I’m trying to connect my Common App to Naviance for my college applications, but I’m not sure where to start. I’ve followed some instructions, but it’s still not working and I’m worried I’ll miss application deadlines. Can someone please guide me through the exact steps to successfully link them?
Linking your Common App to Naviance might seem tricky at first, but follow these detailed steps and you should be fine:
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Sign in to Common App: Make sure your Common App account is set up and complete all sections. Without this, the link won’t work properly.
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Add schools to My Colleges: Ensure that you’ve added the colleges you’re applying to in the ‘My Colleges’ section on Common App. Naviance requires this info to sync properly.
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Match Accounts: Within Naviance, there’s a feature called “Match Accounts.” Look for it in the “Colleges I’m Applying To” section. It should prompt you to enter the email address associated with your Common App account.
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FERPA Waiver: Complete the FERPA release form on Common App. You can find this in the “My Colleges” tab and then click on “Assign Recommenders.” Fill out the FERPA waiver before proceeding to link with Naviance.
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Double Check Dates: Ensure the deadlines and reminders in both systems match. Account sync issues sometimes arise due to mismatched application dates.
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School-Specific Recommendations: If you have school-specific requirements, make sure they are also included in your application profile. Missing these can create incomplete application statuses.
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Check with School Counselor: Sometimes, school-specific requirements or errors may be the root cause. Your counselor can verify and correct any problems with Naviance.
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System Cache/Cookies: Sometimes simply clearing your browser’s cache or using a different browser can solve the issue. Systems might have stored errors in cookies.
In case all else fails, both Naviance and your school counselor could offer further assistance. It’s crucial you don’t delay; application deadlines are tight. Ensure you keep all screenshots and error messages for reference. This information will make it easier for support staff to diagnose issues. Stick to these steps, and your Common App and Naviance link should be seamless!
First off, if you have already followed steps like signing into your Common App, adding schools, and completing the FERPA waiver but it’s not working, consider these alternatives.
Check your browser settings: Sometimes, certain browser settings, extensions, or even outdated versions can interfere with the linking process. Ensure your browser and extensions are up to date or try switching to a different one.
Data Accuracy: Even small discrepancies in the information you’ve inputted in Common App and Naviance could cause problems. Make sure all personal details like your name, email, and date of birth match exactly in both systems.
Network issues: Occasionally, the school network might have restrictions that interfere with linking apps. If you’re attempting this on a school computer, try it on a personal device or a different network.
Manual coordination: If all digital methods fail, manually tracking your applications in both Common App and Naviance can temporarily work. Ensure your school counselor is aware of your situation, and they might be able to manually update Naviance for you to reflect your Common App submissions.
Revisit technical support: Beyond your school counselor, reaching out directly to Naviance support or Common App tech support with specific details of your issue could expedite a solution. Include screenshots where applicable.
Timing: Ensure that there are no system downtimes for either platform. Sometimes issues arise due to temporary maintenance on the servers.
Clearing your cache: As Kakeru mentioned, clearing the cache and cookies, or using an incognito window, might resolve the issue if browser-stored data is causing a conflict.
Ensure no overlooked notifications: Sometimes, both Common App and Naviance might have subtle notifications or warnings indicating what exactly is going wrong. Make sure to carefully read through every section on both platforms.
Consider alternative submission methods: If your deadline is approaching fast and online linking still fails, submit your applications by mail or through another electronic method if available. Always have backups.
Utilizing these additional methods might help ease the process. Remember, the goal is to get your applications in timely. Good luck!
So, you’ve gone through most of the essential steps that @mike34 and @kakeru suggested but still having issues? Well, tech’s often more temperamental than we’d like. Here’s another angle:
Two-Factor Authentication - Have you enabled two-factor authentication (2FA) on either the Common App or Naviance? Sometimes, this added security layer can cause integrations to hiccup. Try disabling it temporarily to see if that resolves the issue.
Check Bulk Permissions - Have a look at the bulk permissions settings on both platforms. Naviance and Common App can sometimes have a conflict if bulk permissions settings are not in sync. Maybe try toggling them on and off.
Use a VPN with Caution - If you’re using a VPN, it might be making things messier. Disconnect from the VPN and see if that sorts things out.
Parent Account Issues - Believe it or not, sometimes, if your parent/guardian has their account linked, it can cause syncing issues. Make sure they’re not logged in simultaneously while you attempt the link.
System Slowdowns - Both Common App and Naviance sometimes lag during peak application periods. Try linking your accounts at an off-peak time, like early morning or late at night, to avoid server slowdown.
One thing worth considering is that both platforms have been known to have their quirks when updates roll out. But diving into logs can give you more insight. Do this through the browser’s inspect tool, look for any errors in the console, and take note of anything unusual.
You might also consider alternate means of submitting some of your materials if time is pressing. Submitting by mail or directly through college-specific portals can act as backup methods while you troubleshoot. This is essentially a peace-of-mind strategy when technology’s mocking your best efforts.
Remember to keep screenshots or even short video captures of what’s happening on both platforms. These can be invaluable if you end up needing more targeted help from support services.
And let’s weigh the pros & cons for a second —
Pros:
- Seamless integration of records and applications.
- Centralized management of documents and deadlines.
- Constant updates and notifications.
Cons:
- Tech hiccups can disrupt the application process.
- Sometimes hard to diagnose and solve issues without professional help.
- Dependance on both systems’ uptime and maintenance schedules.
These can get tricky. Competitors like @mike34 and @kakeru suggested some tried and tested methods, and you might also consider cross-verifying info accuracy. This can act as a safety net. Stick with it; the chaos will settle!