Fall Break - College Application Goals

.The Counseling Department hopes you have an enjoyable Fall Break and take some much needed time to relax! It’s also a great time to work on college applications to ensure you are on track. See below for some items you should be working towards. 

Adding Schools to Naviance - COLLEGES I’M APPLYING TO LIST (2-year & 4-year)

  • Recommended to apply to (6-10) 4-year colleges (create a balanced list of schools 2-3 safety schools, 3-4 target schools, 1-2 reach/lottery schools).

  • Use this presentation to help you with college research, building a balanced list, and adding schools to Naviance (slides 20-27)

  • LINK to Naviance How-To Guide


Start Financial Aid (2-year & 4-year)

  • FAFSA - Apply for Aid HERE ***For US Citizens

  • CA Dream Act - Apply for Aid HERE ***For undocumented students

  • Scholarships Check:

    • National Scholarship Search Engine: https://www.fastweb.com/

    • Login to Naviance (Colleges > Scholarships & Money)

    • Check individual college websites for campus specific scholarships (mostly for private or out of state schools)

College Entrance Essays (4-year only)

  • Applying to a UC Campus? Start your UC Personal Insight Questions (students must answer 4 out of 8 prompts at 350 words per response). 

  • Applying to a Campus using the Common Application? Start your Common App Entrance Essay.

  • Check the websites for the Private/ Out-of-State schools you are applying to - are they on Common App? Do they have their own individual admissions essay? 


Letters of Recommendation (4-year only)

  • Do you need a letter of recommendation? Create a list of letters you will need for each campus. 

  • Determine who you are going to ask for the letter. 

  • Complete the Senior Info Survey on Naviance - required if you are requesting a letter. (Login to Naviance > About Me *top right hand corner* > Surveys From Your School > Senior Info Survey) 


Start Applications (4-year only) 

  • UC Application HERE

  • CSU Application HERE

  • Common Application (Private/Out-of-State Schools) HERE

  • Are there any schools who have an individual application submitted through their website?

  • Are there any schools who do not use the Common App - but maybe use the Coalition HERE

Helpful Resources
  • LINK to MHHS Website with several Naviance/College Related Resources
  • LINK to Virtual College Workshops
  • LINK SUCCESS Schedule - Several supportive activities for Seniors - Sign up in FTM. 
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