Senior Year College Planning Guide
Senior Year College Planning Guide
(Modified from the ACT and SAT College Planning Checklists)
August – September
Visit with your school counselor to make sure you are on track to graduate and fulfill college admission requirements
Narrow your list of colleges to five to 10. Meet with your counselor and, if you’ve not yet done so, download college applications and financial aid forms. Plan to visit as many of these colleges as possible.
Sign up for the ACT or SAT(if you didn't take it as a junior, or if you aren't satisfied with your score, or if you've learned a lot since you first took it.) RBHS School Code: 260728
- View the Guidance Websitefor information about ACT and SAT test prep
- Students interested in Division I or Division II athletics must select NCAA Eligibility Center Code 9999 for ACT scores to be sent directly to the NCAA Eligibility Center
Take the COMPASS or ASVAB if your post-secondary institution requires one of these tests instead of the ACT or SAT. Click here for information about the COMPASS and ASVAB exams.
August – December
Attend a college fair
Visit with admissions counselors and recruiters who come to your high school –see the College Visit Calendar on the Guidance website for a list of which schools will have reps at Rock Bridge!
Begin your college or scholarship essay(s)
Try to finalize your college choices and start filling out applications to the colleges you’ve chosen.Complete at least one college application by Thanksgiving.
- Avoid common college application mistakes
Ask for references from teachers, school counselors, or employers early in the year or at least two weeksbefore application deadlines. Be sure to have the Student Information Form for Letters of Recommendation completed and provide a copy to each person who you would like to write a letter of rec.
Prepare Early Decision, Early Action or rolling admissions applications as soon as possible.
Nov. 1st -15th: For Early Decision admissions, colleges may require test scores and applications between these dates.
Applications to MU have a December 1 deadline if you are to be considered for priority scholarships. Be sure to complete both the admissions and scholarship applications!
As you finish and send your applications and essays, be sure to keep copies
Find out if you qualify for scholarships at each college you have applied to
Visit the Scholarships page and the Scholarship Calendar on the Guidance website and see your school counselor for help finding financial aid and scholarships
January – May
Keep working hard all year; second semester grades can affect scholarship eligibility
Ask your guidance office in January to send mid-year reports to schools where you applied. In May, you will need to request your final transcript to be sent to the college you will attend.
If you need it, get help completing the FAFSA- click here for information about financial aid and FAFSA.
Watch the mail for your Student Aid Report (SAR)—it should arrive four weeks after the FAFSA is filed
Keep track of important financial aid and scholarship deadlines and continue to look for scholarship opportunities
Apply for Community Scholarships- counselors will visit senior English classes to provide information about available scholarships and the application process in February.
Compare financial aid packages from different schools
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 offers, talk to your counselor or call the college.
Decide which college to attend, and notify the school of your decision. Be sure to notify schools you will not attend of your decision also
Take AP exams
Request your final transcript to be sent to chosen college/program
Sign and send in a promissory note if you are borrowing money
Notify your college about any outside scholarships you received
Keep track of and observe deadlines for sending in all required fees and paperwork
Prepare for final exams- remember, colleges will see your final transcript and GPA!