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College and Career » College Options

College Options

College

Explore the different pathways available after high school — find the one that fits your goals, interests, and plans.

cccCalifornia Community Colleges (CCC)

California’s community college system includes 116 campuses statewide, providing affordable and accessible education for a variety of academic and career goals.
  • 2-year colleges offering associate degrees, certificates, and transfer pathways.
  • Ideal for students who want to save money before transferring or quickly gain job skills.
  • Benefits: Open admission, low tuition, transfer agreements (TAG) with UC/CSU.
  • Application Deadlines: Check each college’s website for specific deadlines.
  • Application: CCCApply

UCUniversity of California (UC)

  • 9 undergraduate research campuses, including UCLA and Berkeley.
  • UC Campuses Locations
  • Focus on academics, research, and leadership.
  • Requirements: A–G coursework, 3.0+ GPA, holistic review.
  • Application Deadlines:
    • Application window is November 1–30 for Fall admission.
    • Early preparation recommended for essays and transcripts.
  • UC Application Website

csuCalifornia State University (CSU)

  • 23 campuses focused on career-ready degrees.
  • CSU Campuses Map
  • Hands-on learning in many fields.
  • Requirements: A–G coursework, minimum 2.5 GPA 
  • Application Deadlines:
    • Application window is October 1–November 30 for Fall admission.
    • Some impacted majors/campuses have earlier deadlines; check specifics.
  • Cal State Apply Website
vsCTE: Trade or Vocational Schools
  • Focused on skill-building for careers like welding, cosmetology, and medical assisting.
  • Programs range from months to 2 years.
  • Application Deadlines:
    • Varies widely by school and program — many accept applications year-round.
    • Contact specific schools for details.
    • Tip: Verify accreditation and job placement rates.

pcPrivate Colleges & Universities
  • Independent schools with specialized programs and financial aid options.
  • May require: essays, letter of recommendations, interviews, SAT/ACT scores, extracurricular activities
  • Program specific requirements: audition, portfolios etc.
  • Application Deadlines:
    • Typically use Common App
    • Early Action/Early Decision deadlines: usually November 1–15.
    • Regular Decision deadlines: usually January 1–15.
    • Verify deadlines on each college’s admissions website.
  • Common App Website

Need help deciding or have questions?