High School Senior Checklist

We can see the light at the end of the tunnel!  In just a few short months, it’ll all be downhill from here.  Stay focused for just a few more months to begin and finish your essays and college applications, and then it’s the waiting game.  You’ve worked so hard to get to this point. Use this list to stay on track and finish strong!

Financial Aid… Again

I know - this has been on the list since my rising sophomores checklist!  But it’s important to ensure you’re organized and taken care of financially.  The worst situation would be to fall in love with a school and then realize the money doesn’t add up.  Do all of this prep ahead of time so you know you’re applying to schools that fall on your best match list.  Be sure to organize all of your financial aid information and be prepared to fill out the FAFSA in October - no matter what!  Lastly, continue to apply to scholarships and be aware of all necessary deadlines.

Finalize Your List

Take a look at your researched list of best match schools and narrow it down to at least four schools you feel confident about applying to.  (Four schools is my absolute minimum but the vast majority of my clients apply to more than this - sometimes up to 12!) Of the schools you decide to apply to, take a look at the application requirements.  Are essays required, and if so, how many? When is the application due? Are there benefits to applying by a certain date? FInalize your list and put together an application timeline for yourself!

Essays

Once you’ve finalized your list, get started on those essays!  You can often reuse certain essays (or at least the majority of the essay) from school to school as long as the prompt is the same, but ensure that you are answering the prompt correctly and meeting all requirements, like word counts.  Make sure to get another set of eyes on your essays - preferably someone who is familiar with what colleges are looking for, like an independent educational consultant, school counselor, or college essay tutor.

Apply!

Within a few months of starting your senior year, you should be ready to send in your applications.  If schools require letters of recommendation, make sure you request those letters with at least a two week notice (if not longer) and a copy of your brag sheet so your recommender has a true snapshot at your high school experience.  Take care in completing the applications to avoid silly mistakes, like typos.

Take Care of Yourself

These action items will all happen within the first few months of senior year and it goes fast!  Don’t forget to stay focused on schools, your extracurriculars, and your hobbies. It is vital to take care of yourself during what is often an overwhelming process!  Just remember that the difficult part is just about finished, and then it’s decision time. You’ve worked hard so that YOU get to decide your future. It’s such an exciting time - be sure to enjoy it!