I think its a CYA type thing. Our HS also practically required every college bound kid to apply to a Cal State, ‘to be safe’. We refused, and were called at home by the Home Room teacher just to double check that the kid sent home the announcement. (“Yeah, I got it, and no, kid ain’t going to Cal State. At worse, will attend a JC for one year, cash in AP credits and transfer to Cal or UCLA, or other UC.”)