Naviance & Common App Matching Cheat SheetStep 1: Log in to Naviance
Step 2: Match Accounts
Step 3: Add Colleges in Common App
Step 4: Complete FERPA in Common App
Step 5: Confirm Colleges in Naviance
Step 6: Request Transcripts in Naviance
Step 7: Verify Recommendations
Quick Tips
- Go to your school’s Naviance portal.
- Log in with your student credentials.
Step 2: Match Accounts
- Navigate to:
Colleges I’m Applying To → Match Accounts / Common App Matching - A dialog box will open.
- Enter your Common App username and password.
- Click Submit.
- ✅ Your Naviance account is now linked to Common App.
Step 3: Add Colleges in Common App
- Log in to Common App (if not already).
- Add at least one college to your My Colleges list.
Step 4: Complete FERPA in Common App
- Go to “Recommenders and FERPA”.
- Complete the FERPA process:
- Waive your right to access recommendations.
- Waive your right to access recommendations.
- ✅ Once FERPA is complete, your counselor and teacher list from Naviance will sync automatically with Common App.
Step 5: Confirm Colleges in Naviance
- Return to Naviance → Colleges I’m Applying To.
- Your Common App colleges will now appear automatically.
- Check:
- Application type (EA, ED, RD, etc.)
- Deadlines
- College selections
- Application type (EA, ED, RD, etc.)
Step 6: Request Transcripts in Naviance
- Go to Colleges I’m Applying To → Request Transcripts.
- Select the colleges to send transcripts to.
- ✅ Transcripts will now correctly link to Common App applications.
Step 7: Verify Recommendations
- Check that your teachers and counselor are properly assigned in Naviance.
- Confirm recommendation requests appear in Common App.
Quick Tips
- Match accounts before requesting transcripts or recommendations.
- FERPA must be completed in Common App for teacher/counselor sync.
- Deadlines in Naviance should match Common App deadlines.
- Contact your school counselor if anything does not sync properly.
Naviance/Common App Steps
Starting the Application Process
1. If ANY of the schools you want to apply to use the Common Application (refer to www.commonapp.org for the member list), then you will need to start a Common Application account. We recommend starting the Common App well in advance of your deadlines. There is a required essay in the Common App--choose from six prompts--as well as many questions about your courses, your family, and other details. You can start the application and come back to it later.
2. In Naviance, start a "Schools I am Applying To" list.
3. The first time students enter schools on the "Applying To" list, a form called the FERPA Waiver will come up. Answer "Yes" and complete the waiver. This waives your right to see recommendations coming from teachers or counselors. Also check the box next to "By completing this form…" which authorizes your high school to release your records to the schools you select.
4. Match your Common App and Naviance accounts. Naviance will have fields for you to enter your Common App information.
5. Make sure that the "Colleges I am Applying To" list in Naviance is complete. It is easier to remove schools later than to add schools later. Counselors and teachers will not be able to submit materials without your doing this step.
6. Check to see that the application deadlines match the application type you want. Naviance defaults with the regular decision deadline; if you want Early Decision/ Early Action or other, you will need to change the dates. See the FAQ for how to edit the date and ask for an override.
7. If you have not already, ask teachers in person (preferred) or email to ask them for letters of recommendation.
• After teachers have said yes, then send requests through Naviance to your teachers and to your counselor. On the Colleges I am Applying To screen, look below the list for the recommendation requests. Select your teacher(s) and counselor and add a personal note briefly detailing your timeline (leave a cushion--give them a date in advance of the actual due date) and conveying your thanks.
• Right after your request, email your teachers and your counselor a personal summary to give them a more complete idea of who you are. (link to Letter of Recommendation file) Some may ask for a resume as well.
• Follow up politely well in advance of your deadline.
• Once your applications are submitted, send your teachers and your counselor thank you notes (handwritten are best). Follow up during the school year, letting them know your news and your decisions.
Starting the Application Process
1. If ANY of the schools you want to apply to use the Common Application (refer to www.commonapp.org for the member list), then you will need to start a Common Application account. We recommend starting the Common App well in advance of your deadlines. There is a required essay in the Common App--choose from six prompts--as well as many questions about your courses, your family, and other details. You can start the application and come back to it later.
2. In Naviance, start a "Schools I am Applying To" list.
3. The first time students enter schools on the "Applying To" list, a form called the FERPA Waiver will come up. Answer "Yes" and complete the waiver. This waives your right to see recommendations coming from teachers or counselors. Also check the box next to "By completing this form…" which authorizes your high school to release your records to the schools you select.
4. Match your Common App and Naviance accounts. Naviance will have fields for you to enter your Common App information.
5. Make sure that the "Colleges I am Applying To" list in Naviance is complete. It is easier to remove schools later than to add schools later. Counselors and teachers will not be able to submit materials without your doing this step.
6. Check to see that the application deadlines match the application type you want. Naviance defaults with the regular decision deadline; if you want Early Decision/ Early Action or other, you will need to change the dates. See the FAQ for how to edit the date and ask for an override.
7. If you have not already, ask teachers in person (preferred) or email to ask them for letters of recommendation.
• After teachers have said yes, then send requests through Naviance to your teachers and to your counselor. On the Colleges I am Applying To screen, look below the list for the recommendation requests. Select your teacher(s) and counselor and add a personal note briefly detailing your timeline (leave a cushion--give them a date in advance of the actual due date) and conveying your thanks.
• Right after your request, email your teachers and your counselor a personal summary to give them a more complete idea of who you are. (link to Letter of Recommendation file) Some may ask for a resume as well.
• Follow up politely well in advance of your deadline.
• Once your applications are submitted, send your teachers and your counselor thank you notes (handwritten are best). Follow up during the school year, letting them know your news and your decisions.
