Senior year: College Applications
High school CEEB code: 336-085
1. Transcript requests: October
Submit 3 weeks before an application deadline!
Print Transcript release form and submit to guidance department 3 weeks BEFORE a college application deadline.
Make sure your senior year schedule is finalized and your colleges are listed on BOTH your Naviance AND Common App accounts before you submit your Transcript Request google form to guidance. (Do NOT request transcripts, or other school records, through Common App or Coalition application portals.)
Any course changes need to be made BEFORE you submit your transcript release form to the Guidance Department. Once colleges receive a copy of your transcript, any changes made to your program will need to be discussed with your colleges.
2. Forms: October
3. Application websites: October
This is the tool your high school uses to send your school records to colleges. Login through Classlink (your school account). List ALL of your colleges to "Colleges I'm applying to" in Naviance and invite teacher recommenders in Naviance. (Do NOT invite YHS staff recommenders to the Common Application or Coalition application portal). Any questions, see your counselor.
Students login through Classlink. Parents: parent login for Naviance (select "parent or guardian" to login. Ask counselor for parent registration code)
This is your college application. Use your personal email to create this account, complete the common application, add your colleges, answer individual college questions, review & submit!
Save your username & password.
For additional common app support, visit appsupport@commonapp.net and Common app youtube channel.
4. Teacher letters of recommendation:
Complete recommendation questionaire & invite teachers in Naviance
Finalize your Recommendation Questionnaire located in your Naviance account. See instructional video.
Ask your parents to complete the Parent “Brag sheet” link to provide additional information.
Ask your teachers and Invite them in your Naviance account under "College's I'm applying to."
5. SRAR: Self -Reported Academic Record
Submit early & link to your college
SRAR link: The SRAR allows students to self report courses and grades that have been completed, or will be completed, in high school. If your college requires an SRAR report, print out your unofficial transcript from the student portal, register for an SRAR account, complete and link to your colleges. See your counselor if you have questions. View link for additional information.
SRAR support & instructional videos: How to create your account, add high school courses, submit and link to your colleges. Directions to complete: View this link for helpful tips to complete your account
6. Submit your scores to colleges: (if applicable)
Check whether your colleges are test optional
Check whether your colleges are test optional
Reach out to colleges to obtain information about their standardized testing admissions requirements. Some colleges are test optional. Other colleges require the SAT or ACT as part of their admissions process. Submit official scores through collegeboard.com or act.org at least 3 weeks before the college application deadline. View fairtest.org for list of colleges and universities that are test optional.
7. Financial Aid: Check deadlines with your college (s). Some forms are available in October.
(Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
FSA ID: Parents and students are encouraged to obtain an FSA ID (student & parent) for filing FAFSA. Check in the fall for deadline.
Required by some private colleges/universities. Complete online in October of senior year
CSS Profile list of participating colleges- see whether your college/university requires the CSS Profile in addition to FAFSA
FAFSA instructional video
View link for instructional videos for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): https://www.youtube.com/@FederalStudentAid
Additional Scholarship opportunities:
NYS Higher Education Services Corporation
Grants, scholarships and loan programs available to NYS students:
Excelsior Scholarship Program (HESC)- Financial scholarship (usually available in the spring)
Enhanced Tuition Award program (HESC)- Financial scholarship
STEM Scholarship (HESC)- New York State- top 10%- science, technology, engineering, math
Merit Scholarships
Many colleges offer merit scholarship opportunities for incoming freshmen as well as for their currently enrolled students.
Contact your prospective colleges to find out whether they offer merit scholarships based on specific achievement criteria such as your GPA, SAT/ACT scores or special talent. View college websites for additional information.
Select link to view scholarships sent to our office. Updated monthly
Additional information:
US Dept. of Labor Scholarship search: Search more than 9,500 scholarships, fellowships, grants, and other financial aid award opportunities.
Additional Scholarship information:
Financial Aid Appeal process: How to write an appeal letter (after you receive a financial aid package)
Comparing award letters: Financial aid package comparison tool.
Student loan repayment options: studentloans.gov
AmeriCorps- National service volunteer
Registering with Selective Service
See scholarships & financial aid section on this webpage for more information
8. Sports in College: October
Use CEEB code 336-085
NCAA worksheet: Use this worksheet to help you see whether you have met the requirements for Div. I. View student athlete core courses.
Note: In January 2023, NCAA Divisions I and II adoopted legistration to remove standardized SAT/ACT test scores from initial-eligibility requirements for all student athletes who initially enroll full timme on or after August 1, 2023. Check with the NCAA school you lan to attend regardinng whether standardized test scores are necessary for admission or scholarship consideration. For more information click here. Follow @NCAAEC on X (formerly Twitter) for updates from the NCAA Eligibility Center
9. College credits: For dual enrolled students
Note: This is typically requested once the student has matriculated into their college after high school graduation. If you were dual enrolled in a college class in high school, below are the links to request a copy of your college transcript. Contact SUNY Albany, RIT, Syracuse University or WCC, if you enrolled in and paid for college credits through these institutions, and request that your "official college transcript" be sent to your college of choice.
Select links below to send your college transcript in July prior to matriculating to your college or university:
University in High School Program
Syracuse University Project Advance
Instructional videos: The Common Application (CA) & Naviance
How to navigate the guidance webpage
How to access your Recommendation Questionnaire
College rep visits: How to register for them on Naviance. Obtain teacher permission if the visit is during class time and bring your chromebook and earbuds to the library.
Step 1: Creating your common app account
Step 2: Completing the Education section (see detail sheet below)
Step 3: Adding colleges & FERPA waiver in your common application
Step 4: Matching your Naviance account to your Common Application
Step 5: Adding colleges to your Naviance account
Step 6: Requesting letters of recommendation through Naviance
Step 7: How to send SAT scores to colleges (if applicable)
Step 8: How to send ACT scores to colleges (if applicable)
Step 9: Submitting your application on the Common app (Do NOT invite YHS staff recommenders on the common app. Only invite teachers in your Naviance account)
Step 10: How to record admissions outcomes in Naviance
Additional Instructional videos, links & support:
The Common App walkthrough: instructional video via Khan Academy
Common App Youtube channel: instructional videos
Applicant Solutions Center: Common app