Application Process - Timeline, Transcripts, Recommendation Letters, and Test Scores

Sep 14, 2026

Admissions guidance covering online application completion options and key decision terms, including Early Action, Early Decision, and Rolling Admissions. Provides step-by-step instructions for ordering a final high school transcript via Parchment, including account setup, student details, consent, and selecting the correct undergraduate submission. Details how recommendation letters are handled, how ACT and SAT scores should be sent, when test-optional policies apply, and schedules for upcoming SAT and ACT test dates with registration deadlines.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryExam

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

Timeline

Terms to know

Transcripts

How to order a final transcript via PARCHMENT

Letters of Recommendation

Test Scores

SAT/ACT score sending and test-optional guidance

Test Dates

SAT

ACT

Application Process Timeline: Applications will be completed online either via the college website or through the Common Application. Refer to the college website for information on specific admissions deadlines Terms to know: ● Early Action – nonbinding, students receive an admissions decision early but do not have to commit until the May 1 deadline ● Early Decision – binding, students who apply early decision must attend this college if they get in ● Rolling Admissions – college will review your application on an ongoing basis Transcripts: If you are a senior in need of a ﬁnal transcript sent to your college: Log into: PARCHMENT. COM 1. Click Create New Account (If you already have an account, skip to step 8) ● Click on Learner or Parent ● Type in student full legal birth name (Joseph not Joe) ● Birth date ● Highest level of Education type: OTHER ● Email-NOT SCHOOL EMAIL or PARENT EMAIL. ● Password-(Password to the email account using) ● Conﬁ rmation Code: Parchment will email to you. 2. Add High School (Rockford High School, Rockford MI) 3. Verify Birth date 4. Select Gender 5. Earliest Year: 2022 6. Expected Grad Year: 2026 7. Click I waive my right to access (Consent and Request) 8. Order Transcript 9. Type in College ● Make sure to pick UNDERGRADUATE under college 10. Select College 11. When do you want to send: SEND NOW 12. Save/Continue 13. Sign Name, Add Parent Name (if under 18) 14. Save/Continue Letters of Recommendation: Check to see if any of your applications will require a counselor or teacher letter of recommendation early. Talk to your counselor or teacher about the letter of recommendation at least two weeks prior to the due date so that they have ample time to write the letter. Test Scores: Applications requiring test scores will want the scores sent directly from ACT or SAT. To have those sent you can include the 4 schools you would like the scores sent to when you register for the SAT or ACT, or you can log in to your College Board account to send them later. If you wait until later to send the scores, there is a fee to send them. After the COVID – 19 pandemic, many schools have given students the ability to apply test optional. If you do not want your test scores sent or included on your transcript, you need to let your counselor know BEFORE requesting or sending any transcripts. All juniors will take the SAT test in school the week after Spring Break and do not need to register for that test date. If your student would like to take the test again on another date, they will need to register to take that test. Test Dates: | SAT | | ACT | | | --- | --- | --- | --- | | Test Date | Registration Deadline | Test Date | Registration Deadline | | March 8th, 2025 | February 21st, 2025 | April 5th, 2025 | February 28th, 2025 | | May 3rd, 2025 | April 18th, 2025 | June 14th, 2025 | May 9th, 2025 | | June 7th, 2025 | May 22nd, 2025 | July 12th, 2025 | June 6th 2025 |

FAQs

How do students submit their college applications?

Applications will be completed online either via the college website or through the Common Application. Admissions deadlines vary by college, so checking the specific college website is required.

What is the difference between Early Action, Early Decision, and Rolling Admissions?

Early Action is nonbinding and students receive an early decision without committing until the May 1 deadline. Early Decision is binding, requiring students who are admitted to attend. Rolling Admissions are reviewed on an ongoing basis.

How should ACT and SAT scores be sent to colleges?

Scores should be sent directly from ACT or SAT. Students can include the schools during registration or use a College Board account to send scores later, noting that sending later may involve a fee.

What should students do regarding test-optional policies before requesting transcripts?

If a student does not want test scores sent or included on a transcript, the counselor must be informed before requesting or sending transcripts.

Sep 14, 2026

Uploaded by Valentina