Senior Calendar

Prior to the Start of School

Make your initial list of colleges.
Visit each college website and read all requirements for admission.
Make sure YOU have established an application account online for EACH college on your list.
Make a list of ALL essay and short answer topics for each college. Brainstorm ideas for all essays.
Complete your personal resume.
Student athletes must complete the NCAA Clearinghouse form, pay the registration fee, send official transcript and official SAT/ACT test scores to the NCAA .
Register to take the SAT and/or ACT tests in the fall, if you need to raise your scores.

September

Meet with your counselor to review college list and your graduation requirements.
Call any colleges you have not contacted for applications; organize files; photocopy applications; begin to fill out rough drafts.
Your high school counselor will give you instructions on how to request a letter of recommendation. Be sure to follow instructions and meet the deadlines.
Make a list of the colleges that require a letter of recommendation and contact each teacher that you want to write a letter of recommendation. Provide the teacher with a large envelope that contains the necessary forms for each college, addressed and stamped envelopes, and any personal information that is requested.
Request official transcripts for each college that requires one at this time.
Remind your parents to gather financial records and get financial counseling if needed.
Decide the number of colleges that you are applying to and what the cost is to apply.
Begin to complete the college applications in the order of the application deadlines.
Organize and begin to write your college essays.
Request your SAT and/or ACT score report to be sent to each college or if you are retaking the tests, add the colleges to your test registration.

October

Start your UC and CSU applications.
You can begin your FAFSA application. Use the site www.goingmerry.com to fill out an easier FAFSA and sign up for available scholarships.
Register for the December ACT and/or SAT I or SAT II if required.
Take ACT and/or SAT I or II if required.
Attend College Night and various college information programs.
Finish research, compare colleges, and reduce your list to 5-10 schools.
Plan visits and interviews to colleges while they are in session (send thank you notes).
Attend college weekends.
Work on rough draft essays and applications.
Complete a "Rolling Admission" college applications and submit by Oct. 31st.
Complete all "early decision," "early action" applications and submit prior to Nov. 1st.
Retake SAT or ACT tests if necessary.
Register or request interviews for the colleges that offer or require an interview.
Complete ALL requests for letters of recommendation and give all required information to counselors and teachers.
Double check that all transcripts and test score reports have been sent to each college on your list.
At www.collegeboard.com, register for the CSS Profile (a financial aid item required by some colleges).
Keep watching scholarships.

REMINDERS:

Always print a copy of your completed application before you submit.
Always double check each application before submitting.
Always have at least one other person read your essays before you add it to the application.

November

Send in UC and CSU applications as early in the month as possible.
Take SAT I or SAT II if required by colleges.
Register for December ACT if required.
Finish all rough draft applications and essays. Go over them with counselor, teacher, and parent.
Give all recommendation and secondary school evaluation forms to teachers and counselor to complete.
Apply to your "choice colleges". Make sure you have all the necessary paperwork turned in.
Observe deadlines. Send transcripts and test scores.
Keep your grades up. Colleges do look at semester and year-end grades!

December

Collect Financial Aid information and pick up FAFSA forms from the Counselor. These forms are also under the "Forms" tab on this website. Use the site www.goingmerry.com to fill out an easier FAFSA and sign up for available scholarships.
Attend Financial Aid Night.
Register for your FAFSA pin number if you will be filing for financial aid.
Complete all other applications.
Take SAT I or II or ACT, if needed.
Work on and send in private college applications as you finish them.
Plan holiday visits to colleges.
Call or check online with each college to see that your application is complete.
Write a thank you note to everyone who sent a letter of recommendation for you.
Have a good break!

January

Request 7th semester transcripts be sent to colleges that request them.
Check with teachers, counselor and colleges to make sure that all forms have been mailed.
Respond to all requests for additional information for your colleges.
Let your counselor know your first choice colleges. Stay in contact with your representative at those colleges. Ask if you can send any additional academic or talent information or letters.
Watch application deadlines and make sure that all applications are complete.
Keep sending your applications. It is not too late to apply to many colleges.
Study for your finals! Grades still matter!

February

Complete all financial aid forms (FAFSA and CAL GRANT).
Complete any scholarship forms. Watch due dates.
Keep in touch with all colleges and check your e-mail regularly. Make sure that the colleges have received your financial information, test scores and all other forms. Can you apply for housing now?
Notify all colleges in writing if you have made a change to your schedule of classes.
Some college acceptance letters may arrive. Inform your counselor when you hear from a college.
Stay calm and enjoy your senior year.

March

Talk to Community College representatives if applying there. Get applications from the counselor.
Submit tax forms to the Financial Aid office of colleges who request them.
Send any new material which may help the colleges.
Watch for Student Aid Report (SAR) to arrive, giving amount of student aid for which you are eligible. Make sure your colleges receive it. Keep the original.

April

All colleges should respond.
Decide where you wish to go. Revisit if necessary. Go to information meetings that you are invited to. Write to the college you accept and those you do not. Inform the counselor and teachers of your decision.
Waitlisted? Write "pleading letter" and ask for help. Most colleges decide in June/July.
Submit applications to community college. Take placement tests.
If you plan to attend a CSU, take your EPT and ELM placement tests.
Start looking for a summer job. You may need the money!

May

By May 1st, you must notify the one school you plan to attend.
Complete intent to register forms and pay the required deposit.
Sign and return your financial aid award letter, if you received one, to accept it.
Fill out loan applications.
UC--Subject A exam.
CSU--Placement exams.
Fill out housing forms, if available.
Register for any English or math placement tests required by your college.
Continue to attend classes; you must maintain your GPA. If your GPA drops and/or you drop a class you listed on your application, the college has the right to rescind your offer of admission if you have not notified them of the change.
All young men are legally required to register with Selective Service when they turn 18. If young men don’t register, they can lose their eligibility for student loans and grants, federally funded job training programs, and government jobs.

June

Congratulations, Graduate!
Enjoy your summer. You deserve it.
Turn in your final transcript request to counselor.
Student athletes must request a final transcript to be sent to the NCAA.
Attend all advising days, open houses, orientation programs, and registration days offered by your college.
Read books on how to survive college--physically, emotionally, and academically.
Send thank you notes/letters/emails for any scholarships you have received.

Parents

Ask your employer whether scholarships are available for employees’ children.
Complete your income tax forms early so you can complete the FAFSA.