{"id":991,"date":"2025-09-21T13:56:24","date_gmt":"2025-09-21T17:56:24","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www-tchs.stjohns.k12.fl.us\/guidance\/?page_id=991"},"modified":"2025-09-29T09:27:52","modified_gmt":"2025-09-29T13:27:52","slug":"university-application-tools","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www-tchs.stjohns.k12.fl.us\/guidance\/collegeandcareer\/university-application-tools\/","title":{"rendered":"University Application Tools"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"991\" class=\"elementor elementor-991\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-f39f1b3 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"f39f1b3\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c4cbff2\" data-id=\"c4cbff2\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ed6aa51 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ed6aa51\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Completing the university application process takes several steps. The goal of the TCHS school counseling team is to assist in the step-by-step process.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www-tchs.stjohns.k12.fl.us\/guidance\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/09\/Senior-Class-Visit-for-website.pdf\">P<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/www-tchs.stjohns.k12.fl.us\/guidance\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2025\/09\/Senior-Class-Visit-for-website.pdf\">lease click here for the full senior college and career presentation.\u00a0<\/a><\/p><ol><li>Use the counselor exploration page on the school counseling website to explore universities, including application deadlines and material submission requirements. <a href=\"https:\/\/issuu.com\/fiupublications\/docs\/state_university_system_matrix_counselor_guide_202?fr=sZTZhNjg0MzAwNTA\">Click here<\/a> to see all Florida public universities&#8217; application and materials deadlines.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li><li>Complete the application for each university on the Common App website or through direct admissions on the university website.\u00a0<\/li><li>Complete the Common App or University Personal Essay as part of the application. Essay writing resource links are provided below.\u00a0<\/li><li>Organize your application process.\u00a0 Use the Excel provided below to organize portal login information and record submission or required materials.\u00a0<\/li><li>Connect to Xello.\u00a0 Under the college applications tab, you use Xello to connect to us and your teachers if you need official transcripts, letters of recommendation, or a counselor report.\u00a0<\/li><li>Complete application portal requirements.\u00a0 Almost ALL universities require you to log in to a portal sent to you via email to submit grades, test scores and additional materials.\u00a0 Read the material requirements carefully.<\/li><li>Call the university admissions office with any questions about your application.\u00a0 While counselors want to help, we cannot see your application.\u00a0 Admissions advisors are there to help you complete all requirements of your application.\u00a0<\/li><\/ol>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3826c79 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3826c79\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-befca63\" data-id=\"befca63\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9e64935 elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9e64935\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>Ways to Apply to a university<\/h4><p>Students may apply to a university using one of two different methods: Common App or directly to the university. To apply direct to the university, you must visit the university&#8217;s admission website.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p><h4>utilizing common app for university applications<\/h4><p>Use one common application for a base for all of your university applications. With Common App, you will:<\/p><ul><li>Complete your profile information<\/li><li>Complete the Common App Essay for all schools<\/li><li>Search and select the university or universities to which you will apply<\/li><li>Complete additional necessary application requirements for each university<\/li><li>Submit a university fee waiver for review if you meet qualifications<\/li><\/ul><div><strong>G<\/strong><b>et Started: <\/b>Visit the website www.commonapp.org<\/div><div>\u00a0<\/div><p><strong>Resources to use:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.youtube.com\/watch?v=rM2x2j03haU\">\u00a0Common App Walk Through:<\/a>\u00a0Youtube walkthrough from Common App to get started.\u00a0 Please note: TCHS uses Xello for counselor forms and letters of recommendation. You will not request your counselor forms or letters of recommendation through Common App.<\/p><p>C<a href=\"https:\/\/www.commonapp.org\/apply\/first-year-students\">ommon App Step-By-Step Guide:<\/a>\u00a0The Common-App website gives step-by-step instructions for completion.\u00a0<span style=\"font-size: 16px;font-style: normal;font-weight: 400\">\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 16px;font-style: normal;font-weight: 400\">Please note: TCHS uses Xello for counselor forms and letters of recommendation. You will not request your counselor forms or letters of recommendation through Common App.<\/span><\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a4384c2 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a4384c2\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a773c1d\" data-id=\"a773c1d\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9d9960c elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"9d9960c\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>The Common App or University application Essay &amp; Activities section<\/h4><div>Whether you apply via Common App or directly to the institution, many universities require completion of a personal essay and supplemental essays to complete the application. For many students, this is the most challenging part of the application process.\u00a0 Use the resources below for help.\u00a0\u00a0<br \/><b><br \/><\/b><\/div><p><b>Resources to use:\u00a0<\/b><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.commonapp.org\/apply\/essay-prompts\"><b>Common App Essay Prompts:\u00a0<\/b><\/a>Common App displays the different essay prompts and offers tips for success in writing the essay.\u00a0<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/bigfuture.collegeboard.org\/plan-for-college\/apply-to-college\/application-process\/ultimate-college-essay-guide\">Bright Futures Essay Tips:<\/a> Bright Futures provides videos and articles on writing tips and what to avoid in the college essay.\u00a0<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/static1.squarespace.com\/static\/527cc9ffe4b06105448def23\/t\/66f835502e1a5e093b12e6ff\/1751289752077\/Handout+-+Free+Guide+to+the+Personal+Statement.pdf\"><b>\u00a0College Essay Guy Tips:\u00a0<\/b><\/a>The College Essay Guy provides a free resource handout outside of TCHS that many students use for assistance.\u00a0 \u00a0&amp;<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-98cbfcc elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"98cbfcc\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-d8c0d07\" data-id=\"d8c0d07\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-ee6a85e elementor-widget__width-initial elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"ee6a85e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>Organize your university application to-do list<\/h4><p>Your application is NOT complete when you hit submit! Universities will email you the next steps to the application process that usually include logging into the application portal to submit materials.\u00a0 Organization is key as students miss deadlines due to forgetting to send required materials.<\/p><p><strong>Know the Difference:<\/strong><\/p><p><b>Official vs. Self-Report test scores<\/b>:\u00a0 The school portal will dictate whether it requires official test scores or if it allows the self-report of test scores. Self-report of test scores requires you to type your official test scores within the university portal. Official test scores require you to request them through the appropriate test company:<\/p><ul><li>\u00a0ACT: ACT.org<\/li><li>SAT: Collegeboard.org<\/li><li>CLT: CLTExam.com<\/li><\/ul><div>Even if it is on your transcript, Tocoi Creek High School is not an official report of test scores.<\/div><div>\u00a0<\/div><p><strong>Official Transcript vs. Self-report of grades:<\/strong> If instructed to send an official transcript, you must request this in Xello, as instructed below.\u00a0 If instructed to self-report grades, you will most likely use STARs or, for the University of Central Florida, the SPARK form. Instructions are below.\u00a0<\/p><p><strong>Resource to use:<\/strong><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/sjschools-my.sharepoint.com\/:x:\/g\/personal\/e018509_stjohns_k12_fl_us\/Ed5ExxLqycRGlQy7vdlQLakBaDHOITMhMXfMs3yD7wwYLg?e=7lWNpt\">Excel for University Application Organization<\/a>\u00a0Download a copy to organize your deadlines, log in information, and materials submissions.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-e23175b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"e23175b\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-fcf71b7\" data-id=\"fcf71b7\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-82a799f elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"82a799f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>connect your applications to Xello<\/h4><div>Whether you submit your application through Common App or directly to the university, you will need to use Xello so that school counselors may submit materials and teachers may submit recommendations, if required. You must notify your school counselor of the request with two weeks processing time.\u00a0<\/div><div>\u00a0<\/div><div><strong>Resources to use:\u00a0<\/strong><\/div><div><strong>\u00a0<\/strong><\/div><div><a href=\"https:\/\/www-tchs.stjohns.k12.fl.us\/guidance\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/23\/2024\/09\/Exploring-Careers-and-Colleges-with-Xello.pdf\"><strong>Xello Guide to Material Submission:\u00a0<\/strong><\/a>One-page instructions to access Xello, connect Xello to Common App, request transcripts, and request letters of recommendation.\u00a0<\/div><div>\u00a0<\/div><div><a href=\"http:\/\/xello.navattic.com\/CommonAppTour?g=clrthef4w007s0fl9c5ez2afg&amp;s=1\">Xello Tour:<\/a> An interactive tour of Xello to explore how to connect to Xello and request materials.\u00a0<\/div><div>\u00a0<\/div><div><p><a href=\"https:\/\/xello.wistia.com\/medias\/o97p9kta4g\">Link Common App to Xello<\/a>: A video tutorial to link Common App to Xello\u00a0<\/p><\/div><div><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn2-anaca.azureedge.net\/docs\/How%20to%20request%20Common%20App%20documents%20in%20Xello_1.pdf\">Xello Tutorial for transcript and letter of recommendations:<\/a> Step-by-step guide to request letters of recommendation and transcripts when you submitted your application through Common App (not direct).\u00a0<\/div><p><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn2-anaca.azureedge.net\/docs\/How%20to%20request%20recommendation%20letters%20in%20Xello.pdf\">Xello Tutorial for Letter of Recommendation Request:\u00a0<\/a>Step-by-step guide to request a letter of recommendation for a teacher.\u00a0 Always remember to ask the teacher first.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5b27edc elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5b27edc\" data-element_type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3ba5328\" data-id=\"3ba5328\" data-element_type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5075576 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5075576\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4>Sending grades or transcripts\u00a0<\/h4><p>After you complete your application, you will receive instructions from the university on how to submit either self-reported grades or official transcripts.\u00a0<\/p><h5>Official transcripts:<\/h5><p><a href=\"https:\/\/help.xello.world\/en-us\/Content\/Resources\/PDFs\/Guides\/Stu_Request-Transcript.pdf\">Official transcripts for a direct application:<\/a>\u00a0Instructions to request an initial, mid-year, or final transcript on Xello if you applied directly on the university&#8217;s website.\u00a0<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/cdn2-anaca.azureedge.net\/docs\/How%20to%20request%20Common%20App%20documents%20in%20Xello_1.pdf\">Official transcript request when using Common App:<\/a>\u00a0Instructions to assign a counselor to send the transcript if you applied through Common App.<\/p><h5>Self-report of grades:<\/h5><p><span style=\"font-size: 16px;color: #3a3a3a;font-family: Roboto, sans-serif\">If the university dictates that you must submit grades through STARS or SPARK, please use the resources below.<\/span><\/p><p>How to self-report grades:<\/p><p>1. Find your transcript in Xello:<\/p><ol><li>Log in to Xello through Clever.\u00a0<\/li><li><span style=\"font-size: 16px\">Hover over the &#8220;Plans&#8221; tab at the top of the site.<\/span><\/li><li>Click \u201cCollege Applications\u201d<\/li><li>Click on your PDF under the Transcript header. Save your transcript.\u00a0<\/li><\/ol><p>2. Create your STAR or SPARK (for UCF) account.\u00a0<span style=\"font-size: 16px\">Type courses and grades exactly how they appear in the transcript. Please note the following:<\/span><\/p><ul><li>TCHS reports in letter grades<\/li><li>If 1.0 credit on the transcript, it is a full-year course<\/li><li>If .5 credit on the transcript, it is a semester course.<ul><li>Ex: English 1 reports grades in semesters. Select semester, and put in semester 1 and 2 grades.<\/li><li>If you took Algebra, Geometry, Biology, or US History in Florida (not AP level), these are full-year courses with one letter grade.<\/li><\/ul><\/li><li>If you failed and retook a course, you must put both, as is documented on the transcript.<\/li><\/ul><p><span style=\"font-size: 16px;color: #3a3a3a;font-family: Roboto, sans-serif\">\u00a0<b>Resources to use:\u00a0<\/b><\/span><\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/ssar.selfreportedtranscript.com\/login.aspx\">STARS Website:<\/a> Create an account that you will use to complete the self-report of grades.\u00a0<\/p><p><a href=\"https:\/\/admissions.fsu.edu\/first-year\/stars\">STARS Tips from FSU:<\/a> Tips for how to complete the STARS and answers to common questions.\u00a0<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Completing the university application process takes several steps. The goal of the TCHS school counseling team is to assist in the step-by-step process.\u00a0\u00a0 Please click here for the full senior college and career presentation.\u00a0 Use the counselor exploration page on the school counseling website to explore universities, including application deadlines and material submission requirements. Click [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":12923,"featured_media":0,"parent":385,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"right-sidebar","site-content-layout":"page-builder","ast-site-content-layout":"normal-width-container","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"disabled","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"default","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-991","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www-tchs.stjohns.k12.fl.us\/guidance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/991","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www-tchs.stjohns.k12.fl.us\/guidance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www-tchs.stjohns.k12.fl.us\/guidance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www-tchs.stjohns.k12.fl.us\/guidance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/12923"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www-tchs.stjohns.k12.fl.us\/guidance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=991"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/www-tchs.stjohns.k12.fl.us\/guidance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/991\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1040,"href":"https:\/\/www-tchs.stjohns.k12.fl.us\/guidance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/991\/revisions\/1040"}],"up":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www-tchs.stjohns.k12.fl.us\/guidance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/385"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www-tchs.stjohns.k12.fl.us\/guidance\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=991"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}