Make an appointment with your counselor
(at least 10 days before your first deadline)
Whitney McNeilly A-Dou
whitneymcneilly@danvers.org
KJ Jobst Dov-K
kjjobst@danvers.org
Kristen Bixby L-Pa
kristenbixby@danvers.org
James Sullivan Pb-Z
jamessullivan@danvers.org
Timeline
Early Action Deadlines Oct, Nov, Dec (college specific)
FAFSA Opens on or before October 1
Financial Aid Night @ DHS October 15
College Day Field Trips October 23
Regular Decision Deadlines Dec, Jan, Feb (college specific)
DHS Scholarships Open Feb 6
DHS Scholarships Due April 1
Decision Day: Deposit for College by May 1
Scholarship Award Night, Graduation first week of June
Complete Senior Brag Sheet (In Naviance)
Match Naviance and Common App Accounts
In Naviance: Request Letter of Recommendation and Transcripts
Meet with your Counselor at least 10 days before first college deadline
Share your Resume and Transcript with the teachers who will write your recs
Complete applications and submit!
Senior: TO DO LIST
Counselor Recommendation/ Transcript
Teacher Recommendations
Components of the Application
SAT/ ACT Scores
Common App/ College Application
Common App is where your applications are located.
Naviance is where your counselor adds your transcript, and teachers add their letters of recommendation
The college board is where you sign up for and send SAT/AP test scores. *DHS does not send scores for you*
apply.commonapp.org/createaccount
Create your Common App account
Sign in with Danvers Gmail SSO (single sign on)
Log Into Naviance
Go to the “Colleges” tab on Naviance.
The important application tools can
be found in the “Apply to College” column.
Use The Colleges Tab
Go to the “Colleges” tab on Naviance.
The important application tools can
be found in the “Apply to College” column.
Match Naviance and Common App Accounts
Complete the FERPA Waiver
After you match your accounts,
Click: Colleges > Colleges I’m Applying to “Complete FERPA waiver on Common App”
Waiving your rights acknowledges that you understand you will not be given access to your letters of recommendation
Request Transcripts for each school
at least 10 days before the deadline
Click: Colleges > Manage Transcripts > Add > College App. Transcript
> Initial only
*Students do not need to request
mid year or final transcripts*
Request Letters of Recommendation for each school
at least 10 days before the deadline
Click: Colleges > Letters of Recommendation > “Add Request”
Students must speak to their teachers before submitting a naviance request.
* Important Reminder *
You must submit new letter of recommendation requests and transcript requests if you add more schools.
The common application is an online platform for your college applications.
Most colleges can be found on the common app.
Common Application Website
Use “College Search” tab to
search and add to “My Colleges”
(If not found, go to the college’s website
for their application.)
Add Colleges: College Search tab
Click: My Colleges > any college > Recommenders and FERPA > continue
Waiving your rights acknowledges that you understand you will not be given access to your letters of recommendation
Complete the FERPA Waiver
* * * First, you must complete “current or most recent secondary/high school question in education section * * *
Sections in the Common Application
College Essay
Resume items
All colleges receive info from this tab called “My Common Application”
Sections in the Common Application
Supplementary Essays
Signature, Fee, SUBMIT
EACH college can ask additional info under the tab called “My Colleges” > college
FAQ
Common App,
Education,
Grades
Decile and GPA are in Naviance
(Go to
Scroll to academic
You can find your GPA and decile in Naviance under “About Me”
Common App Direct Admissions
Frequently Asked Questions
Tips and Information:
Early Decision | Early Action | Regular Decision |
Binding commitment to attend the school if you are accepted. November 1, November 5, November 15, December 1 etc. | You apply in early Fall and have no obligation to commit to this school. November 1, November 5, November 15, December 1 etc. | You apply mid winter and have no obligation to commit to this school. December 15, January 1, February 1, etc. |
Apply to this deadline if… | ||
|
|
|
SAT Scores, ACT Scores
My scores are LOWER than this college’s average score
This college is test optional
DON’T SUBMIT SCORES
My scores are at or ABOVE this college’s average score
This college requires tests
SUBMIT SCORES
OR
AND
80% of colleges in 2025 are Test Optional
Search for colleges in the search bar to add. Research colleges based on your preferred criteria using the Naviance search tools.
Use Search Tools, Add Schools
Optional: Maintain a College List
You should aim to have 6-10 schools in your list. Use the Naviance tools to determine if a school is a
safety (definitely will be admitted),
target (likely will be admitted), or
reach (admittance is less likely).
*You should have a mix of all three types*
Click on a college, view overview page > click admissions tab
There will be an icon where your admissions statistics land on the graph.
GPA
SAT scores
Use Scattergrams to Estimate Admittance
This would be a safety school for this student
Upcoming Events!
October 1 - November 15
Senior Family Night October 1, 2025
Kevin Fudge - Director of Advocacy at American Student Assistance will present financial aid 101 information
Topics include:
Financial Aid Night October 15, 2025
Tell us which school you want to visit
October 23: COLLEGE DAY SURVEY
Reminders:
Sign up for upcoming college visits on Naviance.
Click: Colleges > College Visits
Or see Ms. Saggese in Guidance to sign up. Visits take place in the guidance conference room.
Students: Fill out the College Application Contract
Counselor Letter of Recommendation
Complete the Class of 2026 Brag Sheet ASAP
Counselor letters are best when students provide their input! Special circumstances can be added here.
Students do not need to submit a request for their counselor letter.
Share your resume and transcript
with your teacher recommenders
as soon as possible
NAME
Net Price Calculators on College Websites
Complete Senior Brag Sheet (In Naviance)
Match Naviance and Common App Accounts
In Naviance: Request Letter of Recommendation and Transcripts
Meet with your Counselor at least 10 days before first college deadline
Share your Resume and Transcript with the teachers who will write your recs
Complete applications and submit!
Senior: TO DO LIST