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
Page 2 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.
Page 3 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.
Page 4 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 9th grade and how long you worked there. b. Volunteer Service – Make sure you list everything you have done since 9th 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 9th grade such as Junior Varsity Soccer or Varsity Cheerleading.
e. Leadership – include all leadership roles you have had or been recognized since 9th 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.
Page 5 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