Campus Tours/Campus Visits: Students/Parents Explore Colleges/Universities- Visit College Campuses of Interest: Students/Parents Continue to explore colleges by registering for visits and information sessions. Make appointments with the Admissions Office or register  on-line through the College/University.

Stay Focused on Academics: Maintain your Academic Record: 

• Senior Mid-Year Grades/Transcripts: Will be sent to the  Colleges you are applying to (With QTR 2 grades; Semester 1 Courses Grades) by the Counseling Department. 

• It is important to  remain focused on your academic success!

Continue to prioritize and meet College Application Deadlines

Be mindful of deadlines that fall between December 15 and January 1! **Remember there is a school recess during that time frame.  If you have December 15th  or January 1, College Application Deadlines: Please make sure your “Colleges I’m Applying To” list in Naviance is accurate and up to date no later than the first week of December! This is to ensure that your school documents (e.g., transcript, letters of recommendation) are submitted on time and before the holiday recess to meet the January 1 deadline. 

College Application Deadlines & Reminders:  

• Please review & confirm your College Application Deadlines in Naviance:  If you have a change of deadline date or you add a new College/University,  it must be placed in Naviance no later than 3 weeks prior to the application deadline date.  Additionally, please inform your School Counselor if you add a new College/University to your list in Naviance.

• Keep Naviance Up To Date:  Make sure your “Colleges I’m Applying To” list in Naviance is accurate and up to date - that your list includes all of the colleges you are applying to with the correct deadline dates.  This is to ensure that your school documents (e.g., transcript, letters of recommendation) are submitted on time.

  • Submit all required College Admissions Documentation in time to reach the colleges by deadline dates:

    • If applying Early Decision; Early Action: Note deadlines

    • Check in with your School Counselor to make sure all your application documentation is complete.

The Self-Reported Transcript and Academic Record System (STARS) (formerly SSAR/SRAR): A platform that allows students to submit their academic history directly to participating colleges and universities. Through STARS, you can report: The schools you’ve attended; Your courses and grades; In-progress or planned coursework. Certain Colleges require the STARS to be completed. Please refer to the STARS Site for more information about the STARS and requirements.

• Please be aware that the following colleges listed in the link below will require you to fill out a STARS ( Self-reported Transcript and Academic Record System) Record Form in addition to the Common Application as part of their college application.    STARS RECORD College List

• You only need to complete the STARS Record form once and then you can link it to the specific college(s) that requires it.  

• Most colleges will send you an e-mail asking you to create a portal account where this STARS link can be found.

• Make sure that you complete the STARS per the college application deadline requirement or as communicated to you by the college.

Reporting/Sending SAT/ACT scores to Universities/Colleges: If planning to report scores, please send your official SAT or ACT scores to your universities/colleges directly through the College Board or ACT. This can be done through  www.collegeboard.org  or  www.act.org.  It is important to know that it can take up to 3 weeks before universities/colleges receive your scores. As such, you can send your scores prior to submitting applications. Please note:

MHS does not send SAT/ACT scores to colleges. 

MHS does not post SAT/ACT or AP Exam scores on the MHS transcript.

FAIR TEST: Test-Optional Colleges/Universities: Colleges have introduced more flexibility and choice in their admissions process by offering "Test Optional" in the application process.For a list of Test-Optional colleges/universities, you can log into: https://fairtest.org

Emails & College Portal Accounts: Check your College Emails/College Portals: Keep close eye out for Admissions Decisions:  Receive notification of admission decisions by colleges for regular decision application plans-Update Naviance with admissions decisions.

NAVIANCE: 

• Please continue to check Naviance frequently regarding college information,  college visits, college searches, and scholarship information.

• Update Naviance: Admission Decisions (accepted, waitlisted, withdrawals, deferrals, denied): Update Naviance with acceptances, denials, withdrawals, wait lists. and deferrals. In Naviance with your College Admissions information to date by going to: “Colleges I’m Applying to”, “Edit”, “Results”, then “Save.”

FINANCIAL AID:

• Finalize and submit Financial aid information to colleges being sure to meet individual deadlines

• File  your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA® Form) if you have not done so already! **Complete your FAFSA as soon as possible to be considered for financial aid!

• Apply for Scholarships! Take note of Deadlines!! 

• Apply for local MHS Senior Awards and Scholarships: (February): Please visit the  MHS Senior Awards Scholarships Website to review all of the internal and external scholarship opportunities listed.  They are listed in due date order to help you organize your applications.  

• NYS Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC):  HESC has an unwavering commitment to ensuring New York State students, parents, and academic partners have access to the critical financial aid information, tools, and resources they need to pursue their educational goals.

• Receive Text Messages from HESC: High school students and their parents can sign up to receive text messages from the NYS Higher Education Services Corporation to get connected to the resources they need to prepare for college and apply for financial aid. Text messages include key information about financial aid programs, how to apply, important deadlines, available events to assist students in completing applications, and resources to help put them on the right path toward their college careers. Sign-up is quick and easy at: HESC Text Messaging Registration.  Any questions can be sent to: thepath@hesc.ny.gov. 

(HESC) Higher Education Services Corporation:  Financial Aid  Comparison Tool: Comparing College Award Letters:  HESC has an interactive Financial Aid Award Packages Comparison tool. This tool can help you determine the "bottom line" for each college to which you've applied and received a financial aid award offer.  The college financial aid award letter contains important information about the financial aid package being offered.  Review &  Compare financial aid awards carefully!  

HESC Financial Aid Opportunities:  Explore all NYS Financial Aid Programs.

New Application Pathway for NYS Financial Aid: New York State continues to take meaningful steps to ensure that all students have access to an affordable, high-quality college education, regardless of their family’s immigration or citizenship status. With a commitment to sensitivity, security, and access, the New York State Higher Education Services Corporation (HESC) has launched a new application pathway for eligible students who are U.S. citizens or eligible non-citizens who do not want to complete a FAFSA due to concerns related to the privacy of their information, but want to apply for New York State financial aid. This application offers a clear and secure pathway for impacted students to access many New York State grants and scholarships, including the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP), without requiring them to complete the FAFSA. While this path provides access to many New York State financial aid programs, it’s important to note that students who apply for state-funded financial aid through this path, will not be eligible for the NYS Excelsior Scholarship or the Enhanced Tuition Award (ETA) program, both of which require a completed FAFSA as part of their application process. They will also not be eligible for federal financial aid, including the Pell Grant, Federal Work-Study, and federal student loans, unless they submit a FAFSA. Updated guidance, eligibility criteria, and FAQs are available on the application information page. For additional outreach or questions, please contact HESC at www.hesc.ny.gov.

NYS Scholarships & Grants Opportunities:  Apply for NYS Scholarships & Grants! Be mindful of deadlines!!   Please review the complete list of NYS Scholarships & Grants available to students using the linked above. This will take you to the HESC website. There are hyperlinks within the master list that will take you to each specific NYS Scholarship & Grant providing general information, application eligibility, deadlines, opportunities to receive notifications, help, resources, links to apply etc.  Please take the time to review the list and details therein to see the opportunities available and applications. 

COLLEGE BOARD CSS Profile:  The CSS Profile is an online application used by certain colleges and scholarship programs to award non-federal institutional aid.  Please complete this CSS Profile if the college(s) you are applying to requires it. 

Service Learning Graduation Requirement- Submit Service Learning Hours via MHS Digital Service Learning System in Infinite Campus (IC):  Be mindful of minimum 60 Hour Service Learning graduation requirement. Submit your Service Learning Activities in IC to meet your graduation requirement.