A Step-by Step Guide to the College Application Process

1. A Step-by Step Guide to the College Application Process By the SHS Department of Guidance

2. Responsibilities THE STUDENT THE GUIDANCE & COUNSELING OFFICE Meeting College deadlines (provided SHS deadlines are met) Sending student’s supporting documents (transcripts, secondary school report, counselor letter of recommendation, and school profile.) • Placing Colleges into Naviance • Linking Common Application & Naviance accounts. • Meeting SHS Deadlines (ie.Submit Transcript Request Form 3 weeks before deadlines.) • Submitting your applications. • Submitting Standardized Test Scores. • Asking teachers for a letter of recommendation, sending them a request on Naviance, and following up. • Remembering your passwords.

3. Prior to Requesting Transcripts • Meet with your counselor to discuss your list of schools. • If you haven’t already, meet with your teacher in person to ask if he/she would be willing to write a letter of recommendation for you. • Complete the Student Brag Sheet, Activity Checklist , (the OPTIONAL Parent Brag Sheet) in Naviance under the “About Me” Section. You will NOT receive a counselor letter of recommendation unless this is completed. • Complete the Parent/Guardian Authorization Form & submit it to Guidance. (Forms can be found in the Guidance Office, in Naviance under “Documents Library”, or on our Guidance website).

4. Important Forms Parent/Guardian Authorization Form Transcript Request Form *This document must be on file with the Guidance Department before any transcripts can be released.* *Submit the TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORM at least 3 weeksprior to the college application deadline.*

5. In order for all of your college documents to be sent you must: • Create an account with Common Application. (Mandatory) • Complete the FERPA Waiver in your Common App Account. (Under “Assign Recommenders”). • Enter all Prospective Colleges into Naviance Family Connection under “Colleges I’m Applying To”. • *Submit the TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORM at least 3 weeks prior to the college application deadline.*

6. Your Common App & Naviance Family Connection accounts must match in order for your materials to be sent! Video: How To Match Common Application & Naviance Accounts

7. Process for Teacher Recommendations • Ask your teachers if they would be willing to write you letter in person! • Know the requirements for each college by checking their individual website (How many will they accept? What subject areas etc.) • Submit an electronic request to your teachers via Naviance • Complete the Teacher Letter of Recommendation Request Form (Forms can be found in the Guidance Office, in Naviance under “Documents Library”, or on our Guidance website.) • PLEASE NOTE: Most schools will accept teacher recommendations electronically, and some schools require that they be mailed. If they need to be mailed, it is the student’s responsibility to provide the teacher with a stamped addressed envelope made out to the admissions office of that college.

8. Submission Symbols This symbol indicates that the school DOES NOT accept electronic letters. You must provide a stamped addressed envelope to your teacher, and if necessary a Teacher Evaluation Form from that particular college. This symbol indicates that the school accepts the Common Application, and thus accepts letters electronically. This symbol indicates that the school accepts letters electronically.

9. Process for Teacher Recommendations • Teachers will be uploading letters of recommendation for most schools via Naviance. You must request teachers electronically in Naviance in order for this process to begin! Here’s how….

10. Request teacher recommendations through Naviance on “colleges I’m applying” to page

11. Click add/cancel requests under Teacher Recommendations

12. Click on the drop down box titled (select teacher)

13. Choose the teacher you’ve asked for a letterof recommendation

14. Include a note to the teacher with your requestDear (Mr. - Mrs. - Ms.) Name of the Teacher            Thank you for writing a letter of recommendation for me. I sincerely appreciate you support of my college applications.Again, thank you,Sincerely,(Student's name)

15. Click on “Update Requests” to submit request to teacher

16. Teacher Letter of Recommendation Request Form Once you have finalized your college list & submitted a letter of recommendation request electronically, please provide your teachers with Part II of the Teacher Letter of Recommendation Request Form so they know which colleges to submit your letter to. Forms must be returned to your teachers at least 3 weeks in advance of your earliest college deadline!

17. Track the status of your requests on the “Colleges I’m Applying” to page

18. Stressed? We are here to help!...

19. Resources for you • Your School Counselor • The College Specialist • E-Guidance Blast • Guidance Website & Facebook Page- “SHS Guidance & Counseling Department” • Naviance- Document Library Folder • Individual College websites • College rep visits at SHS (listen for morning announcements, & on Naviance). • College Night- November 13th 7:00-8:30pm • Financial Aid Night- December 9th @ 7:00pm

20. Final Thoughts • Keep your counselor informed about decisions made on your college list and/or applications. • When you get accepted let your counselor/teachers know! • If you received a rejection, or a deferral let your counselor work with you. • Make this year count and have fun! 