BELOW IS A MONTH-BY-MONTH GUIDE FOR YOUR SENIOR YEAR. TOWARDS THE END YOU WILL SEE A PRINTABLE AND VERY BRIEF TIMELINE FOR YOUR FRIDGE!!!
SUMMER
Senior year is a busy but very exciting year! During your senior year, you will finalize your college choice. This year is filled with admission applications, scholarship essays, financial aid information and the need to meet deadlines. Throughout your senior year, continue to build your resume by achieving academic success, as well as participating in extracurricular activities. Most colleges are interested in well-rounded students.
August
September
· Make sure you are sticking to your deadlines.
· Continue writing drafts of your college essays.
· Start completing early admission college applications.
· Meet with school representatives that visit our high school or contact them by email. It's important to build rapport.
· Apply to scholarships!! Look for them and apply. Think of this as your part time job. You will thank yourself later, I promise.
· Look for workshops or events your desired university may be having. They serve as a great place to learn of tips and tricks.
· Register for SAT/ACT if you have not already done so. (If appliacable)
Take ACT and/or SAT, ideally both. See testing page for more information and to learn the difference.
· Talk to your counselor about your graduation status (credits) and any college needs.
· Attend college planning and/or financial aid information nights and college fairs at your school!
Follow up on any letters of recommendation you may have requested.
Have your counselor, teachers, staff, family and/or mentors review your personal statement. Make sure to give them the prompt.
October
· Take the SAT and/or ACT (ideally both) if you have not already.
· Finalize your admissions essay.
· The application window for UC/CSU opens on October 1.
The FAFSA application opens on December 1. Sign up for an FSA-ID, to complete your FAFSA online. (Also let your parents know that they will need a FSA ID.) See financial aid page for more details.
· If you haven't already done so, attend college planning and/or financial aid information nights and college fairs.
· Visit your top school choices. If possible, schedule a tour. Universities also have a Fall Preview day that highlights their school and programs and also a Spring Open House that highlights their school. This will help you learn more about the school.
· Complete applications for every scholarship for which you may be eligible and set deadlines for yourself.
· Meet with your counselor for any questions you have.
· Contact the schools' financial aid offices to determine which forms they require. Some schools may require special forms besides FAFSA. Some require the CSS profile. Please note that the CSS profile is not free and is completed via College Board.
· Finalize portfolios, work samples, or other evidence of talent if required for admission.
November
· Complete admissions applications by their deadlines. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!
· Attend college planning and/or financial aid information nights and college fairs.
· Request financial aid forms and applications. Double check the deadlines for submission.
· Follow up on any letters of recommendation.
· Stay focused on maintaining and increasing your GPA. Remember that the university can revoke your acceptance based on low GPA.
· Apply to Scholarships.
Ensure that the universities you have applied to have received your SAT and/or ACT scores. See SAT/ACT page for more information.
December
· Finalize admission applications.
· Research other means to pay for college… including grants and scholarships.
· Watch for early admissions notices (they tend to arrive in December or January).
· Apply to Scholarships.
Maintain your grades. Universities can revoke your acceptance based on senior year grades.
January
· If you have not filed your FAFSA, please make sure you take care of this ASAP. Money DOES run out!!!
· Continue to apply for scholarships.
· Continue to work on your GPA.
· Apply to Scholarships.
· Community College application window opens and even if you think you are going to a four year university for sure,it is important that you have backups.
Continue to keep track of deadlines.
February
· Be mindful of deadlines. Always submit information on time.
· Research Advanced Placement (AP) testing dates and plan accordingly.
· Watch for the e-mail notice indicating your Student Aid Report (SAR) is ready. This is in relation to FAFSA.
· Review your SAR for errors and make any corrections as indicated.
· Apply to Scholarships.
· Rank your top school choices.
Acceptances will begin to arrive next month. Your hard work is paying off soon!
March
· Check with the financial aid offices to ensure your paperwork is complete. Submit tax forms if they request them. You will find this in your portals!!
· Narrow your school choices and make campus visits.
· Be on the lookout for acceptance letters.
· Start looking for summer jobs or possible internships.
· Apply to scholarships
April
· Compare financial aid award letters.
Acceptance letters may still be coming in this month.
· Check with the school you've chosen about returning financial aid award letters.
· Notify the schools you have chosen NOT to attend.
· Plan for registration, orientation, and housing, and mark your calendar with important dates.
May
· Make sure you have accepted a university and declared you are attending there. There is a fee for sending your intent. Sometimes, universities do waive this. If you are low income, they WILL waive it. Call the school if you are confused.
Be aware of any summer orientation sessions that you must attend at the school in which you will enroll, and make plans accordingly. If you do not attend, they can rescind you!!
· Finalize your summer job plans, and make a plan for saving a portion of your summer earnings.
· Follow up with your high school to ensure final school transcripts will be sent to your college. This is on YOU and not your high school!
· Apply to scholarships.
June
· Follow up with the financial aid office to ensure all paperwork is complete.
· Take College Placement exams if needed by your university (math and English; if applicable)
· Enjoy your last days as a high school student
· Congratulations, you did it!!!!!
July
· Save money from your summer job (If applicable).
· Send “thank you notes” to everyone who helped you plan and prepare for college.
· Make copies of your financial aid forms, health forms, etc for your files to aid in resolving future issues.
· Register for the Fall semester. Do it as soon as possible.
· Prepare for the new adventures that await you on campus!
Congratulations! It's time to get ready to start college.
Advice for parents
Yes, there are things you can do to help your senior prepare for continuing their education after high school.
· It is important to attend financial aid presentations and career day functions WITH your student.
· Check their grades as often as possible and continue to support them and cheer them on. Ask them often "what are you working on and what scholarships have you applied for?"
· Sit down with your student and prepare a list of what he/she is looking for in a college and then help him/her sort through the information they receive from the different institutions to decide which ones offer what's on the list.
· In the fall register for an FSA ID with FAFSA you can assist your student with financial aid forms as early as October
· In March, the award notices will start coming in. Look at the financing carefully and make comparisons!
· Go on trips with your student to as many of his or her top school choices. A visit to the campus is invaluable to making a decision.
· There may be stressful times during senior year, remind them how hard they have worked and help maintain the level of stress down.
· Hug them, send them on their way to a new adventure.
SUMMER
- Take a summer class at the local community college-Get a head start on college and save $ (they are free, see Community College page)
- Read at least 20-30 minutes per day. Reading comprehension will be essential in college
- Prepare for the SAT/ACT (if applicable) by reviewing your Spring scores and looking at areas of improvement; Use Khan Academy
- Visit Colleges that interest you-even if that means virtual tours
- Continue serving your community-Community service is essential
- Improve your writing skills and begin writing rough drafts of your personal statements
- Create a list of 5-10 colleges to apply to-remember to categorize as reach/match/safety (see Tips for Selecting a University Page)
- Learn about early decision programs and key dates for senior year
- Explore the websites of the colleges that interest you to learn about admissions requirements.
Senior year is a busy but very exciting year! During your senior year, you will finalize your college choice. This year is filled with admission applications, scholarship essays, financial aid information and the need to meet deadlines. Throughout your senior year, continue to build your resume by achieving academic success, as well as participating in extracurricular activities. Most colleges are interested in well-rounded students.
August
- SAT/ACT: Pick up your fee waivers (if applicable) for the SAT/ACT mid/late August. Make sure you register for the earliest one possible; preferably September or October. The latest you can take an exam is December but you will NOT have your scores in time for applications if you take it in December, which is fine.
- Application opens for UC's. Fill in the skeleton! (Demographics, classes, etc)
- Register for the SAT
- Register for the ACT
- Request letters of recommendation, if needed. Your favorite teacher will get a ton of requests so it's best to beat the bunch and get ahead of all.
- You can start filling out the skeleton for the common app.....Make sure you create your account by this month.
- Mark a calendar with deadlines: early action/early decision, submission deadlines, financial aid/scholarships, etc. See (Senior timeline doc)
September
· Make sure you are sticking to your deadlines.
· Continue writing drafts of your college essays.
· Start completing early admission college applications.
· Meet with school representatives that visit our high school or contact them by email. It's important to build rapport.
· Apply to scholarships!! Look for them and apply. Think of this as your part time job. You will thank yourself later, I promise.
· Look for workshops or events your desired university may be having. They serve as a great place to learn of tips and tricks.
· Register for SAT/ACT if you have not already done so. (If appliacable)
Take ACT and/or SAT, ideally both. See testing page for more information and to learn the difference.
· Talk to your counselor about your graduation status (credits) and any college needs.
· Attend college planning and/or financial aid information nights and college fairs at your school!
Follow up on any letters of recommendation you may have requested.
Have your counselor, teachers, staff, family and/or mentors review your personal statement. Make sure to give them the prompt.
October
· Take the SAT and/or ACT (ideally both) if you have not already.
· Finalize your admissions essay.
· The application window for UC/CSU opens on October 1.
The FAFSA application opens on December 1. Sign up for an FSA-ID, to complete your FAFSA online. (Also let your parents know that they will need a FSA ID.) See financial aid page for more details.
· If you haven't already done so, attend college planning and/or financial aid information nights and college fairs.
· Visit your top school choices. If possible, schedule a tour. Universities also have a Fall Preview day that highlights their school and programs and also a Spring Open House that highlights their school. This will help you learn more about the school.
· Complete applications for every scholarship for which you may be eligible and set deadlines for yourself.
· Meet with your counselor for any questions you have.
· Contact the schools' financial aid offices to determine which forms they require. Some schools may require special forms besides FAFSA. Some require the CSS profile. Please note that the CSS profile is not free and is completed via College Board.
· Finalize portfolios, work samples, or other evidence of talent if required for admission.
- Apply to Scholarships!
- Follow up on any letters of recommendation you may have requested.
- Look at early decision for a community college. It's important to have a backup. You just never know.
November
· Complete admissions applications by their deadlines. DO NOT PROCRASTINATE!
· Attend college planning and/or financial aid information nights and college fairs.
· Request financial aid forms and applications. Double check the deadlines for submission.
· Follow up on any letters of recommendation.
· Stay focused on maintaining and increasing your GPA. Remember that the university can revoke your acceptance based on low GPA.
· Apply to Scholarships.
Ensure that the universities you have applied to have received your SAT and/or ACT scores. See SAT/ACT page for more information.
December
· Finalize admission applications.
· Research other means to pay for college… including grants and scholarships.
· Watch for early admissions notices (they tend to arrive in December or January).
· Apply to Scholarships.
Maintain your grades. Universities can revoke your acceptance based on senior year grades.
January
· If you have not filed your FAFSA, please make sure you take care of this ASAP. Money DOES run out!!!
· Continue to apply for scholarships.
· Continue to work on your GPA.
· Apply to Scholarships.
· Community College application window opens and even if you think you are going to a four year university for sure,it is important that you have backups.
Continue to keep track of deadlines.
February
· Be mindful of deadlines. Always submit information on time.
· Research Advanced Placement (AP) testing dates and plan accordingly.
· Watch for the e-mail notice indicating your Student Aid Report (SAR) is ready. This is in relation to FAFSA.
· Review your SAR for errors and make any corrections as indicated.
· Apply to Scholarships.
· Rank your top school choices.
Acceptances will begin to arrive next month. Your hard work is paying off soon!
March
· Check with the financial aid offices to ensure your paperwork is complete. Submit tax forms if they request them. You will find this in your portals!!
· Narrow your school choices and make campus visits.
· Be on the lookout for acceptance letters.
· Start looking for summer jobs or possible internships.
· Apply to scholarships
April
· Compare financial aid award letters.
Acceptance letters may still be coming in this month.
· Check with the school you've chosen about returning financial aid award letters.
· Notify the schools you have chosen NOT to attend.
· Plan for registration, orientation, and housing, and mark your calendar with important dates.
May
· Make sure you have accepted a university and declared you are attending there. There is a fee for sending your intent. Sometimes, universities do waive this. If you are low income, they WILL waive it. Call the school if you are confused.
Be aware of any summer orientation sessions that you must attend at the school in which you will enroll, and make plans accordingly. If you do not attend, they can rescind you!!
· Finalize your summer job plans, and make a plan for saving a portion of your summer earnings.
· Follow up with your high school to ensure final school transcripts will be sent to your college. This is on YOU and not your high school!
· Apply to scholarships.
June
· Follow up with the financial aid office to ensure all paperwork is complete.
· Take College Placement exams if needed by your university (math and English; if applicable)
· Enjoy your last days as a high school student
· Congratulations, you did it!!!!!
July
· Save money from your summer job (If applicable).
· Send “thank you notes” to everyone who helped you plan and prepare for college.
· Make copies of your financial aid forms, health forms, etc for your files to aid in resolving future issues.
· Register for the Fall semester. Do it as soon as possible.
· Prepare for the new adventures that await you on campus!
Congratulations! It's time to get ready to start college.
Advice for parents
Yes, there are things you can do to help your senior prepare for continuing their education after high school.
· It is important to attend financial aid presentations and career day functions WITH your student.
· Check their grades as often as possible and continue to support them and cheer them on. Ask them often "what are you working on and what scholarships have you applied for?"
· Sit down with your student and prepare a list of what he/she is looking for in a college and then help him/her sort through the information they receive from the different institutions to decide which ones offer what's on the list.
· In the fall register for an FSA ID with FAFSA you can assist your student with financial aid forms as early as October
· In March, the award notices will start coming in. Look at the financing carefully and make comparisons!
· Go on trips with your student to as many of his or her top school choices. A visit to the campus is invaluable to making a decision.
· There may be stressful times during senior year, remind them how hard they have worked and help maintain the level of stress down.
· Hug them, send them on their way to a new adventure.