Post-Grad

Senior Year Checklist

• Go to your Senior Meeting with your Counselor!
• Update resume
• Finish community service
• College application process:
  • Add colleges to Naviance
  • Know Deadlines
  • Request transcripts
  • Requesting letters of rec.
  • Common App: commonapp.org
  • Write your college essay
  • Talk to college reps
  • Sign up for college visits at DCHS on Naviance
• Financial Aid:
  • FAFSA: fafsa.ed.gov
  • CASFA
  • Scholarships:
    • Naviance
    • Fastweb.com
    • GoingMerry

• SAT: Prepare for SAT (all juniors take in April).
• Community Service: Complete required 20 hours.
• Summer Opportunities:
  • Explore programs on college campuses.
  • Visit schools.
  • Consider a summer job or internship.
• Develop A List of Colleges:
  • Review college applications and note requirements.
  • List potential letter of recommendation writers.
• College Essay: Brainstorm and begin writing.
• Start Applying for Scholarships:
  • Douglas County High School, Post Grad Page
  • FastWeb
  • Naviance
  • Big Future
  • Going Merry

• Focus on Doing Well
  • Do your best in class
  • Commit to exploring interests
  • Get involved in extracurriculars and volunteering
• Explore Careers
  • Utilize career interest surveys in Naviance
  • Talk to adults about their careers
  • Sign up for relevant classes of interest
• Research Schools
  • Establish college selection criteria
  • Organize information from schools
  • Sign up for college campus visits

• Focus on Doing Well
  • Do your best in class
  • Commit to exploring interests
  • Get involved in extracurriculars and volunteering
• Explore Careers
  • Utilize career interest surveys in Naviance
  • Talk to adults about their careers
  • Sign up for relevant classes of interest
• Research Schools
  • Establish college selection criteria
  • Organize information from schools

Naviance Instructions

Requesting Transcript Submittal

1. Sign into Naviance using your school email.
2. Click Colleges > Colleges I'm applying to.
3. Click Add Button.
4. Colleges: Enter the full college name.
5. App Type: Choose based on application deadline:
   • Priority: Send transcript ASAP.
   • Regular Deadline: Follows end of semester deadlines (most common).
   • Rolling Deadlines: Waiting until September or later.
   • Early Decision: College is decided; must withdraw other applications upon acceptance.
   • Early Application: Submitting applications early.
6. Submit my application:
   • "Apply through Common App" if the college uses Common App.
   • "Apply Direct to Institution" otherwise.
7. Submit Test scores: Indicate if you will send scores via College Board.
   • Yes: Will send via College Board.
   • No: Will not request test scores.
   • Undecided: May send scores later.
8. Type of transcript requested:
   • Initial: Generated after the start of senior year, includes GPA and grades up to junior year, current classes listed.
   • Mid-Year: Available end of January, includes first semester senior grades and second semester scheduled classes.
   • Final: Certified transcript available 48 hours after graduation.
9. Click I've applied to this school.
10. Click Request and Finish.

Requesting Letters of Recommendation

Naviance manages letters of recommendation.

1. Sign into Naviance.
2. Click Colleges > Under Colleges I'm applying to: Click "Letters of Rec".
3. Click "Add Request".
4. Select a recommender (teachers, administrators, some retired teachers listed). For others, have them send the letter to Robyn Jansen.
5. Consider up to five letters, ideally two to three from those with whom you have a strong relationship or who saw your growth.
6. Select the Type of letter:
   • General: Can be sent to any applied college.
   • Specific Request: For a specific recommender to a specific institution.
7. Include a personal note explaining why you chose them and details about yourself. Thank them for their time.
8. Click Submit.

Other Helpful Information

Personal Essays

• For specific prompts, address those.
• Otherwise, choose 5-7 topics (e.g., club, sport, hobby).
• Title it, step away, then write. Stop when the writing stops flowing and move to the next topic.
• The easiest flowing topic is likely your best. Focus on yourself and don't overthink.

Common App

• A single application used by many colleges.
• Create an account with a personal email.
• Agree to the FERPA Waiver (cannot view recommendations while in high school).

Linking Common App to Naviance

Streamlines Letters of Rec and Transcript requests for Common App schools.

1. Ensure you have a Common App account and at least one college added in both Naviance and Common App.
2. Sign into Naviance.
3. Click Link Accounts.
4. Sign into your Common App Account.

Upon graduation or withdrawal, student records are transferred to the district. The high school no longer has access.

For Education Verification, IEP/504 record requests, and all other district record requests, please use the forms at douglasco.scriborder.com.