College Application Process

NACAC - National Association for Counseling Admissions Counseling 
Released a directory of college commitment dates for students this year based on FASFA delays. Information can be found in this link.


Senior Resources for College

All NHS specific forms and information can be found in this link.


Correspondence with Colleges

Email schools for viewbooks, catalogs, DVDs/CDs, applications, and financial aid information; this will also add the prospective student to their mailing list (make sure to include expected year of graduation on all correspondence).


Create a Resume

Students will need their resume for interviews, recommendation letters, and college applications (remember to keep it updated); this sheet includes the student’s name, honors/awards, extracurricular activities, volunteer activities, employment, and athletic activities. Students can use the NHS Resume Template to create a resume.

Campus Visits

Call or email the admissions office to set up an appointment for tours and/or interviews at least two weeks in advance. When scheduling a personal appointment it is important to bring the resume sheet explained above, a copy of your unofficial transcript, and a copy of the Newington High School profile.


Teacher Recommendations

Students should ask one or two teachers (check individual college requirements) for a recommendation, this should be a teacher from your Junior or Senior year who knows the student well. Some teachers request notification in the spring of Junior year and will want to know the intended college as well. Students should keep careful records of which recommendations they request including the date the request was made. Students: do not forget to write a thank you note to the teacher after they have completed the recommendation letter.


Common Application

Some colleges/universities have decided to use the Common Application (also known as the ‘Common App’) to apply to the school. The Common Application is a universal application used by several colleges/universities.

If the school is using the Common Application:

  • Create an account on the Common Application website

    • Instructional video for matching your Common Application to your SchooLinks Account

    • Submit the application online when all the of sections of the application are complete (note: some colleges/universities have their own supplement section)

Add College Applications & Request Transcripts in SchooLinks


SAT/ACT Scores

It is the student’s responsibility to send all scores to the colleges to which they are applying―pay close attention to deadlines!

College Application Deadline

Application Deadline  Materials Due to Counseling Office
November 1st October 18th 
November 15th October 30th
December 1st
November 14th 
December 15th
December 2nd 
January 1st
December 9th
 January 15th December 19th 

NCAA―Athletics

Students should register with the National Collegiate Athletic Association Clearinghouse (NCAA) before the spring of Junior year. Register online at eligibilitycenter.org.


Prospective student-athletes are able to access information needed to understand the Division I,  Division II, and Division III eligibility requirements, register with the Clearinghouse, and access individual Clearinghouse records from the NCAA Clearinghouse website.


If a student athlete does not fill out an NCAA form in the spring of Junior year and they plan to play a sport in college, they will need to file immediately. Students need to clear NCAA as soon as possible in order to make official visits to any college. Please make sure students have a transcript release form on file in the NHS Counseling Office, the Counseling Office will send the transcript to NCAA.


See the NCAA Sports Sponsorship Directory for lists of NCAA schools and conferences by division, sport, and/or by state.