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👩🏻🎓 The College Application.
Alright seniors you know what time it is...
Jordan Nguyen
July 19, 2025
Hello Momentees!
College application season is here! Whether you're feeling excited, overwhelmed, or both — this edition is packed with tools and tips to help you take your next step with confidence.
In this momentous edition:
Opportunities Highlights
Upcoming Panels/Workshops
The College Application
Opportunities Highlights
Disney Dreamers
Disney Dreamers Academy is a free, 4-day mentorship and career exploration program at Walt Disney World for U.S. high school students (ages 13–19). It includes workshops, inspirational speakers, and behind-the-scenes experiences—plus travel and lodging for one guardian. Link.
2026 Application Deadline: October 31, 2025.
Ryman Arts Program
Ryman Arts is a free, competitive art program for Southern California high school students. It offers college-level weekend classes in drawing and painting, plus mentoring, supplies, and college/career support. Link.
StandOutSearch
Upcoming Panels/Workshops
The College Application
To-Do Checklist
July Tasks | August Tasks |
|---|---|
Finalize college list (reach, match, safety) | Finalize personal statement draft |
Create Common App & UC App accounts | Begin UC PIQs and supplemental essays |
Brainstorm and draft personal statement | Edit and revise essays (get feedback) |
Research college essay prompts (supplementals) | Complete activity list on Common App |
Start resume or activity list | Register for fall SAT/ACT (if needed) |
Ask for letters of recommendation | Explore fly-in/diversity programs (apply!) |
Begin FAFSA/CSS Profile prep (gather info) | Start filling out Common App & UC App sections |
Research scholarships & make a list | Organize deadlines in a calendar or spreadsheet |
Essay Support
Application | Prompts | Word Count |
|---|---|---|
UC | 4 out of 8 prompts | 350 words max |
Common App | 1 out of 7 prompts | 650 words max |
Pratik Vangal is perhaps the most blunt, straight-forward, and unfiltered college support YouTuber out there. He offers insightful and unconventional advice that cuts to the chase.
The College Essay Guy is an amazing resource for writing your PIQs, Personal Statements, and supplemental essays. His website has examples of essays for various schools, including the UCs and many private colleges.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
Feature | FAFSA | CSS Profile | CADAA |
|---|---|---|---|
Purpose | Access federal, state, and institutional aid | Access institutional aid at participating colleges | Access CA state & institutional aid for undocumented students |
Who Should File | U.S. citizens & eligible noncitizens (e.g., green card holders) | U.S. citizens, eligible noncitizens, and international students (at some schools) | Undocumented and DACA students in California |
Used For | Federal grants, loans, work-study, some state aid | Institutional aid (grants, scholarships) | Cal Grants, CA state aid, institutional aid |
Application Opens | October 1 (or delayed to December for 2024–25 cycle) | October 1 | October 1 |
Deadline | Varies: Federal deadline is June 30; states/schools may have earlier deadlines | Varies by college (typically early: Nov–Feb) | March 2 (for Cal Grant priority) |
Required by | All schools that offer federal aid | About 200 mostly private colleges | California public colleges + some privates |
Here is a quick crash course on how to pay for college!
Resources
Here are some more resources to help you dive deeper into these topics:
Applying for Financial Aid — a step-by-step guide on how to apply for FAFSA
Tips on Essays — outlines for writing college essays
Applying For Scholarships — what to include and avoid saying in es
College Essay Guy — college admissions resource platform
The two main college applications are the UC Application and the Common Application. Below are brief videos that help you navigate the two application portals like a pro!
UC Application
Common Application
Volunteer Resources
Opportunities — page with archived and current internships, programs, scholarships, and links to other college/career newsletters
GuideBook Bank — a bank filled with informational guides on professional development, college-bound guidance, and career exploration support.
CollegeCareerHub — our LinkTree where all our resources will be permanently available.
Until next time…
Best wishes,
The Momentum Team
