September Begin a challenging senior year!

• Counselors visit English classes to discuss college application process
• Meet with college representatives who visit JJ
• Register for SATI/ACT or SAT II Tests. Have your scores sent to colleges.
• Continue to make appointments for college interviews and/or tours.
• Visit colleges
• Narrow down choices as a result of visits and other research
• Make decision whether to apply to a specific
• college on an Early Decision Plan
• Request college application forms-Send follow-up letter if necessary
• Update your filing system to keep track of college information
• Ask staff to write a letter of recommendation

October

• Attend any college mini-fairs that may be held
• Attend Open House at colleges
• Register for December SATII
• Meet with college representatives who visit JJ
• Begin to work on applications
• Discuss essays with English teacher, parents and others
• AVOID SENIOR SLUMP- Keep Your Grades Up!

November

• Attend College Fair at Marist
• Take SAT or SAT II tests at JJ
• Meet Early Decision deadline if applicable
• Continue to make college visits
• Talk with college friends home for the holidays
• Finalize college choices and continue to work on applications.  Proofread everything you send
• Have someone else proofread completed essays and applications
• Submit transcript requests to guidance office (if you haven’t done so already) with applications
• Notify your guidance counselor of any online applications

December

• Take SAT or SAT II tests if required
• Re-check for college application deadlines
• Register for January SATI or SAT II tests if needed
• Ask staff to write letters of recommendation
• Attend financial aid workshop at JJ or area school
• Get a PIN at www.pin.ed.gov to allow you to sign your FAFSA electronically and to access your processed FAFSA online
• Download FAFSA on the web worksheet from www.fafsa.ed.gov This worksheet is optional but will help you collect the information you need to fill out your FAFSA online
• Keep track of scholarships in the College and Career room

January

• Applications should be submitted
• Keep track of deadlines
• Apply for scholarships
• Take SATI/ACT or SAT II if necessary
• Complete and submit FAFSA application online (www.fafsa.ed.gov) by end of month if possible--use the previous year’s tax return)

February

• Request in guidance that mid-year grades be sent to colleges
• Register for March SAT if needed
• Begin to explore opportunities for summer employment
• Pick-up applications for local scholarships
• Note early deadline on some

March

• Take SAT, if needed
• Apply for local scholarships
• National Merit Scholarship winners notified
• Begin hearing from colleges about acceptance

April

• College notification continues
• Review your financial aid package with college financial aid office (you can appeal a preliminary aid package)
• If you are accepted by a college, you must:
• Make an enrollment decision
• Decide whether or not to accept the financial aid offered
• If you are accepted by a college and plan to attend, follow through with: Deposits, Housing request,   Other correspondence
• If you decline admission and/or financial aid, you must:
• Notify college to give others a chance
• Notify financial aid office
• Notify your high school counselor of all college decisions and scholarships received

May
If a College Accepts you, you must

• If selecting a New York State College, mail in completed TAP form if FAFSA was not completed.
• Make an enrollment decision
• Decide whether or not to accept the financial aid offered
• If you are accepted by a college and plan to attend, follow through with: Deposits, Housing request, Other correspondence
• If you decline admission and/or financial aid, you must:
• Notify college
• Notify financial aid office
• Notify counselor of all college decisions and scholarships received
• Take Advanced Placement tests, if desired

June

• Notify counselor of any scholarships received
• Return Senior Survey to counselor
• ENJOY GRADUATION!! CONGRATULATIONS!!

Other Important Information

Counselor’s Corner

Please read the Counselor’s Corner in the JJ School Newsletter/Guidance Showcase for the following information:

• Scheduled visits of college representatives to the high school
• Test dates and registration information
• Scholarship information
• Summer opportunities
• Other important information

College Visits

Many students find it extremely helpful to visit several colleges in the fall. This close-up look may aid you in deciding whether to apply to the school.

In addition, many of the schools have weekend Open Houses. This is a good way to obtain useful information. Some colleges require an interview as part of the admissions procedure. Plan for your visits by scheduling interviews and/or tours early since the fall months are busy times for college admissions offices.

A good time for visiting is the Columbus Day holiday and Veteran’s Day holiday since the colleges are in session and JJ is not. You can prepare an optional resume to bring with you. Please remember to write a thank you note to the admissions officer who interviewed you.

Financial Aid

It is suggested that parents have a frank discussion with their child about the financial implications of each college being considered. It is further suggested that this conversation take place early in the selection process. Parents and students can obtain the latest financial aid information from the guidance office.

Although this calendar/checklist notes important deadlines, it is the student’s responsibility to secure the appropriate forms and to file them in a timely fashion.

Applications, transcripts and recommendations

All college applications require official school transcripts, staff recommendations and other supportive data. When you have a completed application, give it to your counselor who will mail it out to the college. Since it can take several days to process an application and because of the volume of seniors applying to college, we urge you to complete them as early as possible. (Teachers likewise need time to complete their recommendations.) If, on your SAT application, you did not request your scores be sent to your college(s) of choice, you MUST contact the College Board to send your official scores to the colleges.

Campus Visit Checklist

Call ahead (don’t write) and ask about:

• Appointment for interview
• Tour times and starting point
• Distance/directions
• Special Accommodations
• Dining Hall
• Dorm………Class……..Events/Schedule
• What to bring
• Information that can be mailed to you in advance

Research the college:

• Visit the JJ guidance website for college/financial aid links
• Visit the college’s web site
• Read viewbook, catalogue

Prepare an agenda:

• What do I need to know about the college?
• List of questions
• What do I want the college to learn about me?
• Resume…...Transcript…… Portfolio

During your visit allow plenty of time to:

• Take a tour
• Have an interview
• Sit in on a class that interests you
• Try the food
• Meet a professor
• Pick up information and applications
• Stroll around the town and campus and browse through stores

After the visit

• Make notes to refresh your memory later on
• Jot down lingering questions
• Send thank-you notes

Wappingers Central School District