College Applications & Career Exploration
ARLETA HIGH SCHOOL CEEB CODE: 050068
College and University Requirements for Admission
California has four systems of education:
- UC Schools
- CSU Schools
- Private Colleges
- Community Colleges
Each system has a different set of admissions criteria. In order to plan appropriately for college, be sure you are aware of the admissions requirements for the colleges you are interested in!
Important Note: California law says YOU DO NOT HAVE TO BE A CITIZEN OR HAVE A SOCIAL SECURITY NUMBER IN ORDER TO ATTEND A PUBLIC COLLEGE IN CALIFORNIA. So if you do not have a social security number, you can still apply to the college and pay California resident fees, which will make it much cheaper. Speak to the financial aid office at the colleges you are interested in, and they will help you understand how much the school is going to cost. Come to the College Office so that we can help you with getting scholarships. Be sure to check out the Scholarships link for a list of scholarships that do not require citizenship.
University of California (UC) Subject Requirements
A. History/Social Science – 2 YEARS REQUIRED
Two years of history/social science, including one year of world history, cultures and geography; and one year of U.S. history or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of civics or American government.
A. History/Social Science – 2 YEARS REQUIRED
Two years of history/social science, including one year of world history, cultures and geography; and one year of U.S. history or one-half year of U.S. history and one-half year of civics or American government.
B. English – 4 YEARS REQUIRED
Four years of college-preparatory English that include frequent and regular writing, and reading of classic and modern literature. No more than one year of ESL-type courses can be used to meet this requirement.
C. Mathematics – 3 YEARS REQUIRED, 4 YEARS RECOMMENDED
Three years of college-preparatory mathematics that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry. Approved integrated math courses may be used to fulfill part or all of this requirement, as may math courses taken in the seventh and eighth grades that your high school accepts as equivalent to its own math courses.
D. Laboratory Science – 2 YEARS REQUIRED, 3 YEARS RECOMMENDED
Two years of laboratory science providing fundamental knowledge in two of these three core disciplines: biology, chemistry and physics. Advanced laboratory science classes that have biology, chemistry or physics as prerequisites and offer substantial additional material may be used to fulfill this requirement. The final two years of an approved three-year integrated science program may be used to fulfill this requirement.
E. Language Other than English – 2 YEARS REQUIRED, 3 YEARS RECOMMENDED
Two years of the same language other than English. Courses should emphasize speaking and understanding, and include instruction in grammar, vocabulary, reading, composition and culture. Courses in languages other than English taken in the seventh and eighth grades may be used to fulfill part of this requirement if your high school accepts them as equivalent to its own courses.
F. Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) – 1 YEAR REQUIRED
A single yearlong approved arts course from a single VPA discipline: dance, drama/theater, music or visual art.
G. College Preparatory Electives – 1 YEAR REQUIRED
One year (two semesters), in addition to those required in “a-f” above, chosen from the following areas: visual and performing arts (non-introductory level courses), history, social science, English, advanced mathematics, laboratory science and language other than English (a third year in the language used for the “e” requirement or two years of another language).
Assessments:
The SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT Assessment plus Writing.
The critical reading, writing and mathematics scores on the SAT must be from the same sitting. If you take the ACT, you must report your composite score.
Two SAT Subject Tests.
These must be in two different areas, chosen from the following: English, history and social studies, mathematics (Level 2 only), science or language other than English.
RELEVANT LINKS
To find your high school or program’s UC certified course list, click here.
Four years of college-preparatory English that include frequent and regular writing, and reading of classic and modern literature. No more than one year of ESL-type courses can be used to meet this requirement.
C. Mathematics – 3 YEARS REQUIRED, 4 YEARS RECOMMENDED
Three years of college-preparatory mathematics that include the topics covered in elementary and advanced algebra and two- and three-dimensional geometry. Approved integrated math courses may be used to fulfill part or all of this requirement, as may math courses taken in the seventh and eighth grades that your high school accepts as equivalent to its own math courses.
D. Laboratory Science – 2 YEARS REQUIRED, 3 YEARS RECOMMENDED
Two years of laboratory science providing fundamental knowledge in two of these three core disciplines: biology, chemistry and physics. Advanced laboratory science classes that have biology, chemistry or physics as prerequisites and offer substantial additional material may be used to fulfill this requirement. The final two years of an approved three-year integrated science program may be used to fulfill this requirement.
E. Language Other than English – 2 YEARS REQUIRED, 3 YEARS RECOMMENDED
Two years of the same language other than English. Courses should emphasize speaking and understanding, and include instruction in grammar, vocabulary, reading, composition and culture. Courses in languages other than English taken in the seventh and eighth grades may be used to fulfill part of this requirement if your high school accepts them as equivalent to its own courses.
F. Visual and Performing Arts (VPA) – 1 YEAR REQUIRED
A single yearlong approved arts course from a single VPA discipline: dance, drama/theater, music or visual art.
G. College Preparatory Electives – 1 YEAR REQUIRED
One year (two semesters), in addition to those required in “a-f” above, chosen from the following areas: visual and performing arts (non-introductory level courses), history, social science, English, advanced mathematics, laboratory science and language other than English (a third year in the language used for the “e” requirement or two years of another language).
Assessments:
The SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT Assessment plus Writing.
The critical reading, writing and mathematics scores on the SAT must be from the same sitting. If you take the ACT, you must report your composite score.
Two SAT Subject Tests.
These must be in two different areas, chosen from the following: English, history and social studies, mathematics (Level 2 only), science or language other than English.
RELEVANT LINKS
To find your high school or program’s UC certified course list, click here.
UC Personal Insight Questions (PIQ's)
UC ACADEMIC PLANNERS- FOR STUDENTS GRADES 9-12
California State University (CSU) Subject Requirements
A. History and Social Science- 2 YEARS REQUIRED
Including 1 year of U.S. history or 1 semester of U.S. history and 1 semester of civics or American government and 1 year of social science.
B. English- 4 YEARS REQUIRED
4 years of college preparatory English composition and literature.
C. Math- 3 YEARS REQUIRED, 4 YEARS RECOMMENDED
Including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or higher mathematics (take one each year)
D. Laboratory Science- 2 YEARS REQUIRED
Including 1 biological science and 1 physical science.
E. Language other than English- 2 YEARS REQUIRED
2 years of the same language; American Sign Language is applicable.
F. Visual and Performing Arts- 1 YEAR REQUIRED
Dance, drama or theater, music, or visual art.
G. College Preparatory Elective- 1 YEAR REQUIRED
One more year of any college preparatory subject.
Grades and Assessments
The grades you earn in high school are an important factor in CSU admission decisions. Your high school grade point average is calculated using your grades in all your college prep “a-g” classes completed after the 9th through 12th grades.
Grades are only part of the equation unless you have a grade point average above 3.0 and are a resident of California. The CSU uses a calculation called an Eligibility Index which combines your high school grade point average with the score you earn on either an SAT Reasoning Test or ACT Test. Even if you have a GPA above 3.0 it is a good idea to take either an SAT Reasoning Test or ACT.
If you have your high school GPA and the results of your SAT Reasoning Test or ACT Test, then you can calculate your eligibility index. From there you can quickly see whether you meet the minimum admission standards. Remember, some campuses have higher standards for particular majors or those students who live outside the local area.
A. History and Social Science- 2 YEARS REQUIRED
Including 1 year of U.S. history or 1 semester of U.S. history and 1 semester of civics or American government and 1 year of social science.
B. English- 4 YEARS REQUIRED
4 years of college preparatory English composition and literature.
C. Math- 3 YEARS REQUIRED, 4 YEARS RECOMMENDED
Including Algebra I, Geometry, Algebra II, or higher mathematics (take one each year)
D. Laboratory Science- 2 YEARS REQUIRED
Including 1 biological science and 1 physical science.
E. Language other than English- 2 YEARS REQUIRED
2 years of the same language; American Sign Language is applicable.
F. Visual and Performing Arts- 1 YEAR REQUIRED
Dance, drama or theater, music, or visual art.
G. College Preparatory Elective- 1 YEAR REQUIRED
One more year of any college preparatory subject.
Grades and Assessments
The grades you earn in high school are an important factor in CSU admission decisions. Your high school grade point average is calculated using your grades in all your college prep “a-g” classes completed after the 9th through 12th grades.
Grades are only part of the equation unless you have a grade point average above 3.0 and are a resident of California. The CSU uses a calculation called an Eligibility Index which combines your high school grade point average with the score you earn on either an SAT Reasoning Test or ACT Test. Even if you have a GPA above 3.0 it is a good idea to take either an SAT Reasoning Test or ACT.
If you have your high school GPA and the results of your SAT Reasoning Test or ACT Test, then you can calculate your eligibility index. From there you can quickly see whether you meet the minimum admission standards. Remember, some campuses have higher standards for particular majors or those students who live outside the local area.
Community CollegesNo subject requirements
18 years old, or
High School Graduate, or
High School Proficiency test certificate (not CAHSEE)
Students are most successful when they continue to take college preparatory courses each semester. Placement exams are given at the community college in English and Mathematics.
Career Exploration & Interest Assessments
- MyNextMove.org
- Simple career search with a “What Do You Like to Do?” interest profiler
- Shows related jobs, salary info, education required
- California Career Zone
- Free interest assessments (quick or in-depth)
- Explore jobs by industry or lifestyle calculator
- Great for California students, but useful for all
- Roadtrip Nation
- Watch short career videos by real professionals
- Explore career journeys by interests or themes
- Especially good for visual and story-driven learners
- O*NET Online
- Deep dive into careers, daily tasks, and skills needed
- Best for upperclassmen who want detailed info
- CareerOneStop
- Sponsored by the U.S. Department of Labor
- Resume help, career assessments, salary info, job outlook
Major & College Exploration
- BigFuture by College Board
- Explore majors, careers, and colleges all in one place
- Has quizzes to match students with career paths or majors
- Can filter colleges by major, cost, location, etc.
- College Scorecard
- Compare colleges based on costs, graduation rates, and typical earnings
- Super transparent and data-driven
- College Raptor
- Helps students estimate financial aid, compare schools, and search for majors
- Visual tools for comparing schools side-by-side
Scholarships + College & Career
- Going Merry
- Scholarship search and application platform
- Also has a “career quiz” and pathway exploration tools
- Launch My Career (CA)
- Helps students see return-on-investment of college programs in California
- Career earnings + education requirements by region
Step-by-Step: What to Do if You’re Lost About College or a Major
STEP 1: Start With You
Task: Take a career interest quiz
- Use: MyNextMove.org or California Career Zone
- Purpose: Get clues about what fields or majors match your personality
STEP 2: Explore Career Ideas
Task: Watch 3 short videos about careers you got matched with
- Use: Roadtrip Nation or YouTube (search: “Day in the Life of a ____”)
- Purpose: See what real people do for work and if it excites you
STEP 3: Reverse Engineer It
Task: Choose 1–2 careers that interest you and Google:
“Best majors for [career name]”
- Purpose: Learn what majors lead to that job
STEP 4: Browse Majors & Programs
Task: Visit BigFuture
- Search for majors and see which colleges offer them
- Save 3–5 majors that interest you
STEP 5: Make a Starter College List
Task: Choose 5–10 colleges based on:
- Location (close or far?)
- Size (small, medium, large)
- Majors offered (check if your interests are available)
- Use: College Raptor or BigFuture
STEP 6: Visit or Research Campuses
Task: Look up a virtual tour or schedule a campus visit
- Use: YouTube or CampusReel.org
- Purpose: Get a feel for where you might fit in
STEP 7: Keep Track of What You Like
Task: Create a Google Doc or use a college tracker template
- Include: Career ideas, possible majors, colleges you’re interested in, questions you still have
BONUS STEP: Talk to Someone
Task: Schedule a meeting with your college counselor or ask a trusted adult
- Purpose: Get advice, reassurance, and help building your plan
