Fall:  Sept - Nov

• CONTINUE MAKING CAMPUS VISITS

• If you have not yet visited the top colleges you're considering, make arrangements. Fall is an especially good time to visit a college since classes are in session.
  Campus Visit Tips

• MARK YOUR CALENDAR TO KEEP TRACK OF DEADLINES

• Your senior year is going to be a busy one. Stay organized by marking your calendar in advance with important dates like financial-aid seminars, early- and regular-decision application deadlines, test dates and scholarship deadlines.

• MEET WITH YOUR SCHOOL COUNSELOR

• Make sure the class schedule you have set up for your senior year continues to put you in a good position for college.

• MAKE A FINAL LIST OF YOUR TOP COLLEGE CHOICES

• Decide on five to 10 prospective college choices.

• CONSIDER APPLYING EARLY

• Submitting Early Decision or Early Action to a college allows you to find out if you have been accepted to a school earlier than regular admission notifications.

• COMPLETE YOUR COLLEGE ESSAYS

• The college essay is an important part of the application process. Have a teacher or parent proofread your essay for mistakes and provide feedback.
  Writing a College Essay

• TAKE THE ACT/SAT

• Register and take the ACT, SAT or SAT Subject Tests, depending on what's required by the schools to which you wish to apply.
  Testing Tips

• GATHER YOUR LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATION

• If you haven't requested them already, now's the time to start approaching teachers and counselors for recommendation letters or to follow up with those from whom you've made requests.

• FINISH AND SUBMIT ALL OF YOUR COLLEGE APPLICATIONS

• Mail in or submit your application online.

• LOOK INTO FINANCIAL AID

• You should talk with your parents or guardian about what they can afford and start learning more about financial-aid opportunities for which you qualify.
  Paying for College

• FOLLOW UP ON SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

• Finish and submit any scholarship submissions you're working on.

WINTER: Oct - Feb

• CONTACT COLLEGES TO MAKE SURE THEY RECEIVED YOUR APPLICATION

• Make sure that each college received the necessary materials: test scores, transcripts, application form and recommendations.

• IF APPLICABLE: FILE YOUR FINANCIAL AID DOCUMENTS

• If you would like to receive any federal financial aid, fill out your FAFSA
• (opens in a new window)
•  and submit it as soon as possible after October 1.

• SUBMIT MIDYEAR GRADE REPORTS

• Some colleges request that you send your senior-year, first-semester grades as part of the application process. Have your counselor send these out to the schools that require them.

• EVALUATE EARLY DECISION OR EARLY ACTION RESPONSES

• If you have been accepted Early Decision, you will need to withdraw your applications from all other schools.

SPRING: Feb - May

• REVIEW YOUR STUDENT AID REPORT

• If you submitted a FAFSA, about one month after you filed (three to five days if you filed online), you will receive your Student Aid Report or SAR.

• CHECK FOR ADMISSION DECISIONS IN THE MAIL AND ONLINE

• Admission letters should start arriving between March and April, followed by financial-aid award letters.

• PROVIDE DOCUMENTS FOR FINANCIAL-AID VERIFICATION

• The federal government selects 30 percent of all FAFSA financial-aid applications for verification, which means a college will require you to submit additional documents.

• COMPARE THE DIFFERENT FINANCIAL-AID PACKAGES

• Financial aid may be a large part of your final decision, so go over each school's package thoroughly with your parents or guardian.
  Paying for College

• MAKE A CAMPUS VISIT TO YOUR FINAL COLLEGE BEFORE ACCEPTING

• If you haven't already made a visit, you'll want to fully prepare yourself to make an educated final decision by first experiencing what it's like on campus.

• MAKE YOUR FINAL DECISION

• Choose the college that's right for you by May 1. Mail in the corresponding enrollment form, deposit check and signed financial-aid package.

• INFORM THE SCHOOLS YOU WON'T BE ATTENDING

• Once you've decided on the school you want to attend, make sure to inform the other schools that accepted you that you won't be attending.This frees up a spot for another student.

• TAKE AP EXAMS

• Although AP exams may come after you've decided on a school, a good score can earn you college credit for any AP classes you took during high school.

• FINISH ENROLLMENT PAPERS

• Upon accepting a school's offer, you'll receive a package with information on classes, orientation, housing and more.

SUMMER: Jun - Aug

• SEND YOUR FINAL HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT

• Many colleges require a final high school transcript. If this is the case for you, contact your high school counselor to make sure your transcript gets sent.

• SAY THANK YOU

• Thank anyone who was especially helpful during the college application process. Showing your appreciation in person or with a formal letter will ensure your supporters' testimony for years to come.

• TAKE SUMMER CLASSES

• Summer classes can help prepare you for your upcoming college-level courses, or provide a jump-start on required classes

• PREPARE FOR YOUR FIRST YEAR AT COLLEGE

• Sign up for orientation. Figure out where you'll be living. Purchase items you'll need for your first year.
  What to Bring to College

• ENJOY YOUR FRIENDS AND FAMILY

• Make sure you stop and appreciate those around you. You want to make the most of the time you have before heading off to school.