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

2. 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.

3. 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.

4. Step One: Senior profile
Go online to 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).

5. 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 and to research schools.
Average GPA’s and test scores for admitted freshmen
Actual cost of attendance
Location – state, neighborhood, distance from home

6. 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 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 appening/application-updates/ 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!

7. 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)

9. Step Five Complete the Process
Set up your common application account OR
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 addresses of GLC/Teachers

10. 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)

11. Step Five Complete the Process (continued)
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