Senior College Checklist

AUGUST-SEPTEMBER

• • Register for the SAT and/or ACT, reach out to your counselor if you need a fee waiver

  • Create a Common App account/ start an application directly on the school's website. Begin filling out your application.

  • Check with your school counselor to make sure you are on track to graduate and fulfill college admission requirements.

  • Take every opportunity to get to know colleges. Meet with college representatives who visit your school, attend local college fairs, and visit campuses.

  • Begin asking your teachers/coaches/employers for letters of recommendation. 

OCTOBER

• • File your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) when it opens October 1st. Even if you suspect you won't qualify for aid, some schools use this info to determine how much they will offer you in aid directly.

  • Some Early Action deadlines are as early as October.

  • If you cannot afford the application fees that many colleges charge, ask your counselor to help you request a fee waiver.

  • Finalize your college essay.

NOVEMBER-DECEMBER

• • Research scholarships. Ask your counselor, your colleges, and local religious and civic groups about scholarship opportunities. You should never pay for scholarship information.

  • Finalize and send any early decision or early action applications due this month.

  • Send in your transcript to each school you applied to via Scriborder.

  • Make sure testing companies have sent your scores directly to the colleges to which you are applying.

  • If you did not apply for Early Action, begin to organize Regular Decision applications, which will be due in January and/or February.

FEBRUARY-MAY

• • Acceptance letters and financial aid offers will start to arrive. Review your acceptances, compare financial aid packages, and visit your final choices.

  • Finish the year strong. Colleges can rescind their acceptance based on your final grades.

  • May 1 is the date when the college you plan to attend requires a commitment and deposit. When you’ve made your college decision, notify your counselor. Send in your deposit by the postmark date of May 1. If you’ve been offered financial aid, accept the offer and follow the instructions given. Also notify schools you will not attend of your decision.

  • Request that your final transcript be sent to the college you will be attending.

  • If you are wait-listed by a college you really want to attend, visit, call, and write the admissions office to make your interest clear. Ask how you can strengthen your application.