This was 10 years ago, but neither of my kids used the common app, and most things were submitted by mail.
They had to pick up copies of their transcripts, which were sealed, and then send them in themselves. I think the profile was attached to the transcript. They had to ask teachers for recommendations (if needed) and have the teachers send them in or do the same ‘in a sealed envelope’ process. After graduation, the school sent a final transcript to the school the student was headed to.
I think for the big Florida publics, the guidance office sent a couple of groups of electronic transcripts out before the application deadlines (one in October, one in February), but all other schools were snail mail, and mostly the responsibility of the student to submit.