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HELPFUL TIP: GET ORGANIZED!

Getting organized will help you manage your busy senior year. Here are some ways to help you keep track of deadlines and details:

-Purchase a file box and create a file folder for each college to which you are applying. Keep college information, brochures, correspondence, and, very important, copies of all your submitted applications in labeled folders. Also, create folders for financial aid and scholarship information, senior profile, school transcript, academic resume, test scores, etc.

-Purchase or make a large wall calendar and mark it with due-dates for applications and

scholarships/financial aid. Check each college website and note relevant due dates. Not all schools have the same deadlines. It is up to you to keep track of these deadlines!

-As you calendar your deadlines, try to set a goal for yourself to submit applications one-to-two weeks ahead of each deadline. Often, as deadlines draw near, application websites (UC, CSU, Common Application) become overloaded and submission takes longer. Submitting a week or more before a deadline will give you piece of mind and help you avoid the stress of busy submission dates.

FALL AND WINTER CHECKLIST:

_____ Finalize your list of 6-10 schools to which you will apply. Review your list with you counselor and family members. Make sure you have selected a variety of schools that mesh with your academic profile (grades, test scores, and extracurricular activities) It is okay to apply to several “reach/wildcard schools” but make sure that you have a larger portion of schools which are “sure bets” or will “likely” accept you. You want to have options come decision time!

_____ Decide if you will be applying Early Action, Early Decision, or Rolling Admission to any of the schools on your list. If you are, make sure to let your teachers and counselor, who are writing your recommendations, know of these earlier due dates (refer to the “Recommendations”

section of this handbook for additional information). Also refer to the Decision Plan section of this handbook for more information.

_____ Create folders for the teachers who are writing recommendations for you. They should include: a list of the colleges to which you are applying, deadlines for the recommendations, required forms, pre-addressed and stamped (two stamps for each) envelopes (if not

submitting online), a copy of your senior profile and/or resume, and any other information that the teachers’ request. Include a handwritten note of thanks to your teachers and do not forget to give them a sincere thank you note after they have completed and submitted the recommendation for you. Refer to the Recommendation section of this handbook for more information.

_____ Turn in your completed Senior Profile to your counselor (copies can be found in this manual and in the Career Center or your counselor’s office). If you are applying early to any schools, turn in your Profile in early September so that your counselor will have enough time to write you the Counselor Report. If you are applying Regular Decision, complete and submit the Profile no later than October 31^st. If you need assistance with your Profile, discuss this with your counselor. Note: If you are behind schedule with your Profile, make an appointment with your Counselor to discuss your situation.

_____ Attend college visits in the College and Career Center. Throughout the fall, many colleges

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students. This is a great opportunity for you to talk with college admissions representatives, learn about academics, campus life and for you to ask questions. The College and Career Center posts weekly college visit announcements on the e-tree, over the daily morning announcements and on a printed sheet in the College and Career Center.

_____ Visit the College and Career Center each week to learn about and get assistance with:

applications, essays, financial aid, scholarships and much more!

_____ Consider scheduling interviews with some of the colleges at the top of your list. You can set up an interview on the college’s website. Interviews are not always required or offered and sometimes cannot be scheduled until an application has been submitted.

_____ Take the SAT/ACT. Make sure of the last possible test date accepted at the colleges you are applying to (these are usually October, November or December but check each college website for confirmation). Take SAT Subject tests if required by the colleges on your list.

_____ Submit your test scores for the SAT, ACT and AP tests to schools. You are responsible for sending scores. Fee waivers are available for qualified students—check with the Career Center for information.

_____ Finish your college essays and have a teacher, counselor, friend or family member look at them before you send them in. Get feedback from your readers but make sure the essay stays true to who you are and which reflects your voice! Review the “Essay” section of this handbook for tips and guidance.

_____ Fill out your college applications: The Common Application goes live in August and submissions can happen anytime thereafter. The UC and CSU applications are available

October 1^st but cannot be submitted until November 1^st. UC and CSU are due November 30!

If you apply early or regular admission, check the specific deadlines for each college!!!!

_____ Print out and save a copy of each application. Keep copies of all records, test scores, essays, and applications.

_____ Check with your counselor to confirm that your Counselor Recommendation/Report has been submitted. At the end of the first semester, follow-up with your counselor regarding the submission of your Mid-Year report to private colleges. This includes your fall transcript and any other updates or additions to your academic profile.

_____ Apply for EOP and each UC/CSU EOP office of interest to check deadlines for the EOP application.

____ Register for CSS PROFILE in early fall if you are applying for financial aid at

www.collegeboard.org. Begin gathering (with your family) the necessary documents for the FAFSA form that will need to be filled out in January. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov for more information and due dates. Make a list of due dates for the CSS Profile and FAFSA for each college as they often vary. Apply for a Cal Grant. IMPORTANT: Make sure to use the exact name on your transcript and social security card for your financial aid, scholarship and college applications!! Refer to the “Financial Aid” section of this handbook for additional information and resources.

_____ Attend a “Cash-For-College” Financial Aid/Scholarship Night at ECHS! This informative meeting will help you and your parent/guardian know how to complete financial aid forms and where to look for scholarships. This event takes place in January or February of each year and is free.

_____ Parents & Guardians: Get your taxes done early so your student can submit his/her aid forms early! Keep copies of all forms and if you mail documents from the post office, make sure to get a certificate of delivery for your records.

_____ Research scholarships and write for applications if needed. Refer to the Financial

Aid/Scholarship section of the handbook for additional resources and visit the College and Career Center for weekly scholarship updates. Many scholarships become available between February and April.

_____ Keep up your grades! Do not let “senioritis” get the best of you. Senior grades count to colleges and acceptances are contingent on your senior grades. If you are struggling in any of your classes, make sure to get support!

_____ IMPORTANT: If you are considering dropping a course, make sure to consider how the drop will look to colleges to which you are applying. Colleges want to see students continually challenging themselves. While it is tempting to opt for a lighter load, especially in the spring semester of your senior year, you should try to maintain a challenging (yet manageable) and full schedule of classes and activities. If you end up dropping a class after you have submitted your applications, it is up to you to inform each college about the change in your schedule.

SPRING CHECKLIST:

_____ The FAFSA is due by March 2^nd! Double check all submission dates for the CSS Profile.

_____ Apply for scholarships. Visit the Career Center and refer to the Financial Aid/Scholarship section of this handbook for additional resources.

_____ IMPORTANT: Check your email daily for updates from the colleges you applied to.

_____ Admissions notifications usually come out in late-March and early-to-mid April for private colleges and some UC’s. State universities usually notify between March-May or on a rolling basis. Acceptance and denial notices continue through July.

_____ IF you are wait-listed, make sure to see what steps need to be taken. Some schools require you to let them know if you want to remain on the wait-list. Keep in touch with the Admissions Offices at the school(s) to which you are waitlisted to check your status and demonstrate your interest. Important: wait-listed students may not find out if they have been accepted from the wait-list until after the May 1^st national admission deadline. Please note:

It is highly recommended that a student also submit a “Statement of Intent to Register” (SIR) to another school where admitted, in case the wait list does not clear, as in most cases colleges do not admit from wait lists until after the May 1^st SIR deadline. If the wait-list does clear, and you wish to change schools, you will most likely lose your original deposit from the school to which you accepted an SIR. It is also important to ask a wait-list school if there will be financial aid and housing available to you should you be accepted from the wait-list. Do your homework.

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_____ If you DID NOT get accepted into any of your college choices, check with your counselor or the Career Center for colleges and universities that have Rolling Admission or which did not fill their freshman class for the upcoming year. Some schools have spots for students year-round, until the class is filled. Do not despair. There are many colleges that have rolling admissions and some who have not filled their freshman classes.

_____ Financial Aid award packages and Cal Grant notifications are announced in the spring. Once you have your award packages, sit down with your family and discuss your options. Create a side-by-side comparison of costs and work together to figure out what you and your family can afford. If you are deciding between a few colleges, contact them directly to see if they can increase your award or suggest alternate financing options.

_____ Keep up your grades!

_____ Over spring break, take time to visit or re-visit schools to which you have been accepted.

Many colleges have “accepted students” days and these are a great time to refresh your memory about a particular school. Also, spend some time creating a pro and con list for each school to see if you can narrow your choices to find the “right fit” for you.

_____ MAY 1^st is the official Statement of Intent to Register (SIR) date for most colleges. You will most likely have to put down a financial deposit at this time.

_____ Apply for housing at your college.

_____ Request, from the Main Office, that your final transcript be sent to the college of your choice before the end of school. This is the student’s responsibility. Fill out the “Transcript Request Form” at the end of this handbook or fill one out in the Main Office.

_____ If you are going to attend Community College, apply in the spring, take the necessary assessment tests, register for classes, and get ahead by taking summer school courses.

_____ Consider writing thank you notes to teachers, counselor and staff that helped and supported you throughout high school. Make sure to let your teachers know where you were accepted and where you will be attending college in the fall.

_____ Mark your calendars for “Senior Awards Night”. Submit required documentation to the College and Career Center for proper recording and recognition.

_____CONGRATULATIONS! ENJOY GRADUATION! ENJOY YOUR SUMMER!

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