College & Career

Exploring your college options & opportunities

With over 3,000 colleges and universities nationwide, the college search can feel overwhelming. UHS helps simplify the process by offering every student a comprehensive college counseling program.

Finding the right college fit is one of the most important—and rewarding—parts of the high school experience. Because this process takes time, students are encouraged to begin exploring college options well before senior year. Our seniors are expected to finalize their college application list by October 1. Leading up to that deadline, students should develop a broad list of 15–20 colleges to research in depth.

Students can explore potential colleges by visiting college websites, attending college representative visits at UHS, speaking with UHS and college alumni, connecting with family and friends, meeting with their counselor, visiting campuses, and using online tools such as College Board and Naviance Student. Through this research, students should narrow their list to 8–10 colleges to apply to. For each “reach” or dream school, students should include at least one “safety” or backup option where admission is more likely and attendance would still be a good fit.

It sometimes comes down to understanding differences between schools and identifying personal priorities. Students should consider factors such as campus size, location and distance from home, academic programs, housing options, student life, extracurricular opportunities, and overall campus culture. It’s also important to think about long-term goals and whether a college offers strong programs aligned with intended majors or interests. Keeping an open mind is key—there are many great college matches, and students can be successful in a wide range of higher education environments.

Four-Year Colleges

California State University

The CSU grants bachelors and masters degrees that have a practical, career orientation. The assumption is that most CSU graduates will want to enter work based on their bachelor's degree training. There are 23 campuses to choose from. Visit Cal State Apply for more available information on admissions requirements, deadlines, and the application.

University of California

The UC system emphasizes academic and scientific research. It offers bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional degrees, with undergraduate programs focused on theoretical learning. There are 10 UC campuses, including UC San Francisco, which is graduate-only. Visit UC Admissions for requirements, deadlines, and applications. Visit UC Admissions for admissions requirements, deadlines, and the application.

  • Requirements for admission as a freshman:

    • Completing UHS A-G approved courses, with a "C" or better, with at least 11 courses finished prior to the beginning of your last year of high school.

    • Earn a grade point average (GPA) of 3.0 or better in these courses with no grade lower than a C.

    • Meet the examination requirement by taking the ACT Plus Writing or SAT with Essay by December of your senior year.

    Resources:

    A-G Course Requirements
    UC Admissions Website
    UC Application
    UC Admissions Index and GPA Calculations

Private Universities & Colleges

Private colleges and universities are independently funded and set their own policies and admissions standards. California has over 250 private schools, from specialized programs in business, performing arts, technology, or medicine to liberal arts-focused and some religiously affiliated institutions. Tuition is generally higher than at public schools, but financial aid often makes attendance comparable in cost.

People sitting in chairs, some reading notebooks or books during a meeting or seminar.

Community Colleges

There are 114 Community Colleges in the state of California. Community Colleges offer a variety of opportunities and programs for students such as transferring to a four-year institution after completing two years of general education and pre-major requirements; earning an associates degree in arts and sciences; course remediation and for vocational opportunities, all at an affordable price. There are no admission requirements other than having a high school diploma or be 18 years of age.

For more information on the California Colleges in our local area visit: State Center Community College District.

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FAFSA: Your Key to College Financial Aid

The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) helps students access grants, scholarships, loans, and work-study opportunities to make college more affordable. Completing the FAFSA each year determines eligibility for federal, state, and many college-based financial aid programs, giving you the support you need to pursue your education.

Scholarships

University High shares local and national scholarship opportunities throughout the year in the counselor’s Google Classroom. Students are also encouraged to complete the National Scholarship Search Profile in their Naviance Student account to discover even more opportunities.

Additional Scholarship Resources:

College Search Resources

Explore a curated collection of tools, websites, and guides to support your academic journey, college planning, and career exploration. These resources provide students and families with easy access to scholarships, college applications, study strategies, and other helpful information.