Preparing & Applying to College

Unofficial Transcripts

You can request unofficial transcripts by going to the College and Career Center.

Official Transcripts

For official transcripts, fill out the Online Student Records Request form. 

Every time you order, you can order paper to be sent and/or electronic to be sent. You can also send one or two home to yourself for scholarships etc.

It’s always appropriate to order after semester 1 when grades are final and after semester 2 of senior year to send to your chosen school.

Fill the form out carefully. Select "For College" in the green box and if you want an Official, Unofficial, or both.

Go to the Online Student Records Request Form

Common App

If your college/university is on the Common App your counselor will upload your transcript. 

If you apply to a school not on the Common Application, you will need to send and order your transcript. Western Oregon University is not on the Common Application.

Opportunities Guide and Workbook

Choosing a College Starts with Knowing Your Options. The Opportunities guide helps high school students choose the right college, understand admission requirements, identify types of financial aid and more.

2024-25 Oregon Opportunities Booklet

 2024-25 Oregon Opportunities Booklet- Spanish (COMING SOON) 

Search Engines

• Scoir: All Salem-Keizer High School students have a Scoir account. They can login using Google sign on to use their school login info. If you need help accessing your Scoir account stop by the College and Career Center.
• Niche Colleges and Universities: Research “Lite”
• College Confidential Forums & School specific searches
• Campus Reel
• College Transitions Data Verse
• Big J Resources: for $ info & ED vs. RD Acceptance Rates
• College Data
• College Simply
• College Navigator (US Dept of Education site)
• Common Application to the Colleges: Open an account
• College Vine

Parent Resources

• Will you Be Able to Help your College-age Child in a Medical Emergency? 
• Does your student need to pay for tuition insurance? Only cover your out of pocket costs, not the Cost of Attendance!
• Does your student need renter's insurance?

Oregon Gear Up

Oregon Gear Up has extensive checklists on the steps that students should be taking each year in high school to prepare for college.

View The Lists Online

Opportunities Guide and Workbook

Choosing a College Starts with Knowing Your Options. The Opportunities guide helps high school students choose the right college, understand admission requirements, identify types of financial aid and more.

2024-25 Oregon Opportunities Booklet

 2024-25 Oregon Opportunities Booklet- Spanish (COMING SOON) 

Types of Admissions

Understanding the different types of admissions processes is important, each type of admissions process has different advantages and disadvantages. It will be helpful for you to know the difference between each type of admissions process and which best meets your needs. Do you need more flexibility or do you need an answer early in your senior year?

• Early Decision: Applications are binding, which means that an applicant who is accepted as an Early Decision is contractually obligated to attend that college and must withdraw all other university applications.

• Single-Choice/Restricted Early Action: Admissions plans are binding and more restrictive. Students may not to apply to any other colleges while in this process.

• Early Action: Applications are not binding. Applicants receive early admission notifications, but do not have to commit to the college until May 1.

• Regular Decision: The vast majority of applications will have one regular decision deadline that occurs in January/February. These deadlines may also be called “Priority Deadlines” if admitted students usually have until May 1 to commit.

• Rolling Decision: Typically admissions applications are accepted year-round and until incoming class spots have been filled.

• Limited Entry: A term that describes programs that often require an additional application and accept a limited number of applicants.

• Open Admission: Some colleges offer admission to all students who apply. Such colleges usually have extensive programs designed to provide remedial or developmental help to students who enroll with academic deficiencies.

Applications

Schools may have their own unique application, but many 4-year colleges throughout the country use the Common App. The Common Application offers one universal application and one common set of essays for its member colleges. This saves you time by not requiring you to fill out your personal contact information, educational history, etc. every time you apply to a new school. There are 14 Oregon colleges and universities that use the Common App.

Learn more about The Common Application.

Other Types of College Applications:

• Coalition Application: The Coalition Application is a platform where 150+ colleges and universities express their commitment to provide lower-income, under-resourced and/or first-generation students support.

• Common Black College Application: The Common Black College Application is accepted by 60 historically Black colleges and universities throughout the country.

• Institution Specific Application: Many colleges require specific college admissions applications from their institution. Applications will be found on the college/university admissions website.

• Oregon Degree Partnership Admissions Program Applications: These programs may also be called Dual Enrollment or Co-Admission programs. Public universities in Oregon have partnerships with community colleges where students can choose to be enrolled in both colleges. Students are required to apply to both colleges and/or complete a separate application to be dual enrolled. Search “Dual Enrollment” on the website of the university/college you would like to attend for specifics about each school’s process

Helpful Resources: 

Document- The College Board's Application Checklist: This document is a helpful tool to keep track college application requirements.

Document- ASPIRE Glossary of Terms: This guide will help you remember the different types of admissions processes as well as other important college access vocabulary.

Applying
 

It's important to review a school's admissions requirements before applying. Don't rush your application, take your time and submit all required documents. Typically the application includes the following components. 

College Applications Include the Following:

• Application: Usually found on the school's website. Make sure you complete all sections completely and thoroughly.

• Official High School Transcripts: Request from your high school registrar. Send these with your admissions application and a final transcript at the end of senior year.

• Official SAT or ACT Scores: These can be sent by logging into your www.collegeboard.org or www.actstudent.org accounts and sending the scores the the institution.

• Letters of Recommendation: Some schools require letters of recommendation for admission. Ask recommenders early to write you a letter. Give them at least two weeks. Politely follow-up with the recommender as the deadline approaches. Write your recommenders a thank you note and keep them updated on your plans.

• Essays: Make sure you answer the question completely, and that you are within the word limit. Let your voice shine through, and be yourself. Get feedback on your essay from peers, teachers, and parents. 

• Application Fee: An application fee is required for most colleges. Many colleges accept fee waivers or deferments. 

Helpful Resources

• Form- Letter of Recommendation Form: Use this form to help your recommenders write a compelling letter on your behalf.

• Document- Tips for Writing Application Essays: This short checklist provides useful suggestions on how to write application essays.

• Website- College Board's Guide to Application Essays: This website provides 7 tips for writing application essays.

• Website- NACAC Application Fee Waiver: In certain circumstances you can request an Application Fee Waiver from the NACAC.

Website- College Board Application Fee Waiver: If you received a fee waiver for the SAT, you will receive four college application fee waivers in your College Board Account.

When Requesting a Letter of Recommendation

• Submit 3-4 weeks early; that means 3-4 weeks before you need the LOR to be submitted to the college or scholarship.

• How to get a good Letter of Recommendation? 

  • How to Ask for a Letter of Recommendation for College

  • How to Get a Great letter of Recommendation

• Applying to selective schools? 

  • Watch this Vanderbilt video regarding rock solid LOR's.

• Brag Sheet Questions to give those writing your recommendation letters more personal information to write stellar letters on your behalf. Give your teachers/counselors/community organizers/coaches some help by answering questions from this brag sheet.

College Entrance exams

All Oregon Public Universities will go test optional beginning Fall 2021. For a list of all college/universities that are test optional go to:

fairtest.org

Free waiver for the ACT/SAT

Eligible students can receive a fee waiver for the ACT/SAT. For more information contact your Counselor  or College and Career Center.

Oregon Public Universities Undergraduate Admission Requirements 2023-2024

High school graduation is required, plus the following subject requirements with a grade of C- or better:

4 English courses
3 Social Studies courses
3 Math courses
2 Foreign Language courses
3 Science courses

Every school will review every application, even if it doesn’t meet admissions requirements. The school will consider other factors that may predict academic success in school. These factors include: difficulty of HS courses, SAT/ACT scores, writing samples, work experience, extracurricular activities, and volunteer work.

NOTE: These admission requirements are for informational purposes only. To ensure accurate information, always check with each specific institution.

View Undergraduate Admissions Requirements

Degree Partnership Program/ Dual Enrollment between a Community College and 4-year college

If you know you want to transfer to a specific 4 year college after community college consider enrolling in a degree partnership program. By doing so you would be considered a student at both college, access resources at both colleges and more!

Below are some degree partnerships:

• Oregon State Univeristy: All community colleges
• University of Oregon: Lane community College, Southwestern Oregon Community College
• Portland State University: Chemeketa, Clackamas, Clatsop, Oregon Coast, Mt. Hood, Portland
• Western Oregon University: Chemeketa, Clackamas, Linn- Benton
• Oregon Tech: Chemeketa, Clackamas, Klamath, Linn-Benton, Mt. Hood, Portland

Learn more about Oregon's Degree partnership programs

Oregon Gear Up understands that undocumented students face unique challenges in accessing and paying for higher education. This website has helpful information for undocumented students and their families.

Oregon Gear Up - Oregon Gear Up - in Spanish - Information for students, parents and educators to help assist undocumented students with college planning.

ORSAA
Oregon residents who have undocumented status, Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) status, Temporary Protected Status (TPS), or a valid U-visa should submit the ORSAA. Do not complete the ORSAA if you are (1) a U.S. citizen, (2) a legal noncitizen with an Alien Registration number, or (3) an international student who is in the United States with a valid visa. Learn more here.

If you are unsure which form to complete please answer the questions below. Based on the answers provided you will be instructed to complete either the FAFSA or the ORSAA. If you have any questions please email: PublicPrograms@hecc.oregon.gov

FAFSA/ORSAA Filter Tool 

The Undocumented Life
Immigrants Rising
Resource Guide: Supporting Undocumented Youth

Collegiate Athletics

Want to play sports in College?
As a college-bound student athlete, you are responsible for your eligibility - that means planning ahead, taking high school classes seriously and protecting your amateur status. If you want to practice, compete and receive an athletics scholarship during your first year at a Division 1 or 2 school, the NCAA Eligibility Center must certify you as eligible. Register at the NCAA Eligibility Center

Division I and Division II Academic requirements can be found here

NCAA Core Courses for Athletes

• D1 athletes must meet eligibility obligations.
• D2 athletes must meet eligibility obligations.
• D3 athletes must be academically admissible to their school(s).

Should I take the ACT or SAT, an Athletics Perspective (Some selective schools may still ask you to submit a test score privately to the coach which he will forward to the admissions department. They can then advise you whether to apply test optional or not. But yes, you may still need a test for the most selective colleges/universities!)

Collegiate Athletics Visit Questions - Are you considering playing collegiate sports? When you meet with coaches consider questions like these.

The International Baccalaureate aims to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and caring young people who help to create a better and more peaceful world through intercultural understanding and respect. To this end, the organization works with schools, governments and international organizations to develop challenging programs of international education and rigorous assessment. These programs encourage students across the world to become active, compassionate and life-long learners who understand that other people, with their differences, can also be right.

In the Salem-Keizer School District, North Salem HS & South Salem HS are the only High schools that offer IB courses.  For information on what colleges offer IB students , guidance on how to promote yourself as an IB diploma candidate, go to the Saxon IB website, or the North Salem IB Website.

OREGON PROMISE - Just Do It! It takes 5 minutes!

Oregon Promise for the Class of 2024  has not yet been determined.

OREGON PROMISE = 90 credits of community college tuition help 

• You must do FAFSA or ORSAA to receive Oregon Promise monies.

• For some students OP is worth $8,000 + in schooling money.

• The deadline for S1 senior graduates is February 1st by 11:59 PM (along with your FAFSA or ORSAA).

• The deadline for senior S2 graduates is June 1st by 11:59 PM (along with your FAFSA or ORSAA).

• Oregon Promise can be used at any Oregon community college. Central Oregon (Bend) and Southwestern (Coos Bay) have dorms as well as the Columbia Gorge CC.

• If you have high school college credits, they will be deducted from your 90 credits.

• Oregon Promise has NOT had a family income limit for years. The state funds Oregon Promise every two years. Yes, it could be "first come, first serve" so apply early in senior year. 

• Life throws curve balls. Apply.

• Requires a 2.0 GPA unweighted by the time you finish high school. Your register confirms you have met the GPA.

• Allows a student to attend part-time, full-time, hybrid, online, or in-person.

• If you don't use Oregon Promise, you lose Oregon Promise. No gap time is allowed. A student may attend part-time, but must be in school until the 90 credits are complete. No summer attendance required.

• Part-time is completion of 6-8 credit hours a term. 6-8 credit hours is equal to 6-8 classroom hours a week with the cc.

• Oregon Promise does not cover books and fees.

HOW MUCH DOES OREGON PROMISE AWARD?

The Oregon Promise tuition award will be larger for a student who does NOT qualify for federal or state need based aid. The student who does qualify for Oregon need based aid, federal need based aid, or both, Oregon Promise will seek to fill the remainder of their bucket, but their OP award will be smaller because they have other options for funding from the federal government, the state, or both. On average Oregon Promise pays out $138 per credit for 90 credits.