Seniors

what to do from September to December 

Attend College Visits on our Campus

Every fall we are fortunate to have many colleges across the country (and a few international) visit our students to provide college information sessions. Often, these are the College Admission officers that “read” for our school and are tremendous resources to help with all aspects of the application process. It is important to get to know these counselors and ask questions about their college, and a great way to preview a campus! You can find the schedule on Naviance under college visits.


College Essays

Begin/continue working on your Common App essay, Coalition App essay, UC Personal Insight Questions, or other supplemental writing required by each college. Remember that only one Common App essay is written and shared between all your Common App schools, and the same holds true for the Coalition App essay. Your one set of UC Personal Insight Questions is shared with any of their nine campuses that you apply to, and there are no essays for the CSUs. Start early and seek help in the College & Career Center .


FINALIZE YOUR COLLEGE LIST And be ready to submit applications by deadlines:

Use one of the Naviance college search tools and/or their Scattergram feature to narrow your list of colleges based on major, location, private/public, and other items important to you. Once it is solidified, you can research which applications each school uses and review their application requirements. We recommend that you have 6-12 colleges on your list, including 2-3 target schools, 3-6 match schools, 1-3 reach schools (or 1-3 more match schools if you do not want to apply to reach schools.)


Letters of Recommendation:

Not all schools require or allow letters of recommendation. If you are applying to a college or university that includes this piece in the application process, please have a conversation with your teachers and school counselor AT LEAST one month before any deadlines! Some may have an information packet for you to complete as part of the recommendation process.

Application Platforms:

If applying to any of the nine campuses within the University of California (UC) system, the application platform will be created here: https://apply.universityofcalifornia.edu/my-application/login


If applying to any of the 23 California State University campuses (CSU), the application platform can be created here: https://www.calstate.edu/apply


For many out of state and private universities, you may choose to apply with the Common Application with over 900 institutions one one platform: https://www.commonapp.org


Another multi platform application system is the Coalition for College Access application: https://www.coalitionforcollegeaccess.org/


SEND TEST SCORES or REGISTER FOR TESTING (only if needed) If you have decided to include standardized testing as part of your application (many colleges are test optional or test blind), you will need to determine if they need official scores, or simply allow you to self report until admitted.


Attend Events Specific to the Senior Class


Begin Searching for Scholarships

Research options on Naviance and look at the financial aid/scholarship pages on college websites so you don't miss fall deadlines.

For more information, come to the College & Career Center!

WHAT tO DO FROM JANUARY TO JUNE

Check out this presentation: Next Steps for Graduating Seniors


Continue Searching for Scholarships


Create Portal Accounts for Each 4-year College/University Where you Applied


Research Housing Options for Colleges Where You Applied


File Financial Aid Application by your colleges' deadlines or complete an Opt-Out Form


Attend College of Marin Sessions Offered at AWHS


Commit to Your 4-Year College/University of Choice by May 1


Complete the AWHS Senior Survey in May