Applying to College
Resources for Applying to College
College Application Websites
The Common App
The Common App is the website that we encourage all Lincoln students to use when applying for college.
- 900 Colleges, 1 Application
- Examples: Seattle U, UW, WSU, Lewis & Clark, Chapman
The Common Application is a popular college and university application platform. Visit the Common App website for more information or click the link for The Common App tutorials on featured on this page or visit the Lynx Counseling Crew course on Schoology
Adding your Counselor to Common App
Students must invite their LHS counselor to the Common App. This enables counselors to submit transcripts, schedules, Early Decision agreements, and recommendations on a student’s behalf.
How to invite your counselor to the Common App:
- under ‘My Colleges‘ tab
- click on any of the colleges
- click on ‘Recommenders & FERPA‘
- add your LHS counselor’s contact information. Be sure to enter their email ACCURATELY
Coalition For College Application
Over 100 colleges, 1 Application
The Coalition For College is another popular college and university application platform.
WA State Community & Technical College Application
Visit the WEB Admissions Center for Quick Start Instructions.
Colleges Like
New! Check out Colleges Like This is a (free) website designed to help with your college search.
College Testing Policies
If a college is under a test-optional policy, colleges still welcome test scores from students who choose to submit them and consider them a valuable data point and part of the review process if testing is available.
At the same time, they are confident in reviewing a file without a test score and still rendering a fair decision—in other words, students without scores are not disadvantaged. In contrast, if a school is test blind , it means they will not consider standardized testing at all. Even if you send it to them, they will not consider it as a part of your file.
Applying for Financial Aid
Seattle students follow many paths upon graduation from high school. For seniors interested in college, completing a FAFSA or WASFA is one of the first steps to receive college financial aid.
There are many steps students should take to be prepared for college. The Department of College and Career is here to support students as they navigate this process. Read more about College and Career Readiness at Seattle Public Schools.
Completing the FAFSA or WASFA is the first step in accessing college financial aid. It is required for most scholarships, grants, and loans. High school seniors should apply early to get all of the financial aid that they are eligible for.
Note! Changes coming to the FAFSA on Oct 1, 2022
Federal — The FAFSA is the application that citizens and eligible non-citizens (i.e. permanent resident card/green card, conditional permanent resident, refugee) complete to access financial aid. Apply online for free FAFSA. More information in the Financial Aid Applications tab.
Washington — The WASFA is the application undocumented non-citizens complete to access financial aid. Apply online for free WASFA. More information in the Financial Aid Applications tab.
Seattle Promise Scholarship | Application is generally due in February of each year. Students must apply for financial aid. Please be sure to list the Seattle Colleges in your FAFSA/WASFA, due in April of each year. Visit the Seattle Promise website for updated information. The program provides financial support and ongoing college and career guidance for students to attend one of three Seattle Colleges. All graduating seniors are encouraged to apply.
LHS Seattle Promise Contact: Aurelio Valdez, Seattle Colleges at auvaldezbar@seattleschools.org or book an appointment with him on the Lynx Counseling Crew Schoology page under Career & College supports.