The College Application Process (a brief overview)

Dublin Coffman Class of 2022

OVERVIEW OF APPLICATION PROCESS

• Trends to consider

•Common terms and tools used

• Four things to get started

TRENDS TO CONSIDER

• Top factors in acceptance:

• Academic Rigor

• GPA

• Test Scores

• Things that connect you to the college/university

COMMON TERMS TO KNOW:

• Safe vs. Reach Schools

• Safe: meet or exceed the admissions criteria

• Reach: schools that have very high admissions criteria or student does not meet minimum requirements

• Early Action, Early Decision, Regular Decision

• Early Action: non-binding agreement for application. May be considered for scholarships and may receive admissions decision earlier. No restriction on number of schools.

• Early Decision: binding agreement. Student commits to attending the school if accepted.

• Regular: student meets deadline for fall consideration. May miss scholarship opportunities but be accepted to college

COMMON TERMS TO KNOW:

• Common Application

• The actual application students complete and submit to the college. Only the college sees the student’s Common Application once submitted

• High School teachers/counselors do NOT have access to student’s Common Application

• Also provides all deadlines and college application requirements for each institution

• SchooLinks• The high school’s ‘currier’ service for sending official documents to the college (transcripts,

school reports, recommendation letters, etc.)

• Students do NOT use SchooLinks to apply to colleges. • Students access SchooLinks to inform counselors/teachers of documents needed for

application

FOUR THINGS TO GET STARTED

1. Create a Common Application account and read the directions! Start filling out application.

• Common Application is an online tool that allows students to complete one application and send it to multiple schools. The student completes general and demographic information once. Individual Schools may have supplemental requirements. Please READ all directions.

• Action Steps: Add colleges to the ”College” tab of Common App & Sign the FERPA agreement

2. Link Common Application to SchooLinks

• Student must have college(s) listed in Common App “College” section (see ‘how to video’)

• Student must have signed FERPA agreement in Common App

• Student must link Common Application to SchooLinks, counselor is then automatically notified of the materials that the college needs.

• Student does NOT have to have their portion of the Common Application completed before making a request for transcript or letterof recommendation.

FOUR THINGS TO GET STARTED

1. Create a Common Application account and read the directions! Start filling out application.• Common Application is an online tool that allows students to complete one application and send it to multiple

schools. The student completes general and demographic information once. Individual Schools may have supplemental requirements. Please READ all directions.

• Action Steps: Add colleges to the ”College” tab of Common App & Sign the FERPA agreement

2. Link Common Application to SchooLinks• Student must have college(s) listed in Common App “College” section

• Student must have signed FERPA agreement in Common App

• Student must LINK Common Application to SchooLinks, counselor is then automatically notified of the materials that the college needs.

• Student does NOT have to have their portion of the Common Application completed before these steps

FOUR THINGS TO GET STARTED

3. Requesting Teacher or Counselor Letters of Recommendation

• Please READ the college’s requirements regarding letters of recommendation. SchooLinks will only permit you

to request a letter if the college requires it.

• Personally reach out to the teacher prior to submitting your request via SchooLinks

• Requests must be into teachers and/or counselors 15 school days prior to due date

4. Sending Official Test Scores (ACT or SAT or AP)

• Student is responsible for sending own scores. Dublin City Schools does NOT send test scores.

• Student must contact testing agency and request scores go to colleges. There is a fee for this service.

• Self reporting scores on the Common Application is NOT official.

• Scores must be received by application deadline. Plan ahead – give 10 working days processing time.

”HOW TO” VIDEOS

Our ‘how to’ videos will be posted on the guidance

website as well as located in your child’s Schoology

account.

COFFMAN COUNSELORS

Megan Burton ………. A – CE

Karen Brothers & ………. CF – GO

Eric Bringardner

Tim Tolber …………. GP- LAM

Marci Ewing………….. LAN – O

Kevin Patton…………. P – SK

Nicole Sutherland……. SL – Z

WE ARE HERE FOR YOU!

Please encourage your child to reach out to his/her

counselor. We are happy to help!

Email

In person

Parent/student conference

Thank you!