Arbor View High School Counseling

You made it to your senior year! During your senior year, you will finalize your college choice. This year is filled with admission applications, scholarship essays, financial aid information and the need to meet deadlines. Throughout your senior year, continue to build your resume by achieving academic success, as well as participating in extracurricular activities. Colleges are very interested

 

Fall

• With your counselor go over your transcript to be sure that information is correct and up to date.

• Continue to take a full course load of college-prep courses.

• Keep working on your grades. Make sure you've taken the courses necessary to graduate in the spring.

• Complete and file the FAFSA after October1 and before November 1.  Apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov

• Register to take October SAT Reasoning Test in September if you plan to retake it. 

• Continue to participate in extracurricular and volunteer activities. Demonstrate initiative, creativity, commitment and leadership in each.

• After consultation with your parents and your counselor, reduce your preliminary college list to a final list (approx. 5 to 10). Be sure to include one or two that your counselor considers "safe." 

• Check to see if you can save yourself some time and effort by using the Common Application for any of your colleges.

• Visit college representatives at your school.

• Attend College Fairs if you still need information on colleges or have questions that need to be answered. 

• Use college websites to learn more about academic programs, activities… and request additional information (including financial aid/housing).

• Begin to file rolling admission/regular decision applications.

• Let your counselor know if you plan to file any Early Decision applications so that your recommendation and transcript can be prepared and sent on time. 

• Write essays for colleges that require them. Check with parents and/or English teacher and/or counselor for suggestions.  Proofread at least three times and prepare final drafts.  

• Provide personalized recommendation forms to those you’ve chosen, along with stamped, addressed envelopes so they can send them directly to the colleges. Even if they aren’t required, these can’t hurt.  It is also helpful if you can give them a short note telling them what kind of program you are applying for so they can mention in their letters how your high school career has prepared you for that kind of program. The sooner you can get those forms into their hands, the better. 

• Send test scores and transcripts to colleges you’ve applied to. 

• Request financial aid applications from colleges you’ve applied to. 

• Register for CSS/Financial Aid Profile if necessary. 

• Give School Report forms to your high school’s guidance office. Fill in your name, address and any other required information on top. Verify with your guidance counselor the schools to which transcripts, test scores and letters are to be sent. Give your counselor any necessary forms at least two weeks before they are due or whenever your counselor’s deadline is, whichever is earlier.

• Keep a checklist or calendar to make sure you meet your deadlines. It’s crunch time! 

• Mail or send electronically any applications for early-decision admission by November 1.

• Take/retake ACT /SAT. Check with your counselor.

• Remember to review your online persona-Examine your information on Face book and/or other social networks. Consider updating or deleting content that might not be viewed favorably by college admissions officers. 

 

Winter

• Continue to focus on your schoolwork!  If required, send midyear grade reports to colleges.

• Find out if the colleges you are interested in require the SAT I, ACT, or SAT II Subject Tests for admission and take them when offered.  December is that last time to take these tests if you are applying to UNLV or UNR.

• Attend Open Houses and other Admission events.

• Mail or send electronically any remaining applications and financial aid forms before winter break. Make sure you apply to at least one college that you know you can afford and will be accepted.

• Follow up to make sure that the colleges have received all application information, including recommendations and test scores.

• Meet with your counselor to verify that all applicable forms are in order and have been sent out to colleges.

• If you receive Early Admission/Early Decisions, rank schools for preference.

• Make sure you’ve visited every school you’re interested in and use that experience to weed out or strengthen your choices

• Attend financial aid information night at local colleges, if available.

 

Spring

• Work to improve your performance in all your courses. Often SECOND SEMESTER grades can make the difference in a close admissions decision. 

• Start watching your mailbox.  Look for acceptance packages between March 1 and April 1 and notification of financial aid awards between April 1 and May 1.

• Review SAR (Student Aid Report) from FAFSA carefully. 

• Review financial aid packages from schools who accepted you carefully, comparing schools on an equal basis as much as possible.

• Revisit schools where accepted, if needed, to help you make your decision.

• Go to college websites or social networking groups where you’ve been accepted and talk to future and current students as it’s a great way to decide if you fit in.

• Make your final decision and discuss it with your parents or guardians.

• Mail a deposit to ONE school by May 1. Its non-refundable so be absolutely sure.

• Write to colleges you do not plan to attend thanking them for their offer.   It is imperative that you follow through on the courtesy of letting all the colleges that offered you acceptance or a place on the waiting list know whether or not you will accept their offer. First, that simple courtesy leaves them favorably inclined toward the next AVHS student who applies. Second, letting them know that you are not going to attend or remain on the waiting list may allow them to offer your place to another student -- possibly one of your classmates who was not as fortunate as you were.  

• If you’re wait-listed and still interested in that school, contact the admissions office.

• Confirm that your counselor knows your final decision and the result of all your applications.  Information on scholarships and college acceptances need to be turned into your counselor.  This information goes into the awards night program and the graduation program.

• Be sure that you have received a FAFSA acknowledgment.

• Notify financial aid office if you have any special circumstances or private scholarship awards and to make sure you meet all financial aid requirements.

• Complete follow-up paperwork for the college (scheduling, orientation session, housing arrangements and other necessary forms).

• Complete the back form of your check out card in order to have your final transcript sent to your college.

• Enjoy graduation and summer—you’ve earned it!  Good luck.