SHS Graduation

Applying to College

Step-by-Step

1. Fill out application

Colleges that use the “Common Application”

  • If your college offers the Common App, complete the application at www.commonapp.org. The college will receive your transcript and recommendations through Naviance once you link your Naviance and Common App accounts.
  • Deadline: Dates vary. We recommend applying by Nov 1 to ensure you meet most deadlines.

Colleges that don’t offer the “Common Application”

  • Visit each college’s website to access the online application.
  • Keep track of usernames and passwords used at each school. You will be able to log on to most colleges’ websites to view your application status.
  • Deadline: Dates vary. We recommend applying by Nov 1 to ensure you meet most deadlines.

Delaware County Community College

  • Apply online at www.dccc.edu
  • Deadline: Apply starting December

2. Request Transcripts

Do not complete this step before submitting your application. Keep in mind that you must give the Counseling Office and your teacher recommenders at least three weeks’ notice to process your materials. Students are required to follow up with teachers during senior year and follow procedures below.

Logon to your Naviance account at connection.naviance.com/shs

Matching Your Common App to Naviance

3. Request Recommendations

(if your college requires them)

Teacher Recommendations

  • Ask teacher in person
  • Give teacher completed Teacher Recommendation Request Form
  • Submit on the request:
    • Log on to Family Connection
    • Click on "Colleges" tab
    • Click on "Teacher Recommendations"

Counselor Recommendations

Paperwork for counselor letters should be turned in at the end of the junior year. If you learned over summer that you need a letter, please obtain paperwork from Guidance and turn it in ASAP.

4. Request Test Scores

    Fee waivers for financially needy families may be available for standardized tests and college applications. If you think you may be eligible, please see Ms. Campbell.

    Important Documents

    Financial Aid

    FAFSA

    www.fafsa.ed.gov
    For the FAFSA -Free Application for Federal Student Aid
    SENIORS File after October 1
    For help with the FAFSA, call 1-888-4-FED-AID

    PA State Grant

    College Board

    Opens October 1st of senior year.

    CSS PROFILE is used by some colleges and scholarship programs. For a list of participating institutions visit:

    Financial Aid Profile

    www.educationplanner.org
    www.collegeanswer.com

    Borrowing money for college: How the Borrowing Process Works

    Scholarships

    Upcoming scholarships for seniors received by the Counseling Department are posted on Naviance. Go to connection.naviance.com/shs, and log in. Click on the"Colleges Tab" and view the "Scholarship List" under the "Scholarships & Money" Section. You can also perform a National Scholarship Search on Naviance.

    General Scholarship Searches / Services

    Scholarship resources for students of color

    Scholarship Resources for LGBTQ students & allies

    Military

    Questbridge Scholarships

    Questbridge Scholarships allow outstanding, low-income students to access many opportunities through one application. Opportunities include full scholarships to colleges such as Harvard University, Stanford University, the University of Notre Dame, & Yale University, awards of private college admissions counseling, invitations to QuestBridge College Admissions Conferences at Stanford and Yale, and all-expense-paid visits to top-ranked colleges. This is a great opportunity for high performing, low income students who are interested in a range of highly selective college. Application is available online at www.questbridge.org.

    Testing

    SAT

    The redesigned SAT draws on research-based evidence that defines the knowledge and skills that are most essential for college readiness and success. The redesigned SAT is an evidence-based exam that will reflect the work students do in class. For more information visit: deliveringopportunity.org

    ACT

    The American College Test is another college admissions test accepted by many colleges and universities. The ACT is different than the SAT because it contains a science section, and is an achievement test, not an aptitude test.

    SAT Subject Tests

    SAT Subject Tests (Previously known as the SAT IIs)- SAT subject area admissions tests are required by the more competitive colleges and universities.

    ASVAB

    The Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB) identifies your aptitude for both military and non-military careers as well as possible college majors.

    Other Testing Information

    PSAT, SAT, and SATII information can be found at www.collegeboard.com

    ACT information can be found at www.actstudent.org

    TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) www.ets.org/toefl

    ASVAB preparation & information www.asvabprogram.com

    Test-optional colleges & universities www.fairtest.org

    Information from the National Merit Scholarship Corporation can be found at www.nationalmerit.org

    Testing Timelines

    SOPHOMORES
    PSAT: February/March PSAT10
    Subject Tests: take US History in June

    JUNIORS
    ASVAB: testing dates vary
    PSAT: October
    SAT or ACT: May or June
    SAT Subject Tests: June (cannot be taken on the same day as SAT)

    SENIORS
    SAT or ACT: October or November - first time or repeat
    SAT Subject Tests: November - first time or repeat

    Students with Disabilities Preparing for Post-Secondary Education

    Information and Resources

    Student Athletes

    Information and Resources

    NCAA eligibility center: Students intending to participate in Division I, II, or II athletics in college must register with the NCAA at the end of Spring Semester Junior Year.
    www.eligibilitycenter.org