Get Organized and Apply!

Now that you have your college list (both in Naviance and in your College List Document), it's good to take some time to get lay out all the requirements or milestones you must complete for each college you are applying to. Every college may have its own set of requirements beyond what's on the Common App or UC Portal (or other application portal). So be sure to review each school's unique requirements and make note of it in a document. To help, we have prepared some documents, resources, and organizers so you can stay on top of everything during college application season.

Before you get organized, check out our Junior/Senior Year Timeline Calendar.

Also read: Important Things To Remember

Step 1: Create Accounts & Register

Start your application process by getting registered. Registration will occur on two fronts: Naviance AND the college admissions portal.

1) Naviance Application

If you haven't already, create your Naviance Profile.

2) College Admission Portals

Go to the links and register to apply to your intended colleges. Create your username and password. You may need your social security number for this, so be sure you have that handy. Be sure to keep track of this information in the College Application Organizer Handout.

Step 2: Download Organizer, Track Documents and Complete Steps

Once you have your college list, it's good to start to gather all the documents needed to complete that application.

To help, we have a College Application Organizer Handout

Here, you will:

Keep track of all of your accounts, logins, and passwords
Populate your college list in the organizer
Create a Document Tracker for each campus/application
Brainstorm your Activities List for the UC Portal
Brainstorm your Activities List for the Common App

Once you know what colleges you are applying to, you will go and discover what documents, information, and work you need to do to apply.

Research and Input Important Information

It is so important to know that each individual college or college system will have its own set of essays, documentation, requirements, fees, and more. So please research every school ahead of time and create a clear "to-do" list for each school you are applying to.

Here are some guidelines and key information you should record and keep track of:

Application deadlines - Consider if your school has one or multiple deadlines. Decide which one you want to do.

- Early Action
- Early Decision
- Regular
- Rolling
- Not sure which to choose? Check out our Application Deadline Info Page

Application Fees
Test Scores - are they required? If so, make sure you send them
Application Essays - Beyond the main college essay (on Common App/Coalition), what are the supplemental essays required? Mostly only Private Colleges will have additional supplemental essays. CSUs don't have essays at all. Be sure you research the Essay Requirement thoroughly.
Letter of Recommendation - See how many you need and ask your teachers to write one for you (the earlier the better)
Interview/Additional Steps - Investigate to see if you need to interview or if you are applying to a special program, whether you need to prepare a portfolio or offer additional documents as part of your application

Another resource is to create a Google Drive Folder and organize all your documents as google files. To help, here's a resource that offers organizing principles and tips if you want to create a folder.

Step 3: Submit Applications

Using both Naviance and the College Admissions Portal, you will have to add colleges to those portals, fill out the application and upload necessary documents, pay the fees (or get them waived), and then apply online.

Return to the College Planning Hub