HOW TO APPLY TO COLLEGE

Learn How to Use SCOIR

SCOIR is Arapahoe's web-based college and career readiness platform used by high school students across the nation to help plan for their post high school years. Every student at AHS has an account which can be accessed through the SCOIR icon found in the waffle on your LPS Google account.

Counselors introduce SCOIR during class meetings and provide more in-depth training during Tribes throughout the year. Seniors work extensively in SCOIR during the college application process, and receive communication from the Postsecondary Center detailing steps to take each week.  Check out our Scoir Guide for more!

Do Your Research

Do you need a Teacher Letter of Recommendation/Evaluation?

Most schools only require ONE letter of recommendation, if any. NO schools require more than three (and even then, it's a very tiny number). Arapahoe's policy is to only allow students to request teacher letters that are REQUIRED. However, if you have a letter on file for a school that requires it, we'll be happy to send it to any school that will accept it. You should ask a core teacher from your junior year what their LOR policy is, and follow it accordingly. Optional letters can be written by a coach, boss, clergyman, piano teacher, mentor... almost anyone who knows you well enough to write a strong letter on your behalf. Reach out to them for your optional letters! See Request Letters of Recommendation below to learn how to request LORs.

Do you need a Counselor Letter of Recommendation?

If so, you'll need to speak with your counselor in person!

Do you need official transcripts?

Some schools allow you to self-report your transcript, which can be downloaded from your Infinite Campus account. This saves time and money, so take advantage if you can! For schools that require official transcripts, you'll need to first be sure that each one is in your Applied column in Scoir and that you have selected the correct application type & deadline. We'll add $5 to your Infinite Campus account for every school where we send an official transcript.

Can you afford the schools you're applying to?

Each school has a net price calculator that will give you a pretty good idea of what your cost of attendance will be. Take the time to investigate... it's disappointing to have done all the work to get into a school only to learn that it's out of your budget!

Do you meet the Admissions Requirements?

Most colleges require 4 years of Math & English, which should include Algebra II at a minimum. Some require a year of art and/or 1-4 years of foreign language. Look at the middle 50% for GPA & test scores, and make sure you fall in that range for at least a few of the schools you are applying to. 

Request a Letter of Recommendation

Don't let the length of this list fool you, it's really a simple process! You can also watch this quick video if you'd prefer.

Step 1: Research! 

Do you need a letter of recommendation? Go to the admissions page on the college website to verify requirements. Most only require ONE recommendation. AHS only sends optional letters if you have a letter on file for a school that requires one. Optional letters can be written by a coach, boss, clergyperson, troop leader, etc.!

Step 2: Complete Your Profile in SCOIR. 

Recommenders rely on this biography, so please invest your time and provide details. Your entire profile should be complete prior to asking a teacher to write a letter for you. 

Step 3: Ask a Recommender. 

Contact them directly to see if he/she will write a recommendation on your behalf. Please ask 4-6 weeks before your first deadline!

Step 4: Put Your Request in SCOIR and Common App (if using). 

This is how your teachers know when your letter needs to be complete, so it's important that you select the correct date! Do not enter teacher or counselor email address in the Common App... only first & last names are required here. Recommenders do not actually use the Common App to send recs, it's just a formality to satisfy Common App's quirk of requiring a recomender.

Step 5: Take time to thank your recommender with a handwritten note of thanks.

 At the end of the year, let your recommender know of your future plans

Request an official transcript, send an unofficial transcript, or submit the SSAR

Your transcript is a record of the classes you’ve taken, the grades you've earned, and one of the most important parts of your application. Arapahoe will send your transcript, along with a school profile, directly to the colleges you are applying to. This includes an initial transcript, mid-year transcript (if needed), and a final transcript after graduation. There is a $5 fee per school, which will be charged to your Infinite Campus account and must be paid before graduation.

Some colleges allow you to self-report your transcript, which you can download from Infinite Campus. If you self-report to a school you plan to attend, you'll still need to request an official transcript after graduation.

Some colleges, particularly those in Florida, require that you enter your courses & grades on the SSAR (Self-reported Student Academic Record). You'll receive an email from your schools directing you to the SSAR if they require it.

To request a transcript, you simply move the colleges you're applying to over to the "Applied" column in Scoir! If you're using any application besides Scoir, you can do this before you've actually applied to ensure that your documents are all sent on time.

Note:

• Initial transcripts will be available after September 1st.

• Mid-year transcripts are not available until mid-January of second semester.  There is no additional fee for the mid-year transcript.

• Final transcripts are not available until early June. To request, complete the Senior Exit Survey, which will go live in April of senior year. There is no additional fee for the final transcript.