Here is a calendar of what seniors should be doing in the next few months. I encourage you to print it off.
Seniors - Fall Semester
September
• Discuss your classes, college plans, credits and test scores with your high school counselor
• Arrange campus visits- if not already done this past summer
• Begin soliciting letters of recommendation from reliable contacts who are familiar with your goals
• Register to take the SAT/ACT, if necessary
• Continue to search for free money (scholarships and grants) and others ways to pay
• Stay organized: File copies of applications and correspondence. Keep your calendar up-to-date tracking important dates and deadlines
October
• Review your transcripts to verify that the information is correct
• Send transcripts to your selected schools - transcript request form available in Post Grad
• Find out the application-of-choice used by each college
• Ask for letters of recommendation. Most admissions and scholarship applications require these letters
• Get some pointers on writing admissions essays and scholarship essays - talk to your English teacher
• View sample essays and essay questions
• Attend college fairs and financial aid nights
• Make sure your test scores are being sent to the colleges on your short list.
• Candidates for early school admission (early decision, early action, early admission, etc.) should complete college applications. It's a good idea to investigate the pros and cons of this decision and to
get familiar with the early admission timeline.
get familiar with the early admission timeline.
November
• Continue completing your college applications- make copies before sending
• Early decision deadline is often November 1 or 15
• Determine which financial aid forms the colleges on your list require—when in doubt contact the financial aid office
• Investigate state college information and programs
• Search for additional sources of financial aid
December
• Complete school applications ideally by December 1
• Determine if you are eligible for financial aid
• Determine how to submit your FAFSA (paper or on the Web)
• Important: Don’t submit your FAFSA before January 1—it will be returned not processed
• Stay organized. Remember to keep copies of applications and correspondence. Continue to track important dates and deadlines on your calendar
January
• Submit your FAFSA as soon after January 1 as possible. Some student aid programs award funds on a first-come, first-served basis. Waiting too long to submit your FAFSA could be costly.
• Fill out and submit required financial aid forms. Follow instructions carefully and make copies for federal financial aid here.
• When you have financial aid questions contact your financial aid office
• Familiarize yourself with state financial aid deadlines. They tend to differ from federal and institutional deadlines (http://www.fafsaonline.com/financial-aid-application/deadlines.php)
