A College Checklist for High School Seniors

Senior year is the homestretch and with this final season of eating your mom’s homecooked meals regularly also comes the attempt to balance a hectic schedule full of homework, activities, jobs, and friends while simultaneously experiencing all of those bittersweet “lasts.”

Yet, the new chapter of college is only a page turn away. Senior year is the time to finally show off on those college applications all of the hard work you’ve put in the past few years. Although it might feel tempting to slack off, make sure to keep on top of the college admission process by staying organized and keeping deadlines.

To help you stay organized and prepared for college, we’ve compiled a timeline of tips to give you an idea of what you should actively be doing throughout the course of your senior year as you prep for college. 

Fall: Visit, visit, visit, and apply

Continue visiting schools.

This is a great time to look at schools on your list. With classes in session, you have a better chance to meet with current students and professors. Sit in on a class or two, eat in the dining center, and stay in a residence hall to get a feel for what it would be like as a student at that school. 

Solidify your college list.

Gather the information you learned while visiting schools and reflect on your interactions with people. Think about your own interests, personality, and goals in order to help you decide which schools you will apply to. Make a list of “dream,” realistic, and safety schools and apply to every school on that list. Continue to rely on and seek guidance from your school counselors, teachers, pastors, coaches, family, friends, and admission reps to help with your decisions. 

Stay on top of your grades and activities.

Colleges and universities will focus on your senior year, so keep an eye on your classes and commitment to extracurricular activities.

Take your admission exams.

Register and take the ACT or SAT. While many schools (including Concordia) are test optional, it's never a bad idea to sit for the exam. Concordia’s codes are 2104 (ACT) and 6113 (SAT). Once you receive your scores, make sure to send them to schools that require it. If you're considering schools that are test optional, chat with your school counselor to discuss the best approach. 

Keep in close contact with your school counselor.

Your school counselor is an ally. They can help you keep on track and stay accountable for all the application materials you need to complete. They can be in your corner and help send many materials like your transcript, test scores, recommendations, and scholarship essays to the schools you want. They are an excellent resource to utilize.

Explore scholarships.

Check with your guidance counselor for scholarships you may be eligible for in your community and at the schools you’re applying to. Watch for scholarship deadlines and be sure to send your essays or other required materials in plenty of time.

Winter: Finalize your college plans

Make decisions on results of early applications.

If you were on top of your applications, you might have applied for an early decision and will find out any day if you’re accepted. Be ready to make some decisions.

Follow up on applications.

Make sure that your application materials have been sent to all the schools you would like and connect with the schools to confirm they received your information. Schedule visits to your final college choices.

Complete financial aid paperwork.

File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid regardless of your family income level, as the FAFSA and the scholarships you receive will determine your out-of-pocket costs. You can submit your FAFSA as soon as you and your parents have completed federal tax returns.

Research aid options.

Apply for more scholarships and attend competition events as applicable. Research more financial aid options at MappingYourFuture.org or CollegeBoard.org.

Spring: Find the right fit

Keep an eye on your mailbox for notification from colleges.

Admission decisions are usually made by March or April. Make friends with your mail carrier while you wait for acceptance letters.

Compare financial aid.

Each school will offer you a different financial aid package, so read the award letter carefully and make the best decision for you.  Discuss your financial aid with your admission rep and the financial aid staff. Don’t hesitate to reach out to schools with questions. This is a big deciding factor in where you will attend.

Take remaining tests.

You might be taking Advanced Placement classes that earn college credit, so be prepared to take AP tests and send the scores to the desired schools. Also, you might take the ACT or SAT again to boost your scores.

Make your decision.

You made it to your final decision. Notify the school you will be attending. Also notify all other schools of your decision. Be sure to make your enrollment deposit to secure your spot at that institution.

Complete enrollment.

Now for the fun part. You now get to decide courses, orientation, housing, and so much more. Make sure you are on top of the deadlines to ensure you get the choices you want.

Graduate.

Hurrah! You have finished high school and now are off on a new chapter of your life.

Although senior year might seem especially stressful with all of the to-do lists, pressures, and expectations that are being thrown at you, be sure to enjoy the process by remaining engaged in the present moment because – newsflash – your senior year of high school only happens once.

College is a thrilling journey and there is much to look forward to, so enjoy senior year but also get excited for what lies ahead in the years to come!

^{Published April 2019}