August
ü Narrow down your college search to 3-5. Register to visit the college campus.
ü Sign up to take or retake the ACT, SAT, and TSI tests, if needed
ü Select senior coursework that meets graduation requirements and that requires rigor for college preparation
ü Monitor senior grades and attendance carefully
ü Participate in senior extracurricular and community service activities
ü Begin checking the AHS Senior Newsletter Beyond the Buzz frequently
ü Complete free scholarship searches and apply to any scholarships that are applicable to you
ü Complete career interest inventories to assist you in choosing a career path, thus a college major
ü Begin writing essays required for college admission
September
ü Ask for recommendation letters that can be copied and signed each time you need them. After receipt, write a thank you note to each person who wrote you a letter. Allow at least two weeks for the writer to complete the letter.
Ask an adult who knows you well (usually not a family member) to write a general letter of recommendation with emphasis on your character.
Ask a teacher who knows your academic ability and character well to write a letter of recommendation with emphasis on your academic character, leadership skills, work ethic, etc.
Ask an employer or extracurricular sponsor/coach who knows your work ethic to write a letter with emphasis on your motivation, determination, perseverance, etc.
ü Make sure that you’ve completed all required steps in the admission and scholarship processes at each school you want to attend (www.applytexas.org for public universities). Keep copies of everything. Watch deadlines!
ü Many Texas universities begin taking admission applications on August 1.
ü Review and evaluate graduation requirements, current GPA and rank, testing, AHS transcript, college plans and admission
October
ü Create a personal resume
ü Make sure that you’ve completed all required steps in the admission and scholarship processes at each school you want to attend (www.applytexas.org for public universities). Keep copies of everything. Watch deadlines!
ü Attend all college representative visits to AHS
ü Check your colleges’ scholarship deadlines and adhere to them! They WILL be different than the admissions’ deadlines.
ü Retake TSI, ACT, and/or SAT tests, if needed.
ü Attend the TVCC Dual College Day, if applicable.
November
ü Complete and submit the FAFSA or TASFA form
Apply for your FSA ID number prior to submitting FAFSA.
Submit your FAFSA/TASFA via the Web as soon after October 1 as possible because some student aid programs award funds on a first-come, first-served basis. If you are an undocumented student, apply for financial aid via TASFA (www.collegeforalltexans.com)
Fill out and submit required financial aid forms. Follow instructions carefully and make copies
ü If you’ve applied at an early decision school, make sure that everything is finalized
ü Attend the Tyler College Area College Fair and any virtual college fairs available.
December
ü Watch for a response to your application for a military academy appointment or an early decision school
ü Retake STAAR, TSI, ACT and/or SAT tests, if needed.
January
ü Continue checking AHS Senior Newsletter Beyond the Buzz
ü Continue searching and applying for scholarships.
ü Stay organized and watch deadlines.
February – March
ü College acceptance and financial award letters begin to arrive.
ü Watch the mail for your Student Aid Report (SAR). Carefully examine the results.
ü Don’t panic if you’re selected for verification. Just provide the college with the documents it needs.
ü Stay on top of important financial aid deadlines.
ü Respond quickly to college requests for additional documentation.
April
ü Analyze and compare the award letters you receive. CollegeAnswer.com and CollegeBoard.com have helpful tools.
ü Make a decision. Most colleges request your reply by May 1. Send your tuition deposit.
ü Register for the earliest college orientation session possible.
ü Register for Advanced Placement (AP) tests which are administered in May.
ü Mark your calendar with important deadlines (housing, meals, transportation, financial aid, ...).
ü Make your final decision and notify the college you are attending
ü Notify other colleges of your decision not to attend.
May
ü Arrange for your final transcript with AHS registrar to be mailed in June.
ü Continue to search for scholarships.
ü Look for a summer job and save money for school.
ü Evaluate student loan lenders, if needed..
June
ü Celebrate your success as you graduate from high school
ü Enjoy Last Blast with your Class.
ü Consider saving some of your graduation money for school.
ü Respond to requests from the college you will be attending.
ü Keep copies of everything you send.
ü Read and be familiar with your college catalog and semester class schedule.
ü Attend a college orientation session.
ü Send thank-you notes or postcards to those who helped you get into college.
July – August
ü If you still need money to pay for college, consider a student loan.
ü If you haven’t, attend a college orientation session.
ü Confirm housing arrangements and meal plans.
ü Finalize your college budget.
ü Notify the financial aid office of loans you will receive.
ü Consider opening a bank account near campus.
ü Review your cell phone plan to limit roaming charges.
ü Contact your roommate and coordinate what to pack.
ü Pack for college. CollegeAnswer.com provides a Packing for College Checklist.