For more information on the CSUs including locations and academic programs offered visit here

University of California (UC) Schools: There are 9 public colleges that students can choose from within the UC system. If students are eligible for a fee waiver, students can apply to any of these universities for FREE.

To apply visit the UC Admissions Website here and click Apply Now on the top of the web page.

For more information on the UCs including locations and academic programs offered visit here

Applying to Community Colleges:

There are 116 community colleges in California. To narrow down your search on community colleges that may be around your area click here

To begin applying to a community college:

1. Go to OpenCCC to create an account here. You will need your birthday, email, and social security number (SSN) if you have one (if you do not have a SSN select that option)
2. Once you create your account you will go to the community college you wish to apply to and click apply at the top of the page
3. You will be redirected to a page and scroll down and click the click here to begin application button where you'll then be prompted to login with the OpenCCC account you created. 
4. After logging in you will select what term you will be applying for (e.g. Fall 2021) and begin your application.
5. Once you complete the application, you should receive an email in 2 - 4 business days that has your school ID number and directions for how to proceed with the next steps on how to create your student account for your college.
6. The next steps of your application will include completing an orientation and scheduling an appointment with an academic counselor from the college to setup an education plan and discuss classes.
7. Please make sure that you apply to your school’s Promise Program as these programs can pay for 1 or both years of your community college (depending on the program’s requirements) and can providing funding for books and laptops. For schools in the LACCD district complete the Promise application here

For support with any of these steps please reach out to your counselor.

College Search Tool:

To expand your college search, use these helpful websites:

California Colleges

Big Future

The Princeton Review

Colleges of Distinction

Virtual College visits:

If you wish to get glimpse of how a college campus may look from the dormitories and dining halls to the student store and lecture halls visit the links below that provide virtual college tours.

YouVisit

CampusReel

Standardized Test:

Colleges use standardized exams as an indicator to measure a high school student’s readiness for college. Although these exams are just 1 of many factors that colleges use when evaluating applications, we still encourage students to take the time to adequately prepare for these exams as higher scores can only strengthen your college application.

Note: When registering for the SAT and ACT we encourage scholars to select the SAT with Essay and the ACT with Writing, as colleges prefer these exams over those without essays.

SAT:

We encourage all 11^th grade students to sign-up and take the SAT exam at least twice (once during 11^th grade and once during the summer before or early fall semester of their 12^th grade year – no later than December of your senior year).

To register for the SAT exam:

1. Visit the College Board website here
2. Click Register for the SAT on this page
3. Create Collegeboard Username and Password if you do not already have a Username and Password
4. Proceed with inputting your student and school information, and select the date you wish to take your exam as well as the location.
5. Make sure to indicate that you have a fee waiver that you qualify for through your free/reduced lunch at Collins.
6. Upload a photo of yourself
7. Print your test ticket which you will bring with you along with an ID the day of your exam.

ACT:

While the ACT is an optional exam for many universities, some universities may require students to take both the SAT and ACT exams. Similar to the SAT, we encourage our students to take the ACT exam at least twice (once during 11^th grade and once during the summer before or early fall semester of their 12^th grade year – no later than December of your senior year).

Contact your counselor for a Voucher/Waiver Number that allows you to enroll for the ACT for FREE.

To register for the ACT exam:

1. Visit the ACT website here
2. Click Register for the ACT
3. Create an Account
4. Click Register Now once you are on your ACT account.
5. Review your account information, select the test date, select the 4 colleges to send your scores to, and select the test location
6. Lastly, upload a photo of yourself and print the test ticket that you will bring with you along with your ID the day of your exam.