Instructions on Applying to Colleges with Naviance
1. Create an account with Common Application
Visit www.commonapp.org to create an account. This is an important step even if you are not applying to colleges that accept the Common Application because Naviance interfaces with Common Application, enabling us to send transcripts to almost all colleges and universities. Write down the username and password for safe keeping.
2. FERPA Agreement
Log into Naviance at the www.ndhs.org website “quicklinks” and sign on. If you experience difficulty logging onto Naviance, let your counselor help you.
Once you are signed on, click the “colleges” tab near the top of the page.
In the “my colleges” box at the top of the page, click “colleges I’m applying to” and you will be directed to a page that begins, “Important Privacy Notice for Common Application.”
You are required to complete this form that begins with an agreement to waive your rights to view your teachers’ recommendations and authorize the school to share information with colleges. Click, “yes, I agree to waive my right…” If you click “no, I do not waive my right…” we will not send forms or recommendations to colleges. If you mistakenly click, “no, I do not waive my right...” the form must be reset by your counselor.
Enter your Common Application username and password in the boxes indicated and then clicks “submit.” Completion of this form links your Naviance and Common Application accounts so that your transcripts, recommendations, and more can be sent electronically. This will link the information submitted by teachers and counselors to your applications.
3. Add the colleges to which you are applying
Carefully choose the colleges that you will add. Once a selection of colleges has been determined by you, your parents/guardians, and counselor, add the colleges. Find the colleges to which you are applying and click “add to this list.”
4. Teacher Recommendations
Add the two teachers who you have asked to write a letter of recommendation. Use the drop down list of teachers. If you do not see the teacher’s name, see your counselor to have that teacher added to the list.
Click the teacher’s name and write a short note thanking the teacher for agreeing to write a letter of recommendation. An email with your note and a reminder will be sent to the teacher. The formality of adding teachers also allows your teachers to upload their recommendations and send them electronically to the colleges.
5. Continually update your status on Naviance
Report how you applied to a college (Early Decision, Early Action, etc.) Inform in writing any changes that you make to your initial Naviance account. Counselors cannot monitor every student, everyday so it is very important to communicate (email or write a note) when changes are made (adding or deleting colleges, acceptances and denials, etc.).