Most college admissions advice is written for families applying to schools across the country. You're not most families
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You're a California parent navigating one of the most complex admissions systems in the country — the UC and CSU — without the clear, California-specific guidance you actually need.
I live in Davis. UC Davis is my backyard. After years as an educator and higher education professional inside California's higher education system, I've watched smart, caring families make avoidable mistakes, not because they weren't trying, but because nobody told them how this system actually works.
The UC application isn't the Common App. The CSU system isn't a backup plan. The TAG program isn't settling. And California's financial aid is often better than it looks. The California Admissions Exchange exists to give you California-first strategy, UC and CSU expertise, and clear guidance from 9th grade through enrollment. Welcome - you're in the right place!