College & Career Planning
Getting into a college is like approaching any other goal in life that’s important: it takes hard work, commitment and attention to dates and details. The resources on this page are designed to help students navigate their post high school options, with information on college admissions testing, the college application process, choosing a college and possible major, career research, alternative post high school options and more.
- Four Year Universities
- Community Colleges
- Additional College Information
- Admissions Testing
- Scholarships
- College Majors
- Career Research
- Career Technical Education
- Additional Post High School Options
- Work Permits
- FEE REDUCTION ELIGIBILITY APPLICATION
Four Year Universities
Community Colleges
Additional College Information
General College Information
- College Board - SAT information and registration, CSS Profile information (see Financial Aid), a variety of other college resources
- ACT - ACT online registration and information
- The Education Conservancy - site dedicated to the return of sanity in the college admission process; a must-read for students and parents
- Athletic Aid - information for student athletes about the recruiting process
- NCAA - National Collegiate Athletic Association site; information about registration for students who are capable of playing NCAA sports in college
- College Navigator - college search site sponsored by National Center for Educational Statistics
- The Princeton Review - tips, advice, college search
- College Quest - the Peterson's site, with tips, advice, college search
- CollegeSource Onoline - more than 14,000 online college catalogs
- Best Colleges by Career - BestCollege.com has rankings of best school by career
- The Common Application - online and downloadable Common Application site
- GreekPages.com - info about fraternities and sororities on college campuses.
- Khan Academy SAT prep - free online SAT preparation
- Colleges That Change Lives - information about the colleges featured in the book Colleges That Change Live
- Common Lounge - A community to help navigate the college application process.
College Information - Specific Colleges
To find specific college websites, try www. (type in the name of the college).edu; in some cases, the name of the college may be abbreviated, but your computer's search engine will find it for you.
- University of California
- ASSIST - statewide student transfer information for California students
- CSUMentor - California State University information (links to individual campuses)
- CaliforniaCollege.edu - information about all types of colleges within California, plus financial aid and more
- UC Berkeley
- UC Davis
- UC Irvine
- UCLA
- UC Merced
- UC Riverside
- UC San Diego
- UC Santa Barbara
- UC Santa Cruz
- Foothill - De Anza
- San Mateo County Community College District (Cañada, College of San Mateo, Skyline)
- National Association for Equal Opportunity in Higher Education
- UTours - information of Canadian Universities
Careers & Jobs
- Bridges Transitions Inc. - planning for your future; check in the Career Center for info about how M-A users can get more out of this Web site
- Education Online Search - information about career programs and online classes
- Resume and Cover Letters - for students who have limited work experience
Summer Programs & Time Off
- AmeriCorps - sponsored by the Corp. for National and Community Service
- City Year - sponsored by the National Youth Corps
- Dynamy - information about an internship program
- gapyear.com - creative ways to take time off
- Global Service Corps - adventures and volunteer projects abroad to make a better world
- NOLS - sponsored by the National Outdoor Leadership School, an organization that develops outdoor and leadership skills
- Outward Bound - expeditions as learning and adventure education
- SCA - Student Conservation Association - service and internship opportunities in conservation
- Seamester - academic voyages for high school grads and college students
- Semester at Sea - voyage opportunities for undergrads
- Study Abroad - country, college, and course advice for students who wish to study abroad
- takingtimeoff.com - a companion Web site to the book of the same title
- Landmark Volunteers - a summer service organization for high school students
- Where There Be Dragons - learning opportunities through "rugged, creative, and engaging" expeditions off the beaten path
- YFU - Youth for Understanding International Exchange (opportunities abroad for high school students)
MISCELLANEOUS
- Apex Learning - links with information about online courses
Admissions Testing
SAT REASONING & SAT SUBJECT(S) TESTS
SAT Reasoning
The SAT is one of the Standardized tests required by colleges. It measures three skill categories: critical reading, mathematics and writing. Each section is worth 800 points, with a total of 1600 points. The SAT test has 4 sections, and writing is optional.
SAT Subject(s)
The SAT Subject(s) Test is required by several private colleges. Check their websites. It is not required by the UCs, but it is recommended if you are an engineering major. The test measures a student's knowledge in a particular subject area. Each test is worth 800 points. A student can take up to three subject tests in one sitting. The subject areas include languages, history, science, english and mathematics.
List of "Test Optional" Colleges
PSAT/NMSQT
The PSAT (Preliminary SAT) is a standardized test that provides practice for the SAT. Juniors who take the test can qualify for the National Merit Scholarship Corporation. The PSAT has three sections: critical reading, math and writing skills. It is offered once a year in October.
AP Tests
Advanced-Placement (AP) are considered to be college-level courses students can take while in high school. Students usually take the AP test in their course's subject matter. AP tests are administered in May
Advanced-Placement (AP) are considered to be college-level courses students can take while in high school. Students usually take the AP test in their course's subject matter. AP tests are administered in May and the score ranges from 0 to 5, with 5 as the highest. Three is considered the minimum passing score.
Unlike honors courses, students may earn college credit, depending on their AP test scores and the college's requirements. To find out more about AP tests, please visit the CollegeBoard website.
For Information on the 2021-22 School year exams please click here.
TOEFL
The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is occassionally required by colleges for students who are (or have been) enrolled in an English Learner course in high school. In some cases this test is dependent on a student's residency. We recommend that students check out the testing requirements of the colleges that they are interested in.
FREE ONLINE TEST PREPARATION
- CollegeBoard
- Khan Academy
- University of California College Prep
- Max The Test!
- Number2.com
- Vocabulary.com
ACT
The ACT is one of the standardized tests required by colleges. It has five categories: english, mathematics, reading, science and an optional writing section. Each section is scored separately and combined together for a composite score. The highest score a student can receive is 36.
Scholarships
Scholarships & Financial Aid
- Fastweb - a free scholarship search site
- College Board - information about the CSS Profile student financial aid application for many private colleges; online calculator to determine Expected Family Contribution
- CollegeData - a great deal of info about what it will actually cost to go to college; provided by a bank, so you will find offers for credit cards, etc., but you can ignore them!
- FinAid! - comprehensive financial aid information
- CalGrants.org - information about Cal Grants
- EdFund - information about student loans
- FAFSA.gov - Free Application for Federal Student Aid
- MALDEF - Mexican American Legal Defense Fund site; includes information about scholarships for undocumented students
- ParentPLUSLoans.com - information about the federal PLUS (Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students) program
- Ron Brown Scholar Program - minority scholarship information
- Sallie Mae - information about student loans and financial services for education, link to scholarship search
- StaffordLoan.com - information about the federal Stafford Loan program
- StudentsScholarshipSearch.com - free scholarship search program sponsored by student loan program
- Hispanic Scholarship Fund - scholarship information for Hispanic students
College Majors
Selecting a major does not mean you will limit the career choices available to you after graduation. If you choose a major that you intrinsically enjoy, you are more likely to excel academically, you will be more motivated in the classes you take, and when it is time to start looking for a job or applying to graduate school you will be able to explain with enthusiasm why you chose your major and what you gained from doing so.
When choosing a major it is beneficial to understand your strengths and your interests. Consider taking one or more of the Fremont self-assessment questionnaires offered through Naviance-Family Connection.
Self Assessments
Major Information
Career Research
| Resource | Description |
|---|---|
| Educate to Career | College and career planning resources, enabling you to identify your best major, at an affordable college, with a great career outcome! |
| Explore your career options with this handy resource. | |
| Tech Prep Computer Science | Information about programming. Learn code, explore careers, get info. |
| Health Management Careers | Information about careers in health management |
| Start Here Go Places | Information about becoming a CPA |
| California Career Zone | A non-profit website with self assessments and career "family" explorations. |
| CareerOneStop | Sponsored by the US Department of Labor for students, job seekers, businesses. |
| College Board's Career Descriptions | The SAT creator's website with self assessments, college information and career guidance. |
| Green Career Search (Think Green) | Green job employment has grown more than twice as much as any other California industry for the period 1995 to 2009. Sustainability and green sector education is offered by no fewer than 88 schools in California. These programs range from certificates through doctoral degrees. |
| JobStar Central | Scroll down to the bottom half for the real information, rather than ads. It explores different career opportunities with career associations. |
| MyRoad | The College Board's site for assessments and searches. You will need a code from the PSAT to access an account. |
| O*Net Online | Career Exploration and Job analysis |
| Online Occupational Outlook Handbook | The US Bureau of Labor Statistics guide to careers and career fields. |
| Planning Your Career | Planning for college, financial aid and careers. |
| Vault | Company rankings, career outlook and searches. Get the inside scoop on top occupations from working professionals who give their take on ups, downs, career path, qualification, compensation and more. |
Career Technical Education
Culinary Schools
| School/Search Engine | Description |
|---|---|
| Culinary Institute of America | For more than six decades, The Culinary Institute of America has been setting the standard for excellence in professional culinary education. |
| Le Cordon Bleu Schools | Schools across the world with the certification of Le Cordon Bleu. They strive to provide you with the cooking training and culinary education that is second to none. Their chef instructors are made up of a team of culinarians who are highly passionate about the industry. With all of the skills and knowledge that the staff has to offer, you will find that they will be able to offer classical teachings that lead to opportunities in the culinary field. |
| Peterson's Culinary School Search | Search engine. |
Please be careful when selecting a culinary school. Check their post-degree employment rate before you give a college your email.
Technical & Vocational Schools
| School/Search Engine Name | Description |
|---|---|
| Online Information Technology Programs |
Online IT programs. This resource focuses only on not-for-profit public and private higher education institutions. |
| John F. Kennedy University | Weekend Science Program offers science prerequisites for students of pre-nursing and other pre-medical careers. Classes in San Jose on weekends. |
| California Community Colleges | Search for both technical and academic programs at community colleges. |
| RWM Vocational Schools | Search engine for private vocational schools. |
| Vocational and Technical Schools Guide | Search engine. NOTE: most of the programs listed are for-profit schools, so very expensive. Please make sure to check graduation and post-degree employment rates before applying. |
| Vocational Information Center | The Vocational Information Center website is an education directory that provides links to online resources for career exploration, technical education, workforce development, technical schools and related vocational learning resources. |
Additional Post High School Options
- California Conservation Corps: Work hard protecting and restoring California's environment and responding to disasters
- CITY YEAR: Unites young people of all backgrounds for a year of full-time service, giving them skills and opportunities to change the world
- Corporation for National and Community Service: Federal agency that engages more than five million Americans in service through Senior Corps, AmeriCorps, and Learn and Serve America, and leads President Obama's national call to service initiative, United We Serve.
- LEAPNOW: Offers GAP Year-for-Credit alternative college programs
- U.S. Department of Defense
- San Jose Water
- PG&E
- APPRENTICESHIP Programs
Career Training Sites
| Auto Mechanic Schools | Practical ways to receive training in the field of automobile mechanics. |
U.S. Military
| Branch | Age Requirement | Contact | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Air Force | 17-34 | 408-247-8723 | The mission of the United States Air Force is to fly, fight and win … in air, space and cyberspace. To achieve that mission, the Air Force has a vision of Global Vigilance, Reach and Power. That vision orbits around three core competencies: developing Airmen, technology to war fighting and integrating operations. These core competencies make our six distinctive capabilities possible. |
| Army | 17-34 | 408-247-6311 | The U.S. Army, a key component of the U.S. Armed Forces, is made up of the best-trained, most dedicated, most respected Soldiers in the world — protecting America’s freedoms at home and abroad, securing our homeland, and defending democracy worldwide. |
| Coast Guard | 17-34 | 510-769-8187 | For over two centuries the U.S. Coast Guard has safeguarded our Nation’s maritime interests in the heartland, in the ports, at sea, and around the globe. We protect the maritime economy and the environment, they defend our maritime borders, and they save those in peril. This history has forged their character and purpose as America’s Maritime Guardian Semper Paratus -Always Ready for all hazards and all threats. |
| Marines | 17-34 |
408-984-3660
|
The Marine Corps has been America's expeditionary force in readiness since 1775. They are forward deployed to respond swiftly and aggressively in times of crisis. They are soldiers of the sea, providing forces and detachments to naval ships and shore operations. |
| National Guard | 17-40 | 650-288-5466 | The Army National Guard is the oldest component of the United States armed forces. Militia companies were formed with the first English settlement at Jamestown in 1607. Over 63,000 Army Guardsmen were called to serve in Desert Storm, and in the decade since then, Guardsmen have seen a greater role than ever before conducting peacekeeping in Somalia, Haiti, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, Bosnia, and Kosovo. |
| Navy | 17-34 | Enlisted: 408-247-6871; Officer: 800-345-6289 | The mission of the Navy is to maintain, train and equip combat-ready Naval forces capable of winning wars, deterring aggression and maintaining freedom of the seas. |
Apprenticeships
| Program | Age Requirement | Details |
|---|---|---|
| CalApprenticeships | 18+ | The Registered Apprenticeship system of training is unique in that it is the only formal, structured, and nationally recognized education and training program available that combines the two most common forms of career and occupational learning: classroom instruction with on-the-job training. |
| California Department of Industrial Relations | 16+ | Apprenticeship is a system of learning while earning, and "learning by doing." It combines training on the job with related and supplemental instruction at school. Today, it is utilized chiefly in the skilled crafts. Each program operates under apprenticeship training standards agreed to by labor and/or management in accordance with State and Federal laws, under which a person works with a skilled worker and gains on the job skills and "know-how" and in turn becomes an important part of the occupation and industry. |
| US Department of Labor - Employment and Training Administration | 16+, (18+ for hazardous jobs) | Registered Apprenticeship programs meet the skilled workforce needs of American industry, training millions of qualified individuals for lifelong careers since 1937. Registered Apprenticeship helps mobilize America's workforce with structured, on-the-job learning in traditional industries such as construction and manufacturing, as well as new emerging industries such as health care, information technology, energy, telecommunications and more. |
Job Training & Centers
| Group | Age Requirement | Description |
|---|---|---|
| The Loyd E. Williams Pipe Trades Training Center | 17+ | Apply for an Apprenticeship in plumbing, steamfitting-pipefitting, and refrigeration & air conditioning mechanical service. |
| AmeriCorps | 17+ | AmeriCorps is an opportunity to make a big difference in your life and in the lives of those around you. It’s a chance to apply your skills and ideals toward helping others and meeting critical needs in the community. |
| California Association of Regional Occupational Center and Programs | 16+ | More than 3900 ROCP career technical education courses are offered in areas such as information technology, agriculture business, culinary arts, healthcare, construction and auto technology. ROCPs offer tuition-free courses. ROCP course offerings are based upon current and future local labor market demands. |
| California Conservation Corp | 18-25 | The California Conservation Corps is a state agency that puts together young people and the environment, to the benefit of both. |
| San Jose Job Corp Center | 14-16 | Jobs Corp is a is a no-cost education and career technical program administered by the US Department of Labor that helps young people ages 16 through 24 improve the quality of their lives through career technical and academic training. |
Work Permits
Do you need a Work Permit? Please click here to visit the FUHSD work permit link.
FEE REDUCTION ELIGIBILITY APPLICATION
If you need financial assistance, you may complete the form below and return it to Ms. Moyoli in the ASB Office. This form cannot be used to qualify for any state or federal program, such as testing fees.
Students that have qualified for the Free and Reduced Meal Program will receive free or reduced price for SAT, PSAT, ACT, AP Tests. There is no need to complete the above form.