Senior Year Monthly Checklist

• Register for the SAT or ACT if you haven’t taken it or want to retake it. Note that CSU and UC no longer require the SAT, and your career center staff can help with fee waivers.
• Meet with your school counselor to ensure you’re on track for graduation and college admissions. If ahead, consider taking courses at a local university or community college for college credit.
• Narrow your college list to "safe," "reach," and "realistic" schools, and gather their application, financial aid, and scholarship information.

Create a checklist and calendar to chart:

• Standardized test dates, registration deadlines, and fees
• College application due dates
• Financial aid application forms and deadlines
• Other materials you’ll need for college applications (recommendations, transcripts, essays, etc.)
• Your high school’s application processing deadlines

• Complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after Oct. 1, as it’s used for federal aid and by many colleges and states for grants. Expect your Student Aid Report (SAR) within four weeks of filing.
• If you can’t afford application fees, ask your counselor for a fee waiver.
• Finalize your college essay. Many schools will require that you submit at least one essay with your application.
• Request personal recommendations from teachers, counselors, or employers, providing necessary forms, a stamped envelope, and a summary of your academic and extracurricular activities.
• Research possibilities of scholarships.

• Submit any early decision or early action applications this month, after having a parent, teacher, or contact your career center to review them.
• Send an official high school transcript to each college using your school’s procedure.
• The FAFSA/CADAA will be available December 1^st. This form determines your eligibility for federal financial aid. Visit fafsa.ed.gov to complete form as well as contacting the Career Center for more information.
• Begin to organize regular decision applications and financial aid forms, which will be due in January and/or February. 

• Many colleges have application deadlines vary. Be sure to track and meet all deadlines for fees and paperwork.
• If necessary, register for the February ACT (CSU’s and UC’s no longer require this test).
• Ask your guidance office to send first-semester transcripts to the schools you applied to. At the end of the year, they will also need to send final transcripts to the college you’ll attend.

• Even while waiting for admission decisions, stay focused in the classroom. The college you attend will want to see your second-semester transcript—avoid Senioritis!
• Acceptance letters and financial aid offers will during this time. Review your acceptances, compare aid packages, and visit your final choices if you haven't already.

• May 1st is declaration day which means you must notify the college you plan to attend that you will be attending. This also requires deposit by May 1st.
• You must also inform that college that you will not be attending.
• Once you've made your college decision, inform your counselor and the colleges. If you've received a financial aid offer, accept it and follow the provided instructions.
• Make sure that you have requested that your final transcript be sent to the school you will be attending. 
• If you are “wait-listed” by a college you really want to attend, visit, call and write the admission office to make your interest clear. 

• Carefully read all mail from your college, as important registration and housing information is often sent in the summer.
• Register for classes as soon as possible, as they can fill up quickly and registration is typically first-come, first-served.