SEPTEMBER

• • Ensure that you are registered for the classes necessary to meet graduation requirements as well as college expectations.

  • All letters of recommendation should be requested. Seniors who are in their first year at Interlochen are encouraged to request one academic letter of recommendation from an instructor at their previous school.

  • Attend your first group meeting with assigned counselor, followed by individual and small group meetings during the remainder of the process.

  • The first unit of all English literature courses will be devoted to the college essay.

    • College Specific Essays - click on the college to see tips!

      • Why NYU?

  • Utilize our College Organizational Chart to assist with organizing application due dates, scholarship deadlines, audition dates, prescreening and repertoire requirements as well as safe, target, and reach schools. *You will need to make a copy of the College Organizational Chart in order to edit.

  • As part of your application you will request an audition date. The sooner you are finished the more likely you are to get the audition date and location you selected. This is especially true for theatre majors.

  • Determine a testing timeline and register for TOEFL, SAT, SAT Subject Test and/or ACT.

  • Update the list of colleges you intend to apply in Naviance.

  • For students interested in taking Advanced Placement Exams, register through the Academic and College Counseling Office.

  • For many students, the application process will be over within the first eight weeks of the school year.

  • If you have not created a Common Application do so now. Remember to link your Common App to Naviance.

    • Other applications: Coalition Application, Common Black College Application, SUNY, CUNY, etc. or apply directly to the college or conservatory using their website.

  • If you are planning to apply to schools in the UK, you will need to fill out the UCAS application. Deadline Oct 15th.

OCTOBER

• • Take additional standardized tests as needed.

  • Attend the Virtual Visual and Performing Arts College Fair.

  • Begin the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid), opens October 1 (US Citizens Only).

  • Complete the CSS Profile -The CSS PROFILE is required by many private colleges and universities to determine your eligibility for non-government financial aid, such as the institution's own grants, loans and scholarships.

  • Musicians work with private lesson instructor to reserve music prescreening space.

  • Submit applications for Early Action and/or Early Decision by November 1st

  • Visual Arts Portfolio Review Day

  • Submit applications for any schools that have a November 1st scholarship or application deadline. The sooner the better - don't wait until the last hour of the deadline date!

  • Send official SAT or ACT scores to your colleges if they are required.

NOVEMBER

• • Take additional standardized tests as needed.

  • Complete any outstanding applications for December 1st deadline.

  • Complete FAFSA and/or CSS Profile if you haven't already.

  • Request/Prepare for interviews - Top College Interview Tips.

DECEMBER

• • This is the last opportunity for seniors to take SAT/ACT/TOEFL and meet application deadlines.

  • The majority of Music, Dance, and Theatre applications are due December 1st. All other majors may have a later due date unless applying Early Action or Early Decision.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY

• • Check emails for verification of auditions/prescreens.

  • Check application portals for updates and college admissions decisions.

  • Review mid-year transcripts. Check classes and grades.

  • Continue to submit applications with later deadlines.

  • Update FAFSA/CSS as needed.

  • Theatre students travel as a group to the National Unified Auditions in Chicago. (Not during 2020/2021 school year)

  • Submit International Financial Aid Application and Certificate of Finances (International Students Only).

MARCH

• • Spring break, potential last minute college visits.

  • You may begin receiving college admissions decisions.

APRIL

• • April 1st is National Notification Day, when all schools will notify students of their admissions decisions.

MAY

• • All students must commit to the school they plan to attend no later than May 1st.

  • Report within Naviance which school you will attend to ensure your final transcripts are submitted.

Responsibilities

Student:

• Attend Senior Workshops and Senior one-on-one meeting with ACC*

• Register for SAT/ACT exams

• Send SAT/ACT scores to schools after applications are complete

• Register for AP exams (if applicable)

• Request IAA teacher recommendations in Naviance

• Completing college applications by college deadlines

• Develop college essay(s)

• Talk with arts faculty about college choices

Parent:

• Help student arrange travel for college visits and auditions

• Pay for SAT/ACT exam fees

• Discuss future plans with student so all are on the same page (financially, geographically, academically, artistically)

• FAFSA -Free Application for Federal Student Aid -Available Oct 1

• CSS Profile- check participating schools @ College Board (used for institutional/scholarship money)

*Academic and College Counselor:

• Help student schedule classes relevant for post-secondary plans

• Ensure all graduation and college requirements will be met

• Assist student in creating college list

• Write Counselor letter of recommendation

• Submit supporting application materials through Naviance: IAA & transfer HS Transcripts, School Profile, Teacher and Counselor Letters of Recommendation