News for Seniors
Brag Sheets, Counselor LORs & Counselor Appointments
Greetings and Welcome Back
We hope this newsletter finds you well and that your senior year is off to a great start. This newsletter contains follow up information to the video you were presented with in Advisory.
Important Tasks
1. Review the Presentation
Links to Resources from the Presentation:
2. Complete FERPA Waiver and Release in SCOIR
LCHS counselors and teachers use Scoir to send required documents to your colleges. This includes transcripts, letters of recommendation, school reports and school profile information. Updating Scoir includes the required task of signing the FERPA waiver and release. LCHS requires that students waive rights to view letters of recommendation and school reports in order for us to include a letter with your file, and you will also be granting us permission to send transcripts on your behalf.
The LCHS College and Career Center provides Scoir training to students and is also available to help answer both student and parent questions regarding Scoir and the college application process.
FERPA Instructions:
If you have not signed the release, you will be prompted when you log-in to SCOIR. If no prompt appears or you need to check your response, go to the My Profile page in SCOIR to review and sign. You must contact your counselor or C3 if you wish to make changes to your FERPA Release or Waiver or if you have questions
3. Complete Your Brag Sheets
Students are required to complete teacher brag sheets and counselor brag sheets in Scoir as part of the process for requesting letters of recommendations. Brag sheets are located in the surveys area of Scoir. They are required if you are requesting a counselor or teacher letter of recommendation. Answer as thoroughly as possible. We really do read everything you write!
4. Invite Parent(s)/Guardian(s) to SCOIR
Parents will be asked to complete a parent brag sheet in Scoir. Only one parent can complete the brag sheet. Parent accounts were created in order for them to complete this process. Go to your Student Profile and click the + Invite a Parent button in the Personal Details section. Once invited, make sure your parent/guardian accepts the invite so they can fill out the Parent/Guardian Brag Sheet.
5. Sign-Up for a College Meeting with Your Counselor
If you will be asking someone else to write the counselor LOR, please alert you counselor during your meeting.
Each student must meet with their high school counselor in order for documents to be sent on your behalf. If you need a counselor letter of recommendation, meetings should take place within these time frames:
- By October 6 for students applying under an EARLY admission plan
- By November 6 for students applying under ALL OTHER decision plans
Your Scoir profile, brag sheets and final college list must be in Scoir by the time your meeting occurs. If there are changes to your list after your meeting, please alert the counseling office.
If you do not require a letter, you may come in through December. We will continue to be available in the new year as well.
Appointment Sign Ups By Counselor:
6. Request Teacher Letters in Scoir
After asking your teacher in person, request teachers as recommenders in Scoir. Most students should obtain 1-2 teacher recommendations and 1 counselor recommendation. If you have special requests or concerns regarding your letter of recommendation, please see Mrs. Chung in the College and Career Center.
Complete the teacher brag sheet for each teacher you ask and print or email them a copy.
If you are asking a teacher from another school, a retired teacher, or any non-LCHS staff to write your letter, you must add them to Common App as a recommender, as SCOIR is not available to outside personnel.
You must have an active “applying to” list in Scoir in order to invite recommenders. Make sure your list is accurate and up-to-date.
All students requesting LORs should read the handout below for strategies and further instructions.
7. Order Transcripts
Transcript order forms are available in the office and are also online. A form is included below for your convenience. There is a $40 flat fee for up to 15 schools per order. Things to consider when ordering transcripts:
- Many private colleges/universities, and some out-of-state colleges require a "Secondary School Report" with initial transcripts that include grades through the end of junior year.
- Some also require a "Midyear Report" (a transcript that includes first-semester senior year grades).
- It is the students responsibility to review transcript requirements for each college.
- Students will request and pay for transcripts at the SISS Office (Mr. Hanna, located in the Counseling Office) and they will be delivered electronically by LCHS via Scoir.
- If you took courses anywhere outside of LCHS, it is the student’s responsibility to send that transcript directly to the colleges, if required.
- Cal States and UCs do NOT require initial transcripts as part of the application process. Instead you will self-report your grades and send a transcript only when they request one from you.
- If you would like to request a fee waiver due to financial hardship, please see your counselor.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES
Common App Instructions from the C3
LCHS Resources
Testing Resources
Financial Aid Resources
College Research Tools and Application Portals
Published by the LCHS Counseling Department
Melissa Kukta: A, E-J
Tiffanie Fung: B-D
Susan Maljian: K-Ma
Tricia Goldsworthy: Mb-R
Kandy Basmajian: S-Z
La Canada High School
4463 Oak Grove Drive
La Canada, CA 91011
CEEB Code 051312
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DISCLAIMER: Any external links contained in this message are being provided as a convenience and for informational purposes only; they do not constitute an endorsement or an approval by LCHS of any of the products, services or opinions of the corporation or organization or individual. LCHS bears no responsibility for the accuracy, legality or content of the external site or for that of subsequent links. Contact the external site for answers to questions regarding its content.