The College Application Process

General Notes:

1. The Guidance Department sends all school documents electronically via eDocs. These documents include transcripts, teacher and counselor recommendations, school profile and Common App reports.  Students MUST establish a Common App account and link it to their Naviance account in order for Guidance to electronically submit any documents. Please click HERE for step by step instructions.

2. Speak to your Guidance Counselor about applying Early Action to schools that offer it. Deadline for most Early Action applications is October 15^th so students will need to begin the college application steps outlined below in early September.

3. We recommend submitting applications to large state universities and military service academies by early October. Visit the Military Academy website for more information about additional application requirements.

4. Note which schools have rolling admissions and apply to them as early as possible.

General Application Steps
 

(Steps 1 - 3 by September 30^th - MUST be done in order for Guidance to submit documents to colleges)

1.Go to www.commonapp.org to set up CommonApp account and complete FERPA (Federal Education     Rights Privacy Act) waiver. (Click HERE for Common Application information.)
2. Enter CommonApp ID (email) in Naviance.
3. Add prospective colleges in Naviance.
4. Request Teacher Recommendations (Click HERE.)
5. Request Transcripts (Click HERE.)
6. Submit Application.

September/October:
Senior/Parent individual meeting with Guidance Counselor

Complete resume of extracurricular activities, community service, athletics, employment, leadership etc. to use while completing applications and to submit to teachers and counselor for letters of recommendation.

Parents- complete “Parent Brag Sheet” and submit to counselor (if not already submitted.)

Make a list of schools you are applying to and create a spreadsheet of all requirements and deadlines. Mark off each requirement as you complete them: 

- Be sure to note which colleges accept the Common App, which accept Common App but also have their own required supplemental information, and which colleges only accept their own application. 
- Note which testing is required or recommended for each school (ie: SAT, SAT II, ACT.)
-Register for and take all required testing so that scores can be submitted by application deadline.
-Submit testing scores to each school. Students MUST submit their own scores directly from College Board or ACT websites.
-Note how many and which specific subject teacher recommendations are required.
-Request teacher recommendations. MUST be done before  requesting transcripts. Click HERE for instructions.
-Submit transcript requests to Guidance Department. Click HERE for instructions.
-Complete all applications and submit by deadlines.  Be sure to get a confirmation after you hit “send.” (Click HERE for Common App information.)
-Note which schools have separate applications for scholarships or Honors Programs and apply if you are interested.
-Follow up on teacher recommendation requests.
-Keep checking on the status of your applications via the college admissions websites and Naviance to be sure your applications are complete.

October-December:

-Schedule college interviews if necessary.
-Sign up to attend information sessions with college reps who are scheduled to visit school. Check the Guidance Calendar for schedule of college rep visits.
-Schedule more campus visits.

Winter:

-Maintain strong GPA- some schools require second and third marking period grades.
-Schedule more interviews with college reps.
-Submit additional honors and awards to admissions offices.
-Submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA.)  This must be completed for schools to offer any financial aid package, including federal loans.  Go to: www.fafsa.gov Click HERE for more information regarding financial aid and the FAFSA.

Spring

-Colleges will rescind offers if final grades are low so be careful of “senioritis!”
-Reply to all admissions offers by May 1.
-Keep Giudance Counselor informed of as schools send decisions and give him or her copies of acceptance letters and any scholarship awards.
-Keep in touch!   You will soon join the thousands of RBC graduates who will always proudly call themselves Caseys.  Stay connected by submitting your new contact information HERE.