Senior Night

Hawthorne Academy High School's Senior Night 2023 was held on September 19 from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.  During this event students and parents had the opportunity to interact with representatives from various post-secondary institutions, and College Foundation of North Carolina Regional Representative Ms. Timeka Ruffin, who presented, "How to Pay for College." Click here to view her presentation.

August

• Create your CommonApp account, if any of the colleges you are applying to use it. Make sure to link your CommonApp account to your Naviance account. 

• Check with individual college admissions offices and websites for information about college applications, admission requirements, and deadlines. 

• Update your resume. You may choose to include it with applications, and it will be extremely helpful to anyone you may ask to write a recommendation for you.

• Plan visits to college campuses-particularly if you did not get to visit during the summer or if you want to visit the campus for a second time. 

• Sign up for fall SAT or ACT dates, if necessary. Fee waivers are available for eligible students, please see the College Adviser. 

September

• Make sure you know your Naviance log in information. Your username should be your email and your password should be your student ID. If you can’t get in, or if you are new, email your counselor for your Naviance information. 

• Enter colleges to which you are applying into Naviance. Complete the parent/student brag sheet if you are planning on asking your counselor to complete a letter of recommendation. 

• If your colleges require them, contact teachers for recommendations. Allow sufficient time for them to write an effective letter or statement. 

• Work on application essays, if necessary. Be sure to have someone proofread your work.

• After your senior appointment, begin requesting transcripts to be sent to each school you are applying to. 

• If interested in the military, meet with recruiters.

October

• Prepare applications and begin submitting them. Keep a copy of your application and/or save a copy of your confirmation notice if you apply electronically. 

• Send you SAT and ACT scores to each college you applied to. You must have them sent directly from the testing agency to the college to be considered official.

• Prepare for college interviews, if required. 

• Review the Scholarship Information in Naviance for information about current and future scholarship opportunities.

• Obtain and file FAFSA forms for federal financial aid. Forms are available online. Attend FAFSA day at a local SECU branch if you need help. 

November

• Work hard to be sure that grades for the first grading period reflect your best effort. 

• Continue sending applications to colleges that have later application deadlines. 

• Continue researching scholarships and financial aid information.

• Advise your counselor if additional college applications have been added to Naviance after your senior appointment.

• Monitor the status of your applications to ensure that all materials are sent (test scores, transcripts, essays, letters of recommendation) and received on time.

December / January / February 

• Consult with your counselor on any follow-up items.

• If you applied for early decision, you should begin hearing back!

• Keep focused academically and continue to improve your grades. Courses do count throughout the senior year. Do not change your schedule for second semester because colleges may rescind their offer of admission if there are inconsistencies in your course selection and/or performance.

• Continue to apply for scholarships.

• Monitor the status of your applications to ensure that all materials are sent and received on time.

March / April / May

• Avoid "senioritis'! Before May 1st, decide on the college or university that you would like to attend. Be sure to send in your deposit.

• Notify other colleges that accepted you that you have selected another college.

• Update Naviance to reflect the college you will be attending. This is where your final transcript will be sent.

• Report any scholarships you’ve been awarded by completing scholarship reporting paperwork as distributed by Student Services. 

June 

• Confirm with the college you will be attending that they have all the information they need from you concerning housing, roommates, orientation, course selection, etc.