The Sharon Academy

When you apply to college, most would like to see recommendation letters from two teachers, in addition to a "School Report", which includes a recommendation letter. Kimberly Barnhart will write a guidance letter for each senior.

Requesting school reports and/or transcripts:

• Please enter schools in the "colleges I'm applying to" window under the "colleges" tab on Naviance. You will need to enter your school application information into Naviance. You will learn how to do this in PATH class during first semester of your senior year. If you need a transcript before then for any reason, please contact us directly. Please keep Naviance up-to-date with your college application choices, and delete any that are no longer applicable. 

• If a school uses the Common Application, this is the preferred method of application. Make sure you enter your Common Application information into Naviance so that the two accounts are linked. Be sure your CommonApp password is entered correctly on Naviance, or we will be unable to send transcripts and school reports electronically to those schools. 

• Please be sure to enter your requests at least 10 school days prior to the deadline. The earlier you enter this information, the better, as it allows us sufficient time to prepare your transcript and to write your letter.

• The guidance office writes a letter for each senior. This letter may include input from the administration. If you would like to be sure that Michael Livingston has input in your letter, you should ask him to forward any notes or comments to Kimberly Barnhart.

Requesting recommendation letters from teachers:

• 
Below the list of your colleges on Naviance, there is a link to "add/cancel" requests for Teacher Recommendations.
• Select your teacher(s) from the drop-down menu.
• In the box to the right of the teachers' names, thank the teachers for agreeing to your request (you need to have asked them in person first). Also, tell them the schools to which you want your letter sent. They will be able to see ALL of your schools, so if you only want their letter to go to a specific set, let them know. Also, tell them your first deadline. 
  
• If you add schools after your initial deadline and want letters sent there, let your teachers know. (They do not get notified!)
• Don’t ask a teacher just because you got an A in his or her class. It is important that the teacher knows you personally.
• Ask early. Some teachers will get many requests, and they also have many other duties. They can put more thought into your letter, and thus do a better job, if they have more time.
• We recommend that you waive your FERPA rights. If you have questions about this, talk to Kimberly Barnhart.
• Send a thank you note to each person who gives you a recommendation.
• Give teachers your resume or make sure your resume is up-to-date on Naviance. Resumes should brag about your accomplishments. Have a parent review your resume before you finalize it.
• Provide teachers with a reminder list of all activities you have done with them directly on the form. (Example: specific courses, sports or electives)