Senior To Do List

August (or before)

• Make sure your high school schedule meets college requirements.
• Check early admission deadlines
• College applications open August 1!
• Start narrowing down your list of college choices (between 2-10).
• Prepare a list of questions to ask College Admissions Counselors during high school visits, college fairs, and campus tours.
• Check registration deadlines and register for ACT/SAT Tests.
• Begin to schedule college visits.
• If you don’t already have an appropriate email address, create one.
• Maintain your grades.

September

• Attend the Financial Aid information meeting.
• Begin to look at what documentation is required for each institution. Does your chosen college require a recommendation letter? Start talking to your counselor and teachers now.
• Contact Admissions Counselors. Every university has an Admissions Counselor who works with Trinity High School. If you can’t figure out who it is, see your College Counselor and they can help.
• Talk with your family about college. Your parents know you better than anyone (even if you think they don’t) – they can certainly give you good advice. Also, it is important to ask them if they plan to contribute to your college fund and what their expectations are as far as academic performance and involvement.
• Visit www.fafsa.ed.gov to get your FSA ID. You, as the student, and one parent or guardian both need an FSA ID. This allows you to sign your FAFSA electronically.
• Create a list of important deadlines for each school you are interested in.
• Maintain your grades.
• Males must register with Selective Service by age 18 to be eligible for federal and state aid.

October

• Begin applying to colleges. Be sure to submit all required documentation.
• Need a letter of recommendation? Give your counselor and/or teachers at least two weeks notice.
• FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opens on October 1!
• Look for your Student Aid Report (SAR) which contains preliminary information about your financial aid awards.
• Begin checking your email on a weekly basis.
• Maintain your grades.

November

• Complete college applications by Thanksgiving.
• Continue talking with your family about college options.
• Maintain your grades.

December

• Make sure your spring schedule meets requirements.
• Make arrangements for personal interviews if required.
• Complete the CSS Service Profile, if required by your selected school.
• Maintain your grades.

January

• Begin watching for some community based scholarship applications. Talk with your college counselor for information.
• Request mid-year transcripts to be sent to selected institutions.
• Check with your college for additional important deadlines (financial aid, housing, etc.).
• Maintain your grades.
• Take SAT II Subject tests (if applicable).

February

• Register for AP Exams if necessary.
• Maintain your grades.

March

• Check with the Financial Aid Office to verify that they have all the necessary paperwork from you.
• Have you decided where you’re going? Fill out housing applications now!
• Maintain your grades.

April

• Notify colleges of your decision by May 1.
• TIP: Make the decision that best fits your needs. It is your four year experience. Do not make a decision based on your best friend or significant other.
• Notify your counselor of your choice.
• Withdraw other applications and thank colleges.
• Send in your deposit by the May 1 deadline.
• Accept any and all scholarships by May 1.
• Maintain your grades.

May

• College acceptance is provisional. Make sure you maintain your grades and graduate!
• Did you take AP exams? Be sure you’ve requested to have your scores sent to your chosen institution via College Board.