Your Senior Year Checklist Preparing For College

1. Your Senior Year ChecklistPreparing For College Name Name of Chapter Date

2. Ready! Set! Go! It’s time to start your college preparation now.

3. Higher education options

4. Getting into college • Every university has different admissions requirements. • Common admissions requirements include • Grades • Grade point average (GPA) • Courses taken • Class rank • Admissions exams (i.e. ACT/SAT) • Extracurricular activities, leadership • Community service • Employment • College essays and interviews

5. Getting started • Time to start getting ready for college • Graduation will be here before you know it • Use this checklist to help take the right steps to prepare for college

6. College checklist – 11th grade • 11th grade – Fall Semester • Take the PSAT exam in October to be considered for national scholarships • Talk to your counselor about your college plans • Review your high school graduation requirements • Take college-level classes (i.e. advanced placement, IB, honors, dual credit) • Study for your SAT and/or ACT exams • Visit colleges and universities • Participate in your school’s college fair

7. College checklist – 11th grade • 11th grade – Spring Semester • Continue to focus on academic – your GPA this semester is generally the one used for college admissions • Study for your SAT and/or ACT exams • Take the SAT/ACT exam for the first time • Visit colleges and universities • Apply for college summer programs • Be active in extracurricular activities and community service • Prepare your college portfolio including a resume

8. College checklist – 11th grade • 11th grade – Summer before your senior year • Visit colleges and universities • Participate in a summer camp • Prepare your college portfolio including a resume • Draft a list of college choices and visit as many as possible

9. Congratulations! You’ve made it to your senior year. This time next year you will be starting college.

10. College checklist – 12th grade • 12th grade – Fall Semester • Make a college to-do calendar with important deadlines • Double check you graduation requirements • Register for and take the SAT and/or ACT exam • Research deadlines for admissions/scholarships • Submit your college applications • Schedule your interviews and auditions (if required) • Write your college essay • Find out about on-campus housing options • Research scholarships and requirements

11. College checklist – 12th grade • 12th grade – Spring Semester • Follow-up on your admissions applications • Complete your income tax return (and encourage your parents to do the same) in order to complete your financial aid applications • File your financial aid applications by the priority deadline • Follow-up on your financial aid award letter (4-6 weeks after applying) • Keep applying for scholarships • Stay focused on your academics, every grade still counts • Pay your housing deposit and your enrollment deposit (if required) • Register for freshman orientation

12. College checklist – 12th grade • 12th grade – Summer Semester • GRADUATION! • Complete any pending financial aid documents required • Attend your freshman orientation • Contact your roommate and introduce yourself • Finalize travel arrangements if your college is out-of-town • Make plans for your move-in day to the residence hall

13. Using Financial Aid Four types of financial aid available to students • Grants are free money for students based on financial need • Loans are money that must be paid back • Work study requires students to work part-time • Scholarships are free money for students based on academic merit

14. Applying for financial aid • Students must apply for financial aid after January 1st of their senior year of high school. • Parents must prepare their tax returns early to ease the submission of their financial aid application. • Financial aid deadlines vary by college. Students should inquire at their college for priority and final deadline dates.

15. Applying for financial aid • U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents and certain eligible non-citizens must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Apply online at www.FAFSA.gov • Some states provide limited financial aid for undocumented students. Students should inquire with the Financial Aid Office at their college to determine eligibility and application requirements.

16. Applying for scholarships • Scholarships are offered by • Universities and colleges • Corporations, businesses, private organizations • Non-profit organizations and foundations • Deadlines and application requirements vary by scholarship. • The peak period to apply for scholarships is November to March of your child’s senior year. • Students should speak to their counselor to learn more about scholarship resources.

17. How to stay organized • Create a College Portfolio to track all of your information • Keep a college calendar and checklist • Keep copies of all of your documents • Organize your e-mail (get an e-mail if you don’t have one yet) • Write down the name and contact information of the people you speak with about your applications

18. Enjoy your last two years of high school • Finding the right college for you takes a little effort and is a big decision • Do your research • Stay organized • Don’t miss deadlines • Ask questions • Have fun

19. Questions or comments