• Tips for seniors

    September:

    • Narrow your list of colleges to five to ten. Meet with a counselor and, if you have not done so, download college applications and financial aid forms.
    • Plan to visit as many of these colleges as possible.
    • Create a calendar that includes:
    • Tests you will take and their fees, dates, and registration deadlines
      • College application due dates
      • Financial aid application forms required and their deadlines
      • Other materials you will need (recommendations, transcripts, etc…)
    • If you cannot afford application or test fees, a counselor can help you request a fee waiver
    • If you have had your SAT scores sent to the college to which you are applying, be sure to contact the College Board to have them sent

    October:

    • Try to finalize your college choices
    • Prepare Early Decision, Early Action or rolling admissions applications as soon as possible
    • Ask for counselor or teacher recommendations if you need them. Give each teacher or counselor an outline of your academic record and your extracurricular activities.
    • If you are submitting essays, write first drafts and ask teachers and others to read them.
    • Attend the College Fair!

    November:

    • Nov.1-15: For Early Decision admissions, colleges may require test scores and applications between these dates
    • Complete at least 3 college application by Thanksgiving
    • Counselors send transcripts to colleges. Give counselors the proper forms at least 3 weeks before colleges require them.

    December:

    • As you finish and send your applications and essays, be sure to keep copies

    January:

    • If you apply to colleges online, be sure to have your high school send a transcript-it goes to colleges separately by mail
    • Attend College Night!
    • Complete FASFA/TASFA

    February:

    • Stay focused!! Accepting colleges do look at second-semester senior grades

    March:

    • Keep active in school. If you are wait-listed, the college will want to know what you have accomplished between the time you applied and the time you learned of its decision.

     

    April:

    • You should receive acceptance letters and financial aid offers by mid-April. If you have done so yet, visit your final college before accepting. As soon as you decide, notify your counselor of your choice.
    • If you have questions about housing offers, talk to your counselor or call the college

    May:

    • May 1: Colleges cannot require a deposit or commitment to attend before May 1. By that postmarked date, you must inform every college of your acceptance or rejection of the offer of admission and/or financial.
    • Send your deposit to one college only
    • Wait-listed by a college? If you will enroll if accepted, tell the admissions director your intent and ask how to strengthen you application.
    • Need financial aid? Ask whether funds will be available if you are accepted
    • Work with a counselor to resolve any admissions or financial aid problems.

    June:

    • Ask your high school to send a final transcript to your college.