Plan Ahead - Prepare for College

LOOK AHEAD GET SOME GUIDANCE

Meet with a school or community program counselor to discuss your career and personal goals for the future. Your counselor can help you research which higher education options are best for you and write out a plan for academic and extracurricular success.

SELECT THE RIGHT CLASSES

If you are considering attending a University of California campus–including UC San Diego!--meet with your counselor to ensure that your educational plan includes completing the A-G requirements for high school graduation and admission to the University of California. Identify what subjects you excel in and challenge yourself in AP, IB and certified UC Honors or college courses to be academically competitive for admission. If you attend a California high school use the following link to find the A-G courses available at your school.

SHARPENING YOUR SKILLS PRACTICE TESTING

UC San Diego will no longer consider SAT or ACT test scores as a factor in admissions decisions, but make sure you’re aware if test scores are required to meet admission eligibility at schools outside of the University of California.

UNDERSTAND REQUIREMENTS

Take a look at the application requirements for the colleges and universities you're interested in. Write down your questions or concerns about meeting those requirements and share them with your parents and counselors.

REASSESS EXTRACURRICULARS

Make sure your extracurricular activities support and grow your passions.

GET ACTIVE

Join school or community groups, clubs or teams you're interested in. If you are eligible, consider college educational preparation programs like AVID, Upward Bound and Early Academic Outreach Program (EAOP), etc.

GET SOME GUIDANCE

Meet with your counselor to review goals and ensure you are staying on track with your classes.

STAY FOCUSED GRADES MATTER

Even in your 9th-grade year, good grades are important. College may seem like a distant goal, but your overall GPA and class rank are affected by grades from each year of high school.

FINANCIAL PLANNING

Talk to your parents or guardians about paying for college. Click here to review our Financial Literacy Resources. Start or continue to add to a savings plan. You can begin applying to scholarships as early as your 9th-grade year, so be sure to research and ask your counselor for local opportunities.

Your grades are very important. Remember that the University of California calculates GPA based on 10-11th grades for admission purposes, however, all grades will be reviewed on your application. If you find yourself falling behind, be sure to ask for help now.

FINANCIAL PLANNING

Check in with your parents or guardians to determine where your family is with financing options. Start researching scholarships and financial planning strategies.

EXPLORE COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES KEEP TRACK

Meet with a school or community program counselor to discuss your career and personal goals for the future. Your counselor can help you research which higher education options are best for you and write out a plan for academic and extracurricular success.

DREAM BIG

Start a list of schools you’re interested in and join their mailing lists.

GET INVOLVED

Use the summer months to volunteer, get a job or participate in an enrichment program. Click here to see UC San Diego Youth Camps and Enrichment Programs. If you aren't in San Diego, there may be similar opportunities near you.

READ AND WRITE

Both skills are very important and require consistent practice, no matter your chosen field.

Take campus tours or sit in on a class. Research on-campus summer programs and camps that universities often host for high school students. Explore UC San Diego Youth Camps and Enrichment Programs.

READ AND WRITE

Both skills are very important, no matter your chosen field. Find someone you trust to review your work and provide feedback.

GET A SUMMER JOB OR INTERNSHIP

Add to your college savings and gain real-world experience to include on your college application and resume. Also, consider local or national internships, summer volunteer programs and academic enrichment programs like Academic Connections at UC San Diego; consider available opportunities in your area.

KEEP TRACK

Add to or create a list of your academic, extracurricular and community service achievements and awards. This will be a big time-saver when completing college applications and creating a resume.

GET SOME GUIDANCE Review your course schedule, GPA and class rank with your counselor. Continue to challenge yourself academically by taking AP, IB and certified UC Honors courses offered at your school.

CONSIDER TAKING COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS UC San Diego will no longer consider SAT or ACT test scores as a factor in admissions decisions. Review the admission eligibility requirements at schools outside of the University of California where you are interested in applying and take any required tests to meet the requirements.

STEP UP Take on leadership roles in your extracurricular activities and maintain your commitment.

MEET NCAA REQUIREMENTS If you want to play Division I or II sports in college, start the certification process. Check with your counselor to make sure you meet the requirements.

STAY FOCUSED While most universities look at your first three years of high school, your senior year performance is still important. Keeping your grades up and maintaining the activities you enjoy are great ways to help you gain admission into your top schools.

LAST CHANCE TO TAKE COLLEGE ENTRANCE EXAMS

UC San Diego will no longer consider SAT or ACT test scores as a factor in admissions decisions. Review the admission eligibility requirements at schools outside of the University of California where you are interested in applying and take any required tests to meet the requirements.

FINALIZE YOUR COLLEGE LIST

Attend college fairs in-person or online, visit universities and attend their on-campus and online recruitment and application events.

COMPLETE THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA APPLICATION Attend college fairs in-person or online, visit universities and attend their on-campus and online recruitment and application events.

APPLY FOR FINANCIAL AID

GET SOME GUIDANCE Meet with your counselor to evaluate where you are academically.

Are there courses you should retake? Are you on track to complete your A-G Requirements?

The FAFSA and California Dream Act applications open for submission on October 1. The deadline for both is March 2. File ASAP for the best possible funding. Also, to qualify for the Cal Grant you must submit your FAFSA or California Dream Act and check in with your high school counselor to make sure your Cal Grant GPA verification form has been submitted.

SUBMIT SCHOLARSHIP APPLICATIONS

Check with your guidance counselor for local scholarships. Explore national scholarships.

FINANCIAL PLANNING Check out our financial planning calculator to help you and your family plan for the future. Continue to research and apply for local and national scholarships.

REVIEW YOUR COLLEGE LIST Weigh all of the factors that are most important to you and create a preliminary ranking of the schools on your list. Take campus tours online or in-person and sit in on some classes if the opportunity is available to you.

FOLLOW UP ON YOUR APPLICATION

Make sure you received an application confirmation receipt and have requested all test scores be sent to the schools to which you applied. UC San Diego emails all applicants to confirm that we received your application.

WAIT PATIENTLY

As you wait for schools to read your application and make decisions, maintain your grades and extracurricular involvement. Continue developing important academic skills to prepare you for college-level work.

CONTINUE TO CHALLENGE YOURSELF Plan a well-balanced senior year that continues to challenge you and prioritize good academic standing by the time you graduate.

FINANCIAL PLANNING Contact the Financial Aid offices of the universities you're interested in for their planning advice. Click here to contact the UC San Diego Financial Aid & Scholarship Office. Check with your guidance counselor for local scholarships and search for national scholarships.

KEEP TRACK Add to or create a list of your academic, extracurricular and community service achievements and awards. This will be a big time-saver when completing college applications and creating a resume.

START WORKING ON YOUR APPLICATION ESSAYS

MAKE AN INFORMED DECISION

UC San Diego releases application decisions and financial aid packages in mid-March for first-years and mid-April for transfers. Attend the admit days of the schools to which you were admitted. Talk with your parents and/or guardians and Accept Your Offer by the national deadlines, May 1 (first-years) and June 1 (transfers).

WAITLIST OPTION If you receive a waitlist decision from a university, be sure to opt-in, if necessary. UC San Diego requires those who wish to still be considered for UC San Diego to opt-in to the waitlist. We will notify you if you are admitted at a later date but encourage you to consider all your options.

MEET DEADLINES

Give yourself plenty of time to plan, write, review and get feedback from trusted adults. Learn more about writing your Personal Insight Questions for the UC application.

Once you accept an admissions offer, review your Admissions Contract to fulfill all provisions. You are required to send your transcripts by July 1 to maintain your admission. Be sure to meet all deadlines for orientation sessions and housing contracts. Research and apply to summer transition programs at your university.

UC SAN DIEGO SUMMER OPPORTUNITIES

CELEBRATE AND GET READY FOR YOUR FUTURE!

High school students are welcome to join UC San Diego in the summer.

Enroll in a class or participate in summer programs, research opportunities, and more! Explore UC San Diego Summer opportunities.

You and your family should be very proud of your high school graduation and acceptance to college. Use the summer to spend time with your loved ones and prepare for the next — and perhaps most exciting and transformational — stage of your life.