9th Edition
by Anna Leider

"A Senior Year Timetable"

Before September

• Sign up for academic courses for your senior year.

September

• Check inventory of college directories in School Library and Guidance Office. Request purchase of references, if needed.
• Visit Public Library. Check college material.
• Learn where nearest copying center is located.
• Buy stationary.
• Buy pocket dictionary. Get in the habit of looking up any word that you don't understand and make sure you can use that word in a sentence.
• Obtain from Guidance Office the testing schedule for SAT I, SAT II, and ACT. Write down the registration deadlines and the test dates. While in the office, ask for (1)policy on fee waivers and (2) copies of sample tests.
• For the next six weeks, take one sample test every week. Make sure you practice using a calculator.

October

• Continue to take sample SAT tests
• Continue to use your dictionary.
• Attend area college fairs and college information nights.
• Follow one of the strategies to narrow down your college list. By the end of the month you should have a list of likely colleges.
• Discuss your college list with a counselor. Narrow the list again.
• Write to these colleges for information and application materials.
• Register for tests. Make certain you indicate which schools are to receive score reports (those schools to which you will apply)

November

• Continue to use your dictionary
• Take SAT or ACT and any other tests required
• Study material received from colleges.
• Identify teachers and counselors who will write "college recommendations" for you. Discuss your plans wit them.
• Check Guidance Office and library for financial aid references.

December

• Continue to use your dictionary.
• Send off college applications.
• Obtain major financial aid applications (FAFSA, PROFILE) in Guidance Office.
• Find out from Guidance Office if special state student aid form is required. If yes, obtain form.
• Call 800-4-FED-AID for a copy of Uncle Sam's free booklet, "The Student Guide: Financial Aid from the U.S. Department of Education.

January

• Continue to use your dictionary.
• Mail off additional college applications.
• Complete major financial aid form and mail off.
• Complete state aid application, if required, and mail it off.
• Find out from Guidance Office if your state or city has a special student aid program for economically disadvantaged students. If it does, obtain an application form, fill it out, and mail it off.

February

• Continue to study hard.
• Review your Student Aid Report carefully to make sure your financial data was recorded correctly.

March/April

• You will start to receive acceptances/rejections from colleges to which you applied. Start talking to people about which acceptance to accept. Ask the school to put you in touch with current students and alumni.
• You will receive financial aid award letters from colleges that accept you. Compare them carefully.
• Discuss your options with your counselor.

May

• Finalize decision on college acceptance and on financial aid award letter. Respond to school with your acceptance.
• Advise other schools which accepted you of your plans. Remember, there are students on waiting lists hoping to get in to these schools.
• If needed, identify Stafford Loan lenders. Obtain loan application, fill out, send to college for certification.
• Make summer plans. Employment or summer school.

June

• High School graduation. Hooray!
• Keep reading all summer long. Include a book on "The freshman experience" so you'll know what to expect.

September

• Start college. Congratulations. You are on your way!

Right Now

• Order and read "I am Somebody". College IS an option, you just need a roadmap and some information. You need "I am Somebody"

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