Senior Year Checklist

Senior Year Checklist

Check our Counseling Office Google Classroom Page Frequently for Important Updates!

August/September

• Meet with your counselor to make sure you have all the credits you will need to graduate.

• If you haven’t already, learn about colleges through college fairs and by browsing online. 

• Talk to your counselor about college admissions reps coming to BHHS.

  • Make a folder to help you organize your application materials, scholarship information, etc.

• Narrow your college list. Consider visiting your top choice schools or overnight stays. Visit any schools on your list that you have not already seen. Consider ecampus tours if you are unable to go to the campuses. 

  • Many schools offer great and informative parent weekends and events. 

  • Make sure you know application requirements and admission deadlines.

• If you are applying to a four-year college, register for one last shot at the ACT or SAT if you aren't happy with your earlier scores. 

  • Be sure to ask a counselor for a fee waiver if you qualify. 

  • Don’t forget to send scores to all schools you are still considering. 

• For test prep, see your counselor.

• Review your list of clubs, activities, and volunteer hours you've accomplished. Become more involved!

• Begin asking teachers, school counselors, and employers for letters of recommendation to include with your college and scholarship applications.

  • Fill out a brag sheet and give one to each recommender.

• Meet with admissions representatives who visit BHHS.

• If you plan to attend college, spend some time EVERY MONTH looking for scholarships. BHHS Counseling keeps an updated list as they come in. Many national websites also have searchable scholarship databases and email alerts!

  • Use Net Price Calculators and other tools to estimate your cost of college and plan accordingly.

October/November

• Attend a College Fair to collect information and speak with representatives from your preferred colleges. Talk to career representatives to explore any options you had not yet considered.

• If you have to write a college admissions essay you should be in the final draft about now.  Be sure to edit and proofread (or ask a family member or teacher/counselor).

• Submit your applications to colleges and post-secondary schools. Request a transcript from BHHS to the schools to which you are applying. 

  • You will need a parent or guardian to sign a transcript release form.

  • Fill out a transcript request form for each school you are applying to

• Complete the free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To apply for most financial aid, you will need to complete the FAFSA beginning on October 1.

• If you're considering a career in the military, take the ASVAB test. Juniors should all take the ASVAB test but seniors should sign up for the ASVAB in the Counseling Office if they want to retake it! 

• Attend all college fairs, financial aid nights, and Cash 4 College.

December/January

• Stay focused on your grades all year long. Remember that your college of choice can still rescind your acceptance/scholarships if your senior year grades are not acceptable!

• Continue to apply for outside funding or scholarships. 

• Are you connected with outside scholarship websites?  Check out BigFuture, Fastweb, Going Merry, or Niche.com for some resources and scholarship listings.

• Has your FAFSA been completed?  Do you need to add in parent information? Check your FAFSA status.

February/March

• If you applied to colleges, their decision emails/letters should begin arriving. Celebrate your acceptances, decide about your wait lists, and deal positively with your rejections.

• Finalize financial aid applications and continue applying for grants/scholarships.

• Continue to work hard in your classes. Now is not the time to let your grades slide! Remember that the colleges that have accepted you can still rescind your acceptance/scholarships if your senior year grades are not acceptable! 

• Review your financial aid awards and choose the aid package that’s best for you and your family. Be sure to note what you have to do to continue receiving scholarships and reapply for financial aid from year to year.

April/May

• Pay or request deferral of the enrollment deposit to the college of your choice.  Many schools have a May 1st deadline. This indicates to the school that you are committing to enrolling there.

• Register for a new student orientation at the college you plan on attending.

• Be sure to send ALL transcripts to the college you are attending. This includes your final high school transcript.

  • This includes RACC Dual Enrollment transcripts, AP Scores, Kutztown Dual Enrollment transcripts, etc.

• Congratulations on your graduation! Celebrate your accomplishments safely!