Applying to College

Applying to college is a long process with various deadlines. Please use the information below to support you in your quest.

College Prep Timeline

Below you'll find a road map for planning for college. Click through to familiarize yourself with the focus for each year while at Acalanes.

Explore...

Create a four-year plan of courses to enroll in at AHS. Think about what subjects you enjoy and might want to dive deeper into. Look at the course catalog and talk to your counselor.
Explore extracurricular activities. Find clubs and activities that excite you and that align with your values, skills, and interests.
Develop your time management and study skills.
Stop by the College & Career Center (C&CC) to learn about the resources available throughout high school. We have college information, host visits and events, career speakers and workshops, highlight leadership/volunteer opportunities, jobs, summer enrichment, and more.
Plan a summer experience that helps you expand your world.
Athletes: Familiarize yourself with NCAA & NAIA recruiting requirements.

NCAA and NAIA requirements,

Expand...

Continue existing extracurricular activities or get involved in new ones. Find a few activities to focus on and deepen your involvement. Possibly take on a
leadership role
Stay focused on your academics. Sophomore year is important to college admissions officers and sets the tone for junior year
Consider taking the PSAT (preliminary SAT) in October
Familiarize yourself with resources available in the C&CC
Update your four-year plan of courses for AHS. Meet with your counselor to discuss course selection for junior year. Consider challenging yourself to take high-level coursework in subjects you excel in
Visit a college or two locally or when you are on vacation. Plan to take an official college tour if you are traveling during spring break or over summer vacation
At the end of the school year, take a full-length practice ACT and SAT to get a feel for which test format you prefer
Consider taking a community college course in a subject of interest not available to you at Acalanes during the summer
Continue pursuing your interests over the summer. Take on a job, volunteer work, internship, or a self-directed project
Athletes: If you think you may play Division I or II sports in college, register for the NCAA Clearinghouse, the NAIA Eligibility Center, and familiarize yourself with the academic requirements
Start an activities resume and keep track of all extracurricular activities (hrs/week/month), employment, awards, and volunteer work. You will need an activities resume for many colleges
Explore MaiaLearning: Begin searching colleges, look at academic profiles needed for schools you are interested in. Continue to take the personality/career profile assessments

NCAA & NAIA REQUIREMENTS MAIA LEARNING

Engage...

As many Acalanes alum can attest the junior year is an important one! Below you'll a plan across the entirety of the school year as well as a focus on specific actions at specific times.

All Year Long

Focus on your academics. Junior year grades are often the last ones colleges see
Plan to take an official campus tour of colleges you are interested in or attend virtual tours and information sessions. When possible, visit campuses when college students are on campus to get a true feeling for campus life
Continue to participate in activities outside of class; it is not too late to get involved
Deepen your involvement, take on leadership roles
Update your activities resume with activities you participated in over the summer

Fall

Revisit your four-year plan course plan and make adjustments where you feel they are needed
Demonstrate interest to colleges by signing up on Naviance for an admission representative’s presentation. Over 150 colleges visit the C&CC each year
Take the PSAT in October to be considered for National Merit Scholarship
Attend a local College Fair
Sign up for AP tests and take them in May
Determine your standardized testing plan. Consider taking the SAT/ACT in winter or spring: sign up on the appropriate testing platform. Establish your test prep schedule
Stay on track with your ACT/SAT testing timeline and study schedule. Test prep resources are available on the website and in the C&CC. Take multiple full-length practice exams in advance of exams
Explore college interests by sorting the college criteria on Corsava. Use those preferences to search for college matches
Build a list of preliminary schools you are interested in on Maialearning; add schools of interest. You can condense the list next year
Take an assessment at Mymajors
Athletes: Double check that your classes meet NCAA Clearinghouse requirements. Complete the online recruitment forms for each college you're considering. Make your sports resume and recruitment videos. Correspond with coaches periodically to show interest
Fine and Performing Arts Students: Sign up for Performing and Visual Arts College Fairs. Work on portfolio or audition materials throughout junior year

Winter/Spring

Attend C&CC workshops
Schedule optional 1:1 meetings with the C&CC
Take the SAT/ACT. Test prep resources are available in the C&CC and on the AHS Website
Spend time on Maialearning and other search engines researching potential colleges and their admission requirements
Continue to add schools to “Considering” on Maialearning
Attend student and parent workshops offered in the C&CC geared towards juniors regarding college admissions
Visit and tour college campuses during breaks or take an online virtual tour
Start to research college scholarships
Request letters of recommendation from two academic teachers after Spring Break
Investigate and secure summer experiences. See AHS website for a full list of ideas
Athletes: Send your sports resume and video to college coaches and fill out athletic recruitment surveys on the college websites
Fine and Performing Arts Students: Explore how the audition and portfolio process for college admissions. Continue to build your portfolio and audition videos

Summer time

Participate in summer experiences: research, internships, college coursework, work, travel, volunteer work
Finalize your college list. Make sure it reflects a balance of admissions possibilities (Likely, Target, Unlikely)
Research the type of applications required for each school on your list. Understand the requirements and deadlines
Enter dates and deadlines into a college application spreadsheet to organize your information
Create a scholarship spreadsheet
Fill out your Brag sheet. It can be found in Maialearning.
Begin to think about your personal statement (Common App) or Personal Insight Questions (UC) and create summer drafts
Start your application process. Many applications open August 1st

Execute...

Much like during the junior year, the senior year also has deadlines. Be sure to familiarize yourself with the specific tasks throughout the year & plan accordingly.

All Year Long

Keep up your grades. Acceptances are conditional, and colleges expect the GPA you applied with to stay roughly the same
Continue to participate in extracurricular activities outside of class
Read emails from the C&CC
Attend AHS workshops and Academy sessions: senior applications, college representative visits, scholarship presentations, etc.
Check your application portals and email regularly
Send colleges any additional information they request promptly

August/September/October

Finalize college list, requirements, and deadlines for each college you are applying to
Decide if you are applying Early Decision (ED), Early Action (EA), or Regular Decision (RD) for each college
Work on your applications
Keep a log of the different websites, username/password data for each college application portal
Turn in your Brag sheet to your counselor.
Check your high school transcripts and make sure they are accurate (found on Aeries)
Take the ACT/SAT one more time, if needed
Update your activities resume. Add activities you participated in over the summer. Use this information to fill out the activities section of your various applications
Update the Maialearning ‘Applying’ list
Request/Confirm teacher recommendations verbally and send formal requests through Maialearning
Order official transcripts through AHS webstore
Send official transcripts from any other schools you have taken coursework to colleges that require official transcripts at the time of application
Send ACT/SAT scores through the College Board (SAT) or ACT official sites to colleges you are applying to if needed
Sign Up for an AP test if taking AP classes

October/November

Take the ACT/SAT for the final time, if needed
Finish your college essay(s) and personal statements
Complete and send out all EA and ED applications by late October (Typically Nov. 1 deadline)
Review and submit financial aid information. FAFSA opens on October 1st. Apply by your school deadlines and/or FAFSA deadline. AHS automatically uploads Cal Grant eligibility for you
Fill out the CSS Profile if needed for your colleges
Submit CSU and UC applications by the November 30th deadline (good idea to send by Thanksgiving)

March & April

Colleges have until April 1st to release decisions
Evaluate financial aid packages and scholarship offerings
Update Maialearning with application decisions received
Plan visits to accepted colleges if needed to make your final decision. Attend admitted student day if offered admission to learn more about a college before accepting
Accept admission to your college of choice by May 1st or earlier. May 1st is a national acceptance date. Once you accept an admission offer, you should let other colleges know that you do not plan to attend
Enroll and submit a deposit by May 1

Building a Checklist

Create a list of colleges and universities that interest you. Attend college rep visits at your school and attend college fairs. Visit their websites. Look at their mission statement and their values to see if they align with your beliefs. Do research on their outcomes and student profiles to get a “feel” for each school. Take their virtual tours, and, if you are able, visit the college/university in person. If finances make it difficult to make a college visit, contact your college admissions counselor to see if a travel voucher is available.
You want to consider having about 10 schools on your list.
Think about having 2 Reach Schools, 3-5 Target Schools and 4-5 Likely Schools

Email

Make sure the email address you are using is “professional” - something like - surferdude@gmail.com is not ideal
It is a good time to email schools you are thinking about applying to. You can introduce yourself and ask if there will be a rep coming to your school or to the area in the fall. The local reps from each school are a great resource; ask them questions

Maia Learning

Parent Statement
Student Statement
Resume - Keep it updated

Letter of Recommendation (LOR) - if needed, ask in person 1st and give, at least one month notice
Login to Naviance and navigate to the Letter of Recommendation section under the Colleges tab
Using the drop-down menu, select your teacher, then click the schools you would like a LOR sent. Click request.
Complete a teacher brag sheet (or resume), if needed, to help the teacher write your LOR.
Go to the About Me tab, click Surveys From Your School, click Student
Move the Colleges you are thinking about to Colleges I’m Applying to under the Colleges Tab

You will use Naviance to request Transcripts

Don’t wait until the last minute; you want your transcripts to arrive before the deadline - you can have them sent before your application
Sign Up for College Visits in the College and Career Center

Applications

You can log onto the Common App, UC App, CSU App or school’s own applications
You will need to gather information for apps

Social Security Number
Transcript - you can get one on Aeries or request one from the Counseling Office at your high school
Parent Information (when they came to CA for the CSU App)

Where they attended college (if more than one, you need all)
When they graduated
What degrees earned

Counselor’s name, email and phone number

Essays and Supplemental Writing

Final Steps

Make sure you have ordered all supplemental documents:

If applicable, request Letters of Recommendation (LOR) from teachers through Naviance
Make sure LOR have been submitted on your Common App. Remember: CSUs and UCs do NOT require LOR
Check each school’s website for their policy regarding official transcripts. Reminder: CSUs and UCs do NOT require official transcripts
Order official transcript on the AHS webstore
Order official transcripts from any other locations where classes were taken and request they be sent to all colleges that require official transcripts for acceptance
If applicable, order and send official test scores through either the College Board (SAT) or ACT websites

Before You Hit SUBMIT:

Proofread your entire application
Reread all application instructions
- Double-check what supporting documents are required for each college
- Confirm that all necessary supporting documents have been sent
Check to make sure your courses and grades have been inputted correctly and your 12th-grade courses are listed
Double-check your essays
- Read your essays aloud to make sure they flow smoothly
- Proofread for any spelling and grammatical errors
- Ask someone to proofread it for you

Once You Hit Submit:

Look for a Submission Page to confirm your application was sent properly
Keep a copy for your records
Print a copy or take a picture of your submission page in case there are any issues

Follow directions to create portals for each college you apply to and regularly check for updates. Colleges will communicate with you via your portal and inform you of any missing or incomplete information
If something is missing, follow the college’s directions and send it ASAP

Letters of Rec

To request a letter of recommendation:

Make sure your “Colleges I’m Applying to” list is up to date in Naviance with appropriate application deadlines (i.e. Early Action, Regular Decision) indicated
Complete your resume, student statement and parent statement
Talk to your counselor and teacher in person
- Clarify with your teacher about what information is needed. Some may want you to complete a form in Naviance while others may have their own form they want you to fill out.
Invite your teacher on Naviance on the Letter of Recommendation screen
Indicate which school(s) you want your teacher to send the letter(s) to
Request your transcript

A few additional points:

Students can submit applications prior to the counselor/teacher completing their letters of recommendation.
Students can check the status of their letters on Naviance and on the Common App.
Don’t forget to write a personal thank you note to your teacher and counselor.

Each fall, dozens of colleges from around the nation send representatives to visit Acalanes High School, many of whom are admissions officers? This is an excellent opportunity for you to learn more about a college without traveling to visit it and to interact with a person who may be reviewing your application in the future.

The basics:

You must get a PASS from Mrs. Levy in the College & Career Center to attend.
Visits are open to seniors and juniors. (students only)

Tips:

Listen and ask questions! (See the list of suggested questions below for ideas about what to ask.) Reps will usually go over the admissions requirements, housing, student life, and financial aid.
Remember, the reps are often admissions officers so take advantage of the opportunity to ask questions and get answers straight from the source.
Take notes and make sure you write down the rep’s name.
Many Universities consider a student’s “demonstrated interest” when reviewing applicants. Attending a college rep visit is a great way to show your interest in a school. What’s even better? Follow up with that rep after the visit by calling or emailing him or her to say thank you.
Have a question? Now you have a direct contact at the university who can help you. Shoot him or her an email.
Keep in touch. If you accomplish something really awesome after you submit your application, send the rep an email to let him or her know.
For a list of questions to ask reps, click the link above

Campus Tours

Making the Most of College Visits

Spring Break is an excellent time to visit college campuses - especially if the schools you’re touring are in session so you can see the campus in action. Here are some tips to get the most out of your day on campus.

Sign up for a Campus Tour

Admission tours are the best way to see a campus. Typically student-led, a tour will give you a broad overview of the school. During the tour, you’ll learn about admissions and hear about the school’s traditions, culture and personality. Sign up on the school's admissions page well in advance - tours are free! They are best done during the week to observe students in classroom settings.

In addition to a broad campus tour, some schools offer supplemental smaller tours focusing on a specific department, facility or residence hall. These interest-specific tours are typically geared toward students interested in areas like Engineering, Arts, or Athletics. They will take you through an actual dorm room as well.

If the tours are full, ask if the campus offers Q&A sessions, has a visitor’s center where you can drop in, or provides a self-guided tour. Please let us know if you have a tour scheduled as we can reach out to our admissions rep at that university as well.

QUESTiONS TO ASK A TOUR GUIDE

Talk with Students

In addition to talking with your campus tour guide, talk with other current students. Ask what the student loves about the school, what he/she’s studying, what activities he/she’s involved in. Inquire about a typical day on campus and a typical Friday night out.

Observe & Experience Student Life

Spend time people-watching in the main quad. What are the students like? How do they interact with each other? Do they seem like people you would be friends with?
Read the student newspaper - What issues matter to students?
Eat in one of the dining halls (if that’s an option).
Tour a dorm room to get a feel for where you’ll spend most of your time during your first year as a student. How big (or small) are the rooms? Do the residence halls have any unique features - like a rec room, a theater, a game room, etc.?
Step inside the rec center, library, and student store. Can you see yourself pulling an all-nighter in the library? Does the rec center offer the types of workout classes you like to attend?
Visiting a big school? Take note if students seem to be connecting with one another on campus. Often a really big school can actually have a smaller community than you think.

Think about the Setting

Exploring the community surrounding the campus completes the picture of what life is like at that university.

What is there to do on the weekends?
Where do students who choose to live off campus live?
Can you continue doing your favorite hobbies in this new place?
How’s the weather? If you visit a campus during the spring, ask students what the weather is like in the winter. If you love warm weather, attending a school that has a chilly winter season may not be the right fit.
Is there an industry nearby that’s related to your interests?

Ask about Support Services

If you are a student with a learning disability or ADHD, visit the Disability Support Services Office while touring each campus. Find out what types of support services they offer to meet your needs.

Visit the Admissions Office

Stop by the Admissions Office to meet and ask if you can speak with an admissions officer. Be prepared with a few questions to ask. Making this personal connection can go a long way toward demonstrating interest in the school while also giving you insight into the school’s admissions review.

Check the School’s Application Essay Questions Before You Go

Eventually, it will be time to apply to colleges, and many schools will ask you to write essays specifically about their campus like “Why School X?” or similar variations (“What encouraged you to apply to School X?” or “What about School X’s mission makes you a good fit for our program?” or “What will you add to the School X campus?”) Thinking about these questions while you’re touring the campus may make it easier to answer them in the future when you’re working on your applications. Make sure you add your thoughts to your post-visit notes.

Journal Your Thoughts

Reflecting on your campus visit is one of the most important things you can do. Take a moment after seeing each school to write down your thoughts and impressions. Don’t wait. Pretty soon, all the campuses you visit will blend together. Writing notes while the school is fresh in your mind will help you immensely down the road when it’s time to write supplemental essays about demonstrated interest and campus fit.

Say Thank You

After your visit, send a quick note to the tour guide, admissions officer, or other campus representative you met while touring. Mention specific details about why you think you’re a good fit for the campus. Keep it short and sweet, and if you’re writing to an admissions officer, keep it formal.

Most importantly, enjoy yourself! This is an exciting time in your life to be deciding what life after high school may look like for you.

Debbie Levy