College Checklist for High School Seniors

High School Senior Checklist

As a high school senior you have some big decisions to make.  This is the year you need to decide which colleges to apply to and determine financial aid packages to help you make the best decision.  In addition to the resources in this checklist, make sure to read the Match College Admissions Guide to help give a more complete picture to the college admission process.  The penultimate objective is to provide prospective college students with quality resources to prudently navigate the college admission process.   Please find below a sequential order of events necessary to move through this process adeptly.

Fall: September, October, November

• Finalize your list of top colleges to attend then schedule a time to visit the schools on the list to experience campus life.
• Read the Match College Complete Guide to the College Admission Process as a refresher to keep on top of the variety of priorities at hand.
• Block out sufficient time to complete your college applications well before any prescribed deadlines and follow-up with financial aid offices to help determine what options exist.
• Sit down with your counselor to ensure the schools you are applying to receive everything they need prior to the cut-offs.
• Establish a realistic budget for college using the MatchCollege budgeting tool found here.
• Connect with your teachers and request letters of recommendation.
• If you need to take an additional standardized test (SAT, SAT subject test, ACT) make sure to schedule a time now.
• Complete the FAFSA in an effort to maximize your financial aid options.

Winter: December, January, February

• If you have not already done so, take the time to complete the FAFSA in an effort to maximize your financial aid options.
• Follow-up with the colleges on your short-list to ensure they have everything necessary to make a decision on your application for admission.
• Make the necessary time to schedule interviews as a vital part of the college admission process.
• Dig into viable options for grants, scholarships, and work-study programs for each associated school on your list.

Spring: March, April, May

• As you receive feedback from colleges, begin working on a decision schema to determine the best overall school plan, including personal priorities and your financial aid options.
• Get ready for any/all AP tests prior to graduation by preparing early and scheduling times to complete the tests.
• Apply for summer jobs early.  Be polite, professional, and punctual for all meetings and/or interviews.
• Graduate and have fun!

Summer: June, July, August

• If your college or university offers an orientation during the summer, it may benefit you to visit again to be well prepared for the transition to college.
• Connect with the student housing department and complete their application for on-campus living arrangements.
• Stay sharp during summer by reading voraciously to best prepare you for college life.
• Be mentally prepared to make the transition to college and target groups, organizations, clubs, or sports you would like to participate in before day one.

For additional resources, make sure to visit MatchCollege and subscribe to our blog for the latest in college information.