In order to apply to a college, you need to fill out....an application. While a school may accept multiple types of application, you should fill out only one for each school.  It is helpful to have the core of your college list determined before you start filling anything out. The key to making this part easier is to minimize the number of different applications you will fill out. If you have a very long list, you will also need to choose wisely, as some applications have a limit, and some schools only accept one type of application.

The main application types are:
  • Common Application (can create now - most students use the Common for a good portion of their schools)
  • Coalition Application (similar to Common App but used exclusively by fewer schools)
  • UC and CSU Applications - These groups of colleges have their own application.  One application is used to apply to multiple schools within each system.
  • Individual College Applications - Some schools require their own application, or offer their own application in addition to one or more of the others.

HELPFUL resources

QUICK REFERENCE GUIDE TO COLLEGE APPLICATIONS
HOW COLLEGES READ YOUR APPLICATION

tips before you get started

  • Start a spreadsheet​ (you can start with this one!), where you track what is required and accepted for each school. The more schools you plan to apply to - the more necessary this is. 
  • Remember that the Common App has a limit of 20 schools. Full stop.
  • Use your PERSONAL email address for all college applications. Make it professional. Check this email regularly.
  • Make a note on your phone where you keep all of your college-related usernames and passwords.

important svhs info for applications

  • The SVHS CEEB school code:  052455 (used for testing)
  • Your counselor’s name and contact information: Nicole Kropelnicki, 707-763-1032 ext 141
  • How grades are reported: Semester 
  • Grading Scale: 4, Weighted
  • Class Rank: Not reported (SVHS does not rank)
  • 2023 Graduating Class Size: 45

DECISION PLANS

common application
  • Max of 20 schools can be applied to using the Common App
  • The main part - the Common App tab - goes to ALL of the schools. You can start this anytime. You can work on things in any order. You will get a check in each section, and eventually, a check on each page (on the left)
  • Courses & Grades is only required by some schools (see the SRAR tab)
  • Under My Colleges, you will add each individual school you are applying to. They have their own questions - some more than others. This is where you will find the supplemental questions. Don't do this until August - because it will not rollover from the current year.
  • There is not one big submit button. You will submit individually to each school.
  • The InGenius Prep Common Application Step by Step Guide (link)​

uc application
  • There are nine UC schools and you can choose to apply to as many as you want, including all nine. Be aware though that each UC school you apply to requires its own application fee.
  • You can include up to 20 activities and write up to 500 characters of description for each entry. Be sure to list the most important activities first.
  • There are eight essay prompts (which the UC application calls “personal insight questions”). You answer four; there is no right answer about which ones you choose. You only have 350 words to answer each question.  You should select questions that are most relevant to your experience and that best reflect your individual circumstances.
  • The UC application does not require letters of recommendation or transcripts.
  • Standardized tests (SAT and ACT) are not required although some programs may recommend a SAT subject test.
  • You must self report your grades and the courses listed must fill the A-G course requirements.  The list of SVHS A-G course requirements are listed HERE.
  • UC - Filling out the Application (Link)
  • Quick Reference Guide to UC Admission (Link)

csu application
  • The CSU application is a straight academic review.  No essay, no letters of recommendation and no activities.
  • Some schools may have supplemental information that they request as noted on the application per school.
  • There are 23 CSU schools and you can choose to apply to as many as you want, but be aware though that each CSU school you apply to requires its own application fee.
  • Standardized tests (SAT and ACT) are not required
  • You must self report your grades and the courses listed must fill the A-G course requirements.  The list of SVHS A-G course requirements are listed HERE.
  • A transcript is required only after you have been accepted and choose to attend.
  • CSU Admission Process (Link)
  • Quick Reference Guide to the CSU Freshmen Application

coalition application
  • No schools use the Coalition Application exclusively.  Many will accept Coalition and Common App.
  • For Coalition, you need to do all of the required sections before you will be able to move through the school specific questions. Sometimes you will have to do more sections in the main application after you add a school. You can work out of order, to some extent, in the main application.
  • After you add a school, you will have to do the school specific questions. These have to be done in order, and you can't see what the questions are until you get to them. Sometimes there are supplemental essays here (Hint: UMD has additional short answer questions).
  • You should not request any letters of recommendation or transcripts through Coalition.  We send these using Maia.
  • There is no big submit button. You submit one school at a time.