October • Prepare applications and begin submitting them. Keep a copy of your application and/or save a copy of your confirmation notice if you apply electronically. • Send you SAT and ACT scores to each college you applied to. You must have them sent directly from the testing agency to the college to be considered official. AK will NOT send your test scores. • Prepare for college interviews, if required. • If applying for early decision, send applications now. Give Student Services staff twenty business days to submit your transcript on time. • Review the Scholarship Information for information about current and future scholarship opportunities. • Obtain and file FAFSA forms for federal financial aid. Forms are available online. Attend FAFSA day at a local SECU branch if you need help.
November • Work hard to be sure that grades for the first grading period reflect your best effort. • Continue sending applications to colleges that have later application deadlines. • Continue researching scholarships and financial aid information. • Monitor the status of your applications to ensure that all materials are sent (test scores, transcripts, essays, letters of recommendation) and received on time.
December / January / February • Consult with your counselor on any follow-up items. • If you applied for early decision, you should begin hearing back! • Keep focused academically and continue to improve your grades. Courses do count throughout the senior year. Do not change your schedule for second semester because colleges may rescind their offer of admission if there are inconsistencies in your course selection and/or performance. • Continue to apply for scholarships. • Monitor the status of your applications to ensure that all materials are sent and received on time. • Request a mid-year transcript by completing the form in Student Services (only if your college(s) requires it!)
March / April / May • Avoid "senioritis'! Before May 1st, decide on the college or university that you would like to attend. Be sure to send in your deposit. • Notify other colleges that accepted you that you have selected another college. • Report any scholarships you’ve been awarded by completing scholarship reporting paperwork as distributed by Student Services.
June • Confirm with the college you will be attending that they have all the information they need from you concerning housing, roommates, orientation, course selection, etc.