Seniors

Senior – Things to Remember

Throughout the year, attend the College Information Nights at your school and/or the Expo Center and any Career days available.  Also, be sure to complete all correspondence courses (including correspondence final exam) if applicable. Ensure that an Official Grade Report for the correspondence course is received by the registrar prior to the end of the school day of the last day of school.

August  

• Work with your counselor to verify your graduation plan.
  • Work with your counselor to verify or adjust class choices
  • Apply for “Early Decision,” if applicable.  
• Review the ACT and SAT testing timelines and mark your calendar for reviews and administrations of the tests (NCAA applicants, request scores be sent to Eligibility Center – Code is “9999”).
  • For more on ACT and SAT, see SAT and ACT on the Assessments page of this document.  
• NCAA applicants – verify with your counselor that you are on track to complete the Core Course Requirement.
  • Athletes should register for NCAA Clearinghouse. (www.ncaaclearinghouse.net)  
• Using the resources in your school’s Career/College Center or library, decide on three or four colleges that interest you. 
  • For detailed information, see What to do After High School: College in this document.  
• Listen to the announcements and read the counselors’ newsletter for scholarship information, visits from college representatives, and military recruiters.  
• Update your autobiography, essays or writing samples that may be required with your college application(s).  
• Prepare a résumé for the teachers and your counselor that includes your activities, work experience, awards, and memberships in school and community organizations.
  • Research new clubs/organizations in your school and community to place on your résumé.

September  

• Visit college campuses, tour the dorms, and talk to professors and admission officers.  
• Schedule your individual/parent conference with your counselor to discuss your plans.  
• Ask teachers, counselors, or other appropriate individuals for a recommendation letter, if required by the college.
  • For more information, see Teacher and Counselor Recommendations.

October  

• Sign up to see college representatives when they visit your school.  
• Complete applications for admission for colleges that you are considering.  
  • Request an official transcript for each college to which you are applying.  
• Explore financial aid at your selected colleges.  See Financial Aid Information in this document.  
• Apply for all scholarships applicable to your situation. See Scholarships in this document.  
• Register for your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) pin number at www.fafsa.ed.gov and pick up the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form from the guidance office and begin completing the information.  
  • For detail information, go to Financial Assistance Application Process.

November

•  Review/update your résumé for job placement and interview.  
• Contact personnel departments in local businesses to discuss entry-level positions for high school graduates.  
• Ask about the opportunity to shadow workers for part of their work day so that you can understand the responsibilities of people in entry-level positions.  
• Ask about opportunities in the military from campus representatives.  
• Complete your college applications for those colleges with a December deadline.  

January  

• Finish and mail any applications for colleges or scholarships by the deadline.  
• Order graduation invitations, memorabilia, cap and gown.  
• Attend the College Freshman Alumni presentations during a school day.  

February

• Continue to work on various scholarship applications.  
  • Inform your counselor of any grant, scholarship, or financial aid awards you receive.  
• Respond to college acceptance notices as received.  
• Be sure to meet your college’s deadline for financial aid.  

March

• Continue to consider admission and financial aid offers.  
• Continue applying for local scholarships.  
• If you have not done so already, submit your housing application.  
• If planning to attend a state-supported school in Texas, check the criteria for the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) Assessment and register to take it, if needed.
• Register with the Selective Service System, www.sss.gov.
  • Men who are 18 or over must prove draft registration to receive federal financial aid for post-secondary training or education. (If you file the FAFSA you are automatically registered for the draft.)

April

• NCAA applicants: Complete amateurism questionnaire and sign final authorization signature online on or after April 1.  
• If you have not already done so, make a final decision on the college of your choice. Notify all colleges by May 1 of your decision to accept or decline.
• Review your class ranking with your counselor.  
• Receive graduation invitations and memorabilia.  

May  

• Request final transcript to be sent to the college of your choice.
• Fill out a request form on Parchment or in the registrar’s office.  
• Receive cap and gown.  
• Send thank you notes to scholarship donors and all who wrote letters of recommendation for you.  
• Register for your college campus summer orientation. Pay attention to deadlines.  
• If you have not done so already, register for the TSI exam, if needed.  
• It is not too late! If you have not completed the college admission process, you can still be admitted to some colleges.    
• Attend and enjoy your commencement ceremony — be proud!