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Naviance is now integrated with Common App. To learn how to match your Naviance and Common App accounts, scroll down for tutorials. This step will be necessary to complete a Common App as a student at RCHS.
The Common App serves as a centralized application for 900 colleges and universities. The application reopens each Aug 1, but students can make an account at anytime and begin working on their applications the year prior. Any information entered will be rolled over to the new application year. https://www.commonapp.org/
Use this search to find out which schools use the common app. https://www.commonapp.org/explore/
NOTE: CSUs and UCs have their own application and do not use the Common App. See those pages for more info on these applications.
This guide walks you through the materials needed and steps to take to get started on your Common App.
The common app essay prompts are available here. Keep in mind that your Common App schools may also require other writing submissions, so make sure to check each school you add to your common app for writing supplements.
Common App has created many PDF resources to help students through the process of the college application. A few are highlighted below, but you can find all of the resources here.
Approaching the Activities Section Common AP.pdfActivities Section
Activities Section
Before you begin on your common app, take a few minutes to brainstorm for the activities section using this worksheet.
High School Details Information Sheet Common APP.pdfHigh School Info
High School Info
Before you begin your application, take some time to collect all the info about your school you will need to complete your application.
Matching Common App w/ Naviance
Matching Common App w/ Naviance
Naviance is now integrated with Common App. To make sure your Common App steps are completed successfully, please make sure to match your Common App account with your Naviance account at Rancho. Watch this tutorial for step-by-step on starting this process!
Requesting a Letter of Recommendation
Requesting a Letter of Recommendation
The Common App will require counselor and teacher recommendations.
Request your letter of recommendations in Naviance AFTER you have matched your Common App account. SEE VIDEO TUTORIAL BELOW ON REQUESTING THROUGH NAVIANCE.
Submit a Brag Sheet through Naviance (see instructions posted be). This can be shared with teachers and counselors. (SEE INSTRUCTIONS BELOW)
Email your counselor and/or teacher to let them know you've requested a letter of recommendation and uploaded a brag sheet to Naviance. See if they will need anything else from you to complete this letter.
NOTE: Please allow at least 3-4 weeks for your counselor to fulfill this request before your application deadline. Check in with your teachers to see how long they need, but 3-4 weeks is a good rule of thumb when requesting LORs.
Video Tutorial
Video Tutorial
Why Us Supplemental Question
Why Us Supplemental Question
Many schools have a supplemental question where they ask ou to explain why you are applying to their campus. This is an important question and provides an opportunity to show you have chosen your campuses carefully and thought about why you are a fit for the campus and/or program you are applying to. This resource from the College Essay Guy can help you strengthen your response to this question: https://www.collegeessayguy.com/blog/why-this-college-essay
FAQ: How are applications reviewed?
FAQ: How are applications reviewed?
Many selective schools review applications holistically. Here are a couple links to how these schools describe what they are looking for. You can find more specifics on the schools you are applying to by looking for similar pages on their webpages.
USC: https://admission.usc.edu/prospective-students/how-to-apply/what-we-look-for/
Standford: https://admission.stanford.edu/apply/overview/index.html#
John Hopkins: https://apply.jhu.edu/college-planning-guide/application-tips-videos/
UPenn: https://admissions.upenn.edu/how-to-apply/what-penn-looks-for
FAQ: How do I enter college coursework in the Common App?
FAQ: How do I enter college coursework in the Common App?
FROM COMMON APP:
When high school students simultaneously take college courses through a college or university, this is known as dual enrollment. For Courses & Grades, only courses receiving high school credit (i.e. appearing on your high school transcript) should be reported in this section. If you are not receiving high school credit for the course, you do not need to report this course in Courses & Grades.
If you are receiving high school credit for a college course, here's what you need to do:
- Select the grade level that corresponds to the academic year in which you took the course (9th, 10th, 11th, 12th, or Other)
- For the School Name, select the high school that awarded the credit for the college course
- For the Course Level, select 'Dual Enrollment'
- Complete the remaining parts of Courses & Grades
You must still send official transcripts from your high school(s) and any college(s) you attended.
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