Senior Year-August/September

Senior year is a busy and extremely important time in the college admissions process. This is your last chance to get the SAT and ACT scores you need. And senior year is when you have to narrow down your college options to the handful of schools to which you’ll apply. You’ll need to get your college essay polished and ready to shine, line up your letters of recommendation, and apply for scholarships and financial aid. During the application process, you'll need to keep active in extracurricular activities and maintain high grades.

August before Senior Year

• Register for the September ACT, if appropriate.
• Come up with a preliminary list of colleges that includes the reach, match and safety schools. Ask Steph for help, if you do not know where to begin.
• Explore the websites of the colleges that interest you to learn about admissions requirements.
• Check your senior year class schedule to make sure you're taking the classes you'll need for your top-choice college and to make sure that you fulfill your graduation requirements.
• Look over the Common Application. Begin thinking about potential topics for your essay.
• If you have the opportunity, visit campuses and speak with college representatives

September

• Register for October or November SAT and SAT Subject exams.
• Meet with your guidance counselor to discuss the colleges to which you're thinking of applying.
• If you are applying early, request letters of recommendations.
• Continue to visit campuses and speak with college admissions representatives.
  
• Create a chart of deadlines. Pay particular attention to the early decision/early action and preferred application deadlines.
• Work on your college essay. If you need help brainstorming or editing, contact Steph Lee NOW! The earlier you begin, the better your essay will be.
• Try to assume a leadership position in an extracurricular activity at school.
  
• Work to strengthen and maintain your school academic record.