Senior Year
September Register online for November SATv Start working on applications to State universities and try to submit them as soon as possible. Talk to CAPS advisor about college plans, your transcript, and scholarships offered area. Search for colleges, manage your college listv Students applying for Early Decisions should be approaching teachers for recommendations. Student Athletes should be checking about recruiting procedure.
October Start preparing if you are taking the December SAT or ACT. Check out www.commonsapp.org to see what colleges accept the common application. Begin contacting financial aid offices and discuss aid options with guidance. Work on application essays. Be aware of Early Decision and Early Action deadlines-they are usually between November 1-15.
November Time to start preparing for the January 28 SAT or SAT Subject Test. Check with teachers, coaches, and mentors to ensure that letters of recommendation are sent on time Make sure SAT scores have been sent to colleges that you are applying to. Complete and mail applications for colleges with rolling deadlines. Communicate to guidance counselor of transcripts that need to be sent to (allow a two week period to allow transcripts to be processed.) Keep Grades UP!! Regular applicants keep working on essay. Attend information sessions with college representatives. Visit campuses to get a sense of what you are looking for. Ron Brown Scholar Program which awards scholarships to academically talented, highly motivated African American students who are seniors in high school this year (graduating in 2006) and plan to pursue undergraduate degrees full-time. Students must be U.S. citizens or hold permanent resident visa cards. For more info go to www.ronbrown.org. They start accepting applications after October 1. VA Tech Pamplin Leader Award. This one-year scholarship is for $1000.00. The students selected for Pamplin Leaders are also eligible for the Pamplin Scholar Award, a scholarship equivalent to tuition and fees for all four years at VA Tech. The Pamplin Leader Award is open to all students in all MAJORS. Scholarship information can be found on www.univhonors.vt.edu. Horatio Alger Association Scholarship is available to current seniors or students planning to attend college in the fall of 2007 The student must show financial need, exhibit integrity and perseverance in overcoming adversity, a good academic record, strength in character, and a desire to contribute to society. For more info and to apply go to www.horatioalger.com/scholarships. Coca-Cola Scholars Foundation is offering a scholarship to current seniors. The candidate must have a GPA of 3.0 and not have a relative employed by Coca-Cola. Applicants must apply online at
*Take the PSAT
*Start making a list of your abilities, preferences, and personal qualities. List things you may want to study and do in college. *Start reading about majors andcareers.
*Start attending college nights, and college visits.
*Take the most challenging courses you can.
*Explore financial aid options and college planning with your parents.
*Begin to prepare for the SAT and ACT by attending prep courses.
*Go to www.fastweb.com to search for scholarships.
*Take leadership roles in clubs, activities, and other volunteer organizations.
*Consider what teachers, advisors or counselors you may want to *write recommendations. Strengthen your relationship with them.
*In spring begin to visit college campuses.
Freshman/Sophomore
*Meet with guidance counselor to discuss classes and available activities.
*Plan which courses to take for the next four years. Challenge yourself.
*Join clubs and activities in your interest. Take leadership positions.
*Start building relationships with teachers and counselor to write recommendations.
*Talk to your family about saving for College. attend a college fair.
*Get involved with a volunteer organization.
*Start to become familiar with standardized tests such as the SAT and ACT.
*Research summer enrichment programs in your area of interest.
December Put finishing touches on your essay. Proofread!!v Wrap up applications before winter break. Photo copy application material before sending. Send standardized test scores to your college electronically at www.collegeboard.com or 1-800-SAT-SCORE Early decision and Early Action letters start arriving this month. Study hard for exams-colleges take senior fall grades seriously! Excellent grades may give you an edge!v Pick up FAFSA forms to be completed by parents.
January Submit FAFSA and Profile before financial deadlinesv Talk to friends home from college. Make sure transcripts have been sent
February Contact colleges to confirm they’ve received all application material. KEEP GRADES UP! Begin scholarship search, check out www.fastweb.com and www.finaid.org Start planning spring break college visits
March Keep in mind many states have financial aid deadlines that are earlier than June 30 FAFSA deadline-CHECK! April Regular decisions admissions letters start arriving. Please let guidance and teachers who wrote letters for you know when you hear decisions. Attend admitted students weekends at college campuses. Send in the acceptance notice to your chosen school. Make sure you send in deposit. Decline offers of admission from remaining colleges. May AP Exams are administered, make sure AP Grade Report is sent to your college. Send Thank You notes to those who wrote letters of recommendation. June Inform Guidance Office where your final transcript should be sent.
Scholarships
www.coca-colascholars.org.
Sam Walton Community Scholarship will be available on-line from November 1, 2007 through January 12, 2008. More information, printable online instructions, and the link to apply for these and other Wal-Mart Foundation programs are found at www.walmartfoundation.org . The access code (SWCS) must be used to access this application process.
Don’t forget to checkout www.collegeboards.com for more scholarship info. Go to the parent link and follow the info.