how to apply

Please note: The application portal will open by September 1, 2025.

The journey to high school is a time to reflect on your aspirations and the kind of community where you’ll thrive. Our application invites you to share your interests, activities, and passions with us. We know it requires time and care from both families and schools, and we hope the experience feels both meaningful and illuminating—an opportunity to learn as much about yourself as about College Prep.
Our application is designed to highlight each student’s academic strengths, character, and values. It includes:

  • Three teacher recommendations
  • 7th and 8th grade transcripts (for 9th grade applicants)
  • A Zoom interview with a faculty or staff member
  • Short answer/paragraph responses from both students and parents
  • An assessment (ISEE or SSAT)
More information about each step can be found here and in the 应用门户.

The application fee is $100. Full or partial fee waivers are available—please contact admissions@college-prep.org or call 510.652.4364.


Application Steps

Most of the application process takes place online through our admission portal. To begin, please create an account at ravenna-hub.com. 

9个项目的清单。

  • 开始使用 Ravenna

    1. Visit ravenna-hub.com and create an account.
    2. Complete the Student Profile (student information, education history, and family details).
    3. Select San Francisco Bay Area as your primary region.
    4. In the School Directory, find 大学预科学校 and click "Apply."

      Once your profile is set up, you’ll be able to reserve space at admission events and work on each section of the application at your own pace.

      If you have questions about your Ravenna account, please contact ravenna-help@venturedsolutions.com or reach out to our office — we’re happy to help.
  • 入场活动

    Join us in the fall for events designed to help you explore our school and connect with our community. All events require advance registration via the application portal. 

    On-Campus Events
    Open to families with students in 8th grade and above.
    • Student Classroom Visit & Parent Tour
    • Arts and Athletics Showcase
    • Equity and Belonging Evening
    • Conversation with Head of School Monique DeVane
    • Black and Latine Affinity Gathering
    • Public and Parochial School Forum
    Virtual Events
    Open to families with students in 7th grade and above.
    • Alumni in College Panel
    • Faculty and Administration Panel
    • Financial Aid Webinar
    • Humanities Class Demonstration and Panel
    • Math & Science Class Demonstration and Panel
    • Student Panel
    • Submit Family Forms (by Jan. 8, 2026)

      Applications for Fall 2026 entry will be available in the application portal by September 1.
       
      These forms help us get to know you as a student and as a family. They are due by January 8, 2026:
      • Family Information Form
      • Student Activities and Interests
      • Student Quick Takes
      • Student Reflections
      • 家长声明
      A few important notes:
      • There are no right or wrong answers—what you choose to share is what matters most
      • Most questions include word or character limits, but we value thoughtfulness over length
      • Students should complete all forms themselves (except the Parent Statement)
      • The use of generative AI (such as ChatGPT, Gemini, Perplexity, Claude, etc.) is not permitted, as it runs counter to the spirit of authentic self-expression
      • We recommend saving your responses in Google Docs or Word before pasting them into Ravenna
    • Optional: Financial Aid (by Jan. 8, 2026)

      College Prep's financial aid application has two steps:
      1. Apply via Clarity by January 8, 2026
      2. Upload 2025 W-2s and most recent pay stub to Clarity by February 8, 2026
      Financial Aid Webinars
      Join one of our Fall webinars to learn more about the financial aid process. You can register in the application portal.
      • November 5 at 4:00 PM
      • December 5 at 10:00 AM
      • January 5 at 6:00 PM
      More information about financial aid can be found here
    • Teacher Recommendations (by Feb. 1, 2026)

      College Prep's application requires three recommendations. We suggest waiting until after November 1 to ask teachers for recommendations, which are due by February 1. For helpful advice, see our tips here. 

      • Current English teacher
      • Current Math Teacher
      • Principal/Counselor (may also be submitted by an advisor, division head, or other appropriate administrator)
    • Transcripts (by Feb. 1, 2026)

      9th grade applicants should submit complete 7th grade transcripts, as well as first-semester or first-trimester 8th grade transcripts.

      Notes about transcripts:
      • Transcripts should be uploaded to Ravenna (preferred) or mailed to College Prep directly from the applicant's school
      • 转学申请者应将当前的成绩单与前两年的成绩/成绩单一起寄送。
    • Interview (by Feb. 1, 2026)

      Each applicant meets one-on-one via Zoom with a College Prep faculty or staff member. These interviews are relaxed conversations that typically run about 30 minutes. Parents are invited to join the interview in progress approximately 25 minutes after the start time. Interviews aren’t meant to be stressful—be yourself and have fun!

      Notes about interviews:
      • All interviews are conducted via Zoom
      • Everyone who applies to College Prep is guaranteed an interview
      • Interviews can be scheduled from the portal beginning in October and take place throughout the fall and winter
      • We encourage you to watch our interview tips video

    • Assessment (by Feb. 1, 2026)

      General Information
      College Prep requires all ninth grade applicants to submit either ISEE or SSAT results. The Admission Committee has no preference between the two exams.
      • Both tests can be taken at home, at a school site, or at a test center
      • The test should be completed by February 1, 2026 (most students take the test in December or January)
      • Fee waivers are available from the admission office for either test for families in need
      • Accommodations for students with learning differences may be requested from the testing organizations during registration
      Option 1: ISEE Exam
      College Prep's ISEE code is 052192. Learn about ISEE test prep options.
      The ISEE will be offered at College Prep on the following dates:

      • Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 9:00 AM
      • Sunday, January 4, 2026 at 9:00 AM
      Option 2: SSAT Exam
      College Prep's SSAT code is 2484. Learn about SSAT test prep options

      Transfer Applicants
      Transfer applicants may submit PSAT, SAT, or ACT test scores in addition to or in lieu of the options outlined above.

      International Applicants
      International applicants are required to submit ISEE or SSAT scores.
    • Decision Notification (March 20, 2026)

      Admission decisions for College Prep applicants with completed applications will be available in the application portal on Friday, March 20, 2026, after 4:00 PM. Decisions are not released before this time or through any other method.

      Applicants who are offered admission must respond to their offer by Friday, March 27, 2026 at 10:00 AM. There are no exceptions to this date and time.

    Guidance for Special Circumstances

    3个项目的清单。

    • Transfer Applicants

      We welcome applications for 10th and 11th grade openings. Transfer students bring fresh perspectives and have been warmly embraced by peers and teachers over the years—often reflecting the very best of College Prep’s culture of curiosity, inclusion, and connection.
       
      Keep in mind that space for transfer students is limited and varies from year to year depending on overall enrollment and class size.
       
      The transfer application is nearly identical to the ninth grade process. Transfer applicants may submit PSAT, SAT, or ACT scores in addition to—or in place of—the standard ninth grade testing requirement.

      A few important notes about transfer admission:
      • We do not consider mid-year transfers; all admitted transfer students begin in the fall
      • We do not accept applications for entry into 12th grade
      • We do not offer one-semester or one-year enrollment options
    • International Applicants

      College Prep students come from a wide range of backgrounds, including, on occasion, a small number of international students. We welcome interest from families abroad who feel our school is the right fit. If you’re applying from outside the United States, please keep the following in mind:
      • College Prep does not partner with international placement agencies and organizations. We invite families to work directly with our Admission Office.
      • We do not offer an English as a Second Language (ESL) program. All students must enter with strong foundational English skills.
      • College Prep is a day school. We do not offer boarding or coordinate home-stays. Most international students who attend have relocated to the Bay Area with their immediate family.
      • International students who require an I-20 visa to study in the United States will receive additional guidance if offered admission.
    • Homeschooled Applicants

      College Prep welcomes applications from students with homeschooling backgrounds. We recognize that every homeschool experience is unique and have outlined the following guidelines to help you navigate the application process and ensure we gain a comprehensive understanding of your academic journey.
       
      Required Materials
      • A detailed summary of your homeschooling curriculum from the past two years, including subjects covered, texts used, methods of instruction, and grading standards.
      • If a parent is the primary instructor, at least one of the three required recommendation forms must come from a non-parent who knows the student well—such as a tutor, coach, mentor, or other adult who can speak to the student’s academic abilities and character.
      • In the required Parent Statement form, please address what inspired your family to pursue homeschooling, and how has this educational experience shaped your child’s growth as a student and an individual.
      Optional Materials
      • Additional letters of recommendation
      • Samples of academic work or a portfolio representing major subject areas
      If you have any questions about these requirements, please contact the Admission Office at admission@college-prep.org.

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