College & Career Planning

California Community College Application - CCCApply allows students to apply to any of California's 116 community colleges. Learn more about local community colleges. 

• De Anza College
• Evergreen Valley College
• Foothill College
• Mission College
• San Jose City College
• West Valley College

California State University (CSU)

• CAL State Apply
• CSU Impaction Search
• Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)
• Guidance for first time, first year students

University of California (UC)

• Freshmen Admission
• How to Apply
• Educational Opportunity Program (EOP)

Independent Colleges

• The Common Application
• California Independent Colleges
• Coalition Application

Out of State Public Colleges

• Western Undergraduate Exchange (WUE)

Gunderson High students interested in taking a course at a community college must follow the community colleges admission/enrollment process. Please review the concurrent enrollment process  below and schedule a meeting with your counselor if you have questions. We offer courses through:

• De Anza College
• Evergreen Valley College
• Mission College
• San Jose City College

Concurrent Enrollment Process

1. Student meets with their counselor to determine if the course(s) chosen are needed for high school credit. The student must meet the prerequisite requirements for the course.
2. Complete and submit the community college online application via CCC apply. Create a CCC apply account, then complete the college application. Processing of the application may take 2-3 business days. An email will be sent to you from the college with your new community college student ID number. (student should use personal email when applying)
3. Gather the required documents: unofficial transcript from Infinite Campus, complete the High School Outside Credit Approval form, and the R-40, Concurrent Enrollment, or Special Admit form. These 3 forms verify:
   • A list of courses that the high school approves students to take,
   • Recommendation and consent that the student is in good standing and has the ability and maturity to benefit from college-level instruction, 
   • Notification to the high school Registrar’s Office of your intent to take community college course(s), 
   • Signature of principal or designee indicating that no more than 5% of the high school’s students are attending the community college. (Ed. Code 76000.3i).
4. Send the completed R-40 or Concurrent Enrollment form to your counselor (with your college id #, course name and # discussed, student and parent signatures, etc.). Your counselor will sign and obtain an administrator’s signature for you (as long as you completed #‘s 1-3).
5. Register for courses. Student will take the completed R-40/concurrent enrollment form to the college’s Admissions & Records office in person to register for the course(s). Upon completion of the community college course(s), students are responsible for requesting that an official college transcript be sent to Gunderson High: 622 Gaundabert LN, San Jose, CA 95136

Community College courses can only be added to your high school transcript if the course was pre-approved for high school credit. San José Unified does not accept any online science or visual performing arts courses.

See our District Credit for Outside Courses policy HERE.

The SAT and ACT are college admissions tests that may be required for college admission at some universities. The SAT and ACT are not used by UC or CSU schools for admission. 

Students will need to research each private or out of state public university to see if they will need to take the SAT and/or ACT. Many private and out of state universities are "Test Optional" meaning that students can submit scores for these tests if they feel that it helps their application but they are not required to have test scores to apply.

Students ages 14-17 are required to obtain a work permit from their school before accepting employment. Work permits are limited to part-time employment, except when circumstances warrant full-time employment. Students who are granted permits for full-time employment must be enrolled in part-time continuation classes. Satisfactory school attendance, completion of community service hours, and a 2.0 minimum GPA will be assessed in considering the work permit request. The request form should be completed after the student has been hired but before they have worked any hours. Contact your principal for more information.

How to apply

1. Complete the student information and have a parent/guardian sign the form
2. Have the employer complete and sign the form
3. Submit form to the designated school official, Lisa Flores

Work permit request form

• Technical or vocational training
• Entering the United States Military
• Joining the workforce or taking a gap year

California Colleges - This website covers college admissions requirements for California public colleges; tells you about the different systems of higher education in California and provides online tools to match students with a college or career that suits their needs.