College

Click Here for 4 Year College Resources

To begin your college search, you should start by getting to know yourself. Take time to consider your individual needs, strengths, goals, interests, and abilities. College selection is a personal decision that requires you to establish your own priorities. The college search is about finding the college or university that is the right fit for you.

Consider these questions to help you determine what you are looking for in your future college:

What values are important to you?
What are your academic strengths and interests?
In what environment do you learn best?
How much structure do you need?
What degree of academic challenge is right for you?
What activities do you enjoy? Do you want to pursue them in college?

Once you have thoughtfully evaluated what is important to you, you can begin to research colleges. There are some additional factors to consider as you make your decisions.

After researching, you should build your college list. The goal is for each student to build a balanced list of colleges.

A balanced list includes:

Reach Schools (Highly Competitive)

- - Schools where the chances of your being admitted are probably less than one in three, but where you have some chance of being admitted.

Target Schools (Competitive)

- - Colleges that match your profile. Here, you should have around a 50/50 chance of admission.

Likely Schools (Probably Admitted)

- - Colleges where you are likely to be admitted based on your credentials. At these schools, the odds of admission are strongly in your favor.

Click Here for El Community College Information

El Camino College

El Camino College is well-known for our academic excellence, our consistently high transfer rate to four-year colleges and universities, and our exceptional career training programs. After taking assessment tests, you must meet with an ECC counselor to receive priority registration.

Click here for El Camino College information for MCHS Students
Click here to request a counseling appointment for El Camino College
Virtual Information Desk

First Year Experience Interest Form

Transitioning from high school may present you with many decisions to make and challenges to face. The First Year Experience program is designed to help you be successful in your first year of college. If interested click here.

Summer 2026 Application

There's still time! Students looking to enroll for this upcoming summer or fall can still apply! The Fall 2026 application will open soon. Students are still encouraged to apply for Summer 2026 regardless of whether they choose to take summer courses, as the application will roll over and count for Fall 2026. Students can skip the identity verification step on the application by clicking “What if I can’t verify my identity right now” and then clicking Decline ID.me. If you choose to skip at that time, there is a chance they will need to verify their identity at a later date. Students who were previously dual-enrolled still need to re-apply for either summer or fall and make sure they apply as a First-Time College Student

If a student has already created an account before, they will need to update their information.

How to meet with a Counselor to complete an educational plan includes:
- Contact Counseling at (310) 660-3458.
- Request an appointment online, in person, and Zoom appointments are available.
- Connect with a Student Support Program such as Puente, Umoja, First Year Experience, Honors Transfer Program, and more!

El Camino also offers certificate programs. From Cosmetology to Fire Sciences, there is something for everyone. To learn more about these great programs, visit the website here.

South Bay Grant Updates (formally known as South Bay Promise)

Students enrolling at El Camino for Fall 2026 will no longer need to submit a separate application to be considered for the South Bay Grant.
Instead, students should focus on completing the path to enroll:
- Apply for Admission - Summer or Fall 2026
- Submit a FAFSA or California Dream Act Application (You don't need to qualify but must have one on file) and ensure ECC receives the form.
- Complete the English and Mathematics Placement Survey via your MyECC
- Complete the New Student Orientation
- Meet with an El Camino Counselor to create an Educational Plan
- Register for a minimum of 12 units for both fall and spring semesters. Students registered with the Special Resource Center are only required to take a minimum of 9 units for both the fall and spring semesters.
- (Optional) Highly recommended to join a Student Support & Success Program. You can view a list of programs here.

El Camino College New Student Orientation
Date: Ongoing Sessions
Location: In-person & Zoom Options
RSVP Link

The new student orientation gives students the guidance they need to start their college experience at El Camino, and this year it also includes a Financial Aid component. Students can RSVP for an in-person or online session

First Semester Ed Planning Sessions
Date: Ongoing Sessions
Location: In-person & Zoom Options
RSVP Link

Dual Enrollment for High School Students

For more information, contact the El Camino Dual Enrollment Program Coordinator, Michelle Arthur, at [email protected]

Transfer Pathway
Dr. René Lozano Gets Students Transfer-Ready | El Co Chats

Click Here for Other Community College Information

Santa Monica College

Financial Aid Open Lab Workshops

These sessions are designed to support high school students and their families as they navigate the college financial aid process.

Please join us for 1-1 assistance from Outreach and Financial Aid Specialists.

Get help with the following:

- Help creating FSA IDs

- Help filing out FAFSA or CADAA

- Bilingual Support

What to Bring:

- Student and parent social security number or ITIN number

- 2024 Federal Tax Return

- SMC Student ID number

- Access to email and phone messages

There are two open lab dates and times to choose from:

Date: January 27, 2026
Time: 2:00pm – 5:00 pm
Location: SMC Student Success & Engagement Center (Rm 145)
Registration Link: Click HERE

Date: February 11, 2026
Time: 3:00pm – 6:00 pm
Location: SMC Student Success & Engagement Center (Rm 145)
Registration Link: Click HERE

This event is open to students and parents. Registration is required. If you have questions, please contact us at [email protected]

California’s No. 1 transfer institution is the University of California, USC, and Loyola-Marymount University.

Click to apply to SMC or connect with a counselor.

Santa Barbara City College

Click Here for Information on Standardized Testing

Recommended Timeline for Assessments:

Sophomores: PSAT, Practice ACT (see "Test Prep Resources" below for more information on Practice/Mock opportunities)
Juniors: PSAT and SAT, and ACT (Students interested in participating in the National Merit Scholarship Program must take the PSAT in the 11th grade. Visit the National Merit website for more information.)
Seniors: SAT and/or ACT (take last exams by December for college consideration!)

Click here for Information on Scholarships and Financial Aid

Each scholarship has its own application process, deadline, and criteria. Please read carefully.

Class of 2027 - Juniors

California public high schools are required to submit a Cal Grant high school Grade Point Average (GPA) for all graduating seniors, unless the student or parent has opted out of the submission process. If you would like to opt out, please complete the Cal Grant GPA Opt Out Form and submit it to the CCC. More information about the Cal Grant is available on the California Student Aid Commission Website.

Several online websites can assist you in finding scholarships: