Senior Year
Apply to College
Early Fall - Senior Year
1. Update Naviance
Update your college list in Naviance.
Move colleges from "I'm Thinking About" to "Colleges I'm Applying to" lists.
Select how you will be applying to each school.
Select the appropriate Application Deadlines for each school.
Home | Naviance Student.webm2. Create your application accounts
Common Application
Direct Online Applications
Coalition Application
Common Black College Application
Complete as much of the application as possible
Review essay prompts and start writing your draft responses.
Fall of Senior Year
3. Application
If needed, match your Common Application Account to your Navaiance Account.
Review and finalize college essays.
Submit your applications and pay application fees.
Check out this video as another resource!
Resources for your College Essay
Your College Essay gives selection committees insight into who you are as a student:
Demonstrate academic ability
Clear, focused writing that holds reader’s attention (concise)
Answer the question directly and honestly. Use your own voice.
Use three-paragraph essay layout:
Introduction/Beginning
Body/Middle
Conclusion/End
PROOFREAD
Site Sources- plagiarism is grounds for immediate rejection of application
Here are Some Resources to help you get started:
4. Decide if you will send SAT and or ACT Test Scores
Many colleges and universities are test optional. Decide what is best for you.
Colorado Public Four Year Colleges and Universities to remain test optional
How to decide whether you send a test score when a college is test optional?
When in doubt, college admissions representatives say "Leave it out."
If you do not feel that your test score truly reflects who you are as a student- then you may opt to not include it.
If you need to send a score to a college, you will go to SAT's or ACT's website and request for the test score to be sent directly to the school. See below for directions to send SAT scores to colleges.
ACT: go to www.actstudent.org
SAT: go to www.collegeboard.com
5. Request Letter of Recommendations
Personally ask teacher or Counselor for letter of recommendation only if needed for applications.
Complete and share this form with your teacher:
Recommendations
First, determine if any Letters of Recommendation are needed for your college application. Many Schools do not require a letter of recommendation.
If you are applying via Common App, a minimum of one letter of recommendation will be required and the Common App Teacher Evaluation Form must be completed.
If needed, please only request the number of recommendations your college requires.
Quick Reference Guide
University of Colorado Boulder: One academic letter of recommendation is required .
Metro State Univ. of Denver : No recommendations required.
Community College of Aurora: No recommendations required.
6. Request Official Transcripts
You can request your official transcript be sent to colleges using the link below.
Schedule Senior Conference with your school counselor. https://www.cherrycreekschools.org/Page/12814
What counselors discuss with seniors in their individual conference: Post High School Planning updates, the college/scholarship application process, process to Request to Send Transcripts, NCAA Clearinghouse registration, CCSD graduation credit check, Financial Aid/Scholarship resources, Military Service, Gap Year Opportunities, Career & Technical Apprenticeships and School to Work Opportunities.
Late Fall/Winter of Senior Year
See Paying for College tab on this site for more details on Need Based and Merit Based scholarships/aid.
Complete the FAFSA and CSS Profile if needed.
Submit Scholarship applications.
Mid January- Spring of Senior Year
If Required, submit a Mid-Year Transcript request
Receive Admission notifications from Colleges
Update your Naviance college list with your admissions' decisions.
Visit your college of choice to confirm your interest.
Make your final college choice and send deposit.
Finish your senior year in good standing.
Send thank you notes to people who have helped you on your journey.