SEPTEMBER

___Discuss post-high school plans with family and guidance counselor.  Senior Interviews are conducted thru November; you may request your interview by making an appointment in the Guidance Office.

___Continue gathering college/trade school information and applications forms (Phone numbers & web pages are available in Guidance and on Naviance).

___Search the web pages of colleges/trade schools that interest you for Fall Open Houses and Informational Tours; look for notices posted near the Guidance Office—check school announcements

___If you have not done so, complete a resume on Naviance & ask teachers and employers for letters of recommendation.

 ___If you intend to participate in Division I or II college athletics, register for the NCAA Clearinghouse www.eligibilitycenter.org and have your SAT scores sent (Code # 9999)

___Meet with the College/Trade School/Military Representatives that are in the Lunchroom (A calendar is posted outside Guidance regarding dates of upcoming visits).

___Choose approximately 4-8 colleges/trade schools to which you will send applications.

___Begin planning to visit the colleges/trade schools that interest you if you have not already done so

___Begin gathering financial documents to prepare for filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)—DO NOT SUBMIT BEFORE DECEMBER 1^st.

___Watch your grades!!  Most schools require 1^st quarter and/or semester grades before granting acceptances.  We have seen students get denied by schools because of their poor SENIOR GRADES!

OCTOBER

___Begin application process (if you have not already done so).  Follow the procedures outlined in the Senior Guidance Assembly & on the attached Step by Step guide.

___Check on Teacher Recommendations.

___If applying for Early Action (non-binding) or Early Decision (binding), check deadlines!

___Register (collegeboard.com) for the CSS/Financial Aid Profile if the colleges that interest you require it; a college’s website or the list on College Board will tell you which schools require this

___Review Scholarships that are listed on Naviance—watch deadlines!.

NOVEMBER

___Continue reviewing monthly Scholarship Bulletins/Open House Bulletins.

___Notify the Guidance Office if you need your 1^st quarter grades sent to any schools to which you have already applied.

DECEMBER

___FAFSA Filing Period begins on DECEMBER 1^st

 ___Write Thank-You notes to all teachers and employers who have given you recommendations.

JANUARY/FEBRUARY/MARCH

___Notify the Guidance Office if you need your 1^st semester grades sent to any schools

___Avoid Senioritis!—All acceptances are contingent on your Final Transcript!

___Finish any Thank-You notes to those who wrote your recommendations.

___Bring in ALL acceptance. scholarship and financial aid award letters to Guidance.

APRIL/MAY/JUNE

___Maintain files of acceptances, denials, and financial aid award letters; be sure to bring copies of ALL these to the Guidance Office.

___Make sure that all your financial aid information (the SAR) has been sent to the college or trade school of your choice.

__All Financial Aid Letters, from ALL the schools to which you were accepted, must be turned into Guidance by the beginning of MAY to be included in the Scholarship Booklet at Graduation!

___Make your final decision and send in a deposit by the deadline (generally MAY 1^st).

___Notify schools that you will not be attending so they may offer admissions to others.

___Watch for important deadlines at your school of choice (i.e. housing, orientations, etc.).

JUNE/JULY/AUGUST

Congratulations!!  Enjoy your graduation, have a safe and fun summer, and get ready for some of the best years of your life!

FIVE TIPS ON HOW TO HAVE A GREAT SENIOR YEAR                 Futures Magazine

1. Make up your mind that you are going to have a good Senior Year and let the events of your year unfold.

2. Make the most of your friendships. Enjoy the quiet moments and the big events with your classmates, and don’t be afraid to expand your social circle.  Appreciate what you have now because soon you and your friends will be moving on with the next part of your lives.

3. Keep up with your course work. Avoid the temptation to slack off, especially as the year winds down.  Colleges and Trade Schools can rescind their acceptances of students whose grades dip too low.  In addition, your Final Transcript follows you; and if you do not think you need it for next year, you can bet you will be needing it sometime down the road.

4. Stay involved. Take advantage of every opportunity.  Participate in whatever is offered just so you are able to have those memories.

5. Get organized. Senior Year is crammed with things to do and places to go, and some of them will be missed if you are not organized.  Use a planner and mark down appointments and activities.  And don’t forget to pencil in some quality time with your family, and some quiet time just for yourself.