College Application
Universities prefer that admissions applications be completed online. You can access CSU and UC applications through their prospective websites. To complete an admissions application to private universities, you will need to go directly to the school website or through common app. Websites can be found through a search online.
College Application Fee
Application fees will vary per institution, and will be due upon submission of your application. Some universities offer fee waivers for those who qualify.
High School Transcript
To complete your CSU or UC application, you will need an unofficial copy of your high school transcript for self-reporting your classes and grades. Once you have been accepted to a CSU or UC campus, that particular campus will prompt you to have an OFFICIAL transcript sent from SVUSD directly to them upon graduation from high school. If you are applying to a private university, however, an OFFICIAL transcript will be required as part of the application process. To review the most up to date information to order your high school transcript please SVUSD's Transcript page.
College Admissions Exams/Tests
As of 2020, UC's and CSU’s no longer require or accept SAT or ACT testing as part of the application process. Some private schools/out of state universities may still require students to submit the results of college admissions exams. For more information regarding these exams, please see the College Testing Information on the MVHS Guidance Website.
College Essay or Personal Statement
Private/Independent Universities as well as University of California will require a college essay as part of their application process. The college essay is written in response to a prompt(s) given to the student in the application. A college essay will not be required for applications to the California State University.
Letters of Recommendation
Most private university and scholarship applications will require letters of recommendation. Some will specify who the recommender should be (teachers, counselors, employers, coaches, community and church leaders); others simply indicate how many recommendations are required. Letters of recommendation give evaluators and selection committees alternate information about you the person. Keep in mind that these individuals will already have objective information - your grades, classes and test scores - they want to know about your character and who you are outside of the classroom, more appropriately, how others see you!!
