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College Applications

Financial Aid & Scholarships

By completing a financial aid application, students can become eligible for GRANTS, SCHOLARSHIPS, and LOANS. All seniors should complete a Financial Aid Application to keep all doors open!

Testing Requirements 

Similarly to essays, each school has their own requirements when it comes to testing, so check their websites carefully. Students are responsible for sending official scores to colleges in which they are applying. Log into your College Board or ACT account and follow the instructions for sending test scores. Some colleges superscore and will request all scores, while others only require your highest score. 

Important Terms to Know:

  • Superscore: to generate a new composite score with the highest section scores from different test dates.
  • Test-Optional: many colleges are test optional and allow students to decide if they way to submit their scores.
  • Test-Free: these colleges will not review test scores for admissions purposes (UCs and CSUs are test-free).

Visit fairtest.org for a list of colleges that are test-optional or test-free. Always confirm on a college's website, as test policies may change from year to year. For more information on tests administered on and of Santa Susana's campus, please see our Testing Information page.

College Application Process

  • Finalize list of schools (safety, target, reach)
  • Organize each school's requirements (testing, letters of rec, essays, deadlines, etc)
  • Create application accounts with a personal email address
  • Update Naviance with colleges you're applying to
  • Based on deadlines, begin applications and gathering supplemental materials
  • Complete applications and check school portals/personal email regularly for updates
  • Complete financial aid applications and scholarships

College Application Resources

There are several types of applications and requirements depending on the college/university in which you are applying. Below are the most common applications our students use; some colleges and universities utilize their own application and may require supplements within it, so be sure to visit their website to review all requirements. The college(s) you are applying to will determine which application you use, which may likely be more than one!

UC Application

Common Application

  • Common Application: Opens August 1 and closes depending on your individual colleges - please keep track of deadlines!

  • One application used for over 1,000 schools to replace individual applications

  • Sections include: Profile, family, education, testing, activities, and writing - personal essay (required) & supplemental essays (depends on college), grades & courses

  • Most common applications require letters of recommendations from teachers and a counselor, although some allow outside recommendations, as well (i.e. community members, employers, etc.)

    • You MUST complete a Brag Sheet in Naviance prior to requesting your letters of recommendation 

  • Application Fees vary by school

  • Common App Ready Resources

  • Must be matched with Naviance for teacher letters of recommendation and transcripts to be sent

  • How to Request Transcripts in Naviance

  • How to Request Teacher Letters of Recommendation in Naviance

  • When entering school-specific information, please reach out to your College & Career Counselor in order to provide accurate information (class number, rank, GPA, etc.)

  • Entering Dual Enrollment courses

CSU Application

  • California State University (CSU): One application for ALL CSU campuses; opens October 1 and closes December 2

  • Sections include: personal information, academic history, supporting information, and program materials (questions or materials required for specific programs)

  • Does NOT require transcripts or letters of recommendation

  • SAT/ACT scores are NOT used for admission decisions

  • $70 application fee per campus - fee waivers available based on information provided in application

  • CSU Campus Match - find the campus that has what YOU want

  • Freshman Application Guide

  • Entering Middle School Coursework

Community College

Community College is a great option for many of our students; we are incredibly fortunate not only to have a local community college but a helpful Outreach Team who provides numerous supports to our seniors throughout the school year to ease what can be a stressful process.

Whether for financial reasons, to gain an Associate's Degree, or to prepare to transfer to a 4-year, community college has numerous programs, opportunities, and benefits!