12th grade

Senior year is the culmination of all your hard work in high school. Here's a month-by-month checklist to guide you through your senior year, from college applications to graduation.

August-September

• Finalize your college list: Make a balanced list of "reach," "target," and "safety" schools.

• Work on your applications: Start filling out the Common App and/or individual college applications.

• Write your personal statement and essays: Brainstorm and draft your main college essay. This is the perfect time to get ahead on essays for schools with early deadlines.

• Request letters of recommendation: Politely ask two to three teachers who know you well to write letters for you. Provide them with your resume and a short "brag sheet" of your accomplishments to make their job easier.

• Take or retake the SAT/ACT: If you want to improve your scores, take the test early in the fall.

October

• Submit early applications: If you're applying Early Decision or Early Action, finish and submit your applications by their deadlines, which are often in November.

• Start the FAFSA: The Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) opens in October. Fill it out as soon as possible to maximize your eligibility for federal and state aid.

• Continue researching scholarships: Apply for any scholarships you are eligible for, paying close attention to deadlines.

• Demonstrate interest: If you're applying to schools that track it, continue to engage with them by attending virtual information sessions or meeting with college representatives who visit your school.

November-December

• Submit regular decision applications: Most regular decision deadlines are in January, so use this time to finish and submit them.

• Check on your applications: Confirm that all your materials—transcripts, test scores, and letters of recommendation—have been received by the colleges you applied to.

• Finalize financial aid forms: Complete any additional financial aid forms, such as the CSS Profile, if required by your schools.

• Make mid-year grade reports: Ask your school counselor to send your first-semester grades to the colleges to which you applied.

January-March

• Be on the lookout for decisions: Admissions and financial aid offers will start to arrive.

• Avoid "Senioritis": Your grades from your second semester are not guaranteed to be seen by colleges, but they can rescind an admission offer if your grades drop drastically.

• Continue to apply for scholarships: Many scholarships have deadlines in the spring.

• Review and compare financial aid offers: Carefully compare the financial aid packages you receive from each school you've been accepted to. Look at grants, loans, and work-study options to determine the best financial fit.

• Visit admitted student days: If you can, visit the campuses of schools you've been accepted to. These events are specifically for admitted students and can help you make a final decision.

April-May

• Make your final decision: The deadline for most colleges to receive your enrollment deposit is May 1 (National College Decision Day).

• Notify all schools: Once you've chosen a school, inform the others you were accepted to that you will not be attending. This is a common courtesy and opens a spot for another student.

• Request your final transcript: Ask your school counselor to send your final high school transcript to the college you've decided to attend.

• Finish strong: Keep your grades up and celebrate all of your hard work with your friends and family. This is the last leg of your high school journey!