“Countdown to College: 21 ‘To Do’ Lists for High School,” Revised edition, by Valerie Pierce with Cheryl Rilly. Front Porch Press, also available in Spanish. $12.95 from http://www.frontporchpress.net, 888-484-1997. Described by educators and parents as an easy-to-use guide for the complex and sometimes confusing process of applying to college.
(A chapter from “Countdown to College: 21 ‘To Do’ Lists for High School,” by Valerie Pierce with Cheryl Rilly)
If you’ve had your act together along the way, senior year is the ‘payoff’ — good times, good friends, getting into the college of your choice and looking ahead to the future. While you may be tempted to ‘ease up’ on academics — don’t. Senior year is your launch pad … the more challenging your classes, the easier your adjustment in a college classroom. This is not the end of your journey, it’s the beginning and you’ll want to make sure that you’re well prepared for what lies ahead.
Fall:
• Create a master calendar of deadlines. Include college applications, test registrations and test dates, scholarship applications, housing, and financial deadlines.
• Look for scholarships one last time. Request any applications you don’t already have.
• Last chance to take the SAT or ACT. Register early.
• Request college applications, financial aid and housing applications.
• Make sure your high school transcripts and records are correct and up-to-date.
• Review your college plans and financial aid preparations with your counselor.
• Attend college fairs and financial aid workshops.
• Make the last of your college visits. If you haven’t had an interview with the admissions office, request one.
• Ask for letters of recommendation from teachers, employers, and coaches.
• Finish essays for college applications and scholarships.
• Update your resume.
•Apply ‘Early Decision’ or ‘Early Action’ if you so choose.
•Send in applications to your other college choices.
Winter:
• Gather tax information for the financial aid applications.
• Fill out financial aid forms. Apply for scholarships.
• Have your mid-year grades sent to colleges.
• Follow up to make sure they were sent.
Spring:
• Decide on a college and notify the admissions office by May 1st of your acceptance. Notify other colleges who have accepted you that you will not be attending.
• Create a budget to determine your needs (page 151).
• Determine if you need a student loan. File your application.
• See your doctor for a physical and any necessary vaccinations (page 149).
• Complete your housing and meal application(s).
• Take Advanced Placement Exams.
• Have your final transcript sent to your college.
Summer:
• Notify your college of any scholarships you received.
• Apply for a summer job. If your financial aid package includes work study, you may be responsible for finding a job at college.
• Start your reading assignments for freshman year.
• Take a deep breath. Pack for college.
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