Embedded Files
Until you've completed your Common App matching, the school will not be able to send documents on your behalf.
Required for Students Applying to Common App Schools
Required for Students Applying to Common App Schools
In order for your counselors and teachers to be able to submit documents on your behalf, you will need to match your Common App and SchooLinks accounts.
Steps for Matching Your Accounts:
Steps for Matching Your Accounts:
Log in to (or create) your Common App Account, then
In the Common App tab under the Education section, add California High School as your high school/secondary school
Add at least one college you are applying to
In the My Colleges tab, select any college you are applying to, and click on "Recommenders and FERPA." Read and follow the prompts and complete the FERPA Release Authorization.
Once this is completed, log in to SchooLinks, then:
Under Colleges --> College Applications
Select Connect under the Common App Section and click the Link Common App button
Log in to your Common App Account and then come back to SchooLinks and refresh your page
Common Errors & Troubleshooting
Common Errors & Troubleshooting
Make sure that you've completed the FERPA Release in Common App
Double check that your date of birth and last name in Common App and SchooLinks match
Verify that you are entering the email used to create your Common App account during the matching process
Remove any existing recommenders from your Common App account. You will be requesting your recommenders through SchooLinks instead.
What is a FERPA Waiver?
What is a FERPA Waiver?
The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974 is a federal law that establishes the rights of students with regard to education records and ensures students of the right to privacy and confidentiality with respect to those records. If a student gets accepted to a college and decides to attend that college, the high school letters of recommendations become part of a student’s record. A student who is accepted and is attending, under FERPA, has the right to view these letters if one chooses to do so.
PLEASE NOTE: If you DO NOT get accepted to a college, you will not have access to any letters whether you check YES or NO!
To Waive or Not to Waive?
To Waive or Not to Waive?
It is the student’s choice; however, after receiving feedback from colleges we recommend that a student clicks YES and waives his/her right. Please consider:
Not waiving your right may raise some red flags to the colleges
Not waiving your right may appear as though you have something to hide
Colleges may feel your letter has more integrity if you waive your rights
Please trust that a teacher or counselor will not write a letter for you if they feel they cannot represent you in the best way possible
How do I sign the FERPA Waiver?
How do I sign the FERPA Waiver?
If the student is applying via Common App, the FERPA will be waived through that site.
"My Colleges" tab > select ANY school you have added to your account > Recommenders and FERPA > Complete authorization
If you are not using the Common App, you will need to sign the FERPA through SchooLinks.
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