COLLEGE PROCESS AND NAVIANCE

Common App, Transcript & Letter of Recommendation Procedures

Presented by Amanda Bulmahn (School Counselor)

IMPORTANT STEPS TO COLLEGE PROCESS

• Know yourself: school size, location, diversity, academic environment, social options, financial aid, admissions selectivity
• Know your options: 4 year college, 2 year college, part-time vs. full-time, military, trade or technical school, apprentice programs
• Gather information utilizing resources: Naviance, College Fairs, College Visits, School Counselor, College students/graduates
• Make decisions: Keep good records on information, review material, make comparisons of important factors to you, visit campus, categorize into REACH, MATCH, or SAFETY, decide with parent/guardian.

NOW WHAT???

• Application types: Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision
• Complete college applications and scholarship applications by deadline

Entire application is due by deadline:

• application
• resume
• essay
• letters of recommendation
• application fee
• test scores
• any supplemental information being requested - test scores, portfolio, etc.
• Wait for decisions
• Compare acceptances & financial aide offers based on needs with parents/guardians
• Respond by deadline (typically May 1st)

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STUDENTS WILL BE TRAINED IN �SENIOR YEAR

• All students will receive training in September during their English 12 classes regarding:
• Adding schools to “Colleges I’m Applying to” list in Naviance and requesting transcripts
• Procedures for teacher letters of recommendation
• Common App and Naviance issues
• Requesting and paying for transcripts

Adding schools in Naviance and requesting transcripts (see handout)

• Students should have a list of schools under “Colleges I’m Thinking About”
• Students can select the schools they would like to move to the “Colleges I’m Applying to list”
• Students can add schools directly to their “Colleges I’m Applying to List”
• At the time schools are added, to “Applying to List” - transcripts should be requested
• Please remember that transcripts will not be sent to institutions until waiver is signed and transcript fee is paid

TRANSCRIPTS

• Two weeks notice is needed to request transcripts be sent
• Two step process:
• 1. Senior Transcript Release Form must be completed in PowerSchool account (available after July 15th)
• 2. Transcript requested in Naviance
• Transcript fee is $2 per transcript
• Fees can be paid to Ms. Allen (School Counseling Secretary) in the School Counseling Office or on the CrHS website through OSP (Online School Payments)
• If you receive free or reduced lunch please check off the box for a waiver and let Ms. Allen know.

LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION (see handout)

• Students must personally ask teachers/counselor to write a letter of recommendation on his/her/their behalf. This should be done face to face with a follow-up email a minimum of two weeks in advance or deadline.

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• Student should provide copy of resume recommender

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• After the teacher has said yes, enter the letter of recommendation request on naviance (follow along with handout)

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• After the counselor has said yes, follow additional directions (google form, meeting, etc.)

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• Students should ask for recommendations at least two weeks in advance, but before they leave for the summer is ideal.

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LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

• Once you have requested a letter of recommendation you MUST look at the “Colleges I’m Applying To” list to determine which must be mailed and which are electronic

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• & = Letters of recommendation are ELECTRONIC

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• = Letters of recommendation MUST be mailed

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• For any school that requires letters of recommendation to be physically mailed, it is THE STUDENT’S responsibility to provide stamped and addressed envelopes to your teachers.
• No stamp and envelope are required for your Counselor.

COMMON APP & NAVIANCE

• Common App & Naviance share information.

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• Naviance requires your Common App user name and password in order to submit your transcript and other school documents

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• Colleges listed on Common App & Naviance MUST be EXACTLY the same

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• The student MUST also complete the FERPA waiver and release of information in Naviance in order for the high school to release your transcript.

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TO DO LIST - Complete list on handout

• Review and finalize College Application list with parents & school counselor
• Request FSA ID – Do ASAP! (https://fafsa.ed.gov)
• Create MDCAPS account
• Review Financial Aid that may be available to you (https://studentaid.ed.gov and mhec.maryland.gov)
• Complete FAFSA for 2026-2027 school year. Most likely released by December 2025. Deadline is March 1^st for State Aid. Need to complete because connected to scholarships.
• Complete SAT or ACT testing
• Scholarship applications
• Ask for letters of recommendation
• Keep Naviance UPDATED!!!

QUESTIONS???

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• School Counselors

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Amanda Bulmahn (A - Cer)

abulmahn@aacps.org

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Tabitha Brown (Ces - Gar)

tfbrown@aacps.org

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Shanelle Cantine (Gas - Kim)

scantine@aacps.org

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Justyn Juarez (Kin - N)

jjuarez-roberts@aacps.org

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Lindsey Luna (O - Sma)

lluna@aacps.org

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Danielle Crankfield (Smb - Z)

dcrankfield@aacps.org

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