Rising Seniors.... Now is the time to organize your college folder.  Below are a few tips.

Summer between Junior & Senior Year:

  • Narrow down your college choices.
  • Investigate all application requirements of the colleges you are interested in. Be careful to note any SAT/ACT testing requirements.
  • Look at what each college requires – do they require an essay?  Letters of recommendation? SAT II’s?
  • Visit any colleges in which you are interested, if possible.
  • Spend your summer doing something meaningful – volunteer; go to summer school, work and read, read, read..
  • Study to improve ACT or SAT scores if you need to take them in the beginning of your senior year..
  • Work on college essays if colleges you are applying to require them.

 

Fall of Senior Year:

  • APPLY EARLY: Take advantage of the expected low volume of applications that colleges receive at the beginning of the admissions cycle.  A lower volume of applications may also mean lower average GPA’s and test scores for admission as compared to the possibility of higher averages later on in February, March and April.
  • Carefully watch college deadlines and apply on time.  Send all completed applications in by their required deadlines..
  • Continue to investigate colleges – attend fairs, and college visits at  MAST.  Look at your high school transcript – make sure there are no mistakes before sending it to colleges.
  • Complete PROFILE Financial Aid form if required by your college – check to see if colleges you are apply to require this form.
  • Keep copies of EVERYTHING you send to colleges, scholarships, and financial aid.
  • Ask teachers and counselors for letters of recommendation (college admissions offices advise the students to ask teachers if they will write you a favorable one) – most counselors require 5 days notice
  • Research financial aid requirements at each college – some colleges require the CSS Profile financial aid form to be completed in the fall.
  • Retake SAT, ACT, SAT II if necessary.
  • Apply for Fla. Bright Futures Scholarship December 1st even if you are going out of state.  Many students return after a year, and you have up to 3 years after graduation to begin using it (not if you don’t apply, though)
  • Continue to get good grades – most colleges request a mid-year report from the high school which shows the first semester grades, and every college acceptance is contingent on the student’s 12th year grades.

  

January – June of Senior Year:

  • In January, file the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as early as possible.
  • Continue to apply for scholarships.
  • Retake SAT/ACT/SAT II if necessary.
  • Check with colleges to be sure that they have received everything for application, financial aid.
  • Beware of senioritis!
  • Investigate housing at colleges you have applied to and send in housing deposits on time.
  • Before May 1st – decide on your final choice of a college & send in your tuition deposit.
  • At the end of the school year request that the registrar send to your college your final transcript. This is a requirement of all colleges that you decide to attend.

 

Good Luck :)