• Create Application Accounts: Create accounts on Common App (opens August 1) and connect it with SchooLinks

• Finalize Your College List: ensure you have a balance of safety, match, reach schools, and some guaranteed admission

• Ask for Letters of Recommendation: Formally ask 2 teachers (preferably 11th grade core subject teachers) and your school counselor if needed. Send these requests through SchooLinks

• Finalize Personal Statement: Brainstorm, outline, and finalize the main personal essay. Come to Ms. Rochelle's College Essay Power Hour

• Draft Supplemental Essays: Identify any supplemental essays you'll be writing and begin outlining responses

• Standardized Testing (if needed): Register for fall SAT/ACT dates if taking or retaking test scores.

• Draft Supplemental Essays: Write school-specific supplemental prompt responses.

• Submit Financial Aid Forms: Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and, if required by private colleges, the CSS Profile. Attend a Senn hosted workshop or complete on your own. 

• Ensure SchooLinks reflects the schools you're applying to : Connect your Common App to SchooLinks and add any non-Common App schools manually. 

• Finalize Early Applications: Double-check materials for Early Action (EA) or Early Decision (ED) schools.You can submit before November 1 if you're ready!

• Submit Early Applications: EA/ED deadlines are typically November 1 or November 15.

• Confirm Receipt: Log in to each college's applicant portal to verify recommendations, transcripts, and test scores were received.

• Shift to Regular Decision (RD): Complete main essays and supplements for schools with January deadlines.

• Apply for External Scholarships: Search for local, regional, and national scholarships.

• Receive EA/ED Decisions: Early results typically arrive mid-to-late December:

  • Accepted (ED): Withdraw all other applications (ED is binding).

  • Deferred / Denied: Finalize Regular Decision applications.

• Submit Before Winter Break: Try to submit all January 1 / January 15 Regular Decision applications before school closes for the holidays.

• Send Midyear Transcripts: Ask your school counselor to send your first-semester senior grades to colleges.

• Maintain Academic Effort: Avoid "senioritis"—colleges can revoke acceptances if senior grades plummet.

• FAFSA Follow-Up: Review your FAFSA submission summary for any errors or verification requests.

• Update SchooLinks with acceptance decisions

• Receive Decision Letters: Regular decision notifications arrive in mid-to-late March.

• Compare Financial Aid Award Packages: Compare net cost (Tuition/Fees minus non-repayable grants/scholarships) across accepted schools.

• Attend Admitted Student Days: Visit top choice campuses or attend virtual sessions to finalize your decision.

• Handle Waitlists: If waitlisted, submit a Letter of Continued Interest (LOCI) if you still want to attend.

• Begin to complete placement tests, housing contracts, and other documents once you make your decision. 

• National College Decision Day (May 1): Submit your enrollment deposit to your chosen college.

• Decline Other Offers: Notify the colleges you decided not to attend so they can open spots for waitlisted applicants.

• Complete Learn. Plan. Succeed in SchooLinks and Senior Exit Survey

• Send Final High School Transcript: Request your school counselor send your official final transcript showing graduation.

Summer Onboarding: Register for new student orientation, submit housing/dorm forms, and complete health/immunization records.