St. Francis High School | College Preparatory

COLLEGE SEARCH AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES

COLLEGE SEARCH AND APPLICATION PROCEDURES

Begin early. Use the resources available in the school such as: the Guidance page of the St. Francis website, especially the Websites for College Information, Internet college search programs, Naviance Family Connection, & college guide books

Create a list of prospective colleges in the “My Colleges” section of the Naviance Family Connection Program. Do a graph or analysis for each school to determine your chances of being accepted to that school.

Finalize your application list to 5 to 6 schools.

Most students send applications online. Some colleges will waive the application fee if you apply online.

Many colleges (but not most public universities) accept the Common Application which can be accessed at www.commonapp.org.

Obtain address of admission office on college website or through the college profile in the Naviance Family Connection ( http://connection.naviance.com/sfhs-wheaton).

Contact the college directly to request other necessary information such as view books, financial aid, and scholarship information.

Beginning in fall 2011 we will use eDocs in the Naviance Family Connection program to send electronic forms, letters and transcripts to any college that participates in eDocs or Docufide. Colleges which accept electronic documents are marked with a computer screen logo in their Naviance profiles and on your Naviance application list.

Add colleges to the “Colleges to which I am applying” list in your Naviance account. You can move colleges from your prospective list to your application list. You MUST DO this prior to requesting transcripts, forms and letters.

If you are using the Common Application for any of your colleges, note that you MUST also complete the FERPA waiver and College Application user name and password under My Colleges in Family Connection by Naviance. No electronic documents can be sent to any Common Application colleges until this is completed.

Complete the application in a timely fashion. Be aware of application deadlines and requirements (i.e. SAT Subject Tests, letters of recommendation, counselor forms, etc). Read every word of the directions before you write anything.

Complete the application neatly and correctly. Remember, this application represents you to that college. It is all the college has to evaluate you; make the most of it. Proofread for spelling or typing errors. Make certain you have completed all fields or the online application and/or signed the application in all required places (failure to do so will result in your application being returned to you).

If you need to make a personal statement on the application or include an essay, complete a rough draft and have it evaluated by a counselor or English teacher first. Never write a sentence or paragraph directly on the application without first doing a rough draft on scratch paper and carefully proofreading it. Always get feedback from adults on your essay.

If you did not automatically send your ACT/ SAT test scores to the college when you registered for the test, go online to the website for ACT/College Board, and complete an online request for them to send an official copy of your scores directly to the college. Beginning if fall 2011, St. Francis DOES NOT include a copy of your ACT and SAT scores on your transcript. Colleges will only receive your scores if you request submission through ACT or The College Board. If you are applying for a scholarship or program that does not accept electronic ACT scores, you must note a special request for a paper copy on your transcript release form. Check with Mrs. Henning to make sure we have a paper copy if you need to make this request. We do not have paper copies of SAT scores—only ACT.

If you need a teacher recommendation, ask the teacher if he/she is willing to write a recommendation for you to a particular college.

If the teacher says yes, give the teacher a completed "recommendation request form" which is available on the school website. This will provide the teacher with the information needed to complete your letter of recommendation.
You should also submit your request through Family Connection by Naviance. (You must make your request in both places—paper form to teacher and through Naviance).
Letters WILL NOT be written specifically for each particular college. They will be general letters that can be sent to any college.
Make your request at least 21 school days (three weeks) in advance of when it needs to be mailed. Do not ask more than two faculty members to write letters of recommendation for you unless it is absolutely required by the college. Most colleges do not want to receive more than two letters.
Also, if you are applying to several colleges, have one or two teachers complete all of your letters. Do NOT ask three or more teachers to complete multiple letters.
The form must specify exactly which colleges should receive the letter. If you add more colleges to your list later, you MUST provide the teacher with another form listing the additional colleges.

If you only need one letter, we strongly recommend that you request a letter from the College Counselor, Mrs. Rigney. Mrs. Rigney will contact the teachers that you believe will speak positively about you. They will provide input for her letter and she will provide a comprehensive letter that discusses your academics, activities, and personal qualities. Make this request to Mrs. Rigney at least 3 to 4 weeks in advance of when it needs to be transmitted or mailed.

All Common Application colleges require a brief counselor recommendation. If you are applying to any Common Application school you must request this recommendation from Mrs. Rigney at least three weeks prior to your submission target date or deadline.

When applying online (preferred method), remember that sending the application electronically does not complete your application process. You must do the following:

Once the online application is complete and correct, send the application electronically and print a copy of the confirmation for your records.

Pick up an "application checklist/transcript release form" from the Guidance Office or print it from the school website.
Carefully review the checklist and complete the transcript release form with the correct address of the college at the bottom. Sign the form at the bottom.
You must complete a transcript release form for each and every college to which you are applying.
There is no fee for transcripts. The cost is included in your graduation fee.
If a letter of recommendation from a teacher or from Mrs. Rigney has been requested, note that on the transcript release form in the appropriate section. Make sure you have made your request several weeks in advance of your desired mailing date.
If you are using the Common Application, check that item on the form. This is very important.
Bring this completed transcript release form to the Guidance Suite and drop it in Mrs. Rigney’s mail box in the outer office area.
Your transcript, letters (if required) and forms (if required) will be sent via eDocs through Family Connection by Naviance unless the college does not accept electronic documents. If that is the case, they will be printed and mailed.
Check the status of your documents in your Naviance account.
Follow up with your teachers to ensure that your letters and forms have been sent. This is the student’s responsibility. Mrs. Rigney’s will not do this for you.
Do not request letters and transcripts for colleges unless you are certain that you are applying to that school.

Please process all transcript requests through Mrs. Rigney, not the Main Office, so she can record and track your paperwork.
When you are accepted or denied at a college, update the results in Naviance by clicking “edit” under the actions tab in your application list. Then go to “results” and click on accepted, denied, waitlisted, etc.