Seniors

“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you have imagined.”

—Henry David Thoreau

Action Plan: 12th Grade

Senior year is a whirlwind of activities. This is a big year for you as you balance schoolwork, extracurricular activities and the college application process. Use the suggestions below to help you successfully navigate this important time.

FALL

Update resume and add any awards and involvements to use in a letter of recommendation/college application. You can use SchooLinks account to do this.
Check your email often.
Narrow down your college list in "Final List" in SchooLinks.
Ask teachers for letters of recommendation only if needed. Please know before you ask. We don't want to waste anyone's time.
Fill out college applications/common application if applicable and connect them into your SchooLinks account under the College tab. Write and proofread all essays. KNOW YOUR DEADLINES.
Order official transcripts through SchooLinks in the "College" tab.
Send official test scores through testing agency.
Attend college workshops/fairs when provided in the CCC.
Look and apply for scholarships on the Finance Tab in your SchooLinks account.
Complete the FASFA starting Oct 1 or complete OPT-OUT form. Grauation requirement in Illinois.
Set goals for the school year, staying motivated and focused.
Get involved, explore and commit to extracurricular activities.
Retake and register for the SAT or ACT to increase score.
If you’re interested in playing college sports, make sure you research the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) as early as your freshman year. NCAA Eligibility Center
Keep a list of colleges you have applied to and received communication back from in your SchooLinks account.

Winter

Apply to interested colleges.
Order transcript through SchooLinks--"College" tab.
Continue to search and apply for scholarships through SchooLinks under the "Finances" tab.
Keep active in school.
Review your financial aid rewards from all your schools.
Check your email often.

Spring

Visit your final college again before accepting.
If eligible for financial aid, accept financial aid package including loans offered.
If living on campus, send in housing deposit.
Cross everything off your graduation checklist.
Inform every college of your acceptance or rejection by May 1.
Send your deposit to only one college and meet housing deadlines.
Order your final transcript(s) through SchooLinks by completing the senior year EXIT SURVEY in SchooLinks, including from Heartland too if you took Dual Credit class. YOUR FINAL TRANSCRIPTS will only be sent by this process.
Again, complete the Senior Exit Survey in SchooLinks. They provide data for future students and it is also your FINAL TRANSCRIPT REQUEST FORM.
Sign up for your school's summer orientation.
Update your contact information (email, mailing address, cell phone number) with your college to ensure they can reach you if needed.
ENJOY your final days of high school.

summer

Attend your college's orientation and sign up for your fall classes with help from your college advisor.
Begin preparing for college coursework.
Check e-mail address college has on file once a week.
Check college online portal once a week in summer to check for any "to-dos" before classes start.
Send AP results to the college you plan on attending.
Take placement tests that may be required.
Register for fall classes.
Buy textbooks & any required materials for all semester courses.

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