Senior Year

August

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

• Review information on college admissions websites about college applications, admission requirements, and deadlines.

• Update your resume. Your teachers and counselor will ask for this to use when writing recommendations. 

• Plan college visits to any remaining colleges you have not yet been to and are on your list. If you want to visit a college for a second time, this is a great time to do it. 

• Sign up for fall SAT or ACT dates, if necessary.

• If you're an athlete and plan to play in college, register with the NCAA Clearinghouse: https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/

September

• Meet with your counselor individually for your Senior Meeting. Many of your questions will be answered during this time!

  • Make sure you know your Naviance login information. Your username should be your email and your password should be your student ID. If you need assistance logging in, talk with your counselor about it.

• Contact teachers for recommendation letters. Make sure your resume is finalized to send to them and 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.

• If interested in joining the military, begin meeting with recruiters.

• Attend college visits. Check your email for updates about which schools will visit when. 

• Order your cap and gown!

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.

• Participate in FREE College Application Week, sponsored by CFNC. 

• Send your ACT and SAT scores to each college you applied to. You must have your scores sent directly from the testing agency to the college to be considered official. Your counselor cannot send your test scores for you.

• Complete the Residency Determination Service for NC schools.

• Complete the FAFSA. You will need your parent/guardian information to complete these forms. Attend a FAFSA day at a local SECU branch if you need help. 

• Review scholarship information for information about current and future scholarship opportunities. 

• Request transcripts for schools you're applying to through CFNC. If applying through CommonApp, transcripts will be sent by your counselor.

• Order your cap and gown if you have not yet!

November-December

• Keep your grades up. Colleges will receive a mid-year report with your final first semester grades, so make sure you are still continuing to work hard.

• Continue submitting college applications, researching scholarships, and financial aid information. 

• Maintain communication with your counselor if additional college applications are added to Naviance after your senior meeting.

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

• Order your cap and gown if you have not yet! Make sure you order before the deadline or you'll be charged a late fee.

January-March

• Consult with your counselor on any application 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 through senior year and schools will receive a mid-year and final transcript. Do not change your second semester schedule because colleges have the ability to rescind their offer of admission if there are inconsistencies in your course selection and/or performance.

• Request mid-year transcripts to send to schools requiring mid-year reports. 

• Continue to apply for scholarships.

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

April-June

• Avoid "senioritis" and make sure you are managing your senior responsibilities! 

• 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 wil be sent. 

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

• Continue talking with your military recruiter and submit any documents that need.

• Prepare for graduation tasks. Be sure to attend graduation rehearsal!