College applications are like putting together a puzzle of you. Don't leave out any important pieces or admission reps won't get the full picture of who you are. Take a look at these:

FAIRVIEW COLLEGE APPLICATION PROCESS

1. START HERE: Common App & Naviance Setup & Matching

*Non Common App Applications need to be added to Naviance ie. CA State Schools

2. LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION & TRANSCRIPTS

(Please ensure you are not requesting more letters than you need (if any)- colleges will not read them)!

ONE-MONTH NOTICE POLICY: If you need a teacher or counselor letter of recommendation, submit all required materials at least one month before your first deadline.

Teacher Letters of Recommendation

Request a Letter of Recommendation from your teacher in person or via email.
Request a Teacher Letter of Recommendation in Naviance
Complete the Teacher Letter of Recommendation Questionnaire and email it to your teacher.

Counselor Letters of Recommendation

Complete the Transcript/Counselor Letter of Rec Google Request form and request from your counselor in Naviance.
Request a Letter of Recommendation from your Counselor in Naviance
Complete the Counselor Letter of Recommendation Questionnaire and email it to your counselor or upload it in Naviance.
Have parents submit the Parent Brag Sheet via email to your counselor or upload it in Naviance.

Transcript Requests

Complete the Transcript/Counselor Letter of Rec Google Request form.
Do not request transcripts through Naviance

3. Complete applications, pay fees, and submit!

All colleges are entered in Naviance with the correct deadlines
Common App is linked to Naviance
Recommendation materials were submitted at least one month before your first deadline
Transcript request google form submitted
Students submit their portion whenever they are ready, teachers and counselors will submit their materials by the posted deadline

Basic Types of applications

The Common Application

The most widely used application with over 1000 member colleges and universities:
Applications are electronically submitted.
One universal document that can be sent to any member college.
Colleges may have their own supplemental/essay questions.
Deadlines will vary by college.

State Based Applications

Some states have their own applications that like the common app can be used to apply to any of the campuses in the state. Depending on the state, the common app may or may not be accepted.

Example of state applications that do not accept the common app:

University of California (UC) / California State (CSU)

The UC and CSU applications use their own forms which are also electronically submitted.
The common app is not accepted at these schools.
These schools us an A-G matching formula for calculating GPA

Example of state applications that do accept the common app:

Texas University System

College Specific Applications

Some colleges provide their own college-specific application system
Ensure that you do not send both a Common App and college specific app to a school.