Senior Year of High School Checklist
Senior Year is FINALLY HERE and that means you need a Senior Year Checklist!! It’s time for an exciting year of lasts and firsts – last high school football game, first college application complete! It is going to be a crazy and busy year. To help you to stay organized and keep track of every application, scholarship, and every other aspect of finishing high school and beginning college, I have prepared a Senior Year Checklist . You may download your free College Preparation Checklist for High School Seniors by clicking on the link above or below this post.
For an ENTIRE PLANNER FULL OF CALENDARS, CHECKLISTS, AND PLANNING SHEETS which will take you from the freshman year of high school to the freshman year of college, check out The Planning for College Planner.
And the brand new College Preparation Template.
Senior Year of High School Checklist
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The senior year is here and it is time to finish strong and complete your senior year checklist! There is a lot to do, but if you plan it all out and check off each item, you will be well on your way to finishing this year headed for a wonderful college experience.
Senior Year of High School Checklist Item #1: Finish your college visits by the end of September
It’s time to wrap up the visiting and start the application process!
Senior Year of High School Checklist Item #2: Make Final Decisions about which schools you will apply to
Get the list going of the finalists for applications. Some students submit tons and tons of applications especially if they are looking at the more highly competitive schools. Every application requires an application fee and maybe supplemental requirements and essays that are not included in the Common App. Unless you can really see yourself at a school, there is no reason to waste time and money applying to it.
Senior Year of High School Checklist Item #3: Gather all of your information
Gather all of the information you will need for each school’s application including all application requirements and all deadlines (admission, financial aid, supplemental department applications, scholarships). Set up a system for organizing all of your applications. The Planning for College Planner is the perfect solution.
Senior Year of High School Checklist Item #4: Apply for outside scholarships
Apply for outside scholarships. Read How to Win Scholarships and Pay for College and An Interview with the Winner of over $126,000 in College Scholarships for advice about applying and winning!!
Senior Year of High School Checklist Item #5: Fill out the FAFSA
Fill out the FAFSA. The FAFSA is the only way to receive any federal aid or federal loans. Many schools require the FAFSA for in house aid as well. How to Complete Your FAFSA will give you the information you need to know.
Senior Year of High School Checklist Item #6: After acceptance deadlines
After decisions are announced, make note of accepted student days, housing deposits, in house scholarship applications, and other deadlines.
Senior Year of High School Checklist Item #7: Admitted Student Days
Possibly attend Admitted Students’ Days at the schools you are trying to decide between. These days and programs can be a lot of fun and are packed with more specific information than the basic college tours.
Senior Year of High School Checklist Item #8: MAKE YOUR DECISION!!!
Senior Year of High School Checklist Item #9: Graduate from high school
Don’t let up on your high school academics and activities. Finish your high school career strong.
Senior Year of High School Checklist Item #10: Submit final required items
Send your final transcript and anything else your school requires.
Senior Year of High School Checklist Item #11: Schedule orientation
Schedule your college orientation and prepare for the experience. It will be a whirlwind and usually includes selecting your first semester’s classes. Research your major and degree requirements and map out the next 4 years of classes. You don’t have to stick with it exactly, but it will help you plan your first semester. This is especially important if you are pre-med or will be applying to graduate school at the end of your junior year or beginning of your senior year. You need to make sure you have taken the required classes by then.
The senior year is a fun-filled, but sometimes stressful time. This College Preparation Checklist for High School Seniors will help you get through it. Be sure to print out your checklist pack of all 7 checklists like the FAFSA checklist, dorm shopping checklist, move-in day tips, and more.
If you would like more college preparation checklists, calendars, and planning tools, go to the Planning for College Planner.
Have you read Mel’s book? It’s all about talking with your teens to prepare them for their future: college, jobs, life…
Also, if you will turn 18 this year, please consider the following information.
It is recommended that you get a power of attorney for the state that you will go to college in, as well as the state of permanent residence. Here is more info about each state’s requirements.
Grab both the health and financial power of attorney legal documents. We used them and printed these out for all 3 of our boys while they were in college. It took less than 15 minutes to fill in the blanks, and print out!
I have heard horror stories about parents not being able to make medical decisions for their kids because this was not in place, so please do this for your peace of mind -let your parents know what you want before something happens. *The cost of these forms is so much less than going to an attorney, which I checked into before doing this. And, talk about EASY!
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College Visit Checklist: 30 Must Ask College Visit Questions
4 Must-Have College Search Books
What You Need to Know When Your Teen Turns 18
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