Phew! Once your child reaches their senior year, it seems as if everything is moving in fast motion! You don’t want to overlook or miss anything that may be important in completing applications or applying for scholarships. But remember this is the home stretch for both you and your future college student, so try to enjoy senior year! It may be a lot of work, keeping track of deadlines, paperwork, and scores, but it’s a labor of love! Here’s what you need to be doing:

Applications

arroN w down your choices to 3-5 schools. The first being your “dream” school, next your “safety” school, and the two to three others.

Block out time on your calendar to work on downloading and gathering college and scholarship applications. This process can be

somewhat of a tedious one so make sure you pace yourself and keep track on any pending deadlines. Mark all application dates in Red on your calendar to help remind you.

Remember to check the Common Application website!

Begin deciding on a focus for your applications, i.e., what you wanted the admissions counselors to “get” about you.

Start brain storming ideas for essay questions that reveal something about who you are as a student and person. Use personal

stories and your activities resume or portfolio to come up with these ideas.

Decide if you want to apply for early decision or early action to a college that is clearly your first choice. Testing

Sign up for SAT, ACT, or Subject tests that still need to be taken

Applications

eginB completing applications College Admissions Office/Representatives

Make arrangements with the colleg ae dmissions representative to get more information about the college and get a better feel for how you would “fit in” on that campus.

Recommendations

Ask your oc unselors, teachers, and coaches or employers for letters of recommendation. Give them plenty of time to meet your deadlines and make sure to provide them with stamped and addressed envelopes.

Grades

Keep your grades up, it is sometimes easy to get wrapped up in this new process that you let your grades slip or forgo studying a little in order to get everything done…..Don’t do this! Colleges want to know that you can multi-task and handle time management well.

Applications

are received

Submit applications as early as possible for colleges with rolling deadlines

Submit applications and essays in on time! Applications are not considered complete until: Online or paper application is submitted School transcripts received SAT/ACT test scores

Apply for scholarships, both local and national by the specified deadlines. ( from now through the end of the year) Male students: register for selective service. You must register on your 18th birthday to be eligible for federal and state financial

aid. (You can register on FAFSA application if you forget.)

WRAP UP

in a safe place.

Wraº

p up college applications before winter break Make copies of everything before you send it.

º Keep all your college application records together Early decision application responses should begin to arrive this month.

STAY FOCUSED

Continue to

Fill out the free application for federal student aid (FAFSA) online at: http://www.fafsa.ed.gov

focus on your schoolwork…..you are almost there!

Work on FAFSA.

º . FAFSA is not available until January 1, so don’t send them before then.

manner.

º º You will need your tax return to fill out the FAFSA, so be sure to get your taxes done in a timely

Call colleges and check on application.

º Follow up to make transcripts, and test s

sure that the colleges have received all applications information, including recommendations, cores.

Most regular co

llege admission applications are due between January 1 and February 15.

DON’T GET SE IORITIS

N !

te and be sure to keep copies of everything. A has been received and check to see if there are any other forms you

Colleges want to see strong second half grades.

Work on Financial aid applications. Remember: Apply Early. Apply Right.

Many priority financial aid deadlines are in February. º To get the most attractive award package, apply by the priority daº

º Contact Financial aid Offices to make sure your FAFS need to complete to be awarded financial aid

Apply f Some admissions decisions and financial aid info

or scholarships, both local and national.

rmation will arrive this month.

Continue to work on scholarship applications.

If you are taking Advanced Placement classes, ask your teachers about AP exams and how you can best prepare for them. Keep searching for scholarships.

Look for admission decisions from colleges. Pay attention to any requests for action or further information needed.

DECISION MAKING TIME

Most admissions decision your part.

hile also looking at the cost of attendance at

.

posit check to the school you select by May 1 t deadline for most schools).

s and financial aid award letters will arrive this month. g you receive carefully, as some of it may require action on

º Be sure to sit down and compare your aid award from different colleges w

º Read everythin

each school. º Questions about your award? Call the financial aid office at the college.

Make you

(the enrollmen

r final decisionº Pick the college you want to attend and mail the enrollment form and de

º Notify each of the schools to which you were accepted that you will not be attending in writing so that your spot can be freed up for another student

STUDY! STUDY! STUDY!

Study hard for final exa

ms. Most admissions offers are contingent on your final grades.

Take AP exams, check to see that your scores are sent to your colleges.

Thank your counselor, teachers, coaches, and anyone else who wrote ycollege applications.

ou recommendations or otherwise helped with your

Have your counselor send your final transcript to your college choice