Special Edition: College Apps

• College Application Deadlines
• College Application Platforms
  
• Coalition Link
• Common App Link

2. Transcripts

• Transcript Release Form
• Requesting Transcripts via Naviance
• Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR)
• Initial vs. Mid-Year vs. Final Transcript Requests

3. Letters of Recommendation

• Letter of Recommendation Brag Sheet
• How to Request Letters of Recommendation via Naviance

4. Standardized Testing

• Types of Test Optional
• What Test Optional Means for You
• How to Decide What's Best for YOU!
• What is a Holistic Application
• How do I Request my Test Scores?

5. The College Essay

• College Essay Tips
• College Essay Advice from your PT Counselors

6. The Common Application

• Class of 2026 Demographic Info for Common App
• Adding a College to Common App
• Recommenders and FERPA
• Linking Common App to Naviance

7. College Planning Guide Link

8. Additional College Planning Resources Link

9. PT Counseling Office

**IMPORTANT NOTE:

Naviance will roll over to the new school year during the week of July 25th. Tasks like requesting transcripts and letters of recommendation cannot be completed until the roll over is complete.

Early Decision (ED): a binding application process in which a student applies to a school early, an if accepted, agrees to attend that school and withdraw all other college applications. The deadline for early decision is usually early November, and students are notified of their admission decision in mid-December.

Early Action (EA): a non-binding application process in which a student applies to a school early and receives an admissions decision earlier than they would with regular decision. The deadline for early action is usually in early November.

Restrictive Early Action (REA): a non-binding application process in which a student applies to a school early but is restricted from applying to other Early Action or Early Decision programs. The deadline for restrictive early action is usually early November.

Rolling Admissions: a non-binding application process in which a school reviews applications as they are received and makes admission decisions on a rolling basis until all spots in the incoming class are filled. There is usually no specific deadline for rolling admissions, although schools might have suggested deadlines. For example, Penn State shares a priority deadline of November 1st for Rolling Admissions early. This is to encourage students to apply as early as possible.

Regular Decision: a non-binding application process in which a student applies to a school by a specific deadline, which is usually January or February.

There are several different college application portals that students can use to apply to colleges and universities. Please note that not all colleges and universities will accept all platforms. It is important to check with each school to see which application platforms they accept. Here are some of the most common platforms accepted:

Common Application: a widely-used college application platform that allows students to apply to over 900 colleges and universities using a single application.

Coalition Application: The Coalition is another college application platform that allows students to apply to over 150 colleges and universities using a single application. Coalition partners with Scoir (pronounced Score) for their application platform.

Direct to Institution: Many colleges and universities have their own application portals that students can utilize to apply directly to the school. These portals may have different application requirements and deadlines than the Common App and Coalition.

By Mail: If you need to apply by mail make sure your school counselor is aware of the correct address to send all supporting materials to the college.

click student > choose Continue with Single Sign on > login with district information

Transcripts are an important part of the college application process. They provide colleges with a record of your academic performance throughout high school. Students should request their transcript well before their college deadline to provide their counselor with adequate time to fulfill the request. Student's MUST request their transcripts via Naviance for each school they plan to apply to. Check out how to request a transcript and what you need to for this part of the process below.

All students and parents must complete and submit a transcript release form to the PT Counseling Office. This form authorizes the Counseling Office to send your transcript to each school that you are applying to. Without this completed form, your transcripts WILL NOT be sent.

From "Colleges I'm Thinking About"

Step 1: Log in to Naviance Student

Step 2: Navigate to Colleges > Colleges I’m Thinking About.

Step 4: Click Move to Application List.

• Drop-down menu (select accurate responses):
• Application Deadline
• How will you apply? (Common App or Directly)
• Only select "I have submitted my application' if you have already submitted.

Step 5: Select "Initial" Transcript

Step 6: Since we do not include test scores on our PTHS transcripts, leave the boxes under "What additional materials, if any, do you want included?" blank. Standardized test scores (SAT, ACT, AP Scores, SAT Subject Tests) must be sent directly from your account in College Board (https://www.collegeboard.org/) and/or ACT (https://www.act.org/).

Step 7: If you have already sent in your application, select the checkbox labeled I’ve already sent my application. If not, leave it unchecked.

Step 8: "Submit and Request Transcripts"

1. Click the Add button (+ sign).

2. From "Which college are you applying to?" use the drop-down or type the name of the desired college and select from the matches.

3. From "App Type" click the drop-down to identify your answer.

4. From "I’ll submit my application?" click the drop-down to identify your answer.

5. If you have already sent in your application, select the checkbox labeled I’ve submitted my application. If not, leave it unchecked.

The Self Reported Academic Record (SRAR): is a feature available through some college application portals that allow students to self-report their high school grades and other academic information. Instead of having to submit an official high school transcript, students can enter their courses, grades, and other academic information directly into the SRAR.

Not all colleges and universities use the SRAR, and some schools may require an official high school transcript regardless of whether the SRAR is available. Some schools may require that students verify their self-reported grades by submitting an official transcript after they are admitted.

**If your college or university is a SRAR school, the counseling office DOES NOT send INITIAL transcripts however, FINAL transcripts will be sent if you decide to attend.

If you are submitting the Common Application for Penn State and University of Pittsburgh, you MUST submit your Common Application first. The schools will then send you an email to complete your SRAR. Check your spam/junk folders!!

Initial

Initial transcripts are requested at the very beginning of the College Application process. Typically, August-November/December if a student is applying for the Rolling Admission, Early Decision, or Early Action deadlines.

Mid-Year

A school can request your mid-year transcript. This includes your Semester One grades (Q1 & Q2) of Senior Year. Not all schools will request to see these. If the school wishes to have these grades, they will send you an email or a letter indicating where they do and where to send the transcript.

Final

You will only request your final transcript for the school you have committed to and plan to attend. This will occur at the very end of your senior year and will be sent by your counselor once the grades are finalized.

Follow the steps below to complete the letter of recommendation brag sheet:

Step 2: Navigate to About Me > Surveys from your School

Teachers will need to upload and send your letters of recommendation through Naviance once they are written. In August, it is important that you request your teachers in Naviance with a note reminding them of your request and Naviance being the location they upload your letter.

Below are the steps you will need to take to request your teachers in Naviance:

Step 1: Log in to Naviance Student

Step 2: Navigate to Colleges > Letters of Recommendation

Test Optional College: students can decide whether they want to submit test scores with their application. Test-optional schools will only consider the SAT and ACT scores if they are submitted.

Test-Flexible College: students can submit other test scores in place of the SAT or ACT, such as Advanced Placement test scores.

Test-Blind College: the college or university will NOT consider test scores, even if they are submitted.

If a school has indicated they have a test optional admissions process, each applicant gets to choose whether to submit their ACT or SAT scores. In other words, submitting your test scores is not a requirement for admissions! While this policy applies to all applicants, still research the policy details to determine if the school recommends or requires SAT or ACT scores for certain scholarships, acceptance into an honors program, or a specific college/school within the University.

With test-optional schools, consider if your scores strengthen your application. If you choose not to submit your scores, the admissions committee will put more weight on the other pieces of your application, so you’ll want to make sure the rest of your application effectively highlights your strengths.

If the schools you are applying to have test-optional admissions, there are two main things to consider – should you take the standardized tests and should you send your scores?

To Test or Not to Test: taking the SAT or ACT can help you make an informed decision on what to include in your application. When signing up for the test, make sure to select the option to see your scores before you determine whether to submit them to colleges. This can also help you decide if you want to retake the test to see if you can improve your performance.

Submitting your Scores: After you have received your scores, you have to decide if you want to apply with or without them. This decision is entirely individualized. In general, if you have high test scores, submitting them can potentially bolster your application. You might choose to submit your scores if: you believe your test scores accurately reflect your academic ability, your grades or another aspect of your application isn’t as strong as you’d like, your scores are at or above the average scores of a school’s most recent incoming class. You might decide to choose apply test optional if: you are unable to take the SAT/ACT for any reason, your scores do not meet your expectations or effectively demonstrate your abilities or potential, or you want the focus of your application that better showcase your skills and abilities.

If you decide to apply test-optional it becomes crucial to spend more time compiling a holistic application. Admissions committee members will closely consider things such as the courses you have taken in high school, grades and extracurricular activities. When explaining your extracurriculars, try to speak to why those activities have impacted you, how they have shaped you, and how, in turn, they have impacted your community, schools, or peers through your involvement. It is not about the quantity but more so about the why. What drives you to do what you do?

Your personal essay and short answer questions will also serve to demonstrate your writing skills but also speak to your strengths as a student and the attributes and interests that make you stand out as a unique individual. Think of this piece as your first impression on the admissions officers, like a first interview!

Be strategic about getting a letter of recommendation. Think about where your application could benefit from extra support? What would help you make your case that you’ll be great for your dream school? Find a teacher, coach, activity leader, or other adult who can write to represent the best you.

If you need help navigating your decision to apply test-optional, make an appointment to talk with your counselor!

(Adapted from: https://admissions.pitt.edu/blog/applying-test-optional/)

Students must send their SAT and ACT scores directly through the testing agency. The counseling office does NOT send a student's test scores. There typically is a fee associated with this request on the testing agencies website.

It is important to note that colleges may have different policies regarding SAT and ACT scores. Some colleges may require students report ALL testing scores, while others may allow students to choose which scores to send. Make sure to check out the application requirements for each college and university before requesting your score reports.

The College Essay is a unique opportunity that can make a difference at decision time. Admission committees put a lot of weight on a student’s high-school grades and test scores. However, they receive many applications from students with similar scores and grades – too many to admit. These committees utilize your essay, letters of recommendations, and extracurricular activities to determine what sets YOU APART from the other talented candidates applying.

Admission officers have read an unbelievable number of college essays, most of which are unforgettable. When writing your essay be genuine, utilize YOUR voice, and write about something that is meaningful to you.

Here are a few tips for writing your college essay:

• Don’t just recount-reflect: Describe what you have learned and how the experience or event has impacted you as an individual.
• Start early and write several drafts: Set it aside and step away for a few days. Come back to it and read it again. Is it written in your own voice? Does it reveal something about YOU? Ask someone else to read it and offer an opinion.
• No repeats: What you write should not repeat or contradict your application. This isn’t a place to list your awards or discuss your grades and test scores. Reflect on your experiences!
• Answer the question that is asked: Read the prompt thoroughly and ensure you answer every part of the question.

(Adapted from Princeton Review: https://www.princetonreview.com/college-advice/college-essay)

e-essay)

1. The essay demonstrates your ability to write clearly and concisely on a selected topic; distinguish yourself in your own voice.

2. What is it you want the readers of your application to know about you apart from your courses, grades, and test scores?

3. Write essays that reflect who you are; use specific concrete details and write in a natural style.

4. If your essay doesn't capture who you are, colleges and universities will not be able to recognize what is distinctive about you.

5. Don't overthink it; write what you feel most comfortable with. DON'T write what you think colleges want to read!!

• Begin work on these essays early, and feel free to ask your parents, teachers and friends to provide constructive feedback. Ask if the essay's tone sounds like your voice.
• Don’t wait until the last minute to complete your essays - Get started early!
• Utilize the Writing Club’s essay writing workshops offered to seniors each fall.
• Write your essay in a document editor to revise and edit. Once you have the final draft, you can cut/paste into your online application.
• Don’t blow off the essay! Colleges and Universities wouldn’t ask you to write it if they didn’t find it to be an important way to get to know you and what you have to bring to their campus.
• If it is 'optional' on the application, you should interpret this as the college asking whether you RRREEEAAALLLYYYYY want to get in or not!

The Common Application is a centralized college application platform that allows students to apply to multiple colleges and universities at once. The Common App has streamlined the college application process by making it more efficient, organized, and less confusing for students. Instead of filling out separate applications for each school, they can complete one application and apply to multiple. The Common App includes basic information about the student, such as their name, address, and high school, as well as their academic record, extracurricular activities, and essay responses.

The Common Application is a great resource to locate specific college and university information. Under the College Information tab a student can find out the college or universities contact information, website links, and application requirements such as deadlines, fees, standardized testing policies, essay requirements, supplemental writing requirements, letters of recommendations, and any additional information they might need.

This information is entered into the Education portion of the application.

Class Size: 307

Date of HS Entry: 8/2022
Date of HS Graduation: 6/2026

GPA Scale: 4.0
GPA Weighting: Weighted
Class Rank: NONE
Scheduling System: Semester
FERPA: My Colleges Tab > Other Recommenders and FERPA > Waive your right

Step 2: Select My Colleges > Add a College

Step 4: Select the gray plus button.

Step 2: Navigate to My Colleges

Step 3: Select the drop down box for the first college in this tab.

Step 5: Complete Authorized Release.

You MUST complete this section before you can link your Common Application to your Naviance Account.

If you are applying through the Common Application System you must link your Naviance and Common App accounts. This allows all supporting material to be sent to colleges. If you do not link your accounts we cannot submit Transcripts, Teacher Rec Letters, Counselor Rec Letters, or the supporting academic information and School Profile.

1. Navigate to Colleges > Colleges I'm Applying To

2. Click on: Match Accounts to the right of the screen

3. It will prompt you to log into your Common Application account.

4. If you receive an error message you must ensure you have done the following:

• Add your school information under Education.
• Add a College to your CA Portal and complete your FERPA waiver.

Students with Last Names: A-C

Mrs. Courtney Wolf; wolfc@pt-sd.org

Students with Last Names: D-Hh

Ms. Alyssa Simmons; simmonsa@pt-sd.org

Students with Last Names: Hi-Mh

Mrs. Heather Prinsen; prinsenh@pt-sd.org

Students with Last Names: Mi-Se

Mr. Jeff Sudol; sudolj@pt-sd.org

Students with Last Names: Sf-Z