Seniors

College Planning

• Attend college information nights in your community. The Career & College Center keeps a list of upcoming events.
• Check college websites for applications, deadlines, financial aid and housing information.
• Ask your counselor to evaluate your transcript for high school graduation and college eligibility.
• Register to take or retake college entrance exams.
• Several colleges are test optional–check www.fairtest.org for the most comprehensive list
• SAT, with optional essay
• ACT, with optional writing section
• Keep your test scores, resume and transcript organized to help in completing college applications
• Ask teachers or counselors for letters of recommendation
• Finalize portfolios, audition materials or writing samples if required as part of the application
• Get feedback from a college advisor, teacher or parent/guardian and complete revisions of all applications and essays

Financial Aid

• Review the financial aid application process and timeline required by the colleges on your list
• Register for an FSA ID, which serves as your FAFSA e-signature; student’s parents/guardians must also register for an FSA ID
• File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which opens on October 1
• Information from the 2021 tax year will be used for the entering class of 2023 as they apply for financial aid for the 2023-2024 academic year
• Attend financial aid workshops in your community for help completing the FAFSA
• Be aware that private colleges may require additional financial information from the CSS Profile
• Check your state financial aid websites for more information about in-state financial aid opportunities for undocumented, DREAMer and DACA students
• Search and apply for scholarships
• Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) once FAFSA has been processed and make any needed corrections

College Application Follow-Up

• Check your email frequently for additional information colleges might request within their timeline
• Send your mid-year transcript to colleges that request them
• Continue scholarship searches over winter break and continue to submit applications

Academics

• Keep up your grades—college admissions are conditional and can be rescinded if you do not continue academic excellence
• Check with the colleges where you have applied before considering dropping a senior year class; colleges expect you to complete all of the high school courses you listed as "in progress" on your admissions application
• Take your Advanced Placement (AP) exams

College Decision

• Check your email or college admissions portal for admission decision notification
• Visit campuses that most interest you
• Carefully review your financial aid offer for each college where you have been accepted and compare offers; contact financial aid offices to answer questions or update them on any changes to your family’s financial situation
• Finalize your financial aid; accept your financial aid offer or work with the college's financial aid office to adjust it
• If you’ll be attending a four-year college, notify and place a deposit at the college of your choice by National College Decision Day (May 1)

College Admissions Follow-Up

• Sign into your college portal and review your task list and deadlines
• Check your email for correspondence and deadline reminders
• Request your final transcript be sent to your college choice from your high school registrar before the deadline
• Request AP scores be submitted to your college choice
• Ask about college placement tests–some colleges require them for certain subjects, such as English and math; make sure to register in time and study beforehand
• Sign up for summer and/or fall orientation; some are mandatory and some have a cost
• Figure out housing—if living on campus, complete any roommate survey forms, sign the housing contract and submit a housing deposit to make sure you have a reserved room

Orientation

• Attend orientation; at orientation, you will register for your classes; you may also take English, math or foreign language assessments

Paperwork and Payments

• Check your college email account and log into your college’s student portal every few days for important notices for new students
• Download your college’s health forms and see your doctor; colleges may require evidence of immunizations, including the COVID-19 vaccine
• Most four-year colleges require students to have health insurance, so you may see it on your fall bill; if you don’t want it, you must opt out
• Tuition payments are due at the beginning of the term so research payment options beforehand
• Search your student portal for “FERPA waiver” if you want your parents/guardians to access your student account (bill, grades, etc.)
• Ask your high school to send your final transcript to your college

College Finances

• Work and save money for college
• Make a budget with your parents/guardians
• View your class syllabus for required textbooks; consider buying used textbooks, which cost less than new; you may also be able to save money by shopping for books online, downloading PDFs, buying e-books or renting books

Living on Campus

• Check out a sample packing list and start packing
• Consider creating a roommate agreement
• Set expectations on how and when you will communicate with your family while away at college
• Make any necessary travel arrangements; buy travel tickets (plane, train, bus) and make hotel reservations early (if necessary)

Living at Home

• Develop boundaries with your family and let them know that your first obligation is your studies, so you’re not available while at school
• Identify a study space at home

Support

• Search your college website for “academic advising” or “counseling services;” you’ll have access to these free services; www.activeminds.org is another free resource for you to help yourself or your friends
• Check your student portal or college website so you don’t miss out on any virtual or local welcome events for students before classes start
• Send thank-you notes to everyone who helped in your college process, such as counselors and teachers who wrote letters of recommendation and scholarship providers who provided you funding for college