August - September
- Continue to research career training options: apprenticeships, trade schools, community colleges & universities.
- Create a list of training programs you want to apply to, noting application due date, required tests, letters of recommendation, essays, etc.
- You can start a rough draft of your college applications as early as August.
- Sign up to retake the SAT/ACT if the college(s) require a score and you are unhappy with your score from junior year.
- Ask teachers and/or school counselors for letters of recommendation if necessary for the college application.
October
- Complete college applications starting with the earliest deadlines. Some have deadlines in October.
- Your school counselor can help you request a fee waiver if you cannot afford the application fees. Some colleges waive fees in October.
- Finalize your college essay if it is required for your college application. Have an adult review your essay & application before you submit it.
- Send high school transcripts to all colleges that you apply to. If they are all on the Common Application, send the transcript to the Common Application with your Common App ID.
- If test scores are required, make sure they have been sent to the schools you are applying to.
November - January
- Continue to submit applications by the due dates.
- Complete the FAFSA as early as December 1st to find out how much student aid (grants/scholarships/loans) you may qualify for to pay for your schooling.
- Register and retake the SAT/ACT, if needed.
- Keep grades strong in senior year. Many colleges will ask for the first semester's grades before making a decision.
- Send the first-semester transcript if a college requested it.
- Look for scholarships; school counselors can advise you about local opportunities. Check out workforce.resa.net for the state and national scholarship database.
February - May
- Meet with your school counselor to resolve any issues with admission or financial aid.
- Continue to apply for scholarships by the deadline.
- Review acceptance letters & financial aid award letters. Compare them to determine the right for you based on their program offerings, extracurricular activities, student support services, career services, and cost.
- May 1st is the Decision Day deadline. Send in required paperwork and deposit to secure your spot to one college only.
- Send a final transcript to the school you will attend in the fall. Make sure to finish strong so it doesn't jeopardize your acceptance.
