APPLICATION PROCESS
Research and Plan
Research and Develop Your College List
Researching through campus visits, virtual visits, and/or using Naviance tools such as SuperMatch
Build your list in Naviance under Colleges I'm Applying To
Determine Academic Fit (Safety, Match, Reach)
Reflect on what you want out of a college; try this free Corsava website to get you thinking
Use the College/University Choice Worksheet to help you assess academic fit and categorize your colleges
We recommend you have at least 1 safety school, and 3+ colleges overall
Research Application Requirements
Referencing the colleges' freshmen admission websites, map out your requirements using the College Application Checklist (make a copy)
Completing the Application
Determine which application platforms you are required to use or are most efficient for you to use.
Create accounts for the application platform(s) and complete applications.
Get to work completing your profile, coursework, activities.
College Application Platforms
ApplyTexas.org - in-state public universities
Commonapp.org - out-of-state or private in-state. Common App guide
The Coalition Application- Students can start using the Coalition platform as a toolbox for their academic record & resume, then use it later to apply to certain colleges.
The Activities Section
Use the Activity Spreadsheet for College Applications to aid you in compiling your activities
Essays and Short Answers
Determine which essays/short answers are required, where do you have choice, where can you re-use essays for efficiency?
Brainstorm, outline, and draft your essay. Ask someone you trust to review and give you feedback along the way.
Tips:
Pay attention to word-count limits
Short answers = get to the point, don't turn this into a story
Resources:
Collegewise "How to Write Great College Essays" video (password: accepted)
2021 Essay Prompts (Apply Texas, Common App, Coalition with tips on overlap)
Letters of Recommendation
Determine if Letters of Recommendation are required/optional and if so, are there restrictions as to who writes these (counselor, core academic teacher, or can it be anyone?).
Decide who you will ask to write your letter and ask them as early as possible (no less than 4 weeks prior to your application deadline).
Instructions - Counselor Letter of Recommendation
Referring to the university's website, confirm a counselor letter of recommendation is required for admission.
Talk with your counselor and ask if they are able to write a letter of recommendation for you. This step is critical - submission of the brag sheet alone will not result in a letter of recommendation.
Fill out the Counselor Letter of Recommendation Request form
Instructions - Teacher Letter of Recommendation (can also be used for outside recommenders)
Ask your teacher if they are willing to write you a letter of recommendation.
Fill out the Teacher/Coach/Sponsor Letter of Recommendation Request form
Submitting Letters of Recommendation
Reference this Quick Guide to Submitting Letters of Recommendation and feel free to share with your recommenders. Note that for some schools you may not be able to generate a link to your recommenders until you have 1) submitted your application 2) set up your applicant portal and 3) input your recommender's contact information to generate an emailed request/link.
Ordering Transcripts/ Self-Reporting Academics
To order a transcript:
Set up an account through Parchment. (Google Chrome web browser works best.)
Please note:
Place all Parchment orders at least 2 school/business weeks prior to application deadlines. This may be much more than 2 calendar weeks.
Students should complete their college application PRIOR to placing a transcript order. An active application gives the schools a way to match transcripts with an applicant.
Tips for Self-Reporting Academics
Grades/credits are reported on a semester basis
GPA and rank are based on a weighted 5.0 scale // unweighted GPA is based on a 4.0 scale
Report classes using titles as they are identified on your transcript (ex: ENG 3 for English 3)
Transcript Fees (effective November 2, 2020)
Current students will receive free electronic transcripts while enrolled in LISD.
Students are considered alumni on Aug 1 of the year they graduate, and the cost is $8/transcript
For ACC Transcripts, Please visit this site.
Sending Test Scores (ACT & SAT)
VRHS does not send test scores. Students must order test scores directly from:
Set Up & Check your Applicant Portal(s)
After you submit your application, you will receive an email confirmation with details to set up your applicant port. Each college calls this something different, for example UT = My Status, Texas A&M = AIS, etc. This is where you will log in to:
Verify required and optional pieces of your application have been received
Upload supplemental documents such as resume and possibly input recommenders' information to generate emailed requests
View your admission decision
View and accept/edit your financial aid award letter
Apply for Financial Aid: FAFSA, CSS Profile, Scholarships
FAFSA = Free Application for Federal Student Aid
All colleges will require the FAFSA to be considered for need-based aid (grants, loans, work-study)
The FAFSA application opens annually October 1 and must be completed annually
The FAFSA4caster can be used to estimate your eligibility for federal student aid using past tax information. For more information about financial aid, check out FinAid.
Some private institutions may require the FAFSA and CSS Profile
The CSS Profile opens annually October 1 and must be completed annually
Scholarships
Scholarships are a form of financial aid, but are considered merit-based (and may have a need-based component)
Naviance ~ Scholarships~ Log into your Naviance account and under Colleges click on the scholarship tab.
Resources:
Final Transcripts
Colleges/universities, as well as the military and technical schools, will require proof of graduation in the form of a final high school transcript. It is the student's responsibility to order the final high school transcript to be sent to the institution through Parchment. WARNING: Failure to submit a final high school transcript will result in issues for you!
The final transcript can be ordered through Parchment prior to graduation by selecting "hold for grades" when you order. If after graduation, you can choose "send immediately". Either way, know that transcripts are typically not finalized until mid-late June, and orders will be processed at that time.
Dual Credit students - be sure to order a transcript to be sent to ACC along with the college you're attending; otherwise ACC will place a hold on your account (which may mean a hold on transferring your ACC credits). On that note, be sure you have sent your most recent ACC transcript to the college you're attending to ensure those credits are evaluated for transfer.
Sending AP Scores
To get credit or placement for your AP exam scores, you have to request an official score report be sent to the college you are planning to attend.
Immunization Records
Most colleges require vaccination against bacterial meningitis. If you need a copy of your immunization records from LISD, the only way they can be obtained is by submitting a records request to student.records@leanderisd.org.
When making a records request, please note the following:
A photo identification will be required for all record requests.
If the student is under the age of 18, their parent/guardian must make the request for the immunizations.
If the student is over the age of 18, the student must make the request for the immunizations, as the right to access the information transfers to the eligible student from the parent/guardian.
*** Please note: the campus nurse or staff cannot provide you with a copy. ***