Being College Ready!
Your senior year of high school is an exciting time, but it can also be a little frightening. There are so many things to do, and so little time to do them. Although your parents, teachers, counselor, and other school professionals will be there to assist you, you still need to know the steps you must take in order to complete your high school coursework, apply to colleges, secure and accept financial aid, accept a college offer, and get ready to leave home. Below is a guide to help you navigate through each month of your Senior year to be sure you are...College Ready!
During the summer before senior year
- Verify your high school graduation plan. Ensure that you have taken (or are scheduled to take) all classes needed to graduate in June. If not, please contact Ms. Nealy immediately for a schedule change.
- Attend Open House at SCHS to pick up your senior year schedule and meet your teachers.
- Create a senior year budget. This budget should include education expenses (school supplies, field trips, etc...), graduation expenses (cap & gown, invitations/announcements, class ring, senior paraphernalia, etc...), prom expenses, college application fees, SAT/ACT registration fees and any other expenses you anticipate occurring during your senior year. Discuss and review this budget with your parents.
- If you have some time to work, find a job to help with some of your senior year expenses.
- If you have not already done so, plan on taking the SAT and/or ACT during your senior year (click on the picture link above). Tests should be taken to allow time for scores to be back prior to college application deadlines. NOTE: Most early application deadlines are in October and November.
- Create a list of 5-7 colleges you are interested in applying to. complete online research to determine which colleges on you list are are MATCHES, REACHES, OR ALTERNATES for you. Remember the "Formula of 5" (2-Matches, 2-Alternates, 1-Reach).
- Begin college applications. May applications are available online starting August 1st. Applications can be completed (or started) and can be saved until you are ready to submit them (and your application fees).
- Begin your scholarship search...it is NEVER too early for this. Consider registering with one or 2 of the major scholarship search engines.
- Complete your personal statement and prepare/update your resume. You will need these 2 items during your scholarship application process.
August
- Take (or re-take) the SAT and/or ACT. Have your scores sent to the colleges you have chosen to apply to.
- Note deadlines for testing, admissions, scholarships, and financial aid. It may be a good idea to create a "Senior Calendar" or add these dates to a calendar you may already have.
- Start your Senior year off right…remember your final marks in your classes this semester can greatly effect your college options.
- Investigate and apply for scholarships.
September
- Create a college application portfolio. This is a place where you can keep all information related to your college application process, including test scores, financial aid, and scholarship information.
- Create a master calendar with application fees and deadlines and SAT/ACT test dates.
- If you don't have an account with CFNC.org, create one. CFNC.org has some valuable information for college-bound students and their parents. You can also send ELECTRONIC transcripts to some colleges via the CFNC.org website.
- Update your resume. You will need an updated resume for some scholarship applications and they are great to have when asking someone to draft a reference letter on your behalf.
- Begin asking teachers for recommendation letters.
- Work on drafting college application essays.
- Register to take (or re-take) the SAT/ACT, if you have not already done so.
- Submit scholarship applications.
- Determine if you are eligible to receive fee waivers for college applications and SAT/ACT tests (see FAQs for criteria).
October
- Go to www.pin.ed.gov and get PINs for the FAFSA for both yourself and your parents.
- Submit your completed FAFSA as soon as possible. (Information when you click on the picture link above).
- Finalize your college choices.
- Undecided about which college to attend? Visit, check out catalogs and virtual tours, and attend college and/or career fairs.
- Already picked a college? Consult with your parents and counselor so they can work with you during the application process.
- Prepare early decision, early action, or rolling admissions applications.
- Complete the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE if it is required by any of your selected colleges.
- Register to take any tests that are required or recommended by colleges on your list, such as SAT, ACT, or SAT subject tests.
- Investigate and apply for scholarships.
November
- Be sure not to miss early decision application deadlines, many of which are in October/November.
- Complete your application essays. Be sure to proofread them for mistakes.
- Send transcripts to colleges you plan on applying to. In-state colleges can be sent via CFNC.org.
- Apply to at least 3 colleges by the required deadlines.
- Continue to search out and apply for scholarships.
December
- Send transcripts to colleges you plan on applying to. In-state colleges can be sent via CFNC.org.
- Request that admissions test results be sent to your choices of colleges.
- Submit any remaining college applications.
- Submit scholarship applications according to deadlines.
January
- Encourage your parents or guardians to file income tax returns early. Some colleges want copies of you family's returns before finalizing financial aid offers.
- Attend financial aid workshops.
- Senior year is not over yet! Remember to stay diligent in your course work and don’t get SENIOR-ITIS.
- Continue to search out and apply for scholarships.
February
- Make sure all of your financial aid forms have been submitted and received.
- When you get your Student Aid Report (SAR), check it for any errors. (If you do not get it within 3 weeks of filing the FAFSA, check online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.)
- SCHOLARSHIPS!!!
March
- Don’t forget about those scholarships.
- If your receive rejection letters, consider applying to other colleges.
- If you know which college you are attending, note any deposit/confirmation dates from the institution of your choice.
- Be sure mid-year transcripts are sent to the colleges of your choice. In-state colleges can be sent via CFNC.org.
April
- Expect to recieve acceptance letters and financial aid offers by mid-April.
- Stay active in school. If you are wait-listed, the college will want to know what you have accomplished since you applied.
- If available, attend spring college weekend for prospective students. This will be especially important if you were accepted to multiple colleges and need help deciding which to attend.
- Consider your financial aid package options and request a review from your college(s), if needed.
- Create a budget for your college needs. Discuss this with your parents.
- Investigate and apply for scholarships.
May
- If you have not already done so, select a college and notify the admissions office by the noted deadline.
- Inform ALL colleges to which you applied of your admission and financial aid decisions by May 1.
- Send deposit to only one college.
- Take AP exams.
- Continue to search out and apply for scholarships. There may still be a few out there.
June
- Graduate!!! (Oh...and be sure you have your final transcript sent to the college or university you will be attending in the fall.
During the summer before college
- If you have some time to work, find a job (maybe related to your college major) to help with some of your college expenses.
- Apply now for work study jobs, if you qualify.
- Attend summer orientation on your new campus.
- Prep for and take any placement exams.
- Register for classes ASAP.
- Get your college physical and shots.
- Ask questions!
Information adapted from: www.ownyourownfuture.com.