What Needs to Be Submitted to Naviance by December 1st? (Spoiler Alert: It’s Not Your Christmas List)
Ah, December 1st. A day of festive cheer, eggnog-fueled carols, and… panic-stricken high school seniors frantically trying to figure out what the heck they need to submit to Naviance.
Don’t worry, we’ve all been there. Naviance, that magical online portal that’s equal parts confusing and essential for your college application journey. It’s like a digital labyrinth, filled with confusing acronyms and forms that make you question if you’re applying to college or joining a secret society.
But fear not, fellow college hopefuls! We’re here to break down exactly what needs to be submitted to Naviance by December 1st, because let’s be real, no one wants to miss their deadline because they were too busy perfecting their gingerbread house.
First, let’s address the elephant in the room: What does it mean when Naviance says “initial materials submitted”?
Think of it like this: “Initial materials submitted” is Naviance’s way of saying, “We got your stuff, we’re good to go!” It means that your school has received either your supporting application materials (like recommendation letters, test scores, or essays) or that those materials aren’t required for the specific college you’re applying to. It’s a little like a digital thumbs-up from your school saying, “We’re on top of it!”
But here’s the catch: Naviance doesn’t automatically send your transcripts. You gotta be proactive!
That’s right, you need to explicitly request your transcript through Naviance. It’s not enough to just add a school to your “Colleges I’m Applying To” list. Naviance is like a high-powered, automated letter-writing service for your transcripts, but it won’t send anything unless you tell it to.
So, to make sure your transcripts are on their way, follow these steps:
- Log into Naviance Student. (You know, the portal that’s designed to look like a 1990s website but somehow still manages to be confusing.)
- Go to Colleges –> Apply to College –> Manage Transcripts. (This is where the magic happens.)
- Click the Pink Plus Sign (in the right corner) –> Other Transcript. (It’s the easiest way to request a transcript. Trust us.)
- Select the “Mid-year” option. (It’ll automatically select “initial” too, so you’re good there.)
- Choose “Other” as the reason for the transcript request. (This is where you can tell Naviance exactly what you’re using it for. Don’t worry, it’s not a personality test.)
Here’s the kicker: Deadlines matter.
If you’re applying to a college with a December deadline, you need to have your transcript requests in Naviance by November 1st. For colleges with January deadlines, you need to submit those requests by December 1st.
It’s like a game of digital chicken, and the only way to win is to be super organized and proactive. It’s not about rushing, it’s about being ahead of the curve and avoiding the “Oh no, I forgot to submit my transcript!” panic attack.
Now, let’s talk about mid-year reports.
Mid-year reports are like little progress reports sent to colleges to keep them updated on how you’re doing academically.
To submit a mid-year report on Naviance:
- Follow the same steps for requesting a transcript.
- Select the “Mid-year” option. (It’s important to specify this so your counselor knows what kind of report to send.)
But here’s the thing: You can’t request transcripts until you’ve submitted your Release of Records form.
The Release of Records form is a crucial document that allows your school to share your academic records with colleges. It’s like giving your school the green light to send your information.
So, make sure you’ve submitted your Release of Records form before trying to request transcripts on Naviance.
And, remember, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.
If your deadline is December 15th, treat December 1st as your personal deadline. You don’t want to be frantically scrambling for letters of recommendation or transcripts at the last minute.
So, to summarize, here are the key things you need to submit to Naviance by December 1st:
- Transcript requests for colleges with January deadlines.
- Mid-year reports for colleges with January deadlines (if required).
- Your Release of Records form.
And, remember, Naviance is just one part of the college application puzzle.
You’ll also need to complete the actual college application on Common Application or the specific school’s website.
It’s a lot to handle, we know. But remember, you’re not alone!
If you need help navigating the intricate world of Naviance, or have any questions about what needs to be submitted by December 1st, don’t hesitate to reach out to your school counselor or guidance office.
And, if you’re looking for a supportive community of college-bound individuals, be sure to join the JobLoving community! We’re here to help you through every step of the process, from navigating Naviance to surviving the college application season.
Good luck, and remember, you’ve got this!