College Application Guide
Embedded Files
Tips to Get You Started
Tips to Get You Started
If you're looking to apply to college, you're probably feeling very overwhelmed. Don't worry too much - that's a totally normal feeling, and hopefully this page and a little bit of help can turn the negative into positive!
There will be more information about each of these, but it's always a good idea to track the following:
College application deadlines: The most common college application deadlines for the 2026-2027 admissions cycle are November 1 or 15 for Early Action/Decision and January 1 or 15 for Regular Decision. Early applications generally notify applicants in mid-December, while regular decision results are released in March or April. Rolling Decision means the sooner you can submit them the better. Those schools will typically notify applicants within a few weeks of application submission.
Required materials: Different schools require different things - Letters of Recommendation, SAT/ACT scores, Transcripts, Essays, etc.
Login information: Keep track of login information for Common App, FAFSA, college websites, and other accounts as you apply.
Financial Aid: You can check out estimated cost calculators on each college's website and estimate the average cost after financial aid. You can also track FAFSA priority filing deadlines, and organize your financial aid packages, which you'll receive from each school you are admitted to, after you submit the FAFSA.
Scholarship deadlines: Scholarships, especially local ones, will be shared throughout the year as the counseling office is notified. Do your own research though (see our Scholarships page) and track scholarship applications and deadlines as you go.
Your Notes: Keep track of your personal thoughts, impressions, and priorities about each school as you explore & visit them.
Additional tips:
Stay organized. It will make the application process much easier and less overwhelming! Use a spreadsheet or other document to keep everything in one place.
Use a personal email address for all college applications and accounts. Make sure it’s professional and something you check regularly. This will ensure you can still access important info. after graduation, when your LHS email shuts off.
Email your counselor with questions as needed, or set up an appointment using the link in our email signatures. We're here to help!
What Are Some Things I should Consider When Applying?
What Are Some Things I should Consider When Applying?
Academic Factors
Academic Profile
Majors Available
Academic Rigor
Study Abroad Options
Honors Programs
Special Programs
Collaborative/Competitive
Internships/Research
Program Accreditations
Support Services
Financial Factors
Cost of Attendance
Ability to Commute
Financial Aid Packages
Payment Options
Loan Amounts
Return on Investment
Social/Environmental Factors
Location
Distanc from Home
Climate
Size of School Campus Personality
Greek Life
Student Organizations
Athletics/School Spirit
Peers & "My People"
Diversity
Religious Affiliation
Who Sends What?
Who Sends What?
Student Submits (through Common App, College Board, FAFSA, etc.):
Applications
Essays(s)
Portfolios (if needed)
Self Reported Grades/Transcripts (if needed)
SAT/ACT Scores (if needed)
AP Scores (self reported on application, if needed)
Financial Aid Applications
Scholarship Applications
School Submits (Through Scoir):
Official Transcript
Any Required School Report Forms
Current Senior Year Schedule
Counselor Letter of Recommendation (if requested)
Teacher Letters of Recommendation (if requested)
FERPA & College Applications
FERPA & College Applications
FERPA refers to the Federal Educational Rights & Privacy Act. Essentially this is what both protects and provides you access to your educational records. You will encounter information about FERPA throughout the college application process.
When you first log in to Scoir, you will be asked to "waive" and "release" your FERPA rights in order for Mid Valley to communicate with colleges. You may also be asked similar things through applications like the CommonApp. Please do this at the start to save a few headaches down the road! If you have previously logged into Scoir and did not complete this, you can still do so under the "FERPA" heading on the right side of your "Personal Details" page.
Completing the FERPA waivers does a few things:
It allows the school counseling office to communicate with the colleges you are applying to, and to send letters of recommendation and transcripts to lots of schools without having to ask for permission every time.
It allows for teachers to submit letters of recommendation without you seeing what is written first. As weird as it might seem, it's a bit of a red flag to colleges if you read your letters of recommendation before they're sent to schools. In their eyes, it's almost like you want to make sure the letter says good things about you before it's sent. This just means you need to be super mindful of who you ask for your letters!
Remember, documents cannot be sent to schools until you complete the FERPA Releases and Waivers! You can learn more about FERPA and Scoir here or below.
Other Key Information
Other Key Information
This is just the start! There is so much to learn when it comes to the College Application Process. You can use the website menu to navigate through each page, but links are below for convenience as well.
Click here to learn more about college decision types.
Click here to learn more about the different types of college applications.
Click here to learn about Scoir and how students will utilize it within the college applcation process.
Click here to learn about Letters of Recommendation.
Click here to learn about the process students will utilize to have Transcripts sent.
Click here for information about College Essays.
Click here for information about Financial Aid.
Click here for Scholarship information.
Click here for information about Standardized Testing.
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