Senior year is often an extremely busy time, with schoolwork, activities, and special events. Be sure to stay on track with the college admissions process. Get organized, be aware of deadlines, and don\u2019t procrastinate.<\/p>\n
Continue to visit schools.<\/strong> Finalize your college list.<\/strong> Stay on track with your grades and extracurricular activities.<\/strong> Take standardized tests.<\/strong> Keep track of deadlines.<\/strong> Ask for letters of recommendation.<\/strong> Meet with your guidance counselor.<\/strong> Complete applications.<\/strong> Continue your scholarship search.<\/strong> Act on the results of early decision applications.<\/strong> Follow up on your applications.<\/strong> Submit financial aid forms.<\/strong> Send mid-year grade reports.<\/strong> Watch your mail for notification from colleges.<\/strong> Check out your options if you\u2019re put on a waitlist.<\/strong> Compare financial aid packages.<\/strong> Prepare for any last standardized tests.<\/strong> Make your final college decision.<\/strong> Follow up on financial aid information.<\/strong> Complete enrollment paperwork for the college you will attend.<\/strong> Congratulations!<\/strong> <\/p>\n
\nFall is a great time to look at the schools on your college lists because classes are in session and you are better able to meet and talk with students and professors. You may even be able to sit in on a class or two.<\/p>\n
\nUse the information you\u2019ve gathered from college visits<\/a>, interviews, and your own research to decide which schools you will apply to. It\u2019s okay to apply to colleges that you think will be more difficult to get into. But it\u2019s also important to put a few safety schools (where you\u2019re sure you\u2019ll get in) on your list. Talk to counselors, teachers, and parents about your final choices.<\/p>\n
\nColleges will look at what you\u2019ve done in your senior year, so stay focused on doing well in your classes and maintaining a commitment to\u00a0extracurricular activities<\/a>.<\/p>\n
\nRegister for and take the ACT<\/a>, SAT<\/a>, or\u00a0SAT Subject Tests<\/a> as necessary. Be sure you have requested (either by mail or online) that your test scores be sent to the colleges of your choice.<\/p>\n
\nYou\u2019ll be filling out lots of forms this year, so it\u2019s important to know what form is due when. Make a calendar showing the application deadlines for admission, financial aid, and scholarships.<\/p>\n
\nGive\u00a0letter of recommendation<\/a> forms to the teachers you have chosen, along with stamped, addressed envelopes so your teachers can send them directly to the colleges. Be sure to fill out your name and address and the school name on each form. Discuss your goals and ambitions with your teachers so they\u2019ll be more prepared to write about you.<\/p>\n
\nYour counselor can help you stay on track with admissions requirements. Make sure they know which colleges you want transcripts, score reports, and letters sent to. Give your counselors any necessary forms much earlier than the actual deadlines so they\u2019ll have time to send the forms in.<\/p>\n
\nFinish the\u00a0application forms<\/a> for the schools you\u2019re interested in. Proofread them and make extra copies before you send them. Make sure you and your school\u2019s guidance office have sent all necessary materials, including test scores, recommendations, transcripts, and application essays<\/a>. You should plan to get all this done before winter break, so you won\u2019t be rushing to make deadlines.<\/p>\n
\nApply for scholarships whose deadlines are approaching and keep searching for more scholarship and grant opportunities. Using online\u00a0scholarship search tools<\/a> is a great way to find potential aid. Ask colleges about what scholarships you may qualify for. The downtime after applications have been sent is a great time to focus on financial aid.<\/p>\nWinter: Follow up on applications and submit financial aid forms<\/h2>\n
\nIf you applied early decision, you\u2019ll soon find out if you were accepted. If you get in, you have to withdraw your applications from other schools. If not, keep your other applications out there and focus on those colleges.<\/p>\n
\nVerify with your counselor that all forms are in order and have been sent out to colleges. Check with the schools to make sure they have received all your information, including test scores, transcripts, and recommendations.<\/p>\n
\nFill out the FAFSA<\/a>, and if necessary, the PROFILE. These forms can be obtained from your guidance counselor. No matter what your family\u2019s income level is, the FAFSA is your main priority for financial aid purposes because it will determine how much you\u2019re expected to pay. Don\u2019t send the forms until after January 1, because they can\u2019t be processed before then.<\/p>\n
\nAsk your counselor to send your mid-year grade reports to the colleges that you applied to. Remember that the schools will continue to keep track of your grades, so it\u2019s important to keep working hard throughout your senior year.<\/p>\nSpring:\u00a0Compare financial aid packages and\u00a0make your final decision<\/h2>\n
\nIf you applied under the regular application process, you should receive an admissions decision by March or April. Notifications of financial aid awards should arrive by the end of April.<\/p>\n
\nBeing put on a\u00a0waitlist<\/a> is not a rejection. Keep watching your mail; you should receive a decision by May. In the meantime, keep your options open in case you don\u2019t get in. Check out schools that have late or rolling application deadlines.<\/p>\n
\nMake sure to consider each financial aid award carefully. If you have questions, don\u2019t hesitate to contact the financial aid office of the college to get more information. Financial aid is a key factor in deciding where you will attend.<\/p>\n
\nYou may be taking\u00a0AP<\/a> or\u00a0CLEP tests<\/a> to earn some college credit as the school year winds down.<\/p>\n
\nNotify all schools of your intent by May 1. If you\u2019re not sure which offer to accept, make one more campus visit to the schools you\u2019re considering. Make sure to send your deposit to your chosen school and ask your guidance counselor to send your final transcript to the college in June.<\/p>\n
\nMake sure you have received a FAFSA acknowledgement. If you applied for a Pell Grant, you will receive a Student Aid Report statement. Review this notice, make a copy for your records, and send the original to the college you plan to attend. If necessary, apply for loans.<\/p>\n
\nOnce you accept an offer, you should receive information from the college about course scheduling, orientation sessions, housing arrangements, and other necessary forms. Be sure to complete all required paperwork by the appropriate deadlines.<\/p>\n
\nYou\u2019ve finished high school and are about to embark on an exciting new phase of life. Good luck.<\/p>\n