High School Senior Year College Checklist

You’ve made it – it’s your senior year of high school! You may be feeling overwhelmed at the options ahead of you, or super excited for what the future holds. Either way, it’s a good idea to have a plan for the coming months as you prepare to make the transition to college. Don’t let senioritis kick in and get the best of you. There is so much that you can do to be proactive and get the best start for your future! We’ve made it easy and compiled a senior year college checklist that will help you stay on track as you apply to colleges, take tests, and make memories during your last year in high school. Consider this your official “college to-do list”!

August | Looking Forward to the Future

    Do your research, and make a list of colleges and universities that you think would be a great fit. Consider things like class sizes, distance from home, public or private, in-state versus out of state, majors, and student involvement activities.
    ​Meet with your high school guidance counselor to discuss college visits.
     Plan college visits and campus tours to the places on your list. The best way to know if a school could be your home-away-from-home is by visiting!
     Sign up for SAT or ACT test dates near you.

 September | Start Narrowing it Down

    Visit as many colleges and universities on your list. Make sure to check out the area surrounding the college campus.
    ​Narrow down your list of colleges and universities based on your campus visit experience. Consider things like:
    
        did the college or university feel like home?
        did I feel welcomed on campus?
        can I see myself fitting in and thriving on the campus?
        what activities were on campus that I could easily see myself participating in?
        did the college or university check off the items on my list of must haves?
    
    
    Begin the application process to your short-list of schools. Make sure to find out if your schools have application fees or if you can apply through resources like the Common Application, which allows you to apply to multiple schools at once.
    Begin SAT or ACT test prep to make sure you are prepared for test day.
    Think about where you’d like to live in college – housing is key to making college feel like your home-away-from-home.

October | Financial Aid Season

    Get (or stay!) involved with your school’s leadership, service, or other student organizations.
    Keep your grades up and study hard!
    Cheer on your school’s football team under the Friday night lights.
    Take the ACT or SAT.
    Look into student life, clubs, intramural sports, community service, and other campus activities at the schools on your list!
    Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to ensure that you receive the most financial aid you can qualify for.

November | Keep Track of Deadlines

    Often early college admissions applications are due in November. If you are seeking early acceptance, finalize and submit early decision applications.
    Pay attention and keep track of deadlines for colleges you plan to submit an application to.
    Draft, edit, and submit outstanding application essays.
    Check in with your high school guidance counselor to make sure you’re on track.

December | Take a Break

    Wrap up any outstanding applications to all of the colleges you decided on.
    Send in your official test scores, high school transcripts, and any community college transcripts if you were in a dual-enrollment program.
    Pass the time during Christmas Break by watching videos that your top-choice schools have posted.
    Enjoy the holiday season with your family and loved ones.

January | The Home Stretch

Be financially prepared and talk with your parent or guardian about how you’ll pay for college. Ask questions like:

    What kind of financial aid is available from this college or university?
    What kind of scholarships and grants am I able to receive?
    Are there outside scholarships I am eligible to apply for?

Remember, it is O.K. if you aren’t checking all of these boxes at the exact time! No journey to college is the same, and you may be making decisions at a different pace. This college checklist is meant to be a guide for your senior year.

February | Outside Scholarships

    Be on the lookout for your official test scores. Decide if you want to retake the test to potentially improve your scores.
    Research outside scholarships, loans, or grants that you may qualify for. Make sure to note important things like deadlines and additional application materials.

March | The Final Countdown

    Revisit your top-choice colleges and universities. Check to see if any of these schools offer events just for accepted students!
    Start narrowing down your college choices to your top two or three.
     What will you major in? You may already have an idea, but doing some extra research and checking out your intended major at your top choices may help you make a decision. It’s also a good idea to check out careers that are associated with your intended major.
    Find out what current students and alumni are saying about your top two or three school choices.

April | Don’t Forget to Have Fun

    Dress fancy and dance all night at your senior prom!
    Keep your grades up and stay focused – senioritis is tempting, but there are just a few months left!
    Set a deadline to decide where you are going to attend college in the fall. Selecting a college is big decision! Make sure you choose a place that is the best fit for you and can help you accomplish your future goals.

May | It’s Decision Time

    National Decision Day is on May 1st!  Many colleges and universities have certain requirements that should be met by this date, so make sure you’re aware of any National Decision Day-related deadlines, and most importantly, celebrate your decision!
    Continue discussing college savings and financing your education with your family. Having a financial plan and a budget for college is essential to your success.

June | Congratulations!

    Throw a party! Celebrate your graduation! Graduating from high school  is a huge deal, one that you should be very proud to have accomplished.
    Stock up on your school’s gear – you can never have too many t-shirts showing your college pride.
    Think about what you’ll get involved in during your first year. Are you a performer? A leader? Whatever your interest, there is a place for you.

It’s safe to say that you can never be too prepared. This high school senior year checklist is designed to ensure that you stay on track, meet your goals, get the best test scores, make a plan to finance your education, and go on to be accepted into your dream school.  Ready to talk with one of our admissions counselors about making Limestone your college home?  Get in touch today!