Senior Year

THE FINAL YEAR! What's next? 

• Stay up to date with the Senior Class

• Order your Cap & Gown and the Yearbook! 

• Take challenging courses-Continue to challenge yourself, and work hard to achieve excellent grades during your senior year. Plan to take as many higher level courses as possible.

• Take the SAT/ACT again-If you were not happy with the results of your junior year SAT or ACT, plan to take one of the tests again. Check the college planning tab for dates the tests are offered and deadlines. College Board SAT & ACT

• Compile a list of schools/colleges and deadlines - Be aware of the application process for each college. Depending on the college, you may have to apply using the Common App or through the college website.               If you are applying using the Common App, you must create an account.

• Meet with your counselor - In September or October, you should plan to meet with your counselor to discuss and finalize the colleges where you will be applying. Plan on applying to about 5 to 7 schools--1 to 2 safety schools, 2 to 3 target schools, and 1-2 reach schools.

• Request Counselor/Teacher recommendations - Fill out the "Letter of Recommendation Survey" in the About Me section in Naviance. Give your teachers and counselor at least two weeks to complete your recommendations. Ask your teacher(s) and counselor if they will write you a letter of recommendation in person if possible. If it is not, send them an email asking them. If they say yes, you will need to request them in Naviance>Colleges>Letter of Recommendation. Don't forget to say thank you to the teacher or counselor who took the time to help you!

• Match your Common App and Naviance Accounts- Even if you are using the Common App to apply to colleges, make sure you add all of the colleges that you are applying to on the Colleges I'm Applying to section in Naviance. Colleges that do not use Common App will need to be added to Naviance by you. Once you have applied to a college, let your counselor know so that they can send your transcript and letters of recommendation. Give your counselor a minimum of 10 working days prior to the application deadline. 

• Send your test scores to colleges (if applicable)- If the schools you are applying to are test optional, you may decide if you send your SAT and/or ACT scores. This is done by the student in either College Board or the ACT website.

• Mid-Year Reports-All colleges on Common App will receive mid-year reports from your counselor. If another school is requesting a mid-year report, make sure you tell your counselor.

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)-Submit your completed FAFSA soon after October 1st as possible. The FAFSA also requires information from your parents' income tax, so you will need their help to complete it. The FAFSA website is https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa Woodbridge Township also offers a free FAFSA workshop once a year. Check with your school counselor or look on the counseling website for the date.

• Looking for other scholarships- Private scholarships are an excellent way to help pay for college. They can be found on Naviance in the college tab, on the counseling website under Financial Aid, or on various search engines.

• Wait for your acceptance letters - All your applications are in! Now you can sit back and wait to be accepted. Although dates of acceptance will vary, all decisions from colleges and universities are given by April 1. Before making the final decision, revisit the colleges or universities that have given you acceptance; and look for financial aid responses that should arrive during the month of April.

• Select your school - Upon making your choice, send in the deposit and any other information requested. Notify the college of your choice prior to the May 1st deadline. Notify the other schools that offered acceptances other plans have been made. Remember to tell your counselor where you have committed  to. 

• Enjoy! This is your last year in high school - have fun, make memories.

Congratulations as you begin your journey as a college student!