College Application Process

Applying to College

You can complete a college application in a number of ways:

1.    From the college’s website. Go to the college’s website and complete their online application. Using a paper application should be your LAST option.

2.    The Common Application. Close to 400 colleges use the Common App. You can use the Common App if the college is a member.

3.    Many colleges provide a paper application for those who have no Internet access. Use this option ONLY as your absolute LAST option. 

Components of a college application:

·         Biographical Data – student completes all relevant information.

·         SAT and/or ACT scores – student MUST have scores sent to college directly from the testing agency. When you register for the test, use the 4 free reports to colleges – that is considered OFFICIAL.

·         Holistic Information – this part is very important:

Common Application Colleges at www.commonapp.org - if you are applying to a college that uses the Common Application, they require that you submit you application using the common application and the online submission process. This process works in this way:

1.    You open an account at www.commonapp.org. Follow all directions carefully.

2.    Complete all information thoughtfully, completely, and accurately.

3.    You will be asked for your counselor’s email address. Use ONLY the following:

·         Mrs. Anderson, A – F, mortensenk@duvalschools.org

·         Ms. Armtrong G – M, armstronga@duvalschools.org

·         Ms. Ferrell, N – Z, ferrells1@duvalschools.org

4.    Your counselor will complete the online High School Report Form and will electronically send your transcript but you must request your own official transcript to be sent yourself using your NAVIANCE account. IMPORTANT NOTE: in order for your counselor to complete these forms, an Activities and Experiences Sheet or resume, as well as a Senior Recommendation Form must be completed.

5.    For teacher recommendations, put your teacher’s email address where requested, and notify that teacher at least 2 weeks before the due date. Teacher email addresses can be accessed by clicking on the tab “Contact Information,” located at the top of this page.

6.    The counselor will send your academic history electronically, but You are responsible for requesting your transcript to be sent using NAVIANCE

Out of State Public Colleges and Private Colleges that do not use the Common App – these colleges’ application process might include some or all of the following:

Your online application – complete at the college’s website.

Your transcript - request the transcript through Naviance and it will be sent by the school counseling office if it can be sent electronically. Otherwise pick up next day for you to mail to college.

A Counselor’s Report Form - sometimes called the High School Report Form. You must print this and BRING it to your counselor along with an addressed envelope to the college. The only exception would be if the college asks for the counselor’s email and sends the form to the counselor directly – this should be clear in the directions the college gives you. This form will be mailed or submitted on line by the counselor. You are responsible for requesting/sending your official transcript.  Your counselor will complete the Report Form and will electronically send your academic history but again, you must request and send off your own official transcript yourself. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: in order for your counselor to complete these forms, an Activities and Experiences Sheet or resume, as well as a Senior Recommendation Form must be completed.

Teacher Recommendation Forms - You must print these and BRING them to your teachers. The only exception would be if the college asks for the teachers’ emails and sends the forms to the teachers directly – this should be clear in the directions the college gives you.

College Application Essays - Your essay is a very important component of your application. It is important that you clearly understand the prompt, or what they are asking you to write. Once you have a working draft of an essay, you should show it to your English teachers as well as submit it to your counselor for review. Writer’s block is very common when having to approach an essay about yourself. The attributes that colleges are expecting you to address in your essay are contained in these handouts: Evaluate Yourself – prompts to help you clarify issues
Components of a successful college essay.