Your senior year is here! This year you will finalize your college choice, complete admission applications, scholarship essays, financial aid information and keep track of important deadlines. During your senior year, continue to build your resume by keeping your grades up, stay involved with extracurricular activities, athletics, and volunteering. Colleges will be checking in and requesting final grades and like to see that you are a well-rounded student.
Your senior year of college planning will be filled with a lot of details and paperwork. It is very important that you keep your parents involved of your milestones and deadlines.
THE BIG GUIDE is a free detailed informational guide to start early on planning for college.
Take a look at this quick video which provides you with the highlights of college planning timeline for your senior year. Whether you have a jumpstart from your junior year or are just getting started, this information will help you stay on track.
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You are off to a great start building up your academic skills, joining extracurricular actives and maybe trying out a new sport. Now it's time to get serious about planning and preparing for college.
If you have not yet asked your teachers, mentors, or employers for a recommendation letter last year - Now is the time
Use a calendar to keep track of admissions and financial aid deadlines.
Begin drafting your college essays. You may have more than one so give yourself time to get them done before required deadlines.
Meet with your guidance counselor to discuss your timeline and plan.
Keep your parents in the loop! They should know all the important deadlines!
Start preparing college applications for early admissions.
Keep your parents in the loop! They should know all the important deadlines!
Submit your FAFSA, CSS Profile and any additional forms required. Free completion assistance available at the College Planning Center.
Meet with your guidance counselor to discuss your timeline and plan.
Send early decision and early action applications by the deadline. Begin to send in regular admission applications. Keep copies of everything!
Set aside plenty of time to draft, edit, and re-write your college essay.
Start checking with the guidance office regularly for new scholarship opportunities.
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Continue submitting applications. Make sure your test scores will be sent to colleges you are applying to.
Consider attending a financial aid night, usually sponsored by your high school.
If you are applying to URI and wish to be considered for the Merit Scholarship, your admissions application must be received by Dec. 1.
If you are applying to RIC and wish to be considered for the Presidential Scholarship, your admissions application must be received by Dec. 15.
Make to sure to send and confirm receipt of your test scores to desire colleges if applying regular decision.
Your college applications should be submitted prior to winter vacation.
If you applied to early decision, you should have an answer by now. If you have not heard, call the admission office.
Ask your high school to send transcripts of your first semester grades to your college selections.
If you have not decided on a favorite school, arrange a second visit to those you are most interested in. Talk to students and faculty and sit in on a class.
Monitor your applications to make sure that all materials are sent and received on time.
Create an account at rischolarship.org to search for outside scholarships and grants.
Review your financial aid award letter with your parents. Be sure to understand the terms and conditions that apply to each type of aid offered. Contact COLLEGEPLANNINGCENTER.ORG for help.
Decide on the college you will attend and send your tuition deposit. Inform other colleges that accepted you of your enrollment decision. Other students will want your spot! Be sure to respond by May 1.
If your first choice college places you on the waiting list, do not lose all hope. Contact the college admission office to let them know you are still very interested and keep the college updated on your activities.
If you want to live on campus, complete a housing/meal application and send it along with any necessary deposits.
Work with your parents to establish a budget for tuition, books, supplies, and living expenses.
Carefully read anything received from your college, especially a request for additional information and documents.
Request a copy of your final transcript to the college you will attend. Notify the college financial aid office of any private scholarships that you will be receiving. Find out when payment for tuition, room, board, etc. will be due and start thinking of ways to cover the final coast.
Apply for a summer job or consider volunteering at a community service agency. Plan to save a portion of your earnings for college.
Expect to receive your bill from the college in the early part of this month. If you have a balance due, make arrangements to make payment by the due date.
Contact your roommate to introduce yourselves, and plan who is bringing what. Prevent duplication and spending extra money by deciding major room items like: TV, refrigerator, area rug, etc.
Start looking forward to a great college experience
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Look for hundreds of hard-to-find local scholarships.
Get started with your scholarship search today!
Do you have questions about college planning? We are here to help you prepare, plan, and pay for college.
Visit our Knowledge for College Scholarship page to learn more and enter today!
A free service offered by RISLA's College Planning Center.
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