College Planning

"The College Tour" is a TV series that tells the story of colleges and universities around the world. Each episode of The College Tour focuses on a single college or university. From campus life, academics, housing, sports, activities, and much more... each student-driven segment gives the audience an inside look at what it’s truly like being a student at the featured college or university.

• Watch "The College Tour" TV Series
• Find out which college is right for you

• University of Colorado Boulder
• Colorado State University – Fort Collins
• University of Northern Colorado
• Colorado Mesa University
• Colorado School of Mines
• Metropolitan State University of Denver
• University of Colorado Denver
• University of Colorado Colorado Springs
• Colorado State University Pueblo
• Fort Lewis College
• Western Colorado University
• Adams State University
• Colorado Mountain College
• Red Rocks Community College

Contact your Counselor if you would like to set up a time to talk about applying to college!

Applying to college can get expensive, so why not take advantage of colleges' free application days? Colorado has waived application fees for one day in October, and the hope is to continue this into the future. When we are made aware of the next free application day, we will post it here!

NCAA

For students entering their first year of college, the NCAA Eligibility Center requires an official, final high school transcript. Transcripts must be sent directly from the school to the NCAA Eligibility Center. Similar to sending transcripts to the college, this year we will be using Naviance transcript requests. Get more information about transcripts and letters of rec below for step-by-step instructions. The NCAA Eligibility Center is the “college” you will select in Naviance.

Visit the NCAA Eligibility Center for more information.

• NCAA Eligibility Brochure/High School Timeline
• NCAA Recruiting Fact Sheet
• NCAA Guide for the College-Bound Student Athlete
• Preparing to Become a College Athlete

NAIA

For students entering their first year of college, the NAIA Eligibility Center requires an official, final high school transcript. Transcripts must be sent directly from the school to the NAIA Eligibility Center. Similar to sending transcripts to college, this year we will be using Naviance transcript requests. Get more information about transcripts and letters of rec below for step-by-step instructions. The NAIA Eligibility Center is the "college" you will select in Naviance.

Visit the NAIA Eligibility Center for more information.

Assessment scores

Per SB20-175, no student assessment scores can be posted on high school students' transcripts, even if requested by students. Every student is allocated four free score “sends” from the College Board (SAT) and ACT. However, students are required to identify the institutions they want scores sent to within nine days of testing (SAT), or at the time of registration (ACT). Students qualifying for fee waivers (typically students who also qualify for free or reduced lunch) can request unlimited score "sends" at any time. Contact your student’s school if you have questions.

How to send transcripts to colleges

If you wish to have your transcripts sent to a college, follow these steps:

1. On Naviance, find the Colleges tab and select "Colleges I'm Applying To"
2. Add the school to list of "Colleges I'm Applying To"
3. On the middle right of the screen, click "Manage Transcripts" and add the transcript request
4. Linking the Common Application with Naviance
5. Notify Ms. Blum when you are ready to have the transcripts sent to your chosen college at rosemary.blum@jeffcoschools.us

How to request a letter of recommendation

Requesting letters of recommendation is a two-part process and you must complete the steps in order.

• First, you must complete a questionnaire so your teachers and counselor can write you a great letter. Give yourself at least 30 minutes to complete this.
• Then, you can send the requests to your teachers.

To complete the questionnaire:

1. Log in to Naviance
2. Go to the "About Me" tab
3. Navigate to "My Stuff"
4. Click on "My Surveys"
5. Select "Letter of Recommendation Form" (at the bottom)
6. Fill in the questions to help your recommenders write the best letter for you
7. Click "Update" at the end of the questions to save the information

To send the request to your recommenders:

1. Go to the “Colleges" tab and select "Apply to College"
2. Select "Letters of Recommendation"
3. Click "Add Request" at the top right and use the drop-down to pick a teacher or counselor
4. You can choose for your letter to be sent to all the colleges you're applying to or if you only want it sent to specific colleges
5. After you have submitted your requests, you can return to this page at any time to check the status of your requests

Teachers will submit their letters directly to colleges and it is your responsibility to make sure that they have been sent.

Naviance does not allow you to request recommenders outside of GMHS. The Common App does, and here is a video that explains how to do so. Please contact your counselor if you have any other questions about one of your recommenders.

Transcript and letter timeline

Please see this guide for when you need to submit transcript requests or ask for letters of recommendation according to college application deadlines.

Initial vs. mid-year vs. final transcripts

Your first transcript request in Naviance is considered your initial request. Once you have submitted an initial transcript request, your midyear transcript (with your first semester grades) will be automatically sent to the college.

Final transcripts are only sent to the college you have selected that you will be attending in Naviance. So, make sure once you've accepted an admissions offer somewhere, you indicate your decision in Naviance.