For high school seniors the college application season is officially open for applicants at California State University’s 23 campuses, where applications can be submitted anytime between Oct. 1 and Nov. 30.

The University of California’s 10 campuses will accept applications Nov. 1 through Nov. 30.

Private colleges have their own specific application periods which can be found on their respective Web sites.

Last year CSU campuses received over 631,000 applications to fill 55,104 student seats and UC campuses received 345,000 applications to fill approximately 34,745 student seats. The numbers speak for themselves.

Next year there will probably be more applicants and fewer seats.

What is going on? Due to economic concerns more families are choosing in-state public colleges as a way to ease the financial burden. Faced with budget reductions our state universities are reducing the number of students they admit. There are 12 CSU campuses impacted for freshman in 2009-2010. All this adds up to making it even harder to get admitted to a CSU or UC campus as an entering freshman.

This year at the annual CSU and UC high school counselor conferences the message was loud and clear.

If your student has not completed the “A-G” requirements and does not have a minimum competitive GPA of 3.0 with higher than average college entrance exam scores, they will have a very difficult time getting accepted at the more popular CSU or UC campuses.

It was not exactly a “no need to apply” statement but it does mean that students need to be more prepared than ever and meet all deadlines.

So with these challenges in mind, here are some tips to consider.

Tip No. 1 — Choose wisely. Take the time to put together a well researched set of colleges to which you want to apply. The colleges should offer programs or majors to which you aspire. Your academic record should match or exceed the class profile of the students admitted in the prior year. You should meet or exceed course and testing score requirements.

Determine how impacted programs and impacted campuses will affect your chances of getting admitted. Select a few “reach” schools (long shot), a few “match” schools, “stretch” schools and a few “safety” schools (back up plan). It seems unreasonable to have to apply to many colleges, but it will improve your chances of getting admitted to a school of your choosing.

Keep in mind many colleges offer fee waivers for students in financial hardship.

Tip No. 2 — Create a calendar. Research dates carefully on the college Web site and post all the due dates from the various colleges to which you plan to apply. Post the date you are taking SAT/ACT tests, when you need to send test scores, when you need to send transcripts. Post all dates to request letters of recommendations, and submission dates for financial aid forms.

Keep in mind that many colleges have an earlier deadline for financial aid or scholarship review.

Tip No. 3 — Create an application folder. Here you will need a list of your courses, grades, college entrance tests, extracurricular activities, copies of your recommendation letters, etc.

Tip No. 4 — Print copies of all applications.

By doing this ahead of time, you can identify and locate all the data you will need for the online application.

Read the application carefully and make a list of all the requirements including supplemental forms. You will also want to take time to write your essay off-line before posting it online. Take the essay and short answer requirement seriously. Draft out a careful and reflective essay or answer. Have it reviewed by an independent third party, and then rewrite it, numerous times if necessary.

Tip No. 5 — Create a separate e-mail account for all college applications. Create an easy e-mail name with your first initial and last name in it.

Tip No. 6 — Complete application early. Don’t wait until the last week to send in your application package. Send it 2-3 weeks early. If you do not receive confirmation of your application you should follow up with the admissions office to correct the problem.

Tip No. 7 — Create a check off list.

Before sending the application, go through each item and check it off ensuring everything is complete. Make a copy. If sending material via mail, request a certification of receipt.

Tip No. 8 — Consult with your high school counselor. Your high school counselor has a wealth of information and knowledge about the college process. These are very busy people. Make an early appointment. Don’t wait until the last minute for their advice and help.

It won’t be a miracle if you get accepted to the college of your choice.

It will be the result of excellent grades in college preparation courses, along with good planning, organization and discipline in the college admissions process.

Gloria Keltner is an independent college planning counselor. She writes a monthly column for the Journal. Reach her at gkeltner@cebridge.net.