Staying on top of the college process is key to your success. Here is a month by month listing of what you need to do. Please stay current and communicate with us. We know COVID-19 has shifted some of our timeline, but this is a good guide
AUGUST / SEPTEMBER
❑ Start to fill out your Common App, Coalition App, or Specific College Apps. Make sure that we see your essays before they are added.
❑ Check Naviance or your schools program and sign up for college visits at your school. Read this article, it will make a big difference, Know your college representative.
❑ Decide if you will apply Early Decision or Early Action to your top choice school. If so make sure everything is sent on time. Let us know.
❑ Remind your counselor and recommenders when you need letters written by. They need at least three weeks’ notice.
❑ Look at the fall calendar — plan final campus visits/interviews if the schools are conducting them. Don’t panic you have until May 1st to look at the schools.
❑ Take a look at your social media and clean it up!
❑ Request interviews at colleges that you are interested in, where available.
OCTOBER
❑ ED and EA candidates prepare to submit applications by the deadline, Oct. 15th, Nov. 1st, or 15th!
❑ Attend local college fairs (if offered) and college visits at your high school. Connect with the people who will be reading your application.
❑ Check Naviance or your schools program to follow up with recommenders to make sure that they have written their letters.
❑ Fill out the FAFSA and CSS Profile (when requested) to see if you qualify to receive financial aid. The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) and the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE (required by many private schools and a few flagship state universities). Your EFC will be provided and that is an essential number in determining financial need.
❑ Take advantage of priority deadlines — get your application considered sooner and increase eligibility for merit aid.
❑ Use our tracking form to stay on top of what’s due when. Plan to submit applications before the due dates, preferably before winter vacation!
❑ Confirm that counselor and teacher recommendation letters have been uploaded into Naviance and request transcripts be sent to the schools you’re applying to (there may be a small fee for each transcript).
❑ Decide which test scores (SAT, ACT) to send and order score reports.
❑ Follow up with colleges to make sure all application materials were received.
NOVEMBER
❑ Continue to “demonstrate interest” in schools — open emails from colleges, call the admission office to request an alumni interview, etc.
❑ Make sure all essays are approved by us before they are sent to colleges. The deadline to have the draft in to us is Thanksgiving.
❑ Finalize your college list and finish all essays. Last day for essay review is the Wed prior to Thanksgiving.
❑ Follow up with colleges to make sure all application materials were received.
DECEMBER
❑ Note financial aid application deadlines, which may differ from admission application deadlines.
❑ Proof any remaining applications one final time and “submit”!
❑ Let us know about any acceptance you receive.
JANUARY
❑ Make sure mid-year grade reports are sent to all schools you’ve applied to.
FEBRUARY
❑ Beware of Senioritis…stay on track academically!
❑ Begin planning for summer (work, travel, volunteering, etc.).
MARCH
❑ Decisions arrive in the mail and/or online by the end of the month, so get ready to handle and share “the news.”
❑ Celebrate!
APRIL
❑ Attend “admitted student” events on campus and compare/contrast other aspects of the schools where you were accepted (including financial aid awards).
❑ If you were waitlisted, express interest to the school. We will help guide you.
❑ Send a deposit by May 1st (unless COVID 19 has changed things) to accept a spot at the college of your choice!
❑ Continue to do your work in class so grades don’t “droop” too much.
❑ Start planning the graduation party!
MAY
❑ Thank teachers, counselors, and coaches who helped you apply to college.
❑ Open and respond promptly to communications from the college — information about housing, orientation, course registration, etc.
❑ Study for finals and AP exams — end the year strong.
❑ Solidify summer plans (work? travel? study? volunteer?).
❑ Connect with future classmates (and perhaps find a roommate) through the college’s official social media sites.
❑ Enjoy time with your friends and family and bask in the glow of your accomplishments at graduation!