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How to Link Your Common App & Parchment Accounts

Required for Oceanside Collegiate Academy to send Transcripts and Supporting Documents

Step 1: Create Your Common App Account

  • Visit commonapp.org and create your Common Application account (or log in if you already have one).
  • Use a personal email address that you check regularly.

Step 2: Complete Your Common App Profile

  • Under the Common App tab, complete your personal information.
  • Be sure your name and date of birth match exactly what Oceanside Collegiate Academy has on file.
  • Complete the Education section.
  • Enter Oceanside Collegiate Academy as your high school.

Step 3: Add Colleges

  • Under the College Search tab, search for each college you plan to apply to.
  • Add each college to your My Colleges list

Step 4: Complete the FERPA Release Authorization

For each college in your My Colleges list:

  • Select the college.
  • Open the Recommenders and FERPA section.
  • Complete and electronically sign the FERPA Release Authorization.

We strongly recommend waiving your right to review recommendation letters. Most colleges expect recommendations to remain confidential and consider them more credible when students waive this right.

Step 5: Create Your Parchment Account

  • Visit Parchment.com and create your student account if you have not already done so.\
  • Use the same personal email address that you used for your Common App account whenever possible.

Step 6: Link Your Common App and Parchment Accounts

Once Oceanside Collegiate Academy's Common App integration has been activated:
  • Log in to your Parchment account.
  • Navigate to your account settings or Common App connection (if prompted).
  • Authorize Parchment to connect with your Common App account.
  • Verify your Common App email address and date of birth.

This connection allows Oceanside to securely submit official transcripts and supporting school documents to participating colleges.

If you do not see the Common App connection option yet, don't worry. Oceanside is currently completing the setup process and will notify all seniors as soon as the integration is available.

Step 7: Request Your Transcript

Within Parchment:

  • Search for the college.
  • Select the correct institution.
  • Request your official transcript.
  • Monitor your request status to confirm it has been sent and received.

Remember:

  • Adding a college to your Common App does NOT automatically send your transcript.
  • You must request your transcript through Parchment.

Teacher & Counselor Recommendations

  • Teachers and counselors will submit recommendation letters and required school forms through the Common App (or another approved method if necessary).
  • Do not send recommendation requests directly through Common App unless instructed to do so by the Counseling Office.
  • Oceanside will provide instructions on the proper process for requesting teacher and counselor recommendations.
  • Always ask your teacher in person or by email first before requesting a recommendation.

Important Information to Remember

  • You may apply using the Common Application or directly through an individual college's application.
  • Official SAT or ACT scores must be sent directly from the testing agency if required.
  • Monitor each college's applicant portal regularly for missing documents.
  • Some colleges require Mid-Year Reports and updated transcripts after first semester.
  • After graduation, you must request a Final Transcript through Parchment for the college you plan to attend.

Parchment Tips

  • Request transcripts well before application deadlines.
  • Use the same email address for Common App and Parchment whenever possible.
  • Check Parchment regularly to verify transcript delivery.
  • Only request transcripts for colleges to which you are seriously applying.
  • Keep track of every application deadline.
  • Read emails from both Common App and Parchment frequently.

College Planning Tips

  • Be intentional when building your college list.
  • Research each college's application requirements carefully.
  • Apply for scholarships throughout the year.
  • Stay organized with a planner or spreadsheet.
  • Meet with your school counselor whenever you have questions.

Final Thoughts

Applying to college involves many moving parts, but staying organized and meeting deadlines will make the process much smoother. Use Common App and Parchment together, check your email daily, and don't hesitate to ask the Counseling Office for help. We are here to support you every step of the way and want to make your college application experience as successful and stress-free as possible.

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