Preparing for College:

Senior Checklist – August/September

  

• Register for the SAT and/or ACT if you didn’t take it as a junior, or if you aren’t satisfied with your score and want to take it again. (remember that your counselor can help you with fee waivers)
• Take a look at some college applications and consider all of the different pieces of information you will need to compile. 
• The SAT test date most popular with high school seniors is this month.
• Visit with your school counselor to make sure you are on track to graduate and fulfill college admission requirements. If you’re ahead of schedule, consider taking courses at a local university or community college to get a jumpstart on college credit. 
• Take every opportunity to get to know colleges: meeting with college representatives who visit your high schools during the fall, attending local college fairs, visiting campuses (if possible). Ask your counselor if they know of special campus visitation programs. 
• Narrow down your list of colleges and begin to consider “safe,” “reach,” and “realistic” schools. Make sure you have the application and financial aid information for each school. Find out if you qualify for any scholarships at these schools.

Create a checklist and calendar to chart:

• Standardized test dates, registration deadlines, and fees
• College application due dates
• Financial aid application forms and deadlines
• Other materials you’ll need for college applications (recommendations, transcripts, essays, etc.)
• Your high school’s application processing deadlines

Some schools require the CSS/Financial Aid Profile. Ask the colleges to which you are applying for their deadlines. You can register as early as September. See your guidance counselor about fee waivers.

http://www.nacacnet.org/studentinfo/articles/Pages/Preparing-for-College-Senior-Checklist.aspx