Senior Year Time-line

Well, you did it...your SENIOR year is FINALLY here! :)
The counseling office will soon be your home away from home. We will help you in your college planning, registering for SAT's/ACT's, applying to colleges, writing a resume, essays, financial aid and scholarship searches.

Please take a look at the SENIOR YEAR CALENDAR below:

AUGUST:
  • Go visit some of the colleges you are interested in applying to. 
  • Have a discussion with your family about where you plan on applying to based on visits and your own research. 
  • If you're applying to a military academy, be sure you are meeting the deadlines.
  • Register for upcoming ACT and SAT exams before the registration deadlines if you plan on taking them a second/third time.
SEPTEMBER:
  • Take a look at your senior year schedule. Make sure that you are taking some challenging courses. Also, all seniors will be meeting with their counselor (Mrs. Catella) to discuss the college application process and go over graduation requirements to make sure that you are or will be meeting them by the end of the year.
  • Update your resume.
  • Begin to think about which teachers and non-teachers you would like to write letters of recommendation for colleges.
  • Make sure you have all the parts to all of the applications for the schools you will be applying to.
  • Keep working on your college essays!
  • Check out scholarships online.
  • Arrange more campus visits.
  • Keep your planner/agenda/calendar updated with important dates so you meet all the deadlines.
  • Check out open house dates at colleges you are interested in and bring your parents!
  • Don't forget to sign up for the upcoming SAT or ACT if you haven't done so already and plan on taking them a second/third time.
OCTOBER:
  • Attend any local college fairs.
  • Attend College Planning/Financial Aid Night at the school.
  • Begin to ask teachers and non-teachers for letters of recommendation. You will want to give them a copy of your resume so they can include unique things that you have done or have been a part of.
  • You will want a letter of recommendation from at least 2 teachers/administrators who you know well, your school counselor (most colleges will ask for this), and maybe an employer (depending) **You will want to give at least 2 weeks for a teacher/counselor to write a letter (many teachers get several requests all at once.)**
  • All letters should be confidential and students should waive their rights to read them. All letters should go directly to the guidance office to be kept on file.
  • Keep an eye on the college deadlines! They are all different and you do not want to miss one. Once it is late, it is late and your application may not be considered.
  • If you are applying to a college for early decision, your application should be completed by mid-October (most are due in early November.)
  • Work on admissions application essays.
  • Keep searching for scholarships!
  • Take the SAT for a second/third time!
  • Consider registering for the November or December SAT.
  • Submit your FAFSA as soon after October 1 as possible. **Some student aid programs award funds on a first-come, first-served basis until funds are depleted. Waiting too long to submit your FAFSA could be costly.**
  • Fill out and submit required financial aid forms. Follow instructions carefully and make copies.

NOVEMBER:
  •  Make an appointment with Mrs. Catella to make sure you have your applications complete.
  • Keep an eye on your calendar dates!
  • Continue completing your college applications.
  • Keep on top of new scholarships.

DECEMBER:
  • School applications should be completed ideally by December 1.
  • Plan on attending the Financial Aid Night in the Spring. Date: TBA
  • Begin talking with your parents/family regarding the financial resources available to contribute towards college.
  • Keep applying for scholarships!
  • Register for your PIN number for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) here.
  • Keep this PIN in a SAFE place!  You will need it for all of the years you are in college!
  • Stay organized.

JANUARY:
  • Keep checking your calendar for deadlines!
  • Turn in forms for mid-year reports to be sent to schools.
  • Keep looking and applying for scholarships!

FEBRUARY:
  • Keep your "senioritis" in check! You're almost there!
  • Check to make sure your mid-year reports have been sent.
  • Watch the mail for your Student Aid Report (SAR.) Carefully examine the results. A mistake could cause you to miss out on college funding.
  • Don't panic if you're selected for verification. Just provide the college with the documents they need.
  • Stay on top of important financial aid deadlines.
MARCH:
  • You will soon begin to hear from the colleges you applied to in November and December.
  • Almost time to make a decision on which one to choose!
  • It's not too late to fill out scholarships!
APRIL:
  • Carefully analyze your letters.
  • Make a decision...most colleges request your reply by May 1.
  • Send your tuition deposit. They need to save your spot!
  • Notify other colleges that you won't be attending.
  • Mark your calendar with important deadlines (housing, meals, transportation, financial aid, etc.)
MAY:
  • Notify the guidance office of where you will be attending after graduation and where your final transcript should be sent.
  • Evaluate student loan lenders and take time to understand student loans.
JUNE:
  • HAPPY GRADUATION! Congratulations , YOU DID IT!! :)
THE NEXT STEP:
  • Final transcripts will be sent out by the guidance office.
  • Send thank-you notes to individuals who helped you get in.
  • Get a summer job (colleges generally expect students to earn $1,200 for college during the summer after they graduate from high school.)
  • Enjoy your summer and start preparing for the year ahead