Tips for Graduating Seniors

2009-03-17T13:51:00.000-07:00

Graduation for the high school senior is an exciting time. With excitement, comes many fears for these young men and women. The anticipation of leaving the security of mom and dad, knowing that with freedoms come responsibilities, and starting over meeting new friends tops the list for many. These social items are important in the development of teens to adults. However, for a smooth transition from high school to college to occur, seniors must complete a number of tasks. Completion of these tasks will decrease the incidence of mishaps that may cause frustration and potential withdrawal from school before the young adult has an opportunity to succeed following high school. In preparation of leaving high school to the world of college or trade school, seniors (and parents) can participate in the following tasks (these tasks are placed in chronological order):

September:

Make an appointment with the counselor to review credits, career goals, and college plans.
Finalize the list of colleges to which you want to apply (usually about three).
Learn which tests are required and prepare to take them.
Send for the latest college catalogs and admissions applications.
Study the catalogs for courses and majors offered and sources of financial aid.
Register for the ACT or SAT.
If considering athletics participation at an NCAA Division I or II college, you must complete an NCAA Clearinghouse Application. The application is available at http://www.ncaa.org/.
Visit http://www.scholarships.com/ to identify possible scholarship opportunities.

October:

Meet with college representatives at a college day in your area.
Study the student handbook on the ACT to become familiar with necessary preparations and kinds of questions that might be involved.
Make college campus visits. Interview some students, faculty, and staff, if possible.
Check current scholarship listings at your guidance counselor's office.
Out-of-state and highly selective institution applications need to be completed and submitted.
Request transcripts from your high school to be sent to prospective colleges.
Work on application essays.
Be aware of scholarship deadlines.

November:

Complete and submit college applications.
Begin formulating a list of people who will write letters of recommendations, if needed.
Visit http://www.scholarships.com/ to identify possible scholarship opportunities.

December:

Take ACT or SAT exam.
Check college handbook instructions to make sure you have completed everything necessary for admission.
Complete financial aid forms, which can be picked up from your guidance counselor.
Check with guidance counselor to determine that you are on the right track to graduation. Make sure any deficiencies are corrected for the spring semester.

January:

Register for the February ACT or SAT.
Contact people to write letters of recommendation. Provide them with deadline.
Watch for scholarship deadlines.
Apply on-line to http://www.fastweb.com/. Begin working on financial aid for college.

February:

Take ACT or SAT.
Look for Pell Grant program information in your Student Aid Report.
Submit Student Aid Report (and tax forms, if necessary) to the financial aid office. Be certain your application is complete.
KEEP COPIES OF ALL FORMS YOU SUBMIT to the financial aid office.
If you have not received your student Aid Report within four weeks after sending you FAFSA, contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243, or check the status on http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.
Have mid-year grade report sent to the colleges that require them.
Obtain local scholarship packet from the guidance office and complete application forms for which you are eligible.

March:

Register for the ACT if you have not done so. Registration deadline May 8, 2009.
Submit Student Aid Report (and tax forms, if necessary) to the financial aid office at the college of your choice. Be certain your application is complete.
If you have not received your student Aid Report within four weeks after sending you FAFSA, contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243, or check the status on http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.
Look for Pell Grant program information in your Student Aid Report.
Have mid-year grade transcripts sent to the college(s) that require them.
Obtain local scholarship packet from your high school guidance office and complete application forms for which you are eligible.
Check of upcoming scholarship deadlines.
Check all graduation requirement at your high school to insure compliance.
Be alert for housing deposit deadlines.

April:

Keep track of acceptances, rejections, and awards of financial aid.
Reply promptly to colleges asking you to notify them of your decision regarding admission and financial aid.
Review housing deposits and pre-registration materials.
Send invitations to friends and family for graduation.

May:

If you have not recieved your Student Aid Report within four weeks after sending in your FAFSA, contact the Federal Student Aid Information Center at 1-800-433-3243, or check the status at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov/.
Register for final opportunity for ACT or SAT.
Pass final exams.
Graduate.
Send thank you notes for gifts received and to people who wrote letters of recommendations.

June:

Take final ACT or SAT, if necessary.
REquest your high school to send your final transcripts to the college you will attend.
Register for college classes.
Make sure you know how to receive the scholarships you have been awarded.

Hopefully, these steps will help make your freshman year a good one.