CLASS OF 2019 Letter of Recommendation Process May 1, 2018 Mr. Gonzales and Mrs. Burns

Thursday, September 20, 2018, 3:00 pm This is the absolute last date you can submit your letter of recommendation request packet IF you are applying for EARLY DECISION or EARLY ACTION for the NOVEMBER 1st DEADLINE! Envelopes will be accepted as early as your summer registration appointment.

Friday, October 5th, 2018, 3:00 pm This is the absolute last date you can submit your letter of recommendation request packet. You must sign up on commonapp.org and request your GLC as a recommender prior to submitting your packet. Incomplete packets or packets from students who have not invited us via commonapp.org will not be accepted. No one needs letters of recommendation for UC or CSU – only privates.

Step One: Senior profile Go online to www.dbhs.org and get the “senior profile” from the class of 2019 page Found under guidance/GLC-> Burns/Gonzales -> Scroll down to the bottom attachments Begin filling out the senior profile Be truthful or we will have to notify schools of falsehoods. Be informative about your activities and roles (explain what your club does and explain your job within the club if you hold office).

Step Two: Research schools Try to get a few dreams, a few possibilities, and a few probabilities Look at school websites, but physically visit as many schools as possible Use tools like www.collegeboard.org, www.Petersons.com, and www.unigo.com to research schools. Average GPA’s and test scores for admitted freshmen Actual cost of attendance Location – state, neighborhood, distance from home

Step Three: Begin working on essays The UC now has 8 “personal insight” questions, and you must respond to any four of them with a maximum of 350 words per question. The UC website already has these questions waiting for you, along with guidance for each question, so take a look at http://admission.universityofcalifornia.edu/how-to- apply/personal-questions/freshman/. The common application has seven prompts to choose from, and you must write to one prompt with a 650 word limit. The prompts are available at http://www.commonapp.org/whats- appening/application-updates/2018-2019-common-application- essay-prompts Take outside advice for what it is – advice – and focus on clearly communicating who you are to universities with your own voice. It’s really a great opportunity!

Step Four: Organize your letter request packet Cover sheet List all schools to which you’re applying in order of due dates – no add ons (if they are before your first date) Staple on the front of the manila envelope Transcript Given out during registration appointments or on parent portal Include classes taken elsewhere, with grade Include 2nd semester classes (AP Econ & AP Govt) Senior profile (Activities & Personal Reflection) Essay (even if not complete)

Step Five Complete the Process Set up your common application account www.commonapp.org OR www.dbhs.org Don’t forget to include senior classes Include all universities Does you college accept common app, if so you must apply on there… if not indicate what website, etc… Be sure to invite your GLC and teachers or we can’t begin Need email addresses of GLC/Teachers

Step Five Complete the Process (continued) Commonapp.org Create an account To add Teachers and Counselors as your recommenders: Click on “My Colleges” “RECOMMENDERS AND FERPA” FERPA-Colleges recommend you “waive your right” so letters are candid School Counselor (left hand of the screen under the name of the college, enter GLC info) Teachers (2) Add all to the list under invite recommenders Need to select a teacher for each school (it can be the same 2 teachers for each school but you must invite them to each school)

Step Five Complete the Process (continued) EMAIL your packet to your GLC Give your GLC your letter request packet Packet should include: Cover Page Integrity Pledge College Selection Page Transcript Senior Profile Essays All letter requests must be handed directly from you to your GLC Do not leave it in your GLC’s office. Do not ask someone else to give it to your GLC. Absolute deadline: Thursday, September 20, 2018, 3pm (NOV 1st) Friday, October 5th, 2018, 3:00 pm