Applying to Colleges

COLLEGE APPLICATION CHECKLIST

_____ 1. Complete your Resume on Naviance

_____ 2. Enter colleges that you are applying to on Naviance (Colleges Tab) – be sure to select the correct application deadline using the drop down menu under “TYPE.” Remember: Early Decision is binding and means that if you are accepted, you will withdraw you application from all other schools.

_____ 3. If you are applying to schools using the Common Application, go to www.commonapp.org to register. Make sure you have a CA school before starting.

_____ 4. If using the Common Application, you must complete the FERPA Release Authorization form on the Common Application.

______ 5. If using the Common Application, complete the “Common Application Account Matching” on Naviance (blue box under Colleges tab)

_____ 6. Complete the college applications online

_____ 7. Personally visit each teacher to request letter of recommendation

_____ 8. Request teacher letter of recommendations on Naviance (Give 2 weeks’ notice)

_____ 9. Request transcripts in Naviance (& in person, email, or phone from high schools NOT in WCBOE if appropriate)

_____ 10. Complete the college application cover sheet and email or bring to your guidance counselor to get your application sent (In document library in Naviance)

_____ 11. Send your SAT/ACT scores through those online organizations. There is a fee.

_____ 12. Check Naviance weekly for scholarship updates (Scholarship List under Colleges tab)

_____ 13. Update the admission decision given by the college.

_____ 14. If accepted, take your letter to your counselor so a copy of your acceptance letter can be made, along with any scholarships/financial aid the university may be offering you (this may come as a separate letter in spring). Please provide this, even if you decide not to go to that particular school.

How To Add Colleges To Your Naviance Profile

1. From the Naviance Home page, click on the "Colleges" link in the upper right part of the page.

• If you saved this college to "Colleges I'm Thinking About" ...Go to “College I’m Thinking About” and move any college you will be applying to into “Colleges I’m Applying To”

1. Click on the box next to the college you want to move

2. Click on “move to application list”

3. Under “type,” select the deadline to which you will be applying

4. Click on “add application”

OR

• If you did NOT save the college to "Colleges I'm Thinking About" simply search for the college and add it to your list.

1. Click on red + icon (add button) and look up the college by name.

2. Use the drop down menu under “type” to select the deadline to which you will be applying & request a transcript

2. Once you have applied to the college, go in and update that you have applied on your list of colleges.

3. If there is a box next to the college with a “CA” in it, this college accepts the Common Application.

1. If you have colleges that accept the Common App., you should use it!!! You only have to fill out one application and can send it to any of the schools on the participating list!

Once you have completed your college application and submitted it to the college, you need to let your guidance counselor know as soon as possible.

Guidance counselors are responsible for sending transcripts and other reports to the school on your behalf.

To initiate this process you MUST fill out an Application Completion Form and share it with your counselor.

The College Application form will be available electronically to students this year

How to request a teacher letter of recommendation

1. See the teacher in person and ask if he/she is willing to provide it for you. Let them know you will send an email requesting a letter of recommendation through Naviance. If you do not see them in person and just send it through Naviance teachers may decide NOT to write your letter.

2. Choose teachers that know you and you had a good experience/relationship with

3. Click on the “Colleges” tab and then “Colleges I’m Applying To”

4. Under "Teacher Recommendation", click on “Add Request”

5. Click on the teacher name. Write a short message asking for the letter of recommendation. Make sure to let the teacher know if you want a general recommendation for all the schools you are applying to or one for a specific school. Let the teacher know your resume is in Naviance. Give a date that you would prefer for the letter to be done by. Give at least two weeks’ notice.

6. Make sure your resume in Naviance is current, since this is what teachers and your counselor will use to write your letter.

7. You only need to request a letter from 2-3 teachers. Very few colleges will take more than that.

8. The counselor will also write a recommendation, but you do NOT have to request that as it is a required document.

Sending Test Scores

Counselors can NOT send SAT scores to colleges. You must log in to your College Board account and request your scores be sent to each college. Your application will not be complete without these.