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 apply to a UC, watch THIS VIDEO  and add any colleges to which you intend to apply to Naviance. Make sure the UC to which you are applying offers the major you seek! Use THIS to confirm.

AFTER you have added ALL your colleges to Naviance, use THIS LINK to guide you through the UC application (even though it is hosted by a UCSB rep, it applies to the entire UC system). If you have any questions or you would like your application to be reviewed, please contact your counselor. 

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 isabory@conejousd.org).

3. PLEASE see below for additional incredibly awesome information that will help you apply (including information provided by a real live UC admissions rep). 

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 below information:

Applying to a CSU:

The CSU Application opens October 1st (Do NOT apply using the currently open SPRING application).

Be sure to check out the CSU Workshop October 19th!

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. Although you do not need to use Naviance to apply to the CSUs, the counselors ask that you please add any colleges to which you are applying to your “Colleges I Am Applying To” list. To do so, review THIS.

3. You DO NOT need to write any personal statements

4. You DO NOT need letters of recommendation

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

6. SAT/ACT scores, if submitted, will NOT be used to make an admission decision

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

8. Review the below links thoroughly to help you apply

Concurrent/Dual Enrollment Titles

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Additional CSU Links

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).

 Learn how to apply to Common App schools via the below information:

The Common Application

*If you have not already done so, please watch the “Adding Colleges to Naviance” video first! 

APPLYING TO COMMON APP SCHOOLS  Watch the entire presentation! 

NPHS IB Test Titles for Common App

Which Colleges Use It And What Do They Require?

If yes, Click HERE to learn how to apply using the Coalition application

If yes, Click HERE to learn how to apply using the Send Edu application. 

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. Although you do not need to use Naviance to apply to the UCs, you need to add any colleges to which you are applying to your “Colleges I Am Applying To” list. To do so, review THIS.

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 Naviance to help you.

5. If you need a letter of recommendation you will NEED to follow these instructions. 

 

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

If you are applying to a 4-year college, you will (at some point, depending on the college) NEED to send your OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT!  Please read the following important items!

IF YOU ARE APPLYING TO A CSU 

The campus to which you are applying will provide information about when to submit your official high school transcript. GENERALLY, for the CSUs, an applicant won’t need to send a transcript until after the school year ends and final grades post.  There are exceptions, however…so applicants NEED to follow instructions in their CSU portal for EACH campus. 

IF YOU ARE APPLYING TO A UC:

You must arrange to have an official, final high school transcript (showing your date of graduation) sent to the campus to which you have been admitted and which you plan to enroll. Unless a campus requests it, do not send a sixth- or seventh-semester transcript.

IF YOU ARE APPLYING TO A COMMON APP SCHOOL OR A SCHOOL THAT ACCEPTS ELECTRONIC DOCUMENT SUBMISSIONS AS INDICATED IN NAVIANCE:

You need: initial transcript, midyear transcript (after January), and final transcript. Request transcript by following the instructions HERE. There is a fee of 10 dollars (total) for BOTH your initial and mid-year (for as many electronic initial/mid-year transcripts as you need sent). Form: Initial and Mid-year

IF YOU NEED A TRANSCRIPT SENT TO NCAA, fill out THIS FORM and bring  it to our registrar in room A1. 

FOR ANY OTHER COLLEGE THAT REQUIRES “SNAIL MAIL” AND THAT WILL NOT ACCEPT ELECTRONIC SUBMISSIONS:

Read the instructions on the college website to determine how they want your transcript(s) sent. Fill out THIS FORM and bring it to either the NPHS Counseling Office (and give it to Ms. Sabory) OR to room A1 (and give it to our registrar, Ms. Osinski). There is a fee of 5 dollars PER  TRANSCRIPT. 

IF YOU NEED A TRANSCRIPT FOR A SCHOLARSHIP, there is NO CHARGE. For a snail mail scholarship submission, on the same form you would use for a snail mail request, write “Scholarship” in the upper left corner before you turn the form in. For an electronic submission scholarship submission, request the transcript from your counselor directly (indicating it is for a scholarship) and provide the email address or the link to have the transcript sent. 

Sending MID-YEAR Official Transcripts to Colleges

For any COMMON APP or Colleges that accept electronic delivery (check for a blue computer icon in your Naviance colleges) refer to THIS. If you need an Official Mid-Year transcript snail-mailed, fill out THIS FORM and bring it and the fee to either the NPHS Counseling Office (and give it to Ms. Sabory) OR to room A1 (and give it to our registrar, Ms. Osinski).

Sending FINAL Official Transcripts to Colleges ELECTRONICALLY

To have your FINAL Official Transcript sent to the college from which you have accepted admission and are going to attend, watch THIS and make sure you submit THIS form. 

Sending FINAL Official Transcripts to Colleges via SNAIL MAIL OR Requesting Transcripts If You Are An Alum:

Follow THESE INSTRUCTIONS. 

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 must demonstrate readiness in both English and Math OR take a placement exam PRIOR to enrolling as an admitted student. To find out more about your Math and English assessments, click HERE.

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

Withdrawing Your application from a UC

AFTER YOU APPLY TO ANY OTHER COLLEGES:

Be sure to read the specific instructions in the application(s). For any colleges in Naviance that have a blue box symbol, your counselor will send your transcript via Naviance IF you requested that one be sent (in Naviance AND via the form you can obtain in the counseling office). If your college(s) have a "CA" symbol next to them, your counselor will send transcripts directly through the Common App (IF you invited the counselor to the Common App AND if you requested a transcript in BOTH Naviance AND via the form). 

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 have a transcript sent to NCAA! 

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, please check out this video and follow the instructions EXACTLY!