Not sure about now, but 20 years ago all it took to get into the in-state university system was SAT scores and a GED. Transferring from there to other schools

Not sure about now, but 20 years ago all it took to get into the in-state university system was SAT scores and a GED. Transferring from there to other schools in the US was pretty straightforward and there weren't any application essays until grad school.