College Planning Calendar for Seniors 

September

• Narrow your list of colleges to 5 to 10.  Meet with your counselor about them and, if you’ve not yet done so, download college applications and financial aid forms.  Plan to visit as many colleges as possible.  Make sure if you are 18 years old to sign the “Transcript Request Form” and list the colleges that you would like your transcript(s) sent.
• Create a master list or calendar that includes:
• o       Tests you will take and their fees, dates and deadlines,
• o       College application due dates,
• o       Financial aid application forms required and their deadlines
• o       Other materials you’ll need (recommendations, transcripts, etc.)
• If you have not had your test scores sent to the college to which you are applying, be sure to contact College Board or ACT to have your scores sent.

October

• Try to finalize your college choices.
• Prepare Early Decision, Early Action, or rolling admissions deadlines as soon as possible.
• Ask for Counselor or teacher recommendation forms if you need them.  Give each teacher or counselor an outline (resume) of your academic record and you extra-curricular activities.  For each recommendation, provide an addressed, stamped envelope, and any college forms that are required.
• If you are submitting essays, write first drafts and ask teachers and others to read them.  If you are applying Early Decision, finish the essay for that application now.

November
November 1-15; for Early Decision admissions, colleges may require test scores and applications between these dates.

Complete at least one college application by Thanksgiving.

Counselors send transcripts to colleges.  Give counselors the proper forms at least two weeks before colleges require them.

December
As you finish and send your applications and essays, be sure to keep copies.

If your college wants to see seventh-semester grades, be sure you give the form to your counselor.

January
If you apply to colleges on-line, be sure to have your high school send a transcript – it goes to colleges separately, and by mail.

February      
No senioritis,  please!!  Accepting colleges do look at second-semester grades!

March
Keep active in school.  If you are wait-listed, the college will want to know what you have accomplished between the time you applied and learned of its decision.

April
You should receive acceptance letters and financial aid offers by mid-April.  If you’ve not done so yet, visit your final college before accepting.  As soon as you decide, notify your counselor of your choice.

If you have questions about housing, talk to the Director of Housing at that college.

May
May 1:  Colleges cannot require a deposit or commitment to attend before May 1st.  By that postmarked date, you must inform every college of your acceptance or rejection of the offer of admission and/or financial aid.

Send your deposit to one college only.

Wait-listed? If you will enroll if accepted, tell the admissions director your intent and ask how to strengthen your application.  Need financial aid?  Ask whether funds will be available if you’re accepted.

Work with the counselor to resolve any admissions problems.

Ask your counselor to send your final transcript to your selected college.

Source:  The College Board