College Application Process

Most colleges use an online application. You may apply through the Common Application, the Coalition Application, or a school-specific application.

The Common Application

Some colleges use the Common Application (www.commonapp.org). The Common App opens each year on August 1.

• You can complete one application and submit it to multiple schools.

• First, create an account and register on the Common App website.

• Some schools require an additional school-specific writing supplement and/or application fee.

• Be sure to follow each college’s instructions carefully as requirements vary.
  (See Common Application Specifics for more details.)
   

The Coalition Application

Some colleges use the Coalition Application (www.mycoalition.org).

• You’ll need to create your own Coalition account.

• In your Coalition account, indicate that you’ll be sending your transcript separately.

• Request transcripts and recommendation letters through SchooLinks.
   

Document Requests from ETHS

ETHS begins accepting Document Requests at the end of August each school year. These include transcripts, recommendation letters, and school reports. Submit requests early to avoid delays.

Application Deadlines

Prioritize completing applications based on both the deadlines and your order of preference. We strongly recommend submitting your application well before the school's deadline.

• For Rolling Admission schools, apply as early as possible.

• To be considered for scholarships or college-based financial aid, you may need to submit your application earlier than the posted deadline.

• Common types of deadlines include:

  • Rolling Admission

  • Priority Deadline

  • Early Action

  • Early Decision

  • Regular Decision

Refer to NACAC Definitions of Admission Options in Higher Education for more details.

Transcripts and Final Grades

• ETHS will automatically send your 7th-semester senior grades (midyear transcript) to any colleges that require them, based on the schools listed in your College Application List in SchooLinks.

• After graduation, ETHS will send your final transcript to the college you plan to attend. This is based on completing the Senior Graduation Survey and updating your enrollment decision in SchooLinks.

• Final transcripts are sent by mid-June each school year.

ETHS uses SchooLinks College Application Manager to manage transcripts, recommendation letters, school reports, and other required documents. To give ETHS staff enough time to process and submit your requests, you must submit requests before the deadlines below. This means you must be prepared to submit your request(s) at least 4 weeks before the college's application deadline.

Follow the steps below to ensure your materials are sent on time.

Submit Document Requests in SchooLinks

• Use SchooLinks College Application Manager to request your official transcript and other supporting documents.

• Move each college to “In Progress” in SchooLinks before making a request.

• Once your request is submitted and a college is marked "In Progress," the Counselors Office will prepare and send your documents electronically through SchooLinks.

Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR)

Some colleges require students to complete a Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR) instead of sending an official transcript during the application process. Colleges use the SRAR to quickly review your academic history and ensure they have an accurate picture of your coursework and grades before making admission decisions. This means you will enter your academic history directly into the college’s system rather than having ETHS send your transcript right away.

If a college requires the SRAR, you may need to create a SRAR account and input your high school courses and grades exactly as they appear on your transcript. It’s important to be accurate and thorough when entering your GPA and any 12th-grade courses you’ve completed or are currently taking. You can use an unofficial transcript or your online report card to ensure the information you provide is correct.

If a college requires a SRAR, you should still submit a SchooLinks documents request, because:

• You may need other items sent, such as an Application Fee Waiver.
• Submitting the request allows ETHS to track your College Application List and send your final transcript later if you enroll.

School Report Forms & ETHS School Profile

• Many applications require a School Report form completed by your counselor.

• The Common App has its own School Report form, but other colleges may require one as well.

• Most colleges also want the ETHS School Profile.

• These documents are automatically submitted for schools moved to “Incomplete” on your SchooLinks Submission Tracker.

Counselor Recommendation Letter

If your application requires a Counselor Recommendation Letter, you must:

1. Complete the Class of 2025 Pre-Recommendation Survey and Resume in your SchooLinks “To-Dos” list.

2. Allow your counselor at least 4 weeks to write your letter.

   • The 4-week timeline begins only after you’ve submitted all required materials to your counselor.

Application Fee Waivers

Students who qualify for free or reduced lunch are eligible for application fee waivers.

• Select the fee waiver option in your SchooLinks Application Setup.

• For Common App schools, you must also request the waiver through your Common App account:

  • Go to the Common App tab

  • Open the Profile section

  • Complete the “Common App Fee Waiver” segment

Some college applications ask for teacher recommendation letters, which are written by your current or past teachers. These letters help colleges understand who you are as a student, including your classroom performance, work habits, and personal strengths—things that grades and test scores alone may not show.

How to Request a Recommendation Letter

Teacher recommendation letters must be requested directly from your teachers. Once a teacher agrees to write a recommendation for you, you need to submit the request in SchooLinks:

• Go to the Colleges tab and scroll to College Applications.
• Under “Incomplete,” select an existing college or add a new one.
• Click “Add Application” and choose “Request Teacher Evaluation.”
• Search for the teacher who has agreed to write your recommendation, locate and assign them.
• Repeat this process for all teachers and for each college where a recommendation is required.

If your recommender is not a current ETHS teacher and does not have a SchooLinks account, you can still add them manually. Your recommender will receive an email with instructions on how to submit their letter using the SchooLinks Recommendation Portal.

Be sure to allow your recommenders at least four weeks to write your letter. And don’t forget: a thank-you note to your recommender(s) is always appreciated.

Some colleges require official ACT or SAT scores as part of your application, unless the school is test-optional or accepts unofficial scores with the initial application. These scores give colleges a standardized measure of your academic skills.

• Request score reports from ACT.org and/or CollegeBoard.org for the SAT.

• If the college is test-optional or accepts unofficial scores, you may not need to send official reports.

If you did not request your scores to be sent at the time you took the test, you will need to send them directly to colleges through the official websites: www.act.org for the ACT and www.collegeboard.org for the SAT.

Many colleges have become test-optional, and some are even test-free. As of August 2023, FairTest reports that over 2,000 accredited four-year colleges and universities have ACT/SAT-optional testing policies for Fall 2025 admissions.

Information you may need when sending your scores:

To track your submission of transcripts and other documents, log in to your SchooLinks account and go to Colleges -> College Applications, then select a specific school. SchooLinks shows the status of each submission requirement, allowing you to track your progress for every application. If you click on an item marked “Submitted,” you can see the date it was submitted.

If you plan to attend a four-year college, we recommend applying to at least six schools that provide a good balance of admission risk levels (reach, match, and safety). You might also include one school as a financial safety in case cost is a factor.

Many ETHS seniors submit between six and eight applications. While there is no limit to the number of applications you can send, keeping your list manageable in the fall makes the spring decision process easier and helps you focus on colleges that are the best fit for you personally.

YES! The “sticker price” you see is rarely the amount you’ll actually pay. Use tools like the Net Price Calculator and FAFSA4caster to get a better idea of the cost of attendance and your eligibility for financial aid.

Many private colleges have endowments that help offset costs, and merit scholarships or non-need-based grants are often included with the acceptance letter.

It’s smart to diversify your college list with schools across a range of costs so you have options that are both a good fit and affordable.

NOW!

College application deadlines vary, so it’s important to pace yourself and avoid rushing at the last minute.

• Submit state school applications early. Remember, the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign has an Early Action deadline of November 1.

• Apply early to increase your chances of admission. Keep in mind that after you submit a request to your counselor, it can take up to four weeks for your transcript and other school documents to be sent.

• Send official test scores to each college if you didn’t request them when you took the ACT (www.actstudent.org) or SAT (www.collegeboard.org): ACT | SAT.

Writing a personal essay can feel more challenging than a typical class assignment, but the same principles of good writing still apply. Here are some tips to help you succeed:

• Give yourself enough time to complete each section of your essay.

• Review your essay carefully to ensure it clearly expresses your ideas.

• Ask for feedback from an English teacher, a College & Career Services staff member, or your counselor. They can provide suggestions to strengthen your draft.

• Visit the Academic Study Center or Homework Center for assistance writing or revising your application.

• Proofread thoroughly. Even a small spelling or grammar mistake can distract from your message.

• Ask a teacher if they are willing to write a recommendation for you.

• Submit the request in SchooLinks once they agree.

• Choose a teacher from a core subject (English, Math, Science, or History/Social Science) if possible.

• Provide only the letters that are requested by your colleges.

• Give your teacher plenty of time, at least a few weeks, to write the letter. Remember, they may have many responsibilities, so don’t expect them to drop everything for your request.

• Provide helpful information such as your grades, extracurricular activities, work experience, and future goals to guide their letter.

• Check in politely after a couple of weeks as a friendly reminder if needed.

• Always send a thank-you note to show your appreciation for their time and effort.

In most cases, it’s best to waive your right to view the recommendation. Not waiving your right can signal a lack of trust, and some teachers may choose not to write a letter if you select “do not waive.”

Rest assured: teachers and counselors who agree to write a recommendation will always be positive and professional in their evaluation.

To be considered for federal financial aid, you must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online as soon as possible after October 1.

• Create your FSA ID first, which only takes a few minutes and helps avoid delays when filing your FAFSA.

• Check if your colleges require additional forms, such as the CSS Profile or an institutional financial aid form. These often have fall deadlines.

• Pay attention to each college’s financial aid deadlines to ensure you’re considered for all available aid, including scholarships and grants.

For more information, visit FAFSA.

It’s your responsibility to inform each college of your decision.

• The college you plan to attend must be notified by May 1 at the latest. Sending a deposit confirms your acceptance of their offer.

• For colleges you will not attend, send a short, polite note thanking them for the offer and letting them know you will not be enrolling.

• If you’re unsure about attending a particular college—for example, if you’re waiting to hear from your top-choice school or are reviewing financial aid offers—write a note explaining that you’re undecided but would like to remain in the applicant pool until you make a final decision.

Remember, you expected colleges to review your application promptly; it’s courteous to give them the same consideration by keeping them informed.