12th Grade

September

  • Meet with your Guidance Counselor.

  • Narrow your college list down to the “finalists” that you will apply to. The typical list consists of around six schools and includes at least one “reach” and one “safety” that you would be happy to attend, and the rest “probables”.

  • Begin organizing your applications. Make a checklist of all the upcoming deadlines: test registrations, test dates, application deadlines, financial aid form deadlines, etc.

  • Begin to work on your college essays. Read through your applications, pick the essays that you will write, and start to develop outlines for them.

  • If you plan to retake the SAT I or SAT II, register for the October or November test date.

October

  • Retake the SAT I or SAT II (if you pre registered for the October test date).

  • Decide who you want to write recommendations for you and ask them now if you have not already done so. Provide them with stamped, addressed envelopes and the appropriate forms. Always ask them at least three weeks prior to the earliest deadline.

  • If you want to revisit colleges that were not in session when you visited them earlier do this between now and December. A call to the admissions office can usually arrange overnight hosting, meal tickets, classroom visits, etc.

  • If you plan to retake the SAT I or II test, register for the December test date.

  • Meet with your counselor to discuss your recommendation that he/she will write.

  • Attend the financial aid night held at HHS.

November

  • Retake the SAT I or SAT II (if you pre registered for the November test date).

  • Application deadlines for most early decision and early action plans fall between Nov. 1st and Dec. 1st.

  • Complete the first drafts of college essays and begin final revisions.

  • Start perusing scholarship opportunities via the scholarship list put out by the guidance office and/or by doing your own scholarship search.

December

  • Retake the SAT I or II (if you pre registered for the December test date).

  • Complete all college essays and application forms with a January 1 deadline and mail before Christmas break.

  • Transcript request forms should be turned in to the Registrar by early December if you have not done so previously. These forms need to be turned in at least three weeks prior to the deadline.

  • Parents should begin completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and any other student aid applications required by the college (CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE and other forms are required by some private colleges). You need not wait to receive W-2 statements from employers in order to complete your FAFSA as long as you can make a reasonable estimate of your income. The FAFSA should be mailed or sent electronically as soon as possible after Jan. 1st.

  • If you plan to retake either the SAT I or SAT II test (this is the last chance), register for the January test date.

January

  • Retake the SAT I or SAT II test (Remember: this is the last chance).

  • Complete any remaining application forms and mail before the end of the month.

  • Be sure FAFSA and any other financial aid application forms are mailed as soon as possible after Jan. 1st.

February & March

  • WAIT!!!!

April

  • Most colleges will announce their decisions this month. If you are admitted by more than one college weigh all the options carefully before making a decision. If financial aid is an issue, don’t hesitate to call the financial aid office if you have questions about their award or wish to discuss it further.

  • If a college accepts you and requires a deposit while you are still waiting to hear from other colleges, discuss this with your counselor. Most colleges will extend their deadlines until you have heard from others.

  • Applications for local scholarships are available at the end of March. Pick up an application from Ms. Clay, the Guidance Receptionist. Applications are due toward the end of the month.

May

  • May 1st is the “Candidate’s Reply Date” to which most colleges subscribe. This is the date by which students are required to submit an admissions deposit to the college they plan to attend.

  • As soon as you have decided which college to attend, notify your counselor of your plans. It is also good practice to notify all other colleges that accepted you that you will not be coming.

  • If you were placed on the “wait list” at a college that you would want to attend if offered the chance, write or call that college to let them know of your interest. Talk with your counselor about any “new evidence” that might be submitted to strengthen your credentials.

June

  • Arrange to have the Registrar send a final copy of your transcript to the college your have decided to attend.