Big changes have come to the Common App!!! 

Not only has the user interface been revamped, but SCPS has now integrated Common App with Xello.  Students MUST use Xello to request Counselor and Teacher Recommenders and school related documents such as transcripts. 

**Read below for more information and review Step by Step Directions on How to link Xello and Common App.

• Students can create a Common App Account at Common App
• Students can access Xello by clicking on the Xello tile in Clever.

**Important Announcement for Students and Parents: Streamlining Your College Applications with Xello and Common App!

We are excited to announce that Seminole County Public Schools is integrating Xello with Common App, a powerful connection designed to streamline and simplify the college application process for our students. This integration means that students need to link their Common App account directly with Xello, making it easier to manage crucial steps in their applications.

What does this mean for students?

• Centralized Requests: Once linked, students can begin submitting requests for Common App documents and recommenders directly within Xello. This centralizes the process, reducing the need to navigate multiple platforms for these critical tasks.
• Simplified Counselor Assignment: Students will only need to assign a counselor once within Xello. This chosen counselor will then be responsible for sending transcripts and all necessary forms to all the colleges saved in the student's "My Colleges" list in Common App. This eliminates the need to assign a counselor for each individual college, saving significant time and effort.
• Easy Teacher Evaluation Requests: Students can use Xello to request a teacher to write and send a teacher evaluation to colleges on their behalf. Xello provides a list of available teachers at our school, and students even have the flexibility to search for teachers at other district schools using Xello with Common App enabled, which is particularly helpful for students who have transferred or whose teachers have moved.

Crucial First Step: Students Must Link Their Accounts!

It is essential that students connect their Xello account to Common App before counselors and teachers can complete or send any documents on their behalf.

How to get started and link your accounts:

Before linking accounts, students must complete a few essential steps in their Common App account:

1. Log in to Common App.
2. Click the Common App tab, and from the left menu, open Profile and then Education to complete the required fields.
3. Click the College Search tab, and add at least one college you plan to apply to.
4. Click the My Colleges tab, open one of your saved colleges.
5. In the left menu of the college profile, click Questions and fill out your Preferred Start Term.
6. Again, from the left menu, click Recommenders and FERPA. Read and complete the FERPA Release Authorization form.

Once these steps are complete, students can easily link their Xello and Common App accounts. To do this, sign in to Xello, go to College Planning under Plans, and click "View my applications." In the banner with the Common App logo, click "Connect" and sign in to Common App. After connecting, the colleges in their "My Colleges" list in Common App will be automatically synced to their "Application tracker" in Xello, clearly marked with a badge to indicate the Common App link.

We encourage all students applying to colleges through Common App to prioritize linking their accounts and then utilize this integrated feature to make their application journey smoother and more efficient.