The College Application Process: Naviance & eDocs Mendham High School Counseling Office September, 2012

Welcome! Dr. Marianna Marchese - Director of School Counseling John McGoldrick- Counselor Joan Rosen- Counselor Marlene Russell- Counselor Jim Simmons- Counselor Abby Stead- Counselor Stephanie Gardner- College & Career Center

Agenda minutes Practical information Changes to the Application Process 5 EASY STEPS 5 EASY STEPS Important Deadlines Upcoming Events Question and Answer (General) “Personal Training”

The College Application Process Apply Hear Decide

Naviance Family Connection A comprehensive website that students and parents can use as a tool in planning for their future. Has been used in the past for: College research Student Data (test scores, GPA etc.) Prospective Colleges Scholarships Scattergrams

New Naviance Initiative: The College Application School Documents will be sent online through the Naviance program Common Application Reports Teacher and Counselor Recommendations Transcripts School Profile Some schools will still be sent paper copies

Overall Expectations Keep the process in perspective Work together as a family Students must take ownership Discuss finances openly Start early and meet all deadlines

Expectations for the Student Mendham High School uses Naviance exclusively to manage the College Application Process. Students are expected to: Update “Colleges I’m Thinking About” Continue to research/visit colleges Request Teacher Letters of Recommendation in Naviance Complete Brag Sheets for the counselor Submit a Transcript Request Form to your counselor Students - Check daily and respond. Is your address appropriate?

Step 1 : Apply via “The Common Application” Go to Commonapp.org and set up your account Write down your common app username and password List your colleges that you are applying to via the Common App Login to Naviance and sign the Common App Waiver & FERPA form and enter your Common App username and password

Naviance Family Connection

Step 2: Teacher Recommendations Always allow at least 3 weeks for teachers to complete the letter Please make sure you personally ask the teacher prior to submitting the official request. Click on the College tab, then “Colleges I’m Applying To” Scroll down to Teacher Recommendations Click add/cancel request Add new request, click the drop-down list and choose the teacher from the list, click submit request.

Step 3: View Prospective Colleges and Update Application Status

Step 4: View Active Application and Delivery Type

Types of Applications 1.Question Mark = Student hasn’t listed the college in the Common App website 2.Blank Computer = Accepts EDocs and is not a Common App school 3.CA in Computer = Accepts EDocs and is a Common App School 4.Stamp = Paper Copy must be mailed 5.CA with line = Common App School but student has elected to use School Application instead

Step 5: Requesting a Transcript Application should be submitted prior to this step Your counselor should have brag sheets from you prior to this step Submit a completed “Transcript Request Form” to your counselor personally. DO NOT LEAVE THIS FORM IN A COUNSELOR MAILBOX!

Requesting a Transcript

Updating the Application Status Click on “Colleges You are Applying To” Under “My Applications” it will ask you if you have applied. Click on the question. Update the information that is requested.

Throughout the Process…… Communicate with your counselor As you hear back from schools, let your counselor know Check for s from the Counseling Office regularly Parents can contact the counselor at any time

Review: 5 Easy Steps Step 1: Set up a Common Application Account Step 1: Set up a Common Application Account Step 2: Enter CommonApp ID in Naviance and complete FERPA waiver Step 2: Enter CommonApp ID in Naviance and complete FERPA waiver Step 3: Update “Colleges I’m Thinking About” Step 3: Update “Colleges I’m Thinking About” Step 4: Invite Teacher Recommendations under “Colleges I’m Applying to” Step 4: Invite Teacher Recommendations under “Colleges I’m Applying to” Step 5: Request a Transcript Step 5: Request a Transcript

Benefits of Naviance Streamline the process Everything is “live” Everything can be sent at once Quick to update Eco-friendly

Senior Meetings Counselors meet with seniors regarding the process By end of September Steps 1-3 are complete. Review this process with your child prior to the meeting Come prepared with questions Contact your guidance counselor at any time

Upcoming Events September: College Fair at County College of Morris September 18 th from 12:00-3:00 Mini-College Fairs Individual College Rep Visits October: SAT: October 1 st (Deadline passed) ACT: October 22 nd (Registration by tomorrow) Financial Planning Night: October 19 th at 7:00pm November: SAT: November 5th Application Deadlines for Early Decision/Early Action (November 1 st /November 15 th )

Conclusion Seniors need to visit their counselor frequently during the application season Parents should communicate on a regular basis with their child about this process The process requires a minimal amount of time and effort outside of completing the actual application!

Q & A