Senior year checklist

Checklist for Senior Year (by month)

September/October

  • Finalize list of colleges to which you’re applying.

  • Register for ACT and/or SAT and/or Subject tests.

  • Obtain admission and financial aid information and applications.

  • Check on military academy and ROTC deadlines if interested.

  • Note Early Decision and Early Action deadlines if interested.

  • Meet with college representatives who visit Judge.

  • Review scholarship and financial aid information on websites and Family Connection.

  • Register on www.commonapp.org to begin using tools and resources (deadlines, for example) on Common App website and to become familiar with the application.

  • Begin writing draft(s) of personal statement.

  • Make an appointment to meet with Ms. Koles or Ms. cabal to review college choices and the application process.

October-November

  • Attend application process information session for seniors and parents (9/14/11 and College Fair at Juan Diego on Oct. 29th.

  • Begin writing draft(s) of personal statement(s) if haven't already.

  • Make chart of application and financial aid and scholarship deadlines.

  • Register for another round of the SAT, ACT, and/or subject tests, if necessary.

  • Confirm/request teacher and counselor recommendations. For November 1 deadlines, give them request and forms by October 1. For November 15 deadlines, give them request and forms by October 15.

  • Complete and return the CSS Profile form if your college requires it.

  • Attend the RMACAC College Fair (October 29, 1-4pm, Juan Diego).

  • Meet with college representatives who visit Judge. Sign-ups are posted; see complete list on Judge website or Family Connection website.

  • Start working on applications with November/December deadlines. For November deadlines, request letters of recommendations as soon as possible, no later than October 1. For December 1 deadlines, request letters of recommendation by November 1. For December 15 deadlines, request letters of recommendation by November 15. For deadlines over break (12/31, 1/1), request letters of recommendation by November 23 so counselors and/or teachers have at least one month to work on them, not including the two weeks of vacation.

  • Keep your grades up! College admissions officers for regular application deadlines will want to see your seventh semester grades when making their decisions.

  • Request test scores to be sent to your colleges directly from the testing agencies (www.actstudent.org and www.collegeboard.com).

December

  • Attend the Financial Aid Night in the Judge Library (12/5).

  • Apply for PIN # for you and your parents to fill out FAFSA online (www.fafsa.ed.gov) after January 1.

  • Complete applications with January and February deadlines. REMINDER: Letters of recommendation requested the week before Christmas break will not go out until after we return from break.

  • Check colleges for scholarships you might have to apply separately for.

  • Register on www.fastweb.com for email notices of private scholarships (not associated with any particular college) that you might be eligible for.

January-February

  • Continue completing college applications.

  • Explore financial aid and scholarship opportunities and complete the FAFSA, and CSS PROFILE (www.collegeboard.com), if applicable.

  • Submit additional credentials (mid-year grade reports, new test scores, etc.) to colleges if requested. Midyear report forms go to Mrs. Scholl in the Counseling Center and she sends them out all at once with transcripts by mid- to late-February.

  • Keep your grades up! Many colleges only accept students on the condition that they graduate in the same standing with which they applied.

March-April

  • You may start receiving replies from colleges during this time period.

  • Make final campus visits if needed.

  • Compare financial aid packages.

May

  • Notify colleges of your final decision by May 1st, the National Candidate Reply Date.

  • Send tuition and housing deposits to college of your choice.

  • Turn in graduation contracts and Post-Graduate plans to the Counseling Center.

  • Request your final transcript and verification of graduation be sent to the college you plan to attend (also part of the graduation packet).

  • Take AP exams if enrolled in AP classes.

The Counseling Center will send your final transcript to the college you've decided to attend in late June.