Naviance Instructions for Seniors Applying to College
- Go to https://student.naviance.com/ra
- Click on the Naviance link of the right-hand side of the page
- Log in info: user name= ID#, password=6 digit birthdate (ex. Jan 2, 1999 would be 010299)
- Click on the “Colleges” tab
- Click on “Colleges I Am Applying To” and click “+” and type in the exact name of the college you want to add. Please enter each college you have already applied to or plan to apply to.
- Click the “request transcript” button if you have already applied. If you have not yet applied, please apply first, and then request your transcript!
**If you are applying to any schools that take the Common Application, they will have a tab that with a symbol of a monitor that says CA . You must click on the tab and indicate “yes” or “no” within each college to let us know if you are using the Common Application to allow Armstrong to send your transcripts. If you are using the Common Application, you will also need to enter the e-mail address that you are using for the Common App and your birth date and match the 2 accounts. The colleges you are applying to must be listed in BOTH Naviance and in your Common App list so we can send your transcript. If you still need help, stop by the Guidance office for assistance!!
Teacher Recommendations
If you need teacher recommendations, go to the “Colleges” tab and then “Colleges I’m Applying to” page and click on “add requests.” You can then choose a teacher from the pull-down menu and type a message. Once you are done typing the message, click “update request” and the message will be e-mailed to the teacher. Please talk to them in person as well! The recommendation will be sent electronically if the teacher uploads it. If a teacher is not on the list, ask them to talk to Mr. Easley about being added to the list.
Scholarship List
The scholarship list is located under the “Colleges” tab. It is important to check this list weekly as new scholarships are added often. All our local, community, district and high school scholarships are kept in this spot and the applicant pools of these scholarships are much smaller than the national scholarships! Most of our scholarship opportunities are received late winter and early spring. We encourage students to use this list as a first resource for applying to scholarships.
Frequently Asked Questions
Should I use the Common Application? (www.commonapp.org)
If you are applying to 2 or more colleges that take the common app, then it may make sense to use it. If you are only applying to 1 college that takes the common app, it is usually best to do the application for that college/university. For colleges that are Common App Exclusive, there is no choice - you must use the common app.
How many letters of recommendation do I need?
It depends on the college. Generally, two letters of recommendation is a good number but some colleges do not even require them so it is best to do your research. Some scholarships require letters of recommendation so having 2 is a good plan.
How do I request ACT scores be sent to the colleges?
ACT scores are listed on your high school transcript if you put down your high school code when you registered. First, check with the college to see if they accept it off the transcript. Many of the MN colleges and universities now accept them off the transcript. If they do not, you must log in to your ACT account, and pay $12 for each college.
How do I request transcripts and letters of recommendations?
All transcript requests are done through Naviance, as stated above, and should be done at least 2 weeks before the college’s deadline. When requesting a letter of recommendation, it is best to give teachers at least 3-4 weeks, but this timeline is at the discretion of each teacher. The Guidance office has a letter of rec questionnaire available.
Where is the best place to find scholarships?
The scholarship list in Naviance! Local scholarships are the best scholarships to apply to as they have the smallest candidate pool. Also, check early with the colleges and universities that you are applying to and see if there are early deadlines (some are as early as Nov. 1st) for particular scholarships.
How many colleges should I apply to?
We recommend 3 to 6 colleges. Never apply to just one, however, there is no need to apply to 20. Apply to a college that you would like to attend and don’t just apply to see if you can get in.
When is College Knowledge Month?
College Knowledge Month happens during the month of October. During the month of October, the following colleges and universities typically waive their application fees:
Alexandria Tech & CC, Bemidji State University, Century College, Dakota County Tech, Fond du Lac Tribal & CC, Hibbing CC, Lake Superior College, MCTC, MN State Tech & CC, MN State College- SE Tech, MSU-Mankato, MSU-Moorhead, MN West Comm & Tech College, Normandale CC, North Hennepin CC, Northland Comm & Tech College, Northwest Technical College, Ridgewater College, Riverland CC, South Central College, SMSU, St. Cloud State University, St. Cloud Technical & Comm College, Vermillion CC & Winona State University.
