Senior Timeline

Follow this month-by-month timeline, and you�ll be on track to finalize a plan for �Life after Southeast.�

SEPTEMBER

� Decide which factors are most important to you when choosing a school. Research your options to determine which colleges fit your needs and interests. Pick up recruitment material from the College Room and visit college websites to learn more about each school. Also, talking with friends, family members, and alumni can help narrow your choices.

� Meet with college representatives in the College Room. Dates and times are in the announcements and are posted in the College Room and Senior bulletin board in the cafeteria.

� Visit college campuses if possible. You are allowed three college visit days.

� Acquire applications directly from the college website or by picking them up in the College Room.

� Draft your essays and personal statements for applications.

� Begin to research financial aid possibilities.

� Organize all your research into a �College� folder.

� Meet with your Academy Assistant Principal, Post-Secondary Coach, or College Adviser if you need help with your college or scholarship search.

� Consider asking now for recommendation letters from teachers, counselors, coaches, and/or employers. Remember to give them at least two weeks notice to write the letter.

� Retake the ACT if necessary. Pick up registration packets in the College Room, or register online at www.actstudent.org. ACT test dates are October 27, 2012 (registration deadline is September 21) and December 8, 2012 (registration deadline is November 2).

� Finalize your college list; know the schools to which you will apply.

� See your Academy Assistant Principal or the Post-Secondary Coach to discuss opportunities if you are considering alternatives to college such as the military or the workforce.

OCTOBER

� Attend the Capital Area College Fair October 3, 2012 at 12:30 pm at the State Fairgrounds.

� Attend �The Road to College� Parent/Student Workshop on Wednesday, October 11, 2012 at 6 pm in the Commons.

� Narrow down your college choices as much as possible. Make sure you have at least one �safety� school � a school that will very likely admit you.

� Decide if you are applying Early Decision (binding) or Early Action (not binding). Remember, these deadlines will be early.

� Review application deadlines. Some schools have a priority filing date of November 1 (University of Illinois) or November 30 (Bradley). Other schools have rolling admissions, which means they accept applications year-round.

� Submit applications to your selected colleges.

� Request transcripts from the Guidance Office or the College Room.

� Keep your grades UP! Keep your spirits UP!

NOVEMBER

� Complete and submit admission applications. Aim to have most applications submitted by Thanksgiving Break!

� Continue your scholarship search. Visit the College Room for scholarship opportunities.

� Meet with a recruiter if you are considering entering the military. Visit the College Room for more information.

DECEMBER

� Attend the �Money for College� Parent/Student Workshop on Thursday, December 6, 2012 at 6 pm in the Commons.

� If you applied Early Decision and you were accepted, withdraw all other college applications immediately.

� Apply for housing where necessary.

� Plan ahead for the Free Application for Federal Student AID � FAFSA. FAFSA is the mandatory federal application that measures your eligibility for financial aid (www.fafsa.ed.gov).

� Apply for a Personal Identification Number � PIN � on the FAFSA website. The PIN acts as your electronic signature. You and ONE of your parents or guardian will need to apply for a PIN.

JANUARY

� Submit the FAFSA as soon as possible after January 1st. It must be received no later than June 30th.

� Maintain a rigorous academic schedule and extracurricular involvement in your eighth semester. Schools can and will withdraw admissions offers if your grades drop.

� Send �thank you� notes to those who have written you letters of recommendation, if you have not done so already.

FEBRUARY

� Attend the �FAFSA for Real� Parent/Student Workshop on Wednesday, February 11 at 6 pm in the Library, or Saturday, February 16 at 10 am in the Library. This is a FAFSA completion workshop � simply bring all the necessary documents, and we will assist you as you complete the online application.

� Investigate your college choices thoroughly by carefully considering majors, costs, living arrangements, etc. It is time to begin deciding which college you will attend this fall.

� Continue your scholarship search. The College Room will post scholarship opportunities and deadlines every month through May.

MARCH

� Aim to submit the FAFSA by March 1st, when most schools set their scholarship deadlines.

APRIL

� Expect to be notified by all colleges by mid-April regarding your admissions decision.

� See your Academy Assistant Principal, Post-Secondary Coach, or College Adviser to analyze your options.

� Send only one deposit to your selected college and make the necessary housing arrangements.

� As soon as possible, inform all colleges that accept you whether you plan to accept or decline the offer of admission.

� If you have been placed on a �wait list� for a school you would like to attend, accept that opportunity if you like, but be sure to accept and deposit at a school that accepted you as well.

MAY

� May 1st is Decision Day! Notify your college of your intent to enroll by this date.

� Notify your Academy Assistant Principal and the Post-Secondary Coach of your final decision.