Students begin the actual college application process during the senior year. Students applying early should make certain they are completing the application for the appropriate year. Most colleges release updated application materials towards the end of August or September.
STEP 1: SUBMIT APPLICATION
Make application to the colleges of your choice. Submit online if possible. Double check that your legal name, social security number, and birthdate are entered correctly. Note any deadlines imposed by the college and plan ahead by two to four weeks.
STEP 2: SEND SAT/ACT SCORES
Contact the testing agency and order your SAT/ACT scores sent to the colleges. Plan ahead! This can take six weeks. For the SAT visit www.collegeboard.com or (866) 756-7346; ACT visit www.act.org or (800) 525-6926.
STEP 3: REQUEST RECOMMENDATIONS (if applicable)
All colleges do not require or consider recommendations. If the college you applied to requires a recommendation, adhere to the guidelines established by the college. Keep in mind that recommendations are considered confidential and that a verbal “thank you” or card from you to recommender (teacher, employer, counselor, etc) would be appropriate and appreciated.
For teacher recommendations, it is recommended that you provide the teacher at least two to four weeks notice ahead of deadlines.
For counselor recommendations, a minimum of two weeks before the college deadline is required. Include the required form with your transcript request. Although not required, it is strongly recommend for you to have a complete Senior Information Sheet on file with your counselor before requesting a recommendation. Students will receive these forms during Senior Classroom Guidance in August.
STEP 4: TRANSCRIPT REQUESTS
Each college you apply to will require a high school transcript. Students may request official transcripts for college or scholarship opportunities after Labor Day. It is important for students to hold their requests until after this time to ensure complete transcripts reflecting summer courses, accurate class ranking and senior class schedules are reported to institutions. The majority of early application deadlines are in October so this should not adversely impact any student’s application.
- To request a transcript see Ms. Ross, the Guidance Secretary, in the Guidance Office. You do not need to request to see your counselor to request a transcript. There is a $2 fee for each transcript due at the time of request (Requests and payment need to be made in person, not over the phone or via e-mail. Fulton County poilicy prohibits the faxing of student records).
- Complete the Transcript Request card and pay the appropriate fee
- Attach the Counselor Section (if any) to the Transcript Request card
- Once complete you will be called to the Guidance Office to pick up your materials. 2-3 days for transcripts and up to two weeks for recommendation requests.
DEADLINE ALERT
Due to the winter holidays, if your application deadline falls between December 15th and January 5th, any recommendation requests must be in the Guidance Office by December 1st. If your application deadline is January 15th your requests must be in by December 15th.
NOTE TO STUDENTS USING THE COMMON APPLICATION: When you complete the Common Application online, your counselor will send both the Secondary School Report AND Transcript for the Common Application online. You will need your counselor’s e-mail address for this option. Don’t forget to allow two weeks!
