College Planning...

12TH GRADE

All 12th grade planning steps are shown.   Name__________________________

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Fall Semester
Keep studying! You want to avoid "senioritis" — a drop in motivation and, consequently, grades, that is sometimes experienced by seniors. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
Talk to your counselor about possibilities for concurrent enrollment (taking college-credit courses while you're still in high school). What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
Save your money! It's a good idea to start planning for those unexpected costs of college. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________	College Savings Calculator
Some colleges require the CSS/PROFILE, a supplemental financial aid form, in addition to the FAFSA. Find out if your schools will need this. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
September:
Check your transcripts to make sure you have all the credits you need to get into the colleges that interest you. Find out from the colleges whether or not they need official copies of your transcripts (these are sent directly from your school). What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
Register for the October/November SAT I, SAT II and ACT tests if you plan to take them. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
Take another look at your list of colleges, and make sure they still satisfy your requirements. It's not uncommon for students' goals to change. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
Make sure you meet the requirements (including any transcript requirements) for all the colleges to which you want to apply. Double-check the deadlines. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
Give any recommendation forms to the appropriate teachers or counselors with stamped, college-addressed envelopes, making certain that your portions of the forms are filled out completely and accurately. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
Most early decision and early action applications are due between October 1 and November 1. Keep this in mind if you intend to take advantage of these options, and remember to request that your high school send your official transcripts to the college on time. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
October:
Make a final list of schools that interest you and keep a file of deadlines and required admission items for each school. Many students like to have a "dream school" and a "safety school" as well as two or three others. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________	Your Portfolio - Postsecondary Plans
Take the SAT or ACT tests. Have the official scores sent by the testing agency to the colleges or universities that have made your final list of schools. Register for December or January SAT I or SAT II tests, if necessary. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
Get started on any essays to be included with your applications. Give your essays to others (teachers, parents, friends) for feedback. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________	College Application Essay Tips
November:
Submit your college admission applications. Be sure to check them over thoroughly! Having someone else review your application with you can help you catch any errors. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
Be sure to consult with your school counselor about scholarship opportunities. Not all scholarships are for top students and athletes. There may be a perfect scholarship for you — it's worth doing a little research. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________	Scholarship Finder
Work on your scholarship applications, and mail according to deadlines. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
Check with the financial aid office of schools you are applying to for specific information on scholarships and costs for tuition, fees, room and board, and any additional financial aid info they require. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
December:
Watch your mailbox if you submitted an early decision application. Early decision replies usually arrive between December 1 and 31. If you do get an acceptance, you should withdraw any other applications. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
If you haven't already done so, make sure your official test scores are being sent to the colleges to which you are applying. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
Schedule any remaining required interviews. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
Start thinking about how you're going to spend your summer. Summer is a great time to earn extra money and gain work experience. Ask your counselor about internships, and start researching the summer job market in your area. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
Spring Semester
January:
Complete and submit your college financial aid application and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) between January 1 and February 15. Go to the FAFSA on the Web form at: www.fafsa.ed.gov. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
Check for other financial aid options. In order to be considered for financial aid, you will need to submit a FAFSA, even if you have not yet been notified of your acceptance to the college(s) to which you applied. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
If you don't already have a good computer, investigate purchasing one for college. You or your parents can subsidize the cost of a computer for college in your student loans. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
Request that your high school send your official transcripts to the colleges to which you are applying. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
Make sure your parents have completed their income tax forms in anticipation of the financial aid applications. If you have to file taxes this year, do it as soon as possible. You'll need to do this for any financial aid forms. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
Contact the admissions office of the colleges to which you have applied to make sure that your information has been received, and that they have everything they need from you. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
Keep an eye out for financial aid workshops and seminars, for both you and your parents. There is a lot of help out there when you're looking for info on financial aid. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________	Financial Aid Wizard
February:
If you completed the FAFSA, you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within four weeks. Make the necessary corrections and return it to the FAFSA processor. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
Complete your scholarship applications. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
Contact the financial aid office of the colleges to which you have applied to make sure your information has been received, and that they have everything they need from you. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
March - April:
You will probably hear from the colleges as to whether or not you are accepted by April 15. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
Compare your acceptance letters, financial aid and scholarship offers. These are all important things to consider when choosing a college. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________	How to Select a College or University
When you choose a college that has accepted you, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit for freshman tuition. This should ensure your place in the entering freshman class. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
May:
Take AP exams for any AP subjects you studied in high school. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
Decision time! You should decide on a college by May 1. Notify that school by mailing your commitment deposit check. Many schools require that your notification letter be postmarked by this date. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________	How to Select a College or University
If you were placed on a waiting list for a particular college and have decided to wait for an opening, contact that college and let them know you are still very interested. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
June:
Have your school send your final transcripts to the college you will be attending. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
Contact your college to determine when fees for tuition, room and board are due, and how much they will cost. What have you done? __________________________________________________________________________________
Summer After Senior Year

What are your plans?

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