12th Grade

12th Grade Syllabus

FALL

☐Continue 12th grade SCOIR checklist.

Strengthen Your College List*: Meet with a counselor about your college choices and. Make sure you have a balanced list of academic safety, fit, and reach schools. Plan to visit as many of these colleges as possible. 

Create a master list or calendar that includes: 

• Tests you’ll take and their fees, dates, and registration deadlines 

• College application due dates

• Required financial aid application forms and their deadlines (aid applications may be due before college applications) 

• Other materials you’ll need (recommendations, transcripts, etc.)

☐Ask a counselor to help you request a fee waiver if you can’t afford application or test fees. 

☐Improve Your Score*: Many seniors retake the SAT or ACT in the fall. Access free, practice tools at PSAT & SAT Full-Length Printable PDF Tests, Preparing for ACT Test Guide, Khan Academy, Union Test Prep, Magoosh SAT Practice Test, The Princeton Review SAT Practice Test, Kaplan. Plus you already know what to expect on test day. 

☐Be sure to have your SAT or ACT scores sent to the colleges to which you are applying. 

☐Complete the FAFSA*: To apply for most financial aid, you’ll need to complete the FAFSA. Oct. 1 is the first day you can file the FAFSA. 

☐Prepare early decision/early action or rolling admission applications as soon as possible. 

☐Ask a counselor or teacher for recommendations if you need them. Formal teacher letter of recommendation are requested through SCOIR (Go to My Colleges > Docs > New Request). 

☐Write the first draft of your college essay and ask teachers and others to read it if you’re submitting essays. 

☐Apply to College*: Submit your applications to the schools that you want to attend. 

☐Request transcript to be sent to colleges through SCOIR. 

WINTER

☐Keep copies of everything, and send your applications and essays. 

☐Make sure your transcript and any other required documentation has been received by your college/s.

SPRING

☐Keep active in school. If you are waitlisted, the college will want to know what you have accomplished between the time you applied and the time you learned of its decision. 

☐Visit your final college before accepting. You should receive acceptance letters and financial aid offers by mid-April. Notify your counselor of your choice. If you have questions about housing offers, talk to your counselor or call the college.

☐Inform every college of your acceptance or rejection of the offer of admission and/or financial aid by May 1. Talk to your counselor or adviser if you have questions. 

☐Send your deposit to one college only

☐Take any AP® Exams. Show what you’ve learned in your AP classes. A successful score could even earn you college credit.

☐Waitlisted by a college? If you intend to enroll if you are accepted, tell the admission director your intent and ask how to strengthen your application. Need financial aid? Ask whether funds will be available if you’re accepted. 

☐Work with a counselor to resolve any admission or financial aid problems. 

☐Review your financial aid awards: Not all financial aid awards are the same, so it’s important to choose the aid package that’s best for you and your family. Be sure to note what you have to do to continue receiving financial aid from year to year, and how your aid might change in future years. 

☐Make sure your selected college receives your final transcript and any other required documents.