High school senior year! This is the big one. If you are the parent of a senior in high school, you know that the coming months are packed with:
Completing The Common Application
In-person and virtual campus visits
Counselor meetings
College fairs
Teacher recommendations
Standardized tests (ACT or SAT)
Financial aid applications (FAFSA, Local Scholarships)
…and more.
SEPTEMBER
Get ready for SENIOR YEAR!
Meet with counselor - double check grad requirements, discuss other post-high school options. Make preliminary college list.
Create calendar of admission and financial aid deadlines
Plan final campus visits
Register for October - November, December test dates if taking/retaking SAT or ACT
Request teacher recommendations
Draft common application essay
OCTOBER
Work hard in your classes
Attend admission rep visits at the high school
Complete financial aid forms (FAFSA)
Polish Common App essay; begin supplemental essays (if required)
Finalize list of schools to apply to
Complete Early Decisions and or early application(s) if applying early.
Keep up with and enjoy extracurricular activities
Create personal in the cloud storage for important documents to have ready when needed.
NOVEMBER
Prepare to submit regular decision applications in advance of deadlines
Schedule virtual or in-person interviews if available
Clean up social media accounts
Research and apply for scholarships
Take care of your health
Have a happy Thanksgiving with your family!
DECEMBER
Follow up with teachers/counselor about recommendations
Send test scores and transcripts
Complete Common Application and supplements if needed
Submit applications before winter break so you can enjoy the holidays!
Enjoy the Winter Break with your Family!
JANUARY
Submit applications to colleges with late deadlines
Send fall semester grade reports (keep copies in your personal cloud storage)
Follow up with schools to make sure your applications are complete
Considering a gap year or an alternative to college? Research Options.
FEBRUARY
Stay engaged with high school (watch out for SENIORITIS)
Continue to apply for scholarships
Check out your LOCAL SCHOLARSHIPS!
Order Graduation Announcements
MARCH
It may be time to celebrate your offers of admission!
Compare financial aid awards
Think about summer! (Jobs, Internships, volunteer, travel?)
Make graduation party plans with family & friends
Focus on SELF-CARE
APRIL
Attend "admitted student'' events at colleges you are considering
Decide whether to accept waitlist spots (if offered)
Keep grades up - the college you accept will require a final transcript.
Choose your college and mail the deposit by the required date - usually May 1st, but does vary.
MAY
Take any college tests need. AP tests may accept scores for course credits
Inform counselor/teachers who wrote recommendations of your choice (and write thank you notes!)
Research first-year housing options; connect with potential roommates
HAPPY GRADUATION! YOU ARE A COLLEGE STUDENT NOW!