Walter Johnson High School Counseling Services - Compass Points
Guide to Requesting Transcripts &
Counselor Letters of Recommendation
Updated August 2013
IMPORTANT FACTS:
•
Ms. Evans and counselors need at least 20 SCHOOL DAYS before your college
deadline to process a transcript/counselor request.
o General guidelines
 October 4, 2013 for November 1, 2013 deadline
 November 4, 2013 for December 2, 2013 deadline
 December 4, 2013 for January 1, 2014 deadline
 December 18, 2013 for January 15, 2014 deadline
•
Payment for transcripts are only accepted by Ms. Evans in the College & Career
Center during the following times:
o Before school
o During lunch
o After school
Payment for transcripts should be made at the time that students request their
transcripts.
•
For most schools…mail your part of the application separately. We will mail
transcript, counselor recommendation and secondary school report as requested
•
All forms in your Compass Points packet are available in the Document Library of
your Family Connection account and on the WJ website:
www.walterjohnson.com/career/compass.aspx
STEPS TO REQUEST A TRANSCRIPT/COUNSELOR RECOMMENDATION:
Step 1-Make sure you have completed an Authorization for Release of Student Records Form.
Return this form to Ms. Evans.
Step 2-If you have taken SAT’s or ACT’s and plan to submit your scores, contact College
Board and/or ACT to send your official scores to your schools (Note: If you already listed
schools when you registered for the test, you may skip this step).
Step 3-Determine the method of submission for your college (Common App Electronic, NonCommon App Electronic, or US Mail). These delivery methods can be found in your
Prospective College List under “Delivery Type.” If you have questions about your
college’s delivery method, see Ms. Evans or your counselor.
Step 4-Complete a Transcript Request Form for each college to which you are applying. If
you are in ACES, APEX, or LEAD!, don’t forget to check the appropriate box on the
Transcript Request Form.
Step 5- See Ms. Evans in the College & Career Center to submit Transcript Requests and
payments. Transcripts are $5.00 each (price includes postage), and the first is free. Payment
by check is encouraged and checks should be made payable to Walter Johnson High School.
Ms. Evans will note payment on each transcript request form and enter your college
applications and transcript requests into Family Connection. You may then check the status of
your applications through your Family Connection account.
Follow-Up:
Mid-Year Transcripts/Reports – You must complete a Mid-Year Transcript Request form. If
your college’s delivery method is electronic, then your mid-year transcript will be sent
electronically. All Common App schools require a Mid-Year report be sent! If your initial
transcript was sent via US Mail, then we will provide the envelope for your Mid-Year
Transcript.
Final Transcripts – The final (graduation) transcript will be sent only to the college that you
will be attending. It is important that you inform us of your final decision. You must provide
Ms. Evans with a stamped, addressed business-size envelope in May before you graduate.
The final transcripts will be mailed in mid-July as soon as we receive them.
Helpful Hints:
 Start early
 READ ALL DIRECTIONS AND BE AWARE OF DEADLINES
 Check your application thoroughly
 Keep a copy of your application
 Ask questions if you don’t understand something- WE’RE HERE TO HELP!