Senior Year

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     SEPTEMBER
     
    • Meet with your counselor to make sure you have registered for courses that still align with your college goals, and discuss the senior year timeline for applying to colleges.
    • Most health insurance companies will pay for only one physical examination per year. You're wise to wait until April for your required college physical, or for a physical to play intercollegiate athletics.  The NCAA requires college athletes to get a physical within six months of the first day of classes.
    • Students interested in initiating relationships with colleges that offer athletic scholarships should talk to their school counselor to understand the process and opportunities.
     
    • Review college materials, college guidebooks, and other resources to narrow your college list. Use the Naviance tool to help you refine your search and choose the schools that are the best fit for you.
    • Begin to finalize your list of colleges with your family and school counselor.
    • Consider visits, overnight stays, and interviews at your top college choices. Visit (personally or virtually) any colleges you have not already seen. Try to stay overnight with a current student to get the best feel for student life at the prospective college.
    • Register for one last shot at the SAT or ACT if you haven't taken one of them yet -- or if you aren't happy with earlier scores.
    • Speak with teachers who you would like to write a letter of recommendation on your behalf.
    • Begin brainstorming ideas for your college essays.
    • Attend college fairs for one final review of college choices.
    • Be sure your senior year mix of classes still includes challenging, college-prep courses.

    OCTOBER

    • Finalize your list of college choices to a reasonable number, ideally with one or more "stretch" schools and one "safety" school.
    • Create a file for each of your college choices - and keep all materials organized.
    • Consider creating a master schedule of all your application deadlines.
    • Begin working on drafts of your college essays.
    • Start working on college applications.
    • If you have a clear "first choice" college, consider applying Early Decision.
    • Review college Financial Aid requirements on their website.

    NOVEMBER

    • Finalize drafts of your college essays, but only after numerous edits, rewrites, and reviews by people you trust (family, friends, teachers).
    • Complete college applications and submit by the necessary deadline.
    • Be sure that your list of colleges is accurate in your Naviance account.
    • Request key financial aid and scholarship information from your list of colleges.

    DECEMBER

    • If you applied for early decision to a college, expect notification this month.
    • If not completed, complete remainder of college applications.
    • Start detailed financial aid search, including outside sources for scholarships and loans.
    • Complete the FAFSA if applying for financial aid.


    FEBRUARY

    • Keep track of your college applications; be sure all schools have received all your materials.

    MARCH

    • Celebrate your acceptances, decide about your wait lists, and deal positively with your rejections.
    • Finalize financial aid applications.
    • Continue searching and applying for scholarships and grants. Stay focused on grades.

    APRIL

    • Make a decision about your college choice from among the colleges that accepted you.
    • Notify all colleges (that accepted you) of your final decision. Submit tuition deposit to your college of choice.
    • Continue searching and applying for scholarships and grants.

    MAY

    • Be sure to submit paperwork for room and board.
    • Continue searching and applying for scholarships and grants.

    JUNE

    • Celebrate your high school success!
    • Send thank you notes (if you haven't already) to everyone who helped you this year.
    • Start planning for college.
    • If you will be working over the summer, see the work permit guidelines to understand how many hours you can legally work at your age.
    • Watch college's summer deadlines (orientations, housing options, registration, etc.) closely.