College Process Timeline
College timeline visual
Starting your College Search/Application Process using Naviance

Create a Naviance Account: Begin by setting up a Naviance account provided by your school. This account will be your portal to explore colleges, track application progress, and access various resources.

Explore Career Interests: Naviance offers assessments to help you identify your interests and potential career paths. This information can guide your college search and major selection.

Research Colleges: Utilize Naviance's extensive database of colleges to research institutions that align with your interests, preferences, and academic goals. You can filter by location, size, majors, and more.

Build a College List: Based on your research, create a list of colleges you're interested in. Naviance can help you categorize them into reach, match, and safety schools based on your academic profile.

View Scattergrams and Data: Naviance provides tools like scattergrams that show historical acceptance and rejection data from your school. This can give you a sense of how competitive your chosen colleges are.

Request Letters of Recommendation: Naviance streamlines the process of requesting letters of recommendation from teachers and counselors. You can track the progress and ensure they are submitted on time.

Organize Application Materials: Use Naviance to keep track of application deadlines, requirements, and documents needed for each college. This helps you stay organized and ensures nothing is overlooked.

Track Application Progress: Monitor the status of your applications directly within Naviance. This includes whether your transcripts, test scores, and recommendation letters have been sent.

Compare Financial Aid Offers: Once you start receiving financial aid offers, Naviance can help you compare them side by side. This is crucial in making an informed decision about which college to attend.

Decision Making and Finalizing Choice: As acceptance letters arrive, you can use Naviance to weigh your options and make an informed decision about which college to attend.

Remember to also consult with your school's guidance counselor and use other resources alongside Naviance to ensure a comprehensive and well-informed college application process.

Letter of Recommendation Request Form

When you ask a teacher/boss/coach, etc for a letter of recommendation, please keep the following things in mind:

  • Give at least 2 weeks time to write a good letter
  • Make the request in writing
  • Include a resume or list of activities during high school
  • You CANNOT have a relative write you a letter of recommendation

This Letter of Recommendation Request Form is a “fillable” PDF of a Letter of Recommendation Request form that you can type in & print to give to the adults who will write your recommendations.

College in Another State
**Want to go to college in another western state but don't want to pay out-of-state tuition?**

WESTERN UNDERGRADUATE EXCHANGE – Many 2 and 4 year colleges in 15 Western states participate in this program that allows reduced tuition rates for undergraduates. For more information, see the website at Western Undergraduate Exchange or see the information in the Counseling Office. The participating states are Alaska, Arizona, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, North Dakota, Oregon, South Dakota, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.

College Admissions & Applications

What Kind of Students are Colleges Interested In? You don’t need to be a “brain.” You do need to show a willingness to learn. You don’t have to have lots of money. You do need to be willing to work. You don’t have to be an outstanding athlete. You do need to be involved in a variety of activities. Colleges are interested in a well-rounded individual who has participated in many areas of high school life. The best advice we could give is to get involved—join—participate—learn.


What are My Choices? Generally speaking, all colleges fall into one of two categories: State-Supported Colleges - institutions which are supported by public funds and tax monies; or Independent Colleges andUniversities which are institutions that are not supported by tax money. The schools may be church affiliated or totally independent of both state and church support.


State-Supported colleges and universities in the state of Oregon are either 2- or 4-year schools. The 2-year schools are all community colleges. They offer a wide variety of special vocational training programs, as well as college transfer programs of study.


Usually the state-supported colleges and universities, whether 4-year institutions or community colleges, are less expensive than independent or private colleges. This is because they are tax supported. All state-supported 4-year institutions will be very similar in cost for any Oregon resident. The variations are minor and are detailed in the specific college catalog. The programs available will vary quite a bit; again, this is where the college catalog or website comes in. Conversely, many independent or private colleges will be more expensive, but able to offer a more attractive financial aid package because they are not state supported.

Summary of the College or School Application Process

Compiled from various sources by the National College Fairs Staff


  1. Do the groundwork. Look at websites, review catalogs, write for information, visit campuses, and seek advice from people who have experience and/or expertise in this area.
  2. Take the appropriate admissions tests.
  3. Decide where you wish to apply. Many schools provide on-line applications and may waive application fees. Check the school’s website.
  4. Make sure that you meet the admission requirements for the program that you want.
  5. Request letters of recommendation if needed. Give your references at least 2 weeks notice. Provide references with a written list of your interests and activities.
  6. Submit the admission application by the date required. Be sure to include all supporting data such as transcripts, references and personal statements or essays.
  7. Submit the FAFSA as soon as possible after October 1st, in order to start the financial aid process. Applying on-line usually results in quicker response.
  8. Apply to each school for financial aid and scholarships.
  9. Apply for local and other financial aid and scholarships.
  10. Confirm admission by sending in any required deposits.
  11. Apply for on-campus housing.
  12. Make an appointment with the institution’s Financial Aid Officer.
  13. Attend orientation, if offered.
  14. Register for classes.