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College » Systems of Higher Education

Systems of Higher Education

The local colleges surrounding La Serna include: Cal State Fullerton, Cal State LA, Cal State Long Beach, Cal State Dominguez Hills, UCLA , UC Irvine, Whittier College, Rio Hondo Community College, Fullerton College, Cerritos Community College, Mt. San Antonio College (Mt. SAC), and East Los Angeles College (ELAC).

 

There are four higher education systems in California:
 
The CSU is a leader in high-quality, accessible, student-focused higher education. With 23 campuses, 405,000 students, and 44,000 faculty and staff, it is the largest, the most diverse, and one of the most affordable university systems in the country. They prepare graduates who go on to make a difference in the workforce and they play a vital role in the growth and development of California's economy. Click here to learn more about CSUs.
 
  • The filing period is between October 1 - December 15th.
  • Straight forward application – list grades and classes taken.
  • A-G Requirements, Min. 2.0 GPA (3.0 to be competitive.)
  • SAT Reasoning or ACT with WRITING required.
  • No essay.
  • EOP application (part of the application)
  • No extracurricular activities need to be listed.
  • 4-year Degree (Bachelors of Arts or Science)
  • Visit http://www.calstate.edu to complete the application.
 
 

The University of California is home to more than 208,000 students and, in turn, to their parents and families. Each year, UC campuses welcome thousands of new students with another 60,000 more on their way over the next decade.

  • The filing period is from August 1 – November 30; the submission period is from October 1st - November 30th.
  • More comprehensive application.
  • Minimum 3.0 GPA to apply (3.5 to be competitive)
  • Need to list classes taken, activities, and awards
  • SAT/ACT not required
  • Need to list extracurricular activities.
  • Personal Insight Questions required.
  • 4-year Degree (Bachelors of Arts or Science)
  • Visit  www.admissions.universityofcalifornia.edu

 

California Community Colleges

California Community Colleges is a system of two-year public institutions, composed of 115 colleges statewide organized into 72 districts, serves more than 2.5 million students, and represents the largest system of higher education in the world.

  • The application opens on October 1st of senior year.
  • Involves a simple application.
  • SAT or ACT is not required.
  • English & Math Placement Form required for placement.
  • Prepares for technical/vocational occupations, AA or AS degree, or option to transfer to a 4-year institution.
  • http://home.cccapply.org/ to complete the application.

 

California Private/Independent Colleges
Private universities can be found throughout the state of California, and vary greatly in size and enrollment. Most private institutions tend to specialize in specific areas of study and tend to have higher tuition costs. Private schools tend to have more individualized education options with smaller class sizes.
 
  • Application deadlines vary.
  • More comprehensive application.
  • Need to list courses taken, activities, and awards.
  • Letters of recommendation REQUIRED.
  • School Reports and Midyear reports are required (transcripts included).
  • SAT Reasoning or ACT with Writing & SAT Subject Tests are required for some schools; check each school's requirements.
  • Need to list extracurricular activities.
  • Applications usually have several essays.
  • 4-year Degree (Bachelors of Arts or Science)
  • Visit www.commonapp.org or an individual out-of-state site.