12th Grade Information

Before you start an application, visit the college's official admissions website to find out what you need to apply. Requirements and deadlines can vary by college.

Check for:

• Application type and deadline
• Application fee
• Transcript requirements
• SAT/ACT requirements
• Essay or personal statement
• Letters of recommendation
• Supplemental applications or materials
• Program-specific requirements
• Scholarship and financial aid deadlines

Remember: Requirements can change, so always verify the information on the college's official website before submitting your application.

East Forsyth High School uses Parchment for the purpose of requesting and sending official transcripts. Click HERE to create a parchment account. 

Applying for College Through Common App?

If you are applying to colleges through the Common Application (Common App), you should send your official transcript to Common App through Parchment. Click HERE to view Parchment's directions for sending your transcript to Common App.

Important: Follow the Common App and Parchment instructions carefully to make sure your transcript is sent correctly.

Important Transcript Update from UGA:

UGA has requested that all applicants send in a transcript via GA Futures. It is the student's responsibility to log into (or create) your GA Futures account and send your transcript directly to UGA.  To submit a transcript through GA Futures, log in to your GAfutures account, select “My High School Transcript,” and send your transcript to the University of Georgia. If you need assistance, review the GA Futures step-by-step instructions.

You will also still need to request your transcript through Parchment. You can link your Parchment transcript and your Common App account by searching for "Common Application" under the college name section on Parchment and entering your Common App ID.  If you need assistance, review step-by-step instructions. 

When you see the question below on the Common App for UGA, select Yes. 

You do not need to self-report your grades unless you do not have a social security number. 

Students without a social security number will need to select No and self-report grades because sending transcripts is not available through GA Futures. 

Once you have researched the college's requirements, it's time to start your application. The application process may look different depending on the college or university. Some schools use the Common Application, while others have their own application or use a state application system such as GAfutures.

First, find out how your college accepts applications:

• Common Application (Common App): One application can be used to apply to multiple participating colleges and universities.
• College or university application: Some schools have their own application that you complete directly through their admissions website.
• GAfutures: Many Georgia colleges allow students to apply through GAfutures.
• Other application platforms: Some colleges or programs may use a different application system.

As you complete your application:

• Create an account using an email address you check regularly.
• Enter your personal and high school information carefully and accurately.
• Complete the required sections, including activities, honors, essays, and/or supplemental questions when applicable.
• Pay the application fee or submit a fee waiver if you qualify.
• Review your application carefully before submitting it.
• Save your login information! You may need to return to your application or check your admissions status later.

Remember: Completing an application is only one part of the process. After you submit, you may still need to send transcripts, test scores, recommendation letters, or other required materials. Check your college's admissions portal and email regularly to view the status of your application materials.

The Common Application (Common App)

Common App is a college application platform that allows students to apply to multiple colleges and universities using one application. Instead of completing an entirely separate application for every college, you can enter most of your information once and use it for multiple colleges.

To get started:

• Create your free Common App account using an email address that you check regularly and that you plan to keep throughout the college application process.
• Complete your profile and personal information carefully.
• Add the colleges you are interested in applying to so you can see their individual requirements and deadlines.
• Review each college's My Colleges section for supplemental questions, essays, and other requirements.
• Complete the Education section using accurate information for your high school.
• Begin working on your activities, honors, and essay sections.
• Add your EFHS counselor so that your counselor can complete any required school forms or recommendations. Copy and paste their email address from the main Counseling page to ensure that you submit it correctly.

Remember: Creating a Common App account does not mean you have applied to a college. You still need to complete each college's required sections, review your application, and officially submit it before the deadline.

Tip: You can create your Common App account and begin working on your application before you are ready to submit. Give yourself plenty of time to complete essays, activities, and supplemental questions.

Important: Not every college uses Common App. Check each college's admissions website to find out which application they accept.

Determine whether you need to submit SAT or ACT scores as part of your college application. Requirements vary by college, so check the admissions website beforehand.

For SAT/ACT, check:

• Is the test required, recommended, or optional?
• Do scores need to be sent directly or can you self-report?
• What is the deadline for submitting scores?
• Are test scores required for scholarships, placement, or specific programs?

Note: You must send your SAT or ACT test scores individually to each college you are applying to (if applicable). You cannot send test scores through Common App or GA Futures.

Planning to attend a two-year or technical college?

You may need to complete the ACCUPLACER or another placement assessment. Placement testing helps the college determine the appropriate English and math courses for you. Some colleges may allow SAT/ACT scores or other academic information to satisfy placement requirements.

Tip: Don't take or send a test score simply because you think you have to. Check each college's requirements first.

satsuite.collegeboard.org

ACT.org

Check your email for confirmation and respond to requests from the admissions office (if applicable)

• Create/check your college applicant portal
• Check for missing documents
• Confirm that transcripts and test scores were received (through your Common App account or through the colleges application portal). 
• Monitor your application until it is marked complete

• Students should first check the college or program's requirements to determine who is eligible to write the recommendation and whether it is required or optional.
• Counselors only write recommendation letters when a college or program requires a counselor-specific letter. If a recommendation is optional or can be submitted by a teacher, we recommend asking a teacher who knows you well, as teachers can speak more specifically about your academic strengths, classroom performance, work ethic, and day-to-day interactions with you as a student.

Tips for asking a teacher for a recommendation

When asking a teacher for a recommendation:

1. Ask early. Give your teacher plenty of time to write a thoughtful letter. Ideally, ask at least 3-4 weeks before your earliest deadline.
2. Ask the teacher personally. A quick conversation or email is appropriate. Don't simply add them as a recommender without asking first.
3. Explain what you are applying for. Let the teacher know the college, scholarship, program, or opportunity and why you are applying.
4. Share your Senior Brag Sheet. This gives the teacher additional information about your goals, accomplishments, interests, experiences, and the qualities you would like them to highlight.
5. Provide the deadline. Clearly communicate the actual submission deadline, not just when you hope to have the letter completed.
6. Give them the information they need. Include the application platform, submission instructions, and any specific requirements for the letter.
7. Follow up respectfully. If the deadline is approaching, a polite reminder is appropriate.
8. Say thank you. Writing a recommendation takes time and effort. Thank your teacher after they submit the letter.

Your Senior Brag Sheet is an opportunity to share information about yourself that may not be reflected on your transcript. Your responses help your counselor better understand who you are as a student and person, including your accomplishments, interests, goals, experiences, challenges, and plans after high school for the purpose of writing your letter of recommendation (if needed) and the completion of other post-secondary related materials.

Your brag sheet may also be useful to teachers writing letters of recommendation for you. Consider sharing a copy with teachers you ask to write a recommendation so they have additional information about your experiences, goals, and accomplishments.

Senior Brag Sheet