College Application Process
Activities Resume
Students will need a resume for interviews, recommendation letters, and college applications (remember to keep it updated); this sheet includes the student’s name, honors/awards, extracurricular activities, volunteer activities, employment, and athletic activities. Students can start this at any time and update as needed. Students can use this sample resume template to get started.
Campus Visits
Contact the individual college or university Admissions Office for virtual tours or other planned events.
College Representative Visits
Students can sign up for Virtual/ In-Person College Rep Visits through this link for the College and Career Center.
20 Questions to Ask College Representatives ~ Get the conversation started!
20Q--to-ask-college-reps.docxCommon Application
Many colleges/universities have agreed to use the Common Application (also known as the ‘Common App’) to apply to their programs. The Common Application is a universal application used by over 900 colleges and universities. Students complete the main application once and are able to submit it to their colleges. Additional questions may be required by some schools. Check to see if your college/ university is a member institution here. Preview current essay prompts here. Check out the links below:
Create an account on the Common Application website
Instructional video for matching your Common Application to your Naviance Account
Review and submit each application individually online.
Workshop held in August before school starts.
Handouts available below
GatherMaterialsCApp.pdfHowCAppWorks.pdfCommAppEssay-Story.pdfFERPACApp.pdfCommAppEssay-Story.pdfMyCollegeReqCApp.pdfLetters of Recommendation
Students should ask one or two teachers (confirm individual college requirements) for a recommendation. This should be a teacher from the Junior or Senior year who knows the student well. Some teachers request notification in the spring of Junior year and will want to know the intended college as well. Provide the teacher with a copy of the student activity resume. Students should keep careful records of which recommendations they request including the date the request was made, and follow up with the teacher directly. Students: do not forget to write a thank you note to the teacher after they have completed the recommendation letter. Please invite teachers to upload letters only through Naviance NOT Common App.