A Complete College Prep Checklist: High School Senior Year
Originally posted on The Scholarship System.
When it comes to college planning, it may seem like there are a million things to complete, but being prepared is the key to limiting stress levels for you and your student. Additionally, timing is essential when it comes to applying to college and the financial aid process, as you don’t want your student to miss important deadlines.
Here’s a complete college prep checklist to help you and your senior student successfully navigate through their final year of high school!
COMPLETE BEFORE HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR YEAR
Make a list of potential colleges you would like to attend.
Make sure your resume is up-to-date and continue updating it throughout the year.
Discuss careers and which majors can lead to them.
Learn and organize your financial aid.
Consider ways to earn college credit via Advanced Placement or Dual Enrollment courses.
Visit your top college choices, including an official tour of the campus, and meet with a professor/coach if possible.
Start working on your college application essays: Have others discuss the essays with you.
Discuss who you want to ask for Letters of Recommendation.
Take the SAT/ACT.
Work a part-time job for experience and to save money for college.
Continue to visit campuses.
Finalize your college list.
Stay on track with grades and extracurricular activities: don’t slack off. Colleges check what you have done in your senior year, too!
Create a calendar detailing application deadlines for admission, financial aid, and scholarships.
Finalize your resume with fall and summer activities.
Ask for letters of recommendation: request these with at least a 2-week notice.
Retake the ACT/SAT if needed.
Finalize your college essays; try to have as many people read over them as you can.
Complete and submit applications. Early Action and Early Decision are in October/November, and Regular Decision is in December/January. To avoid rushing to make application deadlines, complete them before winter break.
Check that colleges received all materials: applications, letters of recommendation, test scores, your resume, and transcripts.
Submit financial aid forms: Fill out the FAFSA as early as possible, beginning in October.
WINTER OF SENIOR YEAR
Follow up on your college applications: Check with the college to make sure they have received all your information, including test scores, transcripts, and recommendations.
Retake the ACT/SAT if scores can still be submitted to colleges or if you need to improve your score for the SC Life & Hope Scholarships.
Keep working hard on your grades.
Complete remaining admissions applications
Compare the costs of the schools you are considering.
Continue with your scholarship search: Holiday breaks are a great time to knock out some applications.
SPRING OF SENIOR YEAR
Continue saving up for college (part-time job wages).
Keep an eye out in the mail for notifications from colleges. Admissions decisions are typically released by March or April.
Keep your grades up.
Check out your options if you’re put on a waitlist. Keep in mind that being placed on a waitlist does not mean rejection. You should receive a decision by May.
Confirm your school enrollment; most colleges require a decision by May 1st.
Complete paperwork for the college you will attend by the deadlines (this includes paying enrollment deposits, course scheduling, orientation sessions, housing arrangements, and other necessary forms).
Don’t give up on scholarships, there’s still time to apply and receive money for the Fall semester! Look at scholarship websites and local organizations.
Just in case, begin researching and learning about student loans.
SUMMER AFTER SENIOR YEAR
Congratulations on your graduation - enjoy your last summer before college!
Continue working and saving so you can have spending money at school.
Keep checking your college portal and college email to make sure you have completed all tasks by the deadline.