Senior Year

HBHS AP Celebration
SENIOR YEAR

 AUGUST:

  • Begin scheduling individual sessions with your counselor to discuss your postsecondary plans.
  • Schedule a tour of your colleges-of-choice.  Remember, you are the one who will be attending this college for four years, not your friends. Choose the college that fits you.
  • Review your transcript for accuracy and make sure you are taking the courses you need for your diploma option, for graduation, and for college entrance.
  • Apply for college admission and begin application for college merit scholarships.
  • If you are an athlete and plan to play Division I or Division II sports in college, if you have not already done so, you need to register online with either the NCAA Eligibility Center at www.eligibilitycenter.org or with the NAIA Eligibility Center at www.PlayNAIA.org, depending upon the college you plan to attend. In addition, contact college coaches at your target colleges/universities and include a schedule of your senior-year athletic events.  Along with a resume of your athletic accomplishments, it is important to develop a video or DVD of your athletic highlights. You must also have your college-entrance, standardized test scores (ACT and/or SAT) sent directly to NCAA and/or NAIA.   See your coach or your counselor for further information.
  • Schedule college visits and try to narrow your search for a college that meets your interests, personality and needs.
  • Begin writing college essays. Ask your English teacher for assistance or review. 
  • Sign up to meet with our college representatives when they visit your school to gain valuable college and career information.
  • Now is the time to begin asking teachers for recommendations. Give them a copy of your resume to help them with some talking points.  

SEPTEMBER:

  • Attend the National College Fair, sponsored by the National Association of College Admission Counseling (NACAC), to be held at the Birmingham/Jefferson Civic Center this month.  Over 150 colleges and universities will be represented at this Fair.  In addition, content sessions will be held on ACT and SAT preparation; Scholarship and Financial Aid; Support Services for Students with Disabilities; Historically Black Colleges and Universities; NCAA Eligibility, among others. Go to www.gotomyncf.com to register.
  • Register for the September and October ACT and/or the October and November SAT. For some colleges, these will be the last college-entrance exams you will be able to take before the December 1st scholarship deadline that many colleges set.
  • Complete college-admission applications online or send in your forms at least six weeks before the college deadline.
  • Attend meetings with college-admissions representatives who are scheduled at school.
  • Organize your files so that you do not miss college-admissions and/or scholarship deadlines.
  • Work on your college essays that are required for many scholarship applications. Once again, ask an English teacher or trusted friend or adult for help, even if it is just proofreading.  Let the colleges hear your voice - speak from the heart! 
  • Study hard and work on your grades. Senior grades do count!
  • It is your responsibility to know each college's procedure for application and the priority deadlines for scholarships and financial aid applications.
  • If you have any questions, be sure to consult with your counselor about colleges to which you will apply. 

OCTOBER:

  • Remember, the deadline for most colleges for scholarship applications is December 1st.
  • File CSS Financial Aid PROFILE, if required (usually private colleges).
  • Work on your college essays. Proofread!
  • If you have not taken the ACT or SAT, and you want to attend college, you must register and take one of these college-entrance exams, if required by your college-of-choice.
  • Continue to meet with college-admissions representatives at school.

NOVEMBER:

  • Early Decision/Early Action deadlines are November 1-15. Check your applications for specific dates and be sure to send these out on time.
  • File CSS Financial Aid PROFILE, if required (usually private colleges).
  • Continue to apply for scholarships! Remember the December 1st scholarship deadline for many colleges! Postmark your application before December 1st ,if you are mailing it. Listen for school announcements, check the ECBOE website and continue to search out scholarships on your own. Contact the Financial Aid offices at the colleges where you are applying and request financial aid and scholarship information from them.

DECEMBER:

  • December 1st is the scholarship deadline for many colleges. Do NOT miss this deadline!!!
  • File CSS Financial Aid PROFILE, if required.
  • Continue sending out your college applications.
  • Visit college campuses over the holidays, if they are in session!
  • Take the ACT or SAT, if you have not already done so.

JANUARY:

  • It is time to submit your financial aid form to FAFSA, if you are requesting consideration for financial aid. Funds are available on a first-come, first-served basis. See further information in this handbook.
  • File the CSS Financial Aid PROFILE, if required by your college.
  • This is the time to take the SAT Subject Tests, if your college requires these for placement purposes.
  • Come to the guidance counselor’s office and request that your first-semester grades be mailed to all colleges to which you have applied  They need your mid-year transcript!

FEBRUARY:

  • Some will begin receiving college decisions this month. Be sure to share these with your counselor.
  • If additional information is required for college application, make sure you inform your counselor.
  • Continue visiting college campuses.
  • Check for independent and private scholarships.

MARCH:

  • You will continue to receive college decisions this month. It is now time to begin deciding which college you want to attend and inform the college. If you need help in the decision-making process, your counselor will be glad to assist you.
  • March 1st is the priority deadline for many colleges' financial aid applications.  Make sure you have completed all application procedures and have sent your "Student Aid Report" to your college of choice.

APRIL:

  • The traditional reply dates from colleges to which you have applied are April1st - April 10th .
  • Remember to write a letter of acceptance to the college that you have chosen to attend and enclose deposits requested from you.
  • Also, decline in writing to other colleges to which you have been accepted so that they may admit other qualified candidates.
  • This is the month to take the SAT Subject Tests, if they are required for college placement at your college.
  • Make sure you send your deposit by May 1st to the college you plan to attend.

MAY:

  • Take the AP Placement tests this month, as scheduled and announced. You could receive college credit!
  • Provide your counselor with a list of any scholarships you received. 
  • May 1st is your reply deadline. Be sure to notify the colleges of your decision.
  • Be sure to confirm your housing plans with your college.
  • Attend Scholarships and Awards Programs- Dates to be announced.
  • GRADUATION- Congratulations and Best Wishes!
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