Walter Payton College Prep

How is your college application processed at Payton?

1. Teacher Recommendations: Arrange to have the teacher letters of recommendations written in the proper format. For example, if the student is using The Common Application, the student should print the proper form, fill in the student portion and turn in copies of that form to each teacher who has agreed to write the recommendation. The teacher can either mail in the letter directly to the institution or give the letter to the registrar to be sent out. If the teacher is sending in the form directly, it helps if you give the teacher a stamped envelope with the institution's address neatly typed and the teacher's name and Payton's return address typed. Either way, be sure that you make your request and provide the document in time to have it prepared and mailed in a timely manner.


2. Complete your application. If you are submitting on-line, print out a copy and turn it in to the registrar. Once the copy is received or you advise the school that you have submitted on-line, the registrar will send in your transcript and counselor recommendation if required. If you are submitting a hard copy, submit it to the registrar and it will be mailed for you with your transcript and counselor's report. Most schools have some form of counselor report and mid year report (due after the mid year reporting period is over.) Be sure you submit the forms your school requires so that the reports can be submitted on time.


3. Test scores: Once you know what schools you are applying to you can have copies of SAT I, SAT II and ACT scores sent to the schools. You can arrange that your scores be sent when you register to take the tests BUT keep in mind that you can choose which ACT scores to send but all SAT I and SAT II scores are submitted once you request that any of those scores are submitted. You also may decide that you won't send in SAT scores, only ACT and SAT II scores, so it is wise to not have test scores sent to schools until you know your application strategy. You have to contact the ACT (www.act.org) for the ACT scores to be sent and contact the College Board (www.collegeboard.org) for the SAT I and SAT II to be sent. You will receive a confirmation that your scores were sent and you paid.


4. Once all of the above is completed, you should check with the schools to insure that your application is completed. Many schools provide an identification number for you to log-in on line to check your application status.


5. Be sure to let the school's college counseling staff know if there is any problem so they can assist you.