If you are interested in attending college or technical/trade school, you should already be thinking about which schools you would like to attend. As soon as you finish your junior year of high school, start getting application materials from schools which interest you, if you haven't already. Take the ACT or SAT test ... depending on what the requirements of your choice schools are, you may have to take both! If your family is planning a summer vacation, see if you will be near any of the schools on your list. Most schools are happy to arrange a guided tour for prospective students, but even walking through a campus by yourself may help you decide if this college is right for you. Of course, if you have a particular course of study in mind, it is very helpful to contact that department directly with any questions you may have. How they respond to you now should give you an idea of how they will respond to you later. When summer is over and you start your senior year of high school, the following schedule may help you keep track of all the deadlines that come with continuing your education.
SEPTEMBER
- Finish sending your college or technical/trade school admission applications.
- Check to make sure your graduation requirements are on target - talk to your guidance counselor.
- Start your search for scholarships!
- If you need to, re-take the ACT or SAT tests.
OCTOBER
- Obtain financial aid information from the schools to which you have applied.
NOVEMBER
- Be sure to respond quickly to any requests made by a college or school’s admissions office.
DECEMBER
- Happy Holidays!!
JANUARY
- Have your family complete their federal tax return and collect all W-2’s and 1099’s -- you need these for your financial aid application.
- Send your financial aid need analysis application.
- Check to see if your high school transcripts are being sent to interested colleges or schools.
FEBRUARY
- Be sure to check if your schools of interest have financial aid deadlines this month, many do!
MARCH
- Double check to see if your schools of interest have financial aid deadlines this month, many more do.
- Be alert to any information requests made by college admissions offices or financial aid offices. Reply quickly!
APRIL
- Consider your college or school offers and make a decision. Notify your preferred school.
- Do not decline other offers until you have received confirmation of acceptance by your preferred school.
- Once you have received confirmation, then let the others know you do not plan to attend their school.
- Check on the financial aid deadline of your selected school.
- You may receive a financial aid award notification and you may need to follow through with your lender if you qualify for a loan. Stay on top of it!
MAY
- Be sure to check that your final high school transcripts go to the school you’ll attend.
CONGRATULATIONS on GRADUATION!
Before the end of the summer double check with your school’s financial aid and
admissions offices for any
last minute surprises. Find out about dorm check-in dates and times. Try to attend
an orientation, if possible.
GOOD LUCK!