SENIOR YEAR COUNTDOWN STEPS TO COLLEGE

 

HELPFUL WEBSITES: www.march2success.com ; www.educationplanner.org

 

 

- Meet with college admissions representatives visiting your school.

- Make a calendar of key application and financial aid deadlines.

- Ask teachers, guidance counselors, and other adults who know you well for letters of recommendation for scholarship and admissions applications (if needed).

- Remember that September, October, and November are the three "prime" months to submit applications to schools.

 

October:

- Take the SAT or ACT if necessary.

- Work on admission application essays if required.

- Revisit your top school choices.  Talk face to face with current students and faculty members at those schools.

- Continue to seek and apply for scholarship awards from a variety of sources.

 

November:

- Take the SAT or ACT if necessary.

- If you haven't already applied to a school, start to narrow down your choices and submit the appropriate admission applications. 

 

December:

- Gather the data needed for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

- From now until the end of the school year, check the Guidance Department website for listings of scholarships.

 

January:

- Submit your completed FAFSA as soon after October 1st as possible.

 

February:

- Apply and turn in on time the Curwensville AHS application for all "in-house" scholarships awarded at the end of the school year.  Remember that the essay portion of this application is extremely important!

- If the school you applied to requires mid-year transcripts, check to see that they have been sent.

- If necessary, plan for AP exams.

 

March:

- Look for your Student Aid Report (SAR) in the mail or on line.  Pay particular attention to the Expected Family Contribution (EFC) and discuss it with your parents and family.

 

April:

- Once you are accepted, make sure that you meet all deadlines (ex. deposits, physical forms, housing, etc.).

- Review and compare all financial aid award letters that you receive.

 

May:

- Take AP examinations if necessary.

- Request that a FINAL TRANSCRIPT be sent to the school you will be attending in the fall.  There is no charge for this transcript.

- Write thank you letters to the people who wrote you letters of recommendation.

 

June:

- Write thank you letters to any person, group, or organization that awarded you a scholarship. 

- Enjoy your high school graduation!!!