FHS Application Steps

Each college, and sometimes each department or major, has different sets of application requirements. Each requirement may have a different deadline. To find these requirements, go to the Undergraduate or Freshman Admissions website of each college on your list.

As you visit each college website, use the Fairview College Application Checklist to keep track of all requirements and deadlines for Freshman Admissions. If necessary, customize the spreadsheet template to fit your needs. Use the checklist as you follow the remaining application steps.

Colleges use one or more Application Types to accept online forms for admission. The most widely known form is the Common Application, but a college may provide alternatives or choose to maintain its own system. Learn more about different Application Types here.

Choose an Application Type for each college on your list and record this in your Checklist.

Tip:  If you are applying to only ONE Common App member college, check if the school has its own application as this would be less time-consuming. DO NOT send both applications or you may delay your application process.

Colleges offer Application Deadline choices called Decision Plans, also  known as Admission Plans, for final submission. For guidelines on choosing the appropriate deadline for you, read Application Deadlines.

If you are considering applying Early Decision (ED) to any college,  please consult your parents or guardians. This choice is binding and  involves financial commitment.

Registration for college applications involves:

• Establishment of an account with each college either through an online service such as the Common Application or directly through a college's own system.
• A requirement that you sign a FERPA Waiver so that Fairview can release Official Transcripts, Counselor and Teacher Recommendation Letters to your colleges. Learn more about FERPA and why you should waive it.
• Management of your Naviance account so that it matches the list of  colleges you are applying to. This allows your transcripts and letters  can be sent electronically.

For registration instructions, view Common App/FERPA Registration Procedures. Counselors walk seniors through this step early in the fall semester.

Record all new account logins in your Checklist as you create accounts.

If any of the colleges on your list require essays, produce final drafts in Word before entering into the college's online application form. It can be very cumbersome to use the college app system to enter major edits to your essay. (For tips regarding actual entry of your essay into electronic forms, see "Fill Out the Application Form" below.)

Learn more about College Essays.

Most colleges require an Official Transcript of your high school  courses from 9th to 11th grades. Submit a Transcript Request Record to  the Counseling Office. See Official Transcripts for instructions.

NOTE: A few colleges require only your Final Transcript after graduation, including all University of California schools, all California State schools, and the University of Washington.

DEADLINE: At least ONE MONTH before earliest application due date.

If any colleges on your list require Counselor Recommendation Letters, you and your parent or guardian must complete questionnaires so that  your Counselor can write a meaningful letter about you. Learn more about  how to request Counselor Recommendations.

DEADLINE: At least ONE MONTH before earliest application due date.

Not all colleges require a Teacher Recommendation Letter, or an appraisal of your academic performance in a subject area. If required, learn more about how to request Teacher Recommendations.

DEADLINE: At least ONE MONTH before earliest application due date.

View Order Test Scores for links to test organization sites and instructions for how to send scores to colleges.

To learn more about standardized tests for college admission (and to view a list of test optional schools), see Test Information.

WARNING: Electronic does NOT equal immediate! Score delivery can take more than two weeks.

Click here to view screen-by-screen college application guidelines and tips for Fairview students. 

An interview is an opportunity to have a conversation with a college admissions officer or alumni. It gives the college a chance to get to know you better, and offers you chance to ask informed questions about the school.

Most colleges do not require interviews, but if given the opportunity, take advantage of the chance to learn more about the college. Read College Interviews to help you prepare.

Work with your parents or guardians to submit financial aid and scholarship applications. These are typically due in October for Early Admissions, or March-April for Regular Admissions. Learn more about Paying for College. 

If your college requires an Official Transcript of your courses and grades from fall semester senior year, view Mid-Year Transcripts for instructions.

DEADLINE: At least ONE MONTH before due date, which is typically mid-February.

Colleges respond to Early admissions with notifications of Accepted, Deferred or Denied. Learn more about Deferred Admission.

Colleges respond to Regular admissions with notifications of Accepted, Waitlisted or Denied. Learn more about College Waitlist.

Hopefully you have applied to a college list that has resulted in some viable options. For guidance in making this important decision, read Final College Choice. 

Return to Naviance and update the status for each college  with your acceptance result. In this step, you will request to send your Final Transcript to the college of your choice.