College Application Process

School Code:  052533

The Counseling office is open for questions on college, careers, technical help, and applications before school, during break and lunch, and after school. Parents are asked to call or email to make an appointment.

 

Click here for the Career & College Events Newsletter

The Career & College Events Newsletter has information about local college fairs, workshops, and events. Regularly check this newsletter for local event updates.

 

Click here for the Senior Year Presentation Video
 

College Information for Seniors

• Preparing for Senior Year Presentation video 
• Preparing for Senior Year slides
• Senior Calendar and College Checklist
• Preparing for College 101 Presentation
• College Applications - Systems Comparison
• Senior College 101 Workshops (Common App 101, UC 101, CC 101, CSU 101) 
• Financial Aid Night Presentation

• College Planning 101 for Juniors
• Junior Planning Presentation (video)
• Junior Calendar & College Checklist

College Visits

College visits will resume Fall 2025 College Visits

 

Letters of Recommendation

Links to College Admissions Departments and Applications

Researching Colleges, Trade/Technical Schools,  Scholarships and Majors

• A comprehensive list of helpful college, career, and scholarship information may be found by clicking here
• National Center for Education Statistics College Navigator - Provides great info on cost, financial aid offered, retention rates and 4 year graduation rates
• CaliforniaColleges.edu  - Information about the California College system
• Association of Independent California Colleges
• Western Undergraduate Exchange - Significantly reduced tuition for California students to out-of-state colleges and universities.
• Majors offered at CSU campuses
• Impacted majors at CSU campuses 
• UC Freshman admission profiles
• ASVAB website - Information regarding the ASVAB test for those interested in joining the military
• National Center For Education Statistics College Navigator  - This site provides great info on cost, financial aid offered, retention rates and 4 year graduation rates for colleges

Scholarships and Financial Aid

• Click here for our Scholarships and Financial Aid webpage

Xello is a user-friendly comprehensive college and career search website. Various tools on the site provide valuable information for all students from the person who doesn't know where to begin as well as the student who has some post-secondary plans in hand. Students can complete an interest inventory (Career Matchmaker), Search for colleges, universities and vocational programs based on their own criteria (School Selector), research careers including information on job descriptions, wages, future outlook and read interviews with professionals working in the field. They can find college majors, identify high school classes that relate to their career interests, find out more about their personal learning style and even build a resume of activities to assist them in completing college and job applications. All research, assessment results and information can be saved by students to an electronic portfolio.

A-G Requirements

• UC/CSU A-G course list website

 

College Testing Information

SAT

SAT Reasoning Test is a test that is used by colleges as a part of its admissions process. The SAT Reasoning Test is a measure of the critical thinking skills you'll need for academic success in college. The SAT assesses how well students analyze and solve problems skills learned in school that are needed in college. The SAT is typically taken by high school juniors and seniors.

The SAT includes several different question types, including: a student-produced essay, multiple-choice questions, and student-produced responses (grid-ins).

SAT Subject Tests (formerly SAT II: Subject Tests) are designed to measure knowledge and skills in particular subject areas, as well as ability to apply that knowledge. Some colleges use the Subject Tests for admission, for course placement, and to advise students about course selection. Visit The College Board website for  more information.

 

ACT is a test that is used by colleges as a part of its admission process. The ACT test assesses high school students' general educational development and their ability to complete college-level work. www.act.org The multiple-choice tests cover four skill areas: English, mathematics, reading, and science. The Writing Test, which is optional, measures skill in planning and writing a short essay.

 

PSAT/NMSQT stands for Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test.
It's a standardized test that provides firsthand practice for the SAT Reasoning Test. It also gives students a chance to enter National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) scholarship programs. The Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test is a co-sponsored program by the College Board and National Merit Scholarship Corporation (NMSC) and The College Board.

 

Advanced Placement (AP) is a cooperative educational endeavor between secondary schools and colleges and universities. AP allows motivated high school students with the opportunity to take college-level courses in a high school setting. Currently there are 37 courses and exams across 22 subject areas in the AP program. Poway High offers a wide variety of Advanced Placement courses. As outlined by the College Board, Advanced Placement courses offer students the opportunity to take a college-level course in a high-school setting. All AP courses at Poway have been certified and audited by the College Board, and are current in their requirements and preparation.  See the PHS AP webpage or visit The College Board website for  more information.

 

The California State University (CSU) requires you to take the English Placement Test (EPT) and the Entry Level Mathematics (ELM) exam prior to enrollment in the CSU class unless you are exempt by means of scores earned on other appropriate tests such as the CSU’s Early Assessment Program (EAP) tests in English and Mathematics, the SAT, ACT, or Advanced Placement (AP). The EPT and the ELM are not admission tests; instead, they determine eligibility to enroll in specific courses. If you are required to take the EPT and the ELM but fail to do so, you will not be allowed to register for General Education courses at the CSU. You may take the EPT, ELM or both at a campus near you or where you plan to enroll. For more information click here.