COLLEGE
101
Mustang
University
AGENDA
College Options
College Timeline
Graduation vs. College Entrance Requirements
Advice from a Counselor
CSU/UC, Private or Out-of-State, Community Colleges
A guide for each year of high school
What’s the difference?
Find Your Fit
01
College Options
UC Schools
SAT/ACT not required
UC will not consider SAT or ACT test scores when making admissions decisions or awarding scholarships.
If you choose to submit test scores as part of your application, they may be used as an alternative method of fulfilling minimum requirements for eligibility or for course placement after you enroll.
CSU Schools
SAT/ACT not required
The California State University (CSU) no longer uses ACT or SAT examinations in determining admission eligibility for all CSU campuses.
If accepted to a CSU campus, ACT or SAT test scores can be used as one of the measures to place students in the proper mathematics and written communication courses.
Private or
Out-of-State Colleges
Announced by Dartmouth
Feb 5, 2024
“Dartmouth will reactivate the standardized testing requirement for undergraduate admission beginning with applicants to the Class of 2029.”
What does this mean for your student?
Please check the colleges you are applying to for their latest testing requirements!
Community Colleges
Graduation vs. College Entrance Requirements
02
Most Selective Campuses
University of California
Average GPA
The Big 5
Application period October 1 - December 2
3.8 (> 4.0 for UCLA and UC Berkeley)
UCLA and UC Berkeley
California State University
Admission Criteria
Complete the 15 a-g required courses with a 2.5 GPA or higher
If the 15 a-g required course GPA is 2.0-2.49, other factors will be considered
These factors include (e.g. exceeding minimum a-g requirements, household income, extracurricular involvement, and other available information that would inform the campus admission decision)
Application period October 1 - December 2
San Diego State and Cal Poly San Luis Obispo
Most Selective Campuses
College Entrance Exams
SAT
ACT
Score is based out of 1600. 800 for Math. 800 for Evidence Based Reading.
No wrong-answer penalty. Calculator not permitted for all math sections.
3 hours.
Composite Score of 1-36. 4 sections: English, Reading, Math, and Science Reasoning.
Optional Writing (students need to sign up for writing).
Calculator allowed for all math problems.
3 hours. 40 minutes with optional writing.
What is a “good” SAT/ACT score?
SAT:
A good SAT score is generally considered to be 1210 or higher, which would put you in the top 25% of all test takers.
In 2023, the national average score earned on the SAT was 1028, and a “perfect” score on the SAT is the maximum score of 1600.
Every college and university has its own unique SAT score range which should be consulted when determining what a “good” score is for you.
Your SAT score does not determine if a college will accept you, but a high score can make you a more competitive applicant. (Kaplan, 2025)
ACT:
Average Score Range: 17-24
Above Average Score Range: 25-36 (ACT.org)
What are the benefits of taking the SAT/ACT if the college doesn’t require it?
FREE MONEY!
Many colleges, including test-optional schools, will use SAT/ACT scores to award merit scholarships for incoming students. If you do well on the test, your scores could benefit your financial aid greatly!
Research shows up to 60% of scholarships required an SAT/ACT score to be submitted as part of the application process.
What does “test-optional” mean?
Test-optional schools will let you decide if you want to submit your test scores. If submitted, the school will take SAT/ACT scores into consideration, but may focus on other parts of the application more.
Test-flexible schools will allow you to submit scores for the SAT/ACT, OR a different test in their place (e.g. SAT Subject Test or AP Test).
Test-blind schools will not consider any scores, even if you include them in the application.
03
College Timeline
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4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 |
11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 |
18 | 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 |
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College Timeline
Start Early
9th Grade
10th Grade
11th Grade
Senior Year
Advice from a Counselor
04
Data of 2024 Grads - UC Acceptances by GPA
Data of 2024 Grads - Private / OOS Acceptances by GPA
Apply Broadly
Check Impacted Majors
Make a Resume of Activities
Keep a File with All Records
Encourage Activities and Involvement
Be Open to “Plan B”
College Search Tools
All PYLUSD students have a free account
Allows students to search colleges and scholarships based on filters they set
Allows students to search colleges and scholarships based on filters they set
A tool designed to help students, parents, high school counselors, and others get information about over 7000 institutions in US
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