1. COMMON APPLICATION (Available August 1)
CCISD Procedures

2. What is the Common Application?
A comprehensive tool that students are able to use to apply to more than 600 colleges around the world.

3. commonapp.org Public and private member universities
Must be submitted electronically
May require additional information for specific universities
Requires Secondary School Report Form from counselor
Requires letters of recommendation
Counselor
Teacher

4. College Admission Terms
Early Decision* – binding commitment to attend if accepted
Restrictive Early Action – restricts admission options – non binding
Early Action/Notification –applying early to receive acceptance notification early – no commitment to attend
Rolling Admission – usually receive admission decision within four to six weeks after applying
*Some restrictions may apply

5. FERPA Privacy statement May have impact on admissions
Waive right to access (recommended)
Do not waive right to access
May have impact on admissions
Must answer in the Common Application
Student cannot change selection once the recommender has been invited

6. Letters of Recommendation
20 school days advance notice
Two letters usually required
Core teacher from junior or senior year
Counselor
Adequate information needed
Student brag sheet
Parent brag sheet
Resume
Thank you note

7. Helpful Tips Experiencing technical difficulties? Resources available:
while logged into the application
Resources available:
commonapp.org/ready
Early Decision Agreement must be signed by:
Student
Parent
Counselor

8. Naviance
School’s website for submitting required documents and tracking progress
Transcripts
Letters of Recommendation
Secondary School Reports
Accounts
Student – manipulates data
Parent – views data
Counselor/Staff – views data and submits application documents

9. Read the home page frequently
Read the home page frequently. Use it to view updated guidance bulletins, keep on top of deadlines, and keep track of other important information that will be posted here.
A number of useful handouts on the college application process are posted in the document library.
View links for helpful websites (will include Method Test Prep)

10. Use the template provided in the Resume link OR upload your own resume under the Journal link.
Complete the student brag sheet and parent brag sheet (found in the same location when logged into the parent account).

11. Request student transcript, add colleges to the “colleges I’m applying to” list, sign up for a college visit, conduct college searches, and research scholarship opportunities.

12. Under the transcript link, the student will have two options for making a request:
request for college applications – for the transcript to be sent to a college, use this option
request for scholarships or athletics – to get a transcript for any other reason (even for a personal copy)

13. To check the status of documents sent to the colleges electronically, click on the “view detailed status” link
Below “Colleges I’m Applying to,” you will see the section where you request teacher or counselor recommendations. The status will indicate the progress of the letter:
requested – request has been made
In progress – letter is in the process of being written
completed – letter has been written
The submission status of the school documents is listed above.

14. Choose the teacher/counselor’s name from the teacher drop down menu.
Make sure that in the note section you inform your teacher/counselor of where the letter is to be sent and the deadline
Choose the teacher/counselor’s name from the teacher drop down menu.

15. Thank you for coming