writing)
– SAT Subject Tests
COLLEGE
ENTRANCE EXAMS
Subject Tests are
designed to
measure your
knowledge and
skills in
particular subject
areas, as well as
your ability to
apply that
knowledge.
These tests are
required by the
University of
California and
some private
schools.
What can parents do to get their
son/daughter ready for college?








Review grades & “a-g” completion at
the end of each semester
Communicate with teachers &
counselor
Attend college meetings
Familiarize yourself with
requirements & deadlines
Help them study for the PSAT, SAT
and ACT exams
Research scholarships
Talk & visit colleges
Summer activities
Go to “Find a College” section
Click on “Careers and majors”
FREE services
•College search
•Scholarship search
•Careers
•Majors
•Financial Aid
•Plan 4 College
Make sure you…
•Create an account
•Write your info
•Use proper email
Go to “Find a College” section
Click on “Careers and majors”
Internet Resources
www.californiacolleges.edu
www.collegeboard.com
www.csumentor.edu
www.scholarships.com
www.latinocollegedollars.org
www.hsf.net
www.fastweb.com
www.act.org