Letters of Recommendation

1. What is the first step in getting letters of recommendation?
   • First complete the Waiver of Right to Access Letters of Recommendation and return to Student Services.
2. Can I include an unlimited list of teachers in Naviance?
   • No, please include only the teachers who have agreed to write your recommendation letters.
3. Where will my teachers and my counselor get autobiographical information from?
   • From Naviance; please make sure you update that information.
4. Should I give each teacher the entire list of colleges I am applying to?
   • No, only give them a list of the colleges they are writing a letter of recommendation for.
5. Besides the school names, what other information about the colleges should I give to my teacher recommenders?
   • Please also include: - application deadlines, - mail or electronic submission, -is it a Common App school
6. What if I want to add more schools to my list?
   • When adding more schools, grab another copy of the Teacher Request Form and fill it out for those schools.
7. When should I turn in the Teacher Request Forms to my teachers?
   • Please give your selected teachers at least 4 weeks before the college application deadline.
8.  Do I need to do something in Naviance for teacher recommendations?
   • Yes, do the following:
     • Go to Colleges Tab
     • Go to “Colleges I am Applying to”
     • Scroll all the way down
     • Under “Teacher Recommendations” click “Add/Cancel requests”

Transcript Request Form

1. What is a transcript?
   • It is an official copy of a student’s academic record.
2. What does a transcript include?
   • It includes: course names from 9th – 11th grade, final grade for each course taken, 12th grade courses, weighted AND unweighted GPA, and class rank
3.  Are my standardized test scores, like SAT, PSAT, ACT, HSA or AP, included?
   • No, those scores need to be sent by the student through College Board.
4. What do I do with the Waiver of Rights and Records Release form?
   • Complete it and return to Ms. Thorne at LEAST 4 weeks (20 business days) prior to your college application deadlines.
5. Do I need to count holidays and breaks in the 4 weeks prior?
   • Yes because you are counting the business days when Ms. Thorne will be in her office.
6. Do I need to pay for a transcript to be sent to my chosen universities?
   • There is no fee associated with the request process for current seniors. There is a cost associated for graduates (alumni) who request that transcripts be sent on their behalf. 
7. Is there a waiver that I need to complete in the transcript request process?
   • Current students only need to complete the Waiver of Rights and Records Release form.
8. Where can I find out how (mail, electronic, Common App or Coalition) schools want my transcript and recommendations?
   • Step 1: Sign into your Family Connection account
   • Step 2: Click on the “Colleges” tab at the top
   • Step 3: Click on “colleges I’m thinking about”
   • Step 4: Look at each college’s “Delivery type” or Click on the college name and under “Application Deadline” there will be the icon and a short explanation
9. What if my colleges accept only electronic transcripts?
   • In this case your counselor will send them. Special Note for Coalition Schools:  Remember when filling out your application to check the Naviance box so we can send and track through Naviance
10. How will transcripts that are not accepted electronically be sent?
    • These transcripts will be mailed.
11. Do I need to put the exact deadline date on the form?
    • Yes, please. This is very important.
12. Do I need to do anything on Naviance?
    • Yes, indicate which application you are using for the universities (Common App, Coalition or the college’s application).
13. What if I plan to participate in sports at the school I decide to go to?
    • Please write NCAA on the blue transcript form and submit $2 for the transcript.
14. What will happen after I request transcripts through Naviance?
    • The colleges that included in Naviance will appear in the “colleges I’m applying to” tab.

Common Application Process

1. What should I make sure I do if I need to complete at least one Common Application?
   • You need to do 2 things:
     • Sign the FERPA waiver
     • Connect your Common App account and Naviance account.
2. Where do I find the FERPA waiver in Common App?
   • Step 1: Go to www.commonapp.org
   • Step 2: Complete the Education section
   • Step 3: Add at least 1 college to your “My Colleges” tab using the “College Search” tab
   • Step 4: Under “My Colleges,” click on one of the colleges (on the left)
   • Step 5: Click on “Recommenders and FERPA
3. How do I connect my Common App account and Naviance account?
   • Step 1: Sign into your Family Connection account
   • Step 2: Stay on the home page
   • Step 3: Click on “com app match video” on the left hand side under “links.”
   • Step 4: Follow the steps in the video
4. Do I need to match my Common App account and Naviance account if I do not have any colleges that use the Common App?
   • No, if none of your colleges use the Common App, you can skip this step.
5. Do I need to do multiple Common Apps?
   • No, you fill out the Common App once and all your Common App schools get that information.
6. What happens if my college(s) requires additional evaluation forms?
   • Don’t worry, your teacher recommenders and counselor will send these forms for you.
7. How long after I submit my paperwork to the college can I check the status online?
   • Please give the colleges a couple weeks to update their system.
8. What are other things to troubleshoot to make sure my schools receive the application information?
   • Please make sure you have matched your Common App. to Naviance, completed the waivers, submitted your colleges you are applying to in Common App. and designated in Naviance that you are applying to schools via Common App. 

Make sure you submit your paperwork by the deadline!