Click this link to get started. 

If yes, learn how to apply to a UC School (application opens August 1st) via the below information:

Applying to a UC 

*The University of California Application opened August 1st.

BEFORE you start your UC application, watch THIS!.

Make sure the UC to which you are applying offers the major you seek! Use THIS to confirm.

Keep the following tips in mind as you apply:

1. You will NOT need letters of recommendation.

2. You should get a copy of your unofficial transcript in order to accurately enter your coursework (ask lhbernstein@conejousd.org).

 

Concurrent/Dual Enrollment Titles

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The University of California System

If yes, learn how to apply to a CSU school (application opens October 1st) via the information below:

Applying to a CSU:

The CSU Application opens October 1st (Do NOT apply using the currently open SPRING application). Please register for your CaliforniaColleges.edu account and follow these instructions to make completing your application easier and more accurate! 

Be sure to check out the CSU Workshop11th!

SUPPLEMENTAL FACTORS!!! Used in lieu of SAT/ACT BY CAMPUS    SUMMARY

Click HERE to apply. Keep the following tips in mind as you apply:

1. NPHS is a SEMESTER school, NOT a block/rotator/quarter/trimester school!

2. You DO NOT need to write any personal statements

3. You DO NOT need letters of recommendation

4. You should get a copy of your unofficial transcript in order to accurately enter your coursework. Email lhbernstein@conejousd.org to request one. 

5. SAT/ACT scores are NOT used to make an admission decision

6. Make sure the college to which you are applying offers the major you seek. Use THIS to help you.

7. Review the below links thoroughly to help you apply

Concurrent/Dual Enrollment Titles

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Additional CSU Links

The Common Application

*if you would like a comprehensive step by step guide, check this out. 

Before you apply to any colleges, it is recommended that you do an objective major and college campus search FIRST. For a cool major selection tool, go HERE. Click "take the free test" to begin. If you answer the questions genuinely and thoughtfully, majors will be matched to your personality and interests. 

After you narrow your major(s), go HERE and set up a free account. You can enter your information such as GPA, coursework, etc. and also use the college search feature to narrow your list. After you add schools, you can use the chancing tool to get a BALLPARK (but somewhat optimistic) estimate of your chances. 

Then, to find out if a college allows you to apply via "the Common Application," click HERE (note: some colleges allow you to use EITHER the Common Application OR their own application).

IF YOU NEED A COUNSELOR LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION, BE SURE TO ASK YOUR COUNSELOR IN PERSON AND COMPLETE THIS SURVEY (and have parent or guardian complete THIS SURVEY). 

IF YOU NEED A TEACHER LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION, BE SURE TO ASK THE TEACHER IN PERSON AND COMPLETE THIS SURVEY

IMPORTANT! YOU WILL NEED TO HAVE A TRANSCRIPT OR TRANSCRIPTS SENT TO YOUR COMMON APP SCHOOLS. TO DO SO, FOLLOW THESE INSTRUCTIONS EXACTLY!!!

1. Create an account at www.commonapp.org and note your Common App ID.
2. Follow the instructions to invite your counselor to be a Recommender. This will trigger an email to your counselor, which explains how to submit school forms online.
   • Your Counselor must accept your invitation to be a Recommender.
3. After you have created your Common Application account and invited your counselor to be a Recommender, create/sign in to your Parchment Account (NPHS's transcript delivery service).
   • If you don’t have a Parchment account yet, you will need to register. For help on registering, visit the Registration help topic.
4. Click Order under the name of your school.
5. Type "Common App" into the search box and click Select (FIRST YEAR applicants).
6. Enter your Common App ID and then continue the ordering process.
7. Once your school has approved your request and uploaded your transcript, your transcript will be sent directly to the Common App where it will be matched to your school forms and submitted on your behalf.

Additional Resources: 

NPHS IB Test Titles for Common App

Which Colleges Use It And What Do They Require?

Common App presentation slides

Common App presentation (video)

If yes, review the below to learn how to apply:

Applying to a College that is NOT a UC, CSU or Common App School

For colleges that are not in the UC, CSU, or Common Application system, requirements vary. 

1. You MAY need to write personal statements

2. You MAY need letters of recommendation

3. You should get a copy of your unofficial transcript in order to accurately enter your coursework

4. You should make sure the college to which you are applying offers the major you seek. Use www.collegevine.com to do a search. 

 

If yes, Click HERE to learn how to apply to a community college.

Typically, there are three main sources of funding for which students can potentially qualify (other than whatever a family is going to a contribute from savings). The first is a GRANT, which is money that does not have to be repaid if the student fulfills his or her academic responsibilities. Grants depend on student financial need. The second is a LOAN, which can be either “subsidized” (the GOOD kind…for which interest does not accrue until after the applicant graduates college), or “unsubsidized” (the less than good kind…for which interest accrues since the day the loan is issued). The third kind is a scholarship, which is generally contingent on academic, athletic, or some other kind of talent.

If you are in grades 9-11, browse the links below to familiarize yourself with the general financial aid opportunities that exist (and check Naviance regularly for scholarships for which you can apply).

If you are a SENIOR, and you are seeking financial aid for college, you need to not only check Naviance for scholarships but also fill out the FAFSA ASAP after October 1st! Click the “FAFSA Tutorial” to get started.

ATTEND A FINANCIAL AID WORKSHOP!

The FAFSA application (opens OCTOBER 1st) Watch video HERE!

Which Parent Do I Claim for FAFSA?

California Student Aid Commission (review this link for questions about all CALIFORNIA-specific aid)

Are You Applying to One of THESE Colleges? If so, click HERE! (CSS Profile)

Scholarships!

HOW MUCH WILL IT COST?

Negotiate?

Test Prep

 Read THIS first! It addresses “test-optional.” 

NOTE! UCs are NOT considering SAT/ACT scores for admissions decisions or scholarships. They MAY use scores, if submitted, as an alternative method of fulfilling minimum requirements for eligibility. The CSUs are no longer using SAT/ACT exams in determining admission eligibility. 

 ALSO, note the LATEST NEWS from CollegeBoard regarding SAT Subject Tests and the SAT Essay section. 

 (Growing) List of Test-Optional, Test-Blind, and Test-Flexible Colleges  and HERE

For many 4-year colleges, taking a standardized test is required. In the Unites States, most colleges accept either the SAT or the ACT…and students will not have any idea which test best suits them unless they try a practice test for both. Rather than take a “real” SAT or ACT (and spending money/ raising anxiety), students can take a practice SAT and ACT and then examine their “natural” (uncoached or tutored) scores to determine which test suits them. Typically, the “best” time to take a “real” SAT or ACT is during junior year (AFTER finishing English 11 and the highest possible math course for that year). For NPHS students, it is possible to finish both English and math during the Fall, in which case taking a January SAT/ACT makes sense. For students who are enrolled in a year-long AP or IB class, or a CP English or math class in the Spring, taking the SAT or ACT in June makes the most sense. Also, for students enrolled in the highest level available at NP in ANY class, taking the AP test and/or IB test(s) in May is ideal.

Try the links below to find out which test best suits you!

Differences between the SAT and ACT as described by: Collegeboard ACT

Video overview of deciding which test to take

FREE ACT Prep!

Even MORE FREE ACT Prep…an entire course (disclaimer: outside source, use coupon code NEWBURYPARK at checkout)

Real ACT test!

FREE PSAT/SAT Prep!

Even MORE FREE SAT/ACT Prep…including middle school modules

CHEGG Free Test Prep ACT SAT Strategies for: ACT SAT             Flash Cards

SCORE CONVERTER! Use this to convert old SAT to new SAT and compare to ACT

Should I/Can I “Score Choice?”

Schools that Require, Recommend or Utilize SAT Subject Tests for Admission or Placement Credit

Note that COVID has resulted in many if not most colleges going either “test optional” or “test blind.” For more information about whether or not you should submit scores, review THIS.

If you are applying to a 4-year college, you may want/need to send your OFFICIAL SAT and/or ACT scores for admissions consideration/merit award consideration/placement. Please read the following important items!

GENERAL OVERVIEW of SENDING SCORES for SAT and ACT

IF YOU ARE APPLYING TO A CSU:

ACT: If you list even one CSU campus as an ACT score report recipient all the CSU campuses will receive it.

SAT: On www.collegeboard.com, list the CSUMentor institution code, and then CSUMentor can store your scores for ANY CSU campus to retrieve. The CSUMentor institution code for the SAT is 3594.

IF YOU ARE APPLYING TO A UC:

If you have your official score reports (SAT or ACT) sent to one UC campus, all UC campuses will receive it.

FOR ALL OTHER COLLEGES:

Read the instructions on the college website to determine if you need to/how to send your score(s). If you have taken multiple tests, review THIS link to check out the policies for *Score Choice for each campus. Although some colleges might require that official test scores be submitted during the application process, some colleges allow applicants to self-report and to send official scores AFTER they have been accepted. It is your responsibility to follow the instructions for each campus to which you apply!

* NOTE: for SAT, “Score Choice” gives a test-taker the option to pay to have ONLY the test scores from a specific test date sent instead of having ALL scores sent by default. For ACT, scores from only ONE sitting are sent (unless the test taker pays to have scores from multiple test dates sent).

Unfortunately, many applicants are denied from being admitted to many colleges simply for not following instructions. To ensure that you are not denied for not following instructions, please make sure you review the following links (and follow the instructions):

AFTER YOU APPLY TO A UC (general information)

AFTER YOU APPLY TO A CSU (general information)

For CSU, you will eventually need to be place din English/math courses.  To find out more about Math and English placement, click HERE.

Make sure that you check your email regularly, especially the SPAM folder, in order to activate your CSU accounts!

AFTER YOU APPLY TO ANY OTHER COLLEGES:

Be sure to read the specific instructions in the application(s)/portals.

Finally…keep in mind that if you earn a low grade or drop a course during your senior year, you must notify your college(s). Even AFTER you are admitted, a college can RESCIND your offer AFTER they get your FINAL TRANSCRIPT in June.

IF YOU ARE AN ATHLETE…READ THIS and make sure you request that your transcript be sent to NCAA via your NPHS Parchment account. 

If you intend to play a NCAA sport in college, you must not only send your test scores to NCAA (via your ACT or SAT account) but also send a FINAL TRANSCRIPT from NPHS to NCAA. To send your final transcript, use your NPHS Parchment account! 

Click here for some important information