Step by Step College Application Process

ESSENTIAL STEPS FOR ALL STUDENTS:

• Confirm your deadlines - Deadlines depend on the college and are often different from school to school.  It is up to you to know them.

• Complete and submit applications - You will find the application for each college on their admissions website.

Some colleges use the CommonApp - refer to the college's admissions office website.  If you are applying to a college using the Common Application, please do the following steps first:

Visit www.commonapp.org

Create a CommonApp account-Make sure you do NOT use your FHPS email to register

Keep your CommonApp login information handy, you will need it often

• Request transcripts - this may only be done through Naviance.  Detailed directions are included below.

• Send your test scores (if applicable) - You must request scores from ACT and/or SAT directly

actstudent.org - detailed directions are included below

sat.collegeboard.org/scores

• Monitor progress of FHC Office - Visit Naviance and choose the Colleges tab to view the status of your transcript requests.  

       It will show Pending after successfully requested.  

       It will show Submitted once the materials leave the FHC Counseling Office.  

Please allow us at least 2 weeks to process your requests.  (No e-transcripts will be sent before September 11)

•  Monitor progress of College Office - After you see Submitted in Naviance, visit the College's Admissions Site/Application Portal.  It may take several weeks for the college to upload the submitted transcripts.  Often, you may see the progress of all application materials, including test scores, through the same portal.

DETAILED DIRECTIONS FOR SPECIFIC STEPS:

Request Transcripts

• Login to student.naviance.com/fhchs  can also access through Clever under other district resources

• Select "Student" (backpack) and select Single Sign on 

OR

• Username: student #  

• Password: FHPS generated password (matches all other logins)

• Click on Colleges tab

• Click on Colleges I’m Applying To

• Select the red plus sign

• Type the college name in the first field

• Complete the "App Type" field and "I'll Submit my Application" field

• Complete SAT or ACT scores section.  Choose "no" or "undecided"

• Click on Add and Request Transcript

• Select Initial

• Do NOT select unofficial test scores.  Leave blank

• Can skip next field

• Select Request and Finish 

• "Under Colleges I’m Applying To" you will see your list of colleges and the word "requested" under Transcript and "Pending" under Office Status to indicate a successful request

Please allow us at least two weeks to process your requests - no e-transcripts will be sent before September 11.  

Students using the CommonApp

You will be prompted to "Match" your CommonApp account to your Naviance account.  This allows the FHC staff to submit materials to CommonApp schools through Naviance.

The FERPA waiver is in the CommonApp, My Colleges tab.  You must add at least one college to the CommonApp before the FERPA becomes available.  You only need to complete the FERPA waiver once within one of the schools in Common App.  

How to send your SAT and/or ACT scores to colleges

SAT 

The only way to send your SAT scores is through the CollegeBoard. 

Visit sat.collegeboard.org/scores

Select the “Sending Scores” button

Login with the username and password you created to view your score

Follow the prompts to request your SAT score(s) be sent

Please be sure to check every exam date you completed the SAT

If you have not created an account, follow the steps above and when prompted to login, select “sign up.”  You will need some information to verify the account.

If you have not created an account and do not have that letter OR you are having difficulty accessing your account, the student must call 866.756.7346.  A customer service representative will verify the student’s identity and assist them with creating/accessing their CollegeBoard account. 

Visual Instructions Here

ACT

The only way to send your ACT scores is through actstudent.org. 

Visit actstudent.org

Login using the Username and Password you used to register for the test

If you cannot remember this information, use the “Forgot User ID?” and “Forgot Password?” links.

Select “Send test scores”

Carefully follow the prompts – it is a very well designed website. 

This allows you to view which schools already received your score(s) AND request sending your score(s) to additional schools, for a fee.

Please check EVERY exam date on which you tested – ACT treats each test score separately.  Just because you submitted one ACT score to a college or university doesn’t mean you submitted the others.

Teacher Recommendations

NOT ALL STUDENTS WILL NEED A TEACHER LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION.  

IF a college does not require a letter of recommendation, Naviance/Common App will not allow a letter to be uploaded or sent

In the case you need a letter:

• Think of a teacher from JR year, in a subject related to your intended major - those are the most effective letters.

• Please be sure you have spoken, in person, with the teacher you would like to write a recommendation - BEFORE you send a request through Naviance. 

• Create, or update, your resume in Naviance so teacher(s) may have that to assist in writing a letter.  It is nice to bring them a printed copy as well.

• When requesting a recommendation in Naviance, allow them at least 3 weeks to submit the recommendation.  Please plan ahead.

• Write the teacher a nice thank you note for going beyond their normal duties to write you a letter.

To Request the Teacher Letter:

Before placing an electronic request, you should kindly ask the teacher in person to write you a letter of recommendation.  Additionally, you should complete the resume component of Naviance.

• Login to student.naviance.com/fhchs

• Username: student #  

• Password: FHPS generated password (matches all other logins)

• Click on Colleges tab

• Click on Colleges I'm applying to

• Scroll down and Click on letters of recommendation section

• Click Add Request

• Click the dropdown menu and choose the teacher from the list - leave them a nice note in the box to the right

• Click Submit Request – this will send an email to the teacher stating your request.  When the teacher has completed the Recommendation, they will mark it as Completed and it will show in your Naviance account so you can keep track.

If a teacher is not listed, please email Mrs. Sarah Van't Hof  svanthof@fhps.net.  She will create an account for that teacher. 

Other questions may be answered in the "FHC college app info" page found here and on Naviance