FALL SEMESTER

·         Keep studying!
You want to avoid "senioritis" — a drop in motivation and, consequently, grades, that is sometimes experienced by seniors

See 11^th Grade Planning List for Tips

·         Start or continue searching for scholarship opportunities.
Although you may not be able to apply right now, you can find out what the requirements will be and work toward them

See the Scholarship Section of the EHS Web Page

·         Talk to your counselor about possibilities for concurrent enrollment (taking college-credit courses while you're still in high school). Apply before October end.

Concurrent Enrollment Opportunities

Concurrent Enrollment Student Worksheet

·         Think about questions to ask when you are meeting with college admittance personnel and advisers  

College Questions I Should Ask

·         Save your money!
It's a good idea to start planning for those unexpected costs of college.

August

·         Register to take the ACT again before final college application information is due in order to improve scores

ACT Test Dates

·         Research Specific College Application Requirements and The Common Application to decide what are the requirements and which application process you want to pursue.

Talk with your school counselor for more details. The Common Application Link can be found under the Counseling Resources Tab.

·         Make a checklist of specific college application requirements that can be checked off as they are completed.

College Application Checklist

·         Some colleges require the CSS/PROFILE, a supplemental financial aid form, in addition to the FAFSA.
Find out if your schools will need this

FAFSA

·         Make sure that you have applied for the Colorado Opportunity Fund which provides for instate tuition.

COF

·         Start working on scholarship opportunities.

See the Scholarship Section of the EHS Web Page

September

·         Check your transcripts to make sure you have all the credits you need to get into the colleges that interest you. (If you have not yet selected colleges, the Higher Education Admission Requirements are a good place to start to make sure you have a choice of schools, both two-year and four-year. Talk with your counselor and update your coursework plan as necessary.)

Higher Education Admission Requirements

·         Register for the October/November SAT I, SAT II and ACT tests if you plan to take them.

·         Get a jump-start on College Application Month; make sure you meet the requirements (including any transcript requirements) for all the colleges to which you want to apply.
Double-check their application deadlines.

·         Most early decision and early action applications are due between October 1 and November 1.
Keep this in mind if you intend to take advantage of these options.

October -- College Application Month

·         Take the Career Cluster Survey and explore careers in your favorite cluster.

·         Explore programs and majors for careers that interest you.

·         Find colleges that offer your programs/major.

·         Take virtual campus tours.

·         Use the School Finder.

·         Do Side-by-Side Comparisons of schools.

College Application Month Activities

Log into Naviance and use the Naviance Quick Guide on the Counseling Resources Web Page to explore colleges matches and comparisons

·         Make a final list of schools that interest you and keep a file of or update your calendar with deadlines and required admission items for each school.
Many students like to have a "dream school" and a "safety school" as well as two or three others.

·         Order Official Transcripts to be sent to each college you have selected. Transcripts are sent directly from your school to the colleges. Make sure your counselor understands the date by which each college must receive your transcript.

Official Transcripts can be ordered through the registrar located in the counseling office.

·         Create a resume to give to people who will be writing you letters of recommendation

Sample Resume (specific to support people who will be writing letters of recommendation for you)

·         Distribute Recommendation Letter Requests

Recommendation Letter Request List

Sample Recommendation Request Letter

·         Continue to work on your application essays and review the application procedures for the colleges you plan to apply to.

15 Tips on Writing a College Essay

College Board Tips

and Video

Example Essays

·         Create a thank you note for the teachers, employers and others who helped you with your applications.

·         Review each of your colleges' Materials Checklist. Check off each item to ensure that you have completed that requirement.

·         Complete an application for each of your colleges, using the materials you have prepared during the month.

·         Make sure that your ACT scores are sent to all of your colleges (you may send your scores to more colleges even if you did not register them at the time you took the test).

·         Congratulations, you've worked hard! If you are not quite done with all your applications, use next week to complete them.

November

·         You can continue to submit college admission applications.
Be sure to check them over thoroughly! Having someone else review your application with you can help you catch any errors.

·         Be sure to consult with your school counselor about scholarship opportunities.
Scholarships are not just for top students and athletes. There may be a perfect scholarship for you — it's worth doing a little research.

See the Scholarship Section of the EHS Web Page

·         Work on your scholarship applications, and mail according to deadlines.

·         Check with the financial aid office of schools to which you are applying for specific information on scholarships and costs for tuition, fees, room and board, and any additional financial aid info they require.

December

·         Watch your mailbox if you submitted an early decision application.
Early decision replies usually arrive between December 1 and 31. If you do get an acceptance and decide to attend that school, you should withdraw any other applications

·         If you haven't already done so, make sure your official test scores are being sent to the colleges to which you are applying.

·         Schedule any remaining required interviews

·         Start thinking about how you're going to spend your summer. Summer is a great time to earn extra money and gain work experience.
Ask your counselor about internships and start researching the summer job market in your area.

Spring Semester

January

·         Make sure your parents have completed their income tax forms in anticipation of the financial aid applications.
If you have to file taxes this year, do it as soon as possible. You'll need to do this for any financial aid forms.

·         Complete and submit your college financial aid application and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) between January 1 and February 15.

FAFSA

·         Check for other financial aid options.
In order to be considered for financial aid, you will need to submit a FAFSA, even if you have not yet been notified of your acceptance to the college(s) to which you applied.

·         If you don't already have a good computer, investigate purchasing one for college.
You or your parents can subsidize the cost of a computer for college in your student loans.

·         Request that your high school send your official transcripts to the colleges to which you are applying.

·         Contact the admissions office of the colleges to which you have applied to make sure that your information has been received, and that they have everything they need from you.

·         Keep an eye out for financial aid workshops and seminars, for both you and your parents.
There is a lot of help out there when you're looking for info on financial aid.

February

·         If you completed the FAFSA, you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) within four weeks.
Make the necessary corrections and return it to the FAFSA processor.

·         Complete your scholarship applications

·         Contact the financial aid office of the colleges to which you have applied to make sure your information has been received, and that they have everything they need from you.

March/April

·         You will probably hear from the colleges as to whether or not you are accepted by April 15.

·         Compare your acceptance letters, financial aid and scholarship offers.
These are all important things to consider when choosing a college

·         When you choose a college that has accepted you, you will be required to pay a non-refundable deposit for freshman tuition.
This should ensure your place in the entering freshman class.

May

·         Take IB External Exams for any Diploma Programme (DP) Courses that you have studied in high school.

·         Decision time!
You should decide on a college by May 1. Notify that school by mailing your commitment deposit check. Many schools require that your notification letter be postmarked by this date.

·         If you were placed on a waiting list for a particular college and have decided to wait for an opening, contact that college and let them know you are still very interested.

June

·         Have your school send your final transcripts to the college you will be attending

·         Contact your college to determine when fees for tuition, room and board are due, and how much they will cost.

Summer After Senior Year

·         Participate in any summer orientation programs for incoming freshmen.

·         Now that you know you will be attending college in the fall, it is a good idea to make sure you have student health insurance in case of any emergencies