12th Grade Counseling Services Overview

College application deadlines can sneak up quickly at the start of senior year. Be sure to add all deadlines to your calendar and thoroughly research the application requirements. Careful organization is an essential skill for the senior year. On that note, it is important for seniors to regularly check their email, as this is the primary form of communication that colleges use with applicants.

Throughout the fall, the College & Career Center will host several workshops that assist students with their UC and CSU applications. Keep an eye out for college rep visits and any evening presentations. Please refer to the CCC website and view their calendar to find the specific events and dates.

Highly Recommended for Seniors: 

* Attend College Night

* Attend financial aid presentations in the CCC

* Attend college representative visits in the CCC for schools of interest

* Visit colleges of interest and sign up for an official tour

Counselor Letter of Recommendation

To request a counselor letter of recommendation, please follow the instructions on the Counselor Letter of Rec Webpage and make sure to meet all of the deadlines.

A counselor letter of recommendation is generally required for schools on the Common Application, as well as other schools that do not use the Common Application. Please check with each of your schools to see if a letter is required. 

For general admission, UC's and CSU's do not require a letter of recommendation. Occasionally, some of the more competitive programs within these universities (e.g. UCLA Undergraduate Nursing Program) may request a letter of recommendation. Please carefully review any requirements for programs of interest. If a counselor letter is required for a program, it will still need to be requested by the above deadlines.

Teacher Letter of Recommendation

In general, teachers have their own requirements for how to request a letter of recommendation. It is the student’s responsibility to know and follow those guidelines. As some teachers receive a high number of requests from students, it is wise to ask them well ahead of time. Colleges typically expect the letter of recommendation to come from a teacher who the student in junior or senior year. Some schools are very specific in this requirement, and others are more lenient. It is the student’s responsibility to review this requirement for each college of interest.

College Alumni Panel - May

At the end of the school year, several alumni return to Peninsula representing colleges from all across our nation. They share insights and experiences with the senior class, helping to prepare them for the Fall. Seniors can ask the panel any questions, generally getting helpful and forthcoming responses. This event is fun and encouraging for all involved.

State Seal of Civic Engagement

Please view this flyer and webinar for details about the State Seal opportunity from Peninsula High School. Filling out the Pre-Application will demonstrate your interest in pursuing this amazing distinction. You will then be provided with additional contact information and details.

State Seal of Biliteracy - April

12th Grade Students are eligible to receive the State Seal of Biliteracy on their diploma if they have met the qualifications listed in the application. See this flyer for details, and click here for the application.