Senior Year College Application Calendar

Do you have a senior in high school who plans to go to college next year? Although your teen may have put in quite a bit of effort toward the college application process already, senior year is no time to slack, says Co-Founder and CEO Eileen Huntington of Huntington Learning Center. “These last nine months of high school are when teens really need to stay on track to ensure they do not miss any important deadlines as they make this important life decision,” says Huntington. Here’s a senior year college application calendar that your teen should keep on hand:

September

• Make a list of top college choices and their application and financial aid due dates.
• Make a list of all scholarships to which you plan to apply and their due dates. Put all due dates on the calendar—and keep in mind that many scholarship deadlines are between October and March.
• Get familiar with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid website (https://fafsa.ed.gov/) and requirements for submitting yours as soon as possible after October 1.
• Request recommendation letters to give teachers/counselors plenty of notice, as they will receive requests from other students as well.
• Register to retake the ACT on October 27 if needed (registration deadline is September 28).

October

• If applying early decision/early action, begin working on applications. Many colleges have early admissions application deadlines as soon as November 1.
• Begin drafting any application essays.
• Register to retake the SAT on November 3 if needed (registration deadline is October 5).

November

• Register to retake the SAT on December 1 if you want one more chance to raise your score (registration deadline is November 2).
• Register to retake the ACT on December 8 if you want one more chance to raise your score (registration deadline is November 2).
• Request that the guidance counselor send first-semester transcripts to all colleges to which you are applying.

December

• Submit any college applications due in early 2019.
• If you submitted your FAFSA in the fall, keep an eye out for the Student Aid Report, which colleges use to put together your college financial aid package. Make sure to review this report carefully to check that everything is correct.
• If you applied for early decision, keep an eye out for admissions letters. You should hear something in mid-December.

January and February

• Continue working hard in school to maintain a high GPA. Colleges often want to see spring semester grades.
• After winter break, touch base with the guidance counselor to make sure there’s nothing you’ve overlooked.
• Relax! The hardest part is behind you, and now you wait to hear from colleges.
• Review your scholarship list. Have you submitted applications on time? Remember that the more you apply, the greater your chances are of receiving some scholarship money. Every dollar counts.

March and April

• If you applied for regular decision, keep an eye out for admissions letters. You should expect to hear something within six to eight weeks—so if you sent your application in mid-January, a notification by mid-April is likely.
• Once you do hear from all colleges, review your acceptance letters and compare financial aid offers. Contact each college’s financial aid office with any questions.
• Make your college decision and let all colleges know. Many colleges request that you notify them of your plans by May 1.

May

• Request that the guidance counselor send final transcripts to the college you’re attending.
• Celebrate!

“Senior year is an exciting time for teens and their parents, but it’s essential to pay attention to any and all deadlines,” says Huntington. For questions about preparing for the SAT or ACT, how to give your teen’s college application package a boost or the college admissions process in general, contact Huntington Learning Center at 1-800-CAN-LEARN.

About Huntington

Huntington is the tutoring and test prep leader. Its certified tutors provide individualized instruction in reading, phonics, writing, study skills, elementary and middle school math, Algebra through Calculus, Chemistry, and other sciences. It preps for the SAT and ACT, as well as state and standardized exams.  Huntington programs develop the skills, confidence, and motivation to help students succeed and meet the needs of Common Core State Standards.  Founded in 1977, Huntington’s mission is to give every student the best education possible.  Learn how Huntington can help at www.huntingtonhelps.com. For franchise opportunities please visit www.huntingtonfranchise.com.