College Prep Handbook

SENIOR YEAR

***Don’t “slide” your senior year.  Continue with a

tough curriculum and keep up your grades!  Colleges know what courses were available to you and which ones you chose.

Scholarships may be withdrawn if you slide your senior year!

Sept.-Oct.

·        Finish college visits.

·        Check the college bulletin board for dates college recruiters visit Trinity.

·        Check your transcript for accuracy.

·        Update your resume and give a copy to the counseling office and anyone writing a recommendation for you.

·        Schedule an appointment with teachers, coaches, the Headmaster and/or your counselor to request letters of recommendation.  Give them a copy of your resume and two weeks to write your recommendation.

·        Seek out advice regarding colleges.

·        See your counselor if your plan to apply Early Decision, Early Action or Early Action Single Choice.

·        Complete applications for admission, scholarships and housing.

·        Filing for federal aid?  See if your college requires the CSS/Financial Aid Profile in addition to the FAFSA.  The profile can be filed as early as Sept. 15.

·        Register to retake the SAT and ACT.  Many colleges prefer that your last test be taken no later than December of your senior year.

          (Scholarship deadlines are usually earlier).

·        Register for SAT II tests, if required (take in the fall if required for admission, in the spring if taking for placement/credit purposes).

·        Complete admission and housing applications.  “Avoid the Rush” later!

Nov.-Dec.

·        Continue to complete and submit applications (noting all deadlines).

·        Begin to collect tax information for the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) if you plan to apply for federal aid.

·        Attend Financial Aid Night with parents.

Jan.-Feb.

·        File FAFSA as soon after Jan. 1 as possible (may not be submitted before Jan.1).  Submit by Mar. 1 for state aid and by May 1 for Federal Aid. 

·        Continue to complete and submit applications.

Mar.-May

·        Review college acceptance, scholarship and financial aid offers.

·        Schedule any last minute college visits to help finalize your decision.

·        Sign and return award letters, if applicable, by due date.

·        Take SAT II tests, if required.

·        Mail deposits by specified deadlines.

·        Notify in writing the colleges you will not be attending by May 1, the National Reply Date.  Thank them for their offer, decline, and tell them where you’ll be attending.

·        Look into CLEP tests (tests given at universities for college placement or credit).