This document provides a step-by-step guide for high school students to follow when applying to colleges. It includes instructions on using the school's Naviance account to organize the application process, request letters of recommendation, add colleges to apply to lists, match Common App accounts, and submit transcript release forms. The document emphasizes starting early, meeting deadlines, and ensuring all application materials like test scores and transcripts are sent to schools directly. It also answers some frequently asked questions about following the steps, application timelines, and accessing Naviance features.

1. 

2. Get Accepted!
Step 9: Send SAT and/or ACT scores directly to each school you applied
Step 8: Submit Transcript Release Form (for each school) to the Transcript Office
Step 7: Request Letters of Recommendation
Step 6: If requesting letters of recommendation, fill out Recommendation Data
Sheet
Step 5: Indicate how you have applied (Common App or not)
Step 4: Add Colleges to your “colleges I’m applying to" list in Naviance
Step 3: If applicable, Match your Common App to your Naviance Account
Step 2: Log-in to Naviance
Step 1: Complete and Submit Applications

3. Each school will have their own application process.
• Determine where and how you will apply.
• Several colleges accept the Common Application. You can begin
your Common App after Aug 1, 2015. Some colleges are Common
App exclusive, meaning you must apply via the Common App.
Other colleges do not accept the Common App and ask you to apply
through other means. Other colleges may accept either the
Common App or their own application, letting your chose which one
suits you best.
• Start researching and planning this summer to know where and how
you will apply! Information can be found online, usually under the
college’s “Admissions/Incoming Freshman” pages.
• Begin and submit your applications as early as possible.
• Make sure you are filling out applications for the Fall of 2016.
Be mindful of deadlines and follow directions!

4. 1. Go to Neshaminy High School’s Website
2. Click on the Naviance-Family Connection link on the left hand
side
3. Enter your student id (7 digit number) and password (the one
you use to log-in to NHS’s computers!)
4. Click Log In

5. 1. From the Home
screen, click the
“About Me” tab
2. Scroll down to
Official Things, click
on “Profile” link
3. Verify all
information in
Personal Profile
section, especially
name, Counselor,
birth date, and email
*Contact your
counselor if anything
is incorrect
4. To edit your email
address, click pencil
icon
1.
3.
4.
2.

6. 1. Click “Colleges I’m
applying to”
• Log into
your
Naviance
account:
• From the
Colleges
tab
If you have completed your Common App, you can match your account to Naviance. If
you are not sure if you are applying with the Common App, or it is before Aug 1, 2015,
this step can be skipped and revisited later. Skip ahead to slide 9!
**You must sign your FERPA
waiver before you can match
your Common App account with
Naviance!! Info can be found in
a separate Presentation called
“Your Guide to the Common
App”

7. 1. Enter email
address. MUST be
the same email
used in Common
App account
1.
• Please be aware, once “Matched”,
you cannot change your FERPA
decision.
• If not “Matched”, Counselors cannot
send any materials electronically

8. Once Matched correctly, notification above will
appear

9. 1. Click on
the Not
Needed
link
1.
Once clicked, Common App
Matching will appear, however,
you are not technically
“matched”. If you decide to
apply to a Common App
school later, you can visit the
same page, click “Do it now”
and enter the email address
that you used for your
Common Application

10. 1. Click “Colleges I’m
applying to”
From the
Colleges tab…
Once logged into your Naviance account:

11. Click on “Add to this list”
If applying via Common App and you matched your accounts, Common
App schools should already be listed. If not, you can add them
manually.

12. 1. Indicate Decision Type
using the drop down
arrow
2. Look up college
to add to your list
(Pop up appears)
3. Search for
college by name
or from College
Picker quick list
4. Click “I submitted my
application” (once
you have completed
your application!)

13. Complete this step for every college you are applying,
then click Add Colleges

14. 1.
2.
Under “colleges I’m
applying to” answer
the question,
Applying via the
Common
App?”
1. Use drop down
arrow to answer yes
or no
2. Click update
Applications when
complete

15. • Verify your
information is
correct
• Take note of the
Submission Type
symbol
School accepts the
Common App, transcripts will
be sent electronically (if there
is a line through the “CA”,
your school ONLY accepts
Common App)
School accepts electronic
transcripts
School does not accept
electronic transcripts and
everything must be mailed via
USPS

16. 1. Under the ABOUT ME tab,
under surveys to take,
click on Recommendation
Data Sheet (all)
2. Answer the questions as
accurately as possible.
Focus on your
accomplishments and
strengths! Your teachers
and counselor will view
this form to highlight your
best qualities!
Click “Update” when
finished
1.
2.
Colleges will NOT
see this data sheet.
It will be accessed
by those asked to
write a letter of
recommendation.

17. Ask your teacher(s) in person if they will write a letter of recommendation
for you. They are not obligated to do so! Asking them in person is
thoughtful and considerate. You want your teacher to write you a glowing
recommendation, so treat them with respect and be considerate of their
time.
All recommendations are submitted electronically. Once your teacher
agrees to write the letter, you must submit your request electronically
via Naviance. This gives your teacher the ability to upload your letter
electronically, and allows them to review your Recommendation Data
Sheet that will contain all your accomplishments and goals.
You should allow up to 4 weeks for your letter to be completed!

18. 1. In Naviance, Go to
the Colleges Tab,
Go to “Colleges
I’m Applying to”
2. Scroll down to
Teacher
Recommendations
, click add/cancel
request and a
dropdown menu
will appear

19. 3. Select Teacher from Drop-
Down Menu and write a short
note. Ask them to write you a
letter of recommendation and
fill out the Common App
Teacher Evaluation form.
Click Update Requests.
4. An email will be automatically
sent to your teacher with your
request. Your teacher will use
your recommendation data
sheet to write your letter and
upload it electronically to
Naviance.
Don’t forget to thank your teacher!

20. Enter the following
information:
Fill out information as clearly
as possible
1. Fill out name of the
College. If your transcript
is being mailed, include
an addressed envelope to
the Office of Admissions.
2. College MUST be added
to your “College I’m
Applying to” list.
3. Indicate if you are
applying via Common App
4. Indicate if you are
requesting a letter of
recommendation from
your counselor. Some
schools require this,
others do not. Many
Common App schools
require a Counselor
Evaluation.
5.
1.
2.
3.
4.
4. Indicate if you are
sending teacher letters
of recommendations.
Indicate which teachers
recommendations you’d
like us to send. Many
schools set limits on the
number they accept! All
Common App schools
require 1-2 Teacher
Evaluation(s)!!
5. Turn your completed
form into the Transcript
Office located near the
Guidance Office.
We require a minimum of 10 school days to
process your transcript request.
The clock does not start until you turn in the
paper request form!

21. Each school you apply to needs a
SEPARATE Release Form. You
application should be submitted and
complete before your request is
made.
You must allow up to 10 school
days for processing!!
* You do not need an appointment with your
counselor for every Transcript Request Form you
submit, but you are encouraged to make an
appointment if you have any questions! The
Transcript Office is located to the left of the check-in
area in Guidance.
Transcript Release Forms can be
found in Guidance or via this link:
Transcript Release Form

22. Visit www.collegeboard.org to send your SAT scores
directly to each school you have applied.
*please note you can select up to 4 schools to receive your scores, for free,
when your register to take the test. If you send your scores later, they will
charge you a fee.
Visit www.actstudent.org to send your ACT scores directly
to each school you have applied.

23. Do I have to follow all the steps in order?
No. You can fill out your recommendation data
sheet and request letters of recommendation
before you start your applications. You can
also match your Common App to Naviance at
any time, and you can send your SAT/ACT
scores at anytime.
When should I apply?
You can begin as soon as the 2016
applications are available. If you are applying
Early Action, Early Decision, or Rolling
Admissions, we strongly suggest you apply as
early as possible. Some schools, such as
Penn State, have priority deadlines and your
chances are better for acceptance the earlier
you apply!
My school does not require letters of
recommendation and I’m not applying via the
Common App. Can I just submit a Transcript
Release Form to Guidance after I apply?
Absolutely. If the information doesn’t pertain to
you and your school(s), there is no need to do
it. You still need to add colleges to your
“Applying to” List in Naviance and fill out a
Transcript Release Form.
How do colleges keep track of all of my
information if things are sent separately?
Colleges keep organized files on students
who apply. Once your file is complete, your
materials will be reviewed for admission.
Do you really need 10 school days to
process electronic transcripts?
We make every effort to process transcripts
as soon as possible. Your counselor will
review your transcript and application
materials prior to sending them. 10 school
days is a reasonable amount of time to
gather the information, review the
information, and gather any missing
documents.
My parents logged on to Naviance but
cannot access some of the tabs and features
in this PowerPoint. Why?
Parents do not have access to the same
features you do. Your unique log-in gives
you the ability to view what is pertinent to
you. Every grade level has different features
as well.

24. • When applying online, create a consistent user ID and password, and keep your
access information private!
• Use proper spelling, grammar and capitalization in all email correspondence you
send to a college admissions office. Do not use acronyms (etc. BTW, LOL, gr8).
• Keep in mind that although access information is secure, college officials are able to
pull up that information. User IDs and passwords should utilize proper and
appropriate language. Rethink passwords and email addresses like ‘partygirl07’.
• There are growing concerns about the prolific use of social networking sites. These
sites may be accessed by college admissions staff, police, collegiate athletic
departments and prospective employers for concerning content. Please be aware
that any information students post on these accounts should be considered public
information, and can be viewed by anyone.
• The content of social networking sites is a reflection of the student to college
admissions offices--what may seem harmless to you, may be interpreted differently
by a college admission officer. If you choose to participate in the use of social
networking sites, please make every attempt to ensure that nothing on your site can
be interpreted in a negative or questionable way. Parents should have access and
monitor social network sites accounts at all times.

25. Kimberly Gibbons..........A – Bux
kgibbons@neshaminy.k12.pa.us
Patience Burton...........By – Don
pburton@neshaminy.k12.pa.us
Jill Ortman................ ....Doo –
Gr
jortman@neshaminy.k12.pa.us
Casey Rodgers........... ...Gu -
Kis
crodgers@neshaminy.k12.pa.us
Susan Fennecken.… Kit - McCle
sfennecken@neshaminy.k12.pa.us
Traci Hindle.................McCli – Os
thindle@neshaminy.k12.pa.us
Jennifer Coe... ..... ...........Ot - Rz
jcoe@neshaminy.k12.pa.us
Heidi Wilson.....................S - The
hwilson@neshaminy.k12.pa.us
Heather Krajcer............... .Thi – Z
hkrajcer@neshaminy.k12.pa.us
Counselor Assignments by Student Last Name
Counselors hold individual meetings with Seniors every fall
to answer questions and go over the application process!