Meet with me to make a four-year plan. We’ll look at the courses you want to take and how they fit together.

Learn about the A–G courses. UC and CSU require 15 year-long college-prep courses, and courses you take now can count toward them. Their GPAs start with later grades, but a strong start makes the next years easier.

Find out how college courses fit into your plan. Ask me how and when they make sense for you.

Try new things. Join a club, volunteer, or take on something you’re curious about. The Career Exploration page has ideas.

Keep a running list of activities, awards, and volunteer work. It’s much easier to write it down as you go.

Know that your grades count. UC’s GPA uses your A–G grades from the summer after 9th grade through the summer after 11th grade, and the CSU’s uses your A–G grades after 9th grade.

Check your A–G progress with me. We’ll make sure you’re on track for the courses you need.

Explore careers and majors. Try a career interest inventory, then come talk with me about what you find.

Visit a campus or join a virtual event. The counseling calendar lists college fairs and preview days.

Plan your college courses. If you’re taking or considering them, ask me which ones fit your goals.

Finish strong. Your 10th and 11th grade A–G grades are what UC uses to calculate its GPA.

Check your A–G courses with me. UC’s Local Guarantee needs a specific pattern of 11 courses done before senior year, so we’ll look at where you stand.

Research your options. Look at UC, CSU, community college, and private schools, and see which fit what you want.

Go to college fairs and preview days. Check the counseling calendar for dates.

Ask me about testing. UC and CSU don’t use SAT or ACT scores, but some private and out-of-state schools do. See the Testing page, then come see me.

Use the summer. The UC application opens Aug 1, and you can start working in Cal State Apply the same day. It’s a good time to draft your UC personal insight responses and update your activities list.

Start your applications. UC and Cal State Apply both open on Aug 1.

Submit to UC and CSU between Oct 1 and Nov 30. Aim to finish before Thanksgiving break so you have a buffer. Ask me if you’d like another set of eyes before you submit.

File the FAFSA or California Dream Act Application. Both open Oct 1. File as early as you can, and no later than the state priority deadline of March 2.

Check your email and each campus portal often. Colleges may ask for documents, so respond right away.

Apply to community college if it’s part of your plan. At Folsom Lake College, applications for summer and fall open in February, and one application covers every Los Rios college.

Apply for scholarships. Our Financial Aid & Scholarships page lists what’s open right now.

Watch for admission decisions. UC campuses notify fall first-year applicants in March, and CSU offers usually arrive in February and March.

Compare your financial aid offers. Look at the full cost of each college, not just tuition. I can help you work through it.

Choose a college by May 1. That’s the deadline at UC and at most CSUs, though some campuses give you longer.

Finish the year strong. Offers of admission depend on your final transcript, and a college can withdraw an offer if your grades drop a lot or you don’t complete required courses.