Our 10-Step Application Process

Applying to college this fall?  Start here. 
The following 10 steps refer to the process seniors should complete for applying to colleges, designed by your school counselors. 

Complete Step 1
Turn in Senior Packets Part A and B to your counselor. Part B is due September 20th.

Complete Step 2
Pay your $7 fee for your transcripts on the bernardsboe website. There is a one-time $7.00 fee per student. Video tutorial on how to pay this fee.  Please note that effective July 1, 2023 refunds are not permitted; make sure you only pay this fee once.  The transcript fee usually takes at least one to two business days to process.  Please make sure you have paid this at least one to two business days before completing the google form in Step 7 in order to meet with your counselor, so that your counselor can see a record of your payment. 

Complete Step 3
In Naviance, move schools from “Colleges I’m Thinking About” to “Colleges I’m Applying To.”  Video tutorial

*Steps 4-5 only apply to students who are using the Common Application. If you are not using the Common Application, create any accounts you need (Coalition App, individual university apps) and skip to step 6.

Complete Step 4*
Create a Common Application account (if you are applying via Common App) and complete up through the Education section. Video tutorial for completing the Education section.

Complete Step 5*
This is two-part step.  First, complete the FERPA waiver on the Common Application (if you are applying via Common App). Video tutorial.  Second, match your Common Application account to your Naviance account (if you will be using the Common Application to apply) Video tutorial.  It is imperative to complete both steps.

Complete Step 6
Complete the process to add teachers in Naviance for Teacher Letters of Recommendation and provide them with necessary materials for letters of recommendation (Video Tutorial)

Complete Step 7
All seniors will have a senior meeting with their school counselor.  To schedule your meeting, first submit your Senior Meeting Google Form to your Counselor which is located in your Counselor’s Google Classroom. Meetings with your counselor will be scheduled once you submit your Google Form and based upon your earliest deadline.

Complete Step 8
Standardized Testing: Determine if you wish, or are required to submit your scores, or whether you will apply test optional without scores

• • • Register for SAT/ACT if you wish to take another test 

    • If  you are done testing, send SAT/ACT scores directly to colleges (unless self-reporting or applying test optional)

    • Important Note about "Test-Optional" Schools: Be sure to check admissions websites directly for this information, because some schools only exempt test scores for students who meet certain criteria (minimum GPA, for example).  Please carefully check with the school's admissions offices for details, and check your portals/emails regularly if schools are requesting scores. 

Complete Step 9
Review the requesting Transcripts Video Tutorial;  For Athletes NCAA Requests: Student athletes requesting a transcript should still do so in Naviance.  Students need to make sure that their account is set up and paid for on NCAA as well.   

• Request transcripts for the schools that require an official transcript from Ridge. For each school to which you are applying: check the admissions website as some schools require a Self Reported Academic Record (SRAR) in lieu of a transcript from Ridge. You can request transcripts once you have:   

  • • • • paid your one-time transcript fee 

        • submitted the Google Form

        • had your senior meeting with your counselor

• Requests for sending transcripts from high schools previously attended due to transferring can be submitted to the counseling secretaries. 

Complete Step 10
Complete Applications for Colleges:

• • • Complete application(s) by the deadline

    • Upload your essay and any supplemental essays before you submit

    • For students using Common App and applying ED, complete the ED agreement (see the ED page) AND ensure you have selected ED in Naviance. If you choose to apply ED after your transcript is sent you must notify your counselor so she can go in and sign the agreement.

    • Payment is required when you complete the application

    • Complete Financial Aid Forms by the deadlines (FAFSA/CSS if needed)

    • Monitor the status of your applications (through portals or by contacting admissions)

    • Check the admissions website of each school to which you are applying to find their application checklist to ensure you are not missing any components they require.  For example:  Completing the Common Application alone may not be sufficient - it is typical for schools to also have their own application to complete in addition to the Common App.