MWHS Naviance/Common Application College Application Process How to Apply Using the Common Application: 1. Log on to www.commonapp.org 2. Create a user name (email) and password. Make sure the username (email) that you use is the same email that you used to set up your Naviance account, otherwise the two accounts will not link up. 3. Write down your Common Application log in information so that you do not forget it. 4. Follow the directions on the Common App website to complete your application. 5. Add each college that you plan on applying to. 6. Complete the FERPA Waiver Form. This can be found through the My Colleges tab after you have added your colleges and answered the required questions. This MUST be completed. Please be aware that not waiving your right to view recommendations and supplemental documents may limit your recommendation sources. We strongly advise students to waive their rights to view these materials.
How to manage college applications on Naviance: Go to www.naviance.com, click on Students & Families Sign In, enter the school zip code 10917, and click on Monroe Woodbury High School. Enter your User Name and Password to access your account. 1. Click on the Colleges tab. 2. Next, click on the Colleges I m Applying To tab. 3. Scroll down and click add colleges to this list. Then you need to look up your college by clicking the lookup button and typing in your college. Once you find your college, hit the add college button to add it to your list. 4. After you have added your colleges, the third column asks if you applied via the common app. You need to answer yes or no depending on how you have applied. 5. If the college does not accept the Common Application you can click onto their web site from Naviance to do your on-line Application. However, you are still required to create a Common Application account and link it to Naviance. 6. VERY IMPORTANT-After the FERPA waiver is completed on the Common Application, you will need to complete the Common App Account Matching. This will directly link your Naviance and Common App accounts and allow us to send your transcript and supporting documents to your colleges electronically. Page 2
How to request a teacher letter of recommendation in Naviance: 1. Make your requests to the teachers that you have selected IN PERSON prior to requesting them electronically. Teachers have been instructed not to respond to an email request if a personal request has not been made first. 2. In Naviance, click on Colleges tab and then click on Colleges I m Applying To. 3. At the bottom of that page, you will find Teacher Recommendations add/cancel requests. 4. Click on add/cancel requests, then scroll down to the teacher name and click on it. Write them a short message asking them if they would write a letter of recommendation for you. You should indicate your deadline date to the college as well. Then click update requests. As previously stated, a personal request must have been made prior to this step. 5. As a side note.when requesting a letter of recommendation please keep in mind the following: a. Advise them that you will send a request to them through Naviance. b. Your senior profile, resume, and parent brag sheet should be completed to assist in writing the recommendation letter. c. Remind them that they will need to do the Common App /Teacher Evaluation Form as well. d. A thank you note is always appreciated by the teacher/counselor who provided your recommendation. Completing a Senior Profile: Your senior profile is important. Your teacher and school counselor may use the information you provide in your profile to write a recommendation letter. The more information provided the better the recommendation letter.. Below are the steps to access your senior profile: 1. Go to About Me tab on Family Connection 2. On the left side of the screen click on senior profile 3. Complete the profile with as much information as you can. You do not have to do it all at once. You can save it and go back and edit it. 4. Click update at the bottom each time you have finished editing it. Page 3
BUILDING A RESUME Your resume is important. Your teacher and school counselor will use the information you provide in your resume to write a recommendation letter. The more information provided the better the recommendation letter. You may also send your resume along with your college application. Your resume may also be submitted along with scholarship applications. It is important to build a resume and include as much information about yourself as possible. Below are the steps on building a resume in Naviance. 1. Go to About Me tab on Family Connection 2. Click on Resume and fill in as many fields as applicable. (Some examples are shown below). 3. Select a heading under Add a new entry for any area you have information to include. a. Work Experience include all jobs you have held since 9 th grade and how long you worked there. b. Volunteer Service Make sure you list everything you have done since 9 th grade list them individually not just one blanket statement. c. Extra Curricular Include all clubs or organizations you belong to. d. Athletic Achievement include all sports teams you have been involved with since the 9 th grade such as Junior Varsity Soccer or Varsity Cheerleading. e. Leadership include all leadership roles you have had or been recognized since 9 th grade such as Team Captain, Club President, Eagle Scout, Church Youth Group, etc. 4. After selecting a section, fill in the information and click Add to Resume. 5. Each section includes tips on what to include as well as examples. 6. Once all the information is entered, select Customize your printable resumes 7. Select Create a new print format 8. Give your resume a name to be saved under 9. Select one of the two styles available 10. Click on the boxes you would like to appear on your resume 11. Select save and close 12. At the top you will see your saved resume formatted and ready to print. You can save your resume under the About Me tab in Journal for your counselor to use. Page 4
COLLEGE APPLICATION CHECKLIST In Naviance.com: 1. Complete Senior Profile and Resume 2. Enter colleges that you are applying 3. Request letters of recommendations IN PERSON from teachers and your counselor if needed. 4. Invite teachers recommendations 5. Link your Naviance and CommonApp accounts once the FERPA waiver is signed. In The Common Application: 1.. Go to www.commonapp.org to create your account. 2. ALL STUDENTS must complete the FERPA waiver. (Even if you are not applying to schools via The Common App.) 3. If applying via The Common App: list all colleges where you are applying 3. If applying via The Common App: complete all sections in the Common App tab including the essay and any supplemental items Other items to complete: 1. Complete college applications online for non-common App schools 2. Complete the purple Transcript Request Form for all schools where you plan to send applications 3. Send official SAT/ACT scores directly to colleges via the appropriate testing agency 4. Maintain strict adherence to all of your college deadlines Page 5