College Application & Recommendation Guide for Students & Families

Welcome Class of 2027! 

To ensure your college applications and required materials are processed on time, our school uses SchooLinks to send your official transcript, letters of recommendation, and our school profile. Our program makes it easy to connect your Common Application account directly to your SchooLinks dashboard.

Follow this step-by-step guide to keep your application process smooth and stress-free.

Important Rules & Timelines

• ⏱️ 10-School-Day Notice Rule: You must complete your SchooLinks setup and submit recommendation requests at least 10 school days (approx. 2 calendar weeks, excluding holidays and weekends) before your college’s deadline. Counselors need this time to write your personalized letter and assemble your transcript package.

• 🚫 Do NOT invite Counselors or Teachers directly in Common App: Since our school uses SchooLinks, all transcripts, counselor letters, and teacher recommendations have to be managed via SchooLinks. (Only outside recommenders—like a boss, coach, or mentor—are invited directly in Common App).

• 📝 Waive Your FERPA Rights: When completing your Common App, we strongly recommend waiving your right to view your recommendations. Colleges prefer confidential letters, and some recommenders will write letters only if you waive your rights.

Step-by-Step Application Process

1. Set Up Your Common App Account: Complete this first before doing anything in SchooLinks.

a. Go to commonapp.org and create or log in to your student account.

b. Go to the My Colleges tab and search for/add at least one college to your list.

c. Fill out the Education section under the Common App tab.

d. Click on any college under My Colleges, select Recommenders and FERPA, and complete the FERPA Release Authorization (remember to check the box waiving your right to view recommendations).

2. Link Common App to SchooLinks: Connects your applications directly to our school portal.

a. Log in to your SchooLinks account (via Clever).

b. Click Colleges in the left menu, then select College Applications.

c. Follow the screen prompts and click Link Common App.

d. Enter your Common App login details when prompted to authorize the connection.

Note: Once linked, any college you add in Common App will automatically show up in your SchooLinks application list!

3. Add Non-Common App Colleges (If Applicable): If you are applying to a school that does not use Common App (such as a direct university application or state system):

a. In SchooLinks, go to College Applications.

b. Click + Add Application.

c. Search for the college, pick your application method (e.g., Direct Application), choose your deadline type (e.g., Early Action or Regular Decision), and save.

4. Complete Brag Sheet & Request Recommendations: Must be done at least 10 school days before your deadline.

a. Talk to Your Counselor First: Speak with Ms. Brandt first (in-person or by email) before submitting an online request.

b. Fill Out Your Brag Sheet or Resume: Go to SchooLinks and complete the Brag Sheet template. You can use this template for either Ms. Brandt or a teacher. Other examples can be found here: Common App Brag Sheet or SHS Sample Brag Sheet.

c. Submit the Request:

1. • For Common App Schools: Once your account is linked and you add a college requiring a counselor letter, SchooLinks automatically generates the task for your counselor.

   • For Direct/Non-Common App Schools: Open the college's detail page in SchooLinks under Counselor Documents and click Request Counselor Document.

5. Submit Application & Update SchooLinks Status: 

a. Finish and submit your application on the portal you used (Common App, Coalition, or the college's website).

b. Go back to SchooLinks --> College Applications and update the status to Submitted.

c. Your counselor will then send your Official Transcript, School Profile, and Recommendation Letter directly to the college.

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Frequently Used Programs