SENIOR YEAR COLLEGE APPLICATION CHECKLIST

Students who are applying to four year colleges must check off each statement!

September

  • Beware of "Senioritis!" Your first semester grades count heavily. Stay on top of things. Make sure you are taking the toughest courses you can. Demonstrate your readiness for college.
  • Select the colleges you will apply to. Obtain applications.
  • Check to see if you can use the Common Application or College Link.
  • Make sure you have a Social Security Number. Colleges use these numbers for data processing. Any students who are not citizens or do not have Green Cards should discuss this with their counselor. It will make a difference in your application and financial aid.
  • Brush up on your SAT's. Review the free booklet, Taking the SAT's. Also make an appointment to go the Career Center and practice with "One on One with the SAT's" on the computer.
  • Register for SAT I.
    • List four colleges you are interested in applying to.
    • Register for SAT II English Language Proficiency Test (ELPT) if English is your second language. November is the only test date.
  • Check to see if your colleges require the TOEFL. Register if they do.
    • Take the test.

October-November

  • SAT Admission tickets are sent to you a few weeks before the test. See your counselor if you have not received it.
  • Take SAT I. Remember to bring a picture ID, calculator, several #2 pencils with erasers and your admission ticket.
  • Register to take SAT I a second time. (Remember that colleges will look at your highest scores.)
    • List all colleges. Remember you have to pay an additional fee for more than four colleges.
  • Take SAT I a second time.
  • Check to see if your college requires the SAT II.
    • Register for SAT II.
    • List all colleges that require SAT II.
    • Take test.
  • Use College Organizer
    • Check college application deadlines.
    • Check financial aid deadlines.
  • Check to see if your colleges require interviews
    • Make appointments if required. Most out-of-state colleges will have an admissions representative in your area
    • Try to visit colleges. You can call the admissions office for a time to take a campus tour and attend an information session.

December

  • Ask your English teacher and counselor to review the draft of your essay. Your essay should illustrate your uniqueness. It should be typed and grammatically correct.
  • If you need recommendations ask two teachers who like you and respect your work. Make sure to give them two weeks notice.
  • Complete college applications. *Many selective colleges have January 1 deadlines.
    • If eligible, you may request a fee waiver
    • Keep copies
  • Bring completed college applications to Guidance Counselor with addressed, stamped envelopes. (2 stamps) Your counselor will mail them with your transcript, report card, school profile and letters of recommendation.

January

  • Complete FAFSA. (January 1 is the first day it can be sent).
  • Check to see if colleges require Profile. (If they are listed on profile application, it is required.) Some colleges also require you to complete their own financial aid form.
    • Complete profile.
  • Investigate scholarships and apply to those for which you are eligible.
  • If you are thinking that you may play Division One or Two Athletics, you must fill out a "NCAA Clearinghouse Form."

February

  • Men over 18 must register for the draft. You will not be eligible for federal aid until you do.
  • You will receive your SAR about 4-6 weeks after filing your FAFSA. You must check the information carefully for accuracy. If there are mistakes, you must make the corrections and send it back. Keep a copy.

March-April

  • Bring in any acceptance or rejection letters to your counselor .
  • Bring in your SAR when you receive it.
  • You should receive your financial aid package two-four weeks after receiving an acceptance letter. You need to review it with your family and your counselor. You need to decide whether or not to take out the loans.
  • Try to visit the colleges that have accepted you. Most will have special programs for "accepted" students. Many will give you an opportunity to spend a night on campus and attend classes.

May

  • Evaluate the schools that have accepted you and compare the financial aid packages. Decide!
  • Once you have decided, make sure to complete the financial aid award letter by "accepting" the aid and signing the form.
  • All schools will require a deposit, usually around May 1-15. If you need a little more time because you are waiting to hear from another college, you can request an extension.
  • Once you decide which college you will be attending, you must send a letter declining admission to all other schools that accepted you. This allows them to open a seat for another student.
  • There are still some schools looking for students. You may still send in applications... Better late than never!

June

  • Graduation....Prom....Good Luck! Make sure to let us know next year how you are doing!