SENIOR YEAR CHECKLIST.doc
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SENIOR YEAR CHECKLIST
Prior to applying
1. Make an appointment for a preliminary talk with your counselor to discuss your future plans,
including:
where you are in the process
colleges under consideration (did you list them on Naviance’s Family Connection?)
your plans for testing (SAT, Subject Tests, ACT)
set your “general time frame” for accomplishing what you have to do
make a calendar showing application deadlines
Please make your preliminary talk appointment according to these guidelines:
CATEGORY SEE COUNSELOR BY
1. considering Early Decision/Action..................................October 1
2. plan to apply to four year colleges.....................................October 15
3. plan on junior college, community college,
the military, or work.................................................November 15
4. STILL UNSURE................................................................October 1
2. Get started on the following steps, including:
if you are applying to school for “Early Decision” or “Early Action”, plan to have the
application completed and reviewed by your counselor 3 weeks prior to the deadline
register for and take the SAT, SAT II and/or ACT if you need to do so, and request that
your official test scores be sent to all colleges by contacting www.collegeboard.com or
www.actstudent.org
request letters of recommendation using GHS Teacher’s Recommendation Request Form
update your activity resume on Naviance’s Family Connection
visit with college representatives in the Career/College Center at GHS. Dates and times
are listed on the GHS Guidance website as well as the Naviance website
revise and refine your list of colleges (more visits?)
begin to fill out applications
compose rough drafts of your college essays and personal statements for applications.
Have a teacher proofread them or seek assistance from the writing lab before preparing a
final draft
if you will be applying for financial aid, plan to attend the GHS Financial Aid
Information Night in November
contact your colleges’ financial aid offices to determine which financial aid forms are
required and the deadlines
check resource books, computer programs and your guidance office for information on
scholarships
3. Schedule the “senior interview” with your counselor, at which time your counselor will:
have a conversation and ask you questions to gather the information needed for the
counselor’s letter of recommendation
answer questions related to the steps (above) and questions about the application process
set your “individual time frame” for completing college applications
Note: These “prior to applying” steps set a framework for guiding you through the process of
completing college applications. Of course, you may sign up in your counselor’s appointment
book as often as you need to discuss your plans or have your questions answered. For quick
questions, you may also email your counselor.
Completing Applications:
1. Most college applications are completed online. If you need a paper application,
request one directly from the college or university’s website or by calling the
college’s Office of Admissions. If using the Common Application go to
www.commonapp.org. It is your responsibility to procure all applications
2. Fill out all sections carefully. Use your activity resume and transfer the information to
the actual college application
3. Check to see if the application has any “supplements” or extra parts to locate and
complete. (This is especially important if you are using the “Common
Application.”)
4. Check to see if there are additional forms for you or others to complete (examples:
teacher recommendation forms, secondary school report form, mid-year report
form, etc.) Note: you must complete the top section of such forms prior to giving
it to your teacher or counselor
5. Essay: if it is being submitted separately (i.e., not online with the application), be sure
to put your name on each page of the essay
6. When you are ready (or almost ready!) to click SEND or SUBMIT, please sign up in
your counselor’s appointment book for an application processing appointment
IMPORTANT: The Guidance Department needs two weeks to process your
applications.
Completing Applications:
1. Most college applications are completed online. If you need a paper application,
request one directly from the college or university’s website or by calling the
college’s Office of Admissions. If using the Common Application go to
www.commonapp.org. It is your responsibility to procure all applications
2. Fill out all sections carefully. Use your activity resume and transfer the information to
the actual college application
3. Check to see if the application has any “supplements” or extra parts to locate and
complete. (This is especially important if you are using the “Common
Application.”)
4. Check to see if there are additional forms for you or others to complete (examples:
teacher recommendation forms, secondary school report form, mid-year report
form, etc.) Note: you must complete the top section of such forms prior to giving
it to your teacher or counselor
5. Essay: if it is being submitted separately (i.e., not online with the application), be sure
to put your name on each page of the essay
6. When you are ready (or almost ready!) to click SEND or SUBMIT, please sign up in
your counselor’s appointment book for an application processing appointment
IMPORTANT: The Guidance Department needs two weeks to process your
applications.
Processing your Applications: Important: Guidance Deadline is Dec. 1st
1. Prior to submitting any applications, double-check that you have filled out the
application completely and correctly.
2. At your application processing appointment, your counselor can answer any remaining
questions, or if necessary, review your application with you before you click
SEND or SUBMIT
3. Your responsibilities include submitting the following:
Application
Application fee
SAT scores (you must request the testing company (College Board or ACT) to
send your official testing record to your colleges)
Essay and activity resume (if not part of the online application, a paper copy must
be sent)
First quarter and/or mid-year grades: colleges usually require one or both. If
there is no form supplied by a college, you must come to the guidance office and
fill out a GHS Grade Request Form and submit it to us with an addressed
envelope for each college.
4. Remember, for each application after your three “free” ones, you must submit $3.00
(cash or check to GHS Transcripts.”)
5. Your counselor will send:
Your official transcript
Counselor recommendation
GHS School Profile & GHS Secondary School Report if needed
Letters of recommendation submitted to guidance by your teacher (some teachers
mail them directly to the college)
1st quarter and/or mid-term grades as requested
NOTE: Grade reports are not automatically sent. For any grade reports
(1st quarter, mid-term, or final) to be sent to a college, you must fill out a
request and you must submit an addressed (no stamp) envelope for each
college.
REMINDER: YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR MEETING ALL DEADLINES!
After you have applied:
Bring to your counselor any communication from a college (letter, post card, etc.)
asking for information. Very often it is a request for a transcript that has already been
sent. (When an admissions clerk receives your application, they check RIGHT
THEN to see what’s missing. Since our transcript arrives by mail, to the clerk it is
“missing”). Bring the card or letter in, and we will follow up for you.
Provide mid-term grades if a college’s application procedure requests this. Be
sure to give us either:
a. The college’s own mid-year report form from the application packet, or
b. The GHS form requesting grades to be sent.
With each form, you must submit an addressed (no stamp) envelope for each
college.
Be sure to meet all financial aid deadlines and requirements. Complete
everything as early as possible (e.g. FAFSA before February 1), because colleges
can run out of money. (go to www.fafsa.ed.gov)
THANK YOU’s are classy! Be sure to personally thank any teacher who took the
time to write a recommendation for you or helped you with your essay or any part
of this process (a card or note is appropriate). Teachers also like to be informed
of where you have been accepted.
Keep your grades up. This is very important; if your grades slip seriously, you
could risk a college taking back a letter of acceptance.
Inform your counselor and Ms. Spice (guidance secretary) of any acceptance
decisions from colleges.
Continue to watch for other important college information such as registration,
housing and orientation materials
Once you have made your final college decision, mail any required deposits. This
is especially important for housing.
You must also notify the colleges you will NOT be attending.
In March, come to the guidance office to review the list and procedures for
applying for local scholarships.
Note: Even though you are DONE with applications, your counselor is still available to
you for help as you continue with senior year. If you need any assistance as senior year
progresses, please come to see us! We have enjoyed working with you and wish you the
best in all future endeavors.
