T H E C O L L E G E A P P L I C A T I O N P R O C E S S

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

AND TIPS
What are the different types of College Applications?
Naturalized Application: On the school’s website, designed specifically for the school

Common App: www.commonapp.org 900 colleges and universities with one application, less repetition of demographic
information

Common Black College Application: www.commonblackcollegeapp.com 56 colleges and univeristiies with one application
and one application fee

Coalition: www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org 150 colleges and universities

What are the different types of deadlines?

Regular Decision: Apply by the published deadline. January 1st is a common deadline (except for some i.e. UF, FSU)
Rolling Admission: You can submit your application any time within a large window
Early Decision: Binding agreement; Good option for highly selective schools
Early Action: Apply early but is not binding. November 1st is a common Early Action deadline

What is the best way to check on the status of my applications?

You should monitor your application status directly through the actual school website (i.e. not through common app)

How do I request Transcripts?

Request ALL transcripts through the DA School Counseling web-page https://dcps.duvalschools.org/Page/25155
Transcripts to common app and coalition are sent electronically by your counselor. Critical that you put counselor email in
correctly
Transcripts to FL public colleges are sent electronically by school counseling clerk
For all other colleges, pick transcripts up from the school counseling office and personally mail them off (Duval homeroom
students can have 3 mailed directly to their home and any remaining will be available for pick up at the main office desk)
It will be several weeks before a college acknowledges receipt of your transcript and enters it as received in your application
portal/account

What is a SSAR?
Some colleges (i.e. UF, FSU, UCF) require students to complete a Student-reported Self Academic Report in place of
sending a transcript

The SSAR is located on the school's website

Students must enter every high school grade received and college entrance test scores (SAT/ACT)

Students MUST LINK their SSAR with their college application. A Code will be provided via email verifying successful linking and
an Admission portal/account for each college gets created after student applies. The Application is not complete without
linking your SSAR

How do I send Test Scores?

For Colleges that require students to send test scores: Students must request Official Test Scores directly through your
personal SAT and ACT accounts

How do I list my Schedule?

DA is on a semester course scheduling system (semester 1/semester 2) but the majority of our courses are offered full year.
We have standard, honors, AP, Dual Enrollment and advanced (higher level arts courses that are not listed as honors)

When entering courses list both the course name listed in focus and the actual name of the course. i.e. Mus Tec & So Eng 2
(Recording 1), Draw 2 (Printmaking 2), THEATRE 3 HO (Improv), RESEARCH I (list whatever the class really is) etc.

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Need To Know Information

Douglas Anderson School of the Arts Phone: 904-346-5620
2445 San Diego Rd.
Jacksonville, FL 32205 Senior class size 273

Kathy Anderson (students last names A-F) Mortensenk@duvalschools.org

Alison Gellers (students last names G-M) Armstronga@duvalschools.org
Shaneka Ferrell (students last names N-Z) Ferrells1@duvalschools.org

What is the FERPA?

(FAMILY EDUCATIONAL RIGHTS AND PRIVACY ACT)

Completing the FERPA Release Authorization will grant your high school permission to send those records on your behalf
(transcripts and any required recommendations)
Waiving your rights lets colleges know that you don’t plan to read your recommendations. This helps reassure colleges that the
letters are candid and truthful. Some recommenders may only write a letter if you have waived your rights.
Your selection pertains to all colleges to which you apply to and cannot be changed after any recommendation or application
submission

The Common App and your Transcripts

You do not need to submit your application in order for your transcripts to be sent
Your transcripts cannot be sent until you complete:
1) The "Current or Most Recent Secondary/High School" question in the Education section of your Common App.
2) Add the college to your college list and complete the FERPA Release Authorization for that college. The FERPA only needs
to be completed one time (for any and all colleges you apply to through common app).
3) Next you need to select "Invite Reccommenders" and invite your counselor. Make sure you enter the information in correctly
or the counselor will not receive the request and your transcript will not be sent
*This is also where you can invite teacher recommenders if you are required to send in a teacher recommendation (also see
next section).

How do I request Letters of Recommendation?

NOT ALL COLLEGES NEED A RECOMMENDATION. If they do not ask for one do not send one unless there is a special
circumstance you feel requires one (speak to your counselor if you feel this is your case). Colleges do not read them unless they
require them.
Ask at least three weeks in advance; In person and via email
Never just send a link to a recommender. If recommender is to mail it in, provide addressed envelope
FERPA - "I waive my rights"
Provide a copy of your resume. For counselor recommendations you must also submit a senior information recommendation
form which you can find in the School Counseling Team's Senior Channel Files Tab
Write a Thank You note/email

Helpful resources
www.commonapp.org/help

www.commonapp.org/apply/first-time-students

www.commonapp.org/counselors-and-recommenders/common-app-ready

CONGRATULATIONS! TIME FOR COLLEGE.

CONGRATULATIONS! TIME FOR COLLEGE.