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12th GRADE COLLEGE COUNSELING CALENDAR
September
o Register for the October or November SAT Reasoning Test and/or the September and October ACT with writing test or the October/November/December SAT Subject test (only if you have not taken them yet, are not satisfied with your scores, or if you have learned more content or test-taking strategies since you first took them.) Find out when the colleges and universities to which you are applying need your scores to determine the dates you should take them. CSU schools do not require the writing portion.
o Check your transcript to make sure you are meeting all of the admissions requirements for the colleges to which you will apply. 12th grade should be as rigorous as any other year, and you should strive to earn good grades in every course. This is your last year to demonstrate your potential as a high school student!
o Use your COIN 3 account to do a career search and a college search.
o Refine your list of colleges.
o Create a calendar and highlight all important dates that apply to you, including:
· Standardized tests (SAT Reasoning, ACT, SAT Subject) dates/deadlines
· College application deadlines.
· Financial aid deadlines.
· Granite Hills’ November 15th deadline for letters of recommendation (give your recommender 2 weeks!)
· Deadlines to send test scores, transcripts, and any other materials to colleges.
o If you intend to apply to any college under the “EARLY DECISION” OR “EARLY ACTION” PLAN, you will need to begin your application process EARLY!
o Continue to work toward earning good grades (“senioritis” even now could negatively affect your admissions status.)
o Research scholarship opportunities and, if you meet the application criteria, APPLY!
October
o Take the ACT and/or SAT Reasoning or SAT Subject Tests and send your scores to all colleges to which you will apply. Use code 3594 to send SAT scores to all CSU’s, and code 9999 to send your SAT and ACT to NCAA.
o Attend the Grossmont Union High School District’s College and Career Night – “Got Plans”.
o Finish research on colleges and finalize your college list, note deadlines, and admission requirements for each school. Once you have everything organized, apply! Some schools have “rolling admissions,” so you may be able to submit your application early.
o Log on to the websites of the colleges on your list, review admission requirements, application deadlines, fees and financial aid information. Determine if these schools will need official copies of your transcript at the time you apply.
o If you are applying to any college that requires a letter of recommendation, talk to your counselor immediately! Granite Hills’ deadline is November 15th, but earlier allows more time to write a better letter! Make sure your portions of the forms are completed accurately. You’ll need to turn in your secondary school report to your counselor in a 9” x 12” envelope with THREE first-class stamps, addressed to the school, with Granite Hills’ return address. If your envelope is not stamped, it will not get mailed. You can also give your counselor your mid-year reports at this time with addressed, stamped envelopes. Only give your counselor the final report once a school has accepted you and you have decided you are going to attend!
o CSU’s and UC’s do not have secondary school reports or mid-year reports or require letters of recommendation.
o Work on the rough draft of your personal essays.
o Send in any “early decision” or “early action” applications by deadlines.
o CSU applications can be submitted Oct 1st - Nov 30th.
o UC applications are available Oct 1st, but can be submitted Nov 1st - Nov 30th.
o If you are an athlete and are planning to play Division I or Division II sports, register for NCAA (www.ncaaclearinghouse.net.) if you haven’t already done so. Print 2 copies of your signature page and turn them in to Mrs. Velasco in the guidance center.
o If a school you are interested in is giving a presentation at Granite Hills, you can sign up to listen to them in the guidance center.
o Register for the IB exams if you are enrolled in an IB course.
o Continue to apply for scholarships.
November
o Take the SAT Reasoning or Subject Tests and send your scores to all colleges to which you will apply. Use code 3594 to send SAT Reasoning scores to all CSU’s. (This is the LAST test administration that SDSU and some other schools will accept.)
o Finish all rough draft applications and essays and have them proofread.
o Send in UC and CSU applications early in the month or at least prior to the November 30th deadline.
o By 11/15, give all recommendation, secondary school, mid-years, and supporting forms to teachers and your counselor to fill out.
o Keep your grades up. Colleges do look at semester and year-end grades.
o Continue preparing and submitting applications with any supporting forms. Make sure your portions of the forms are completed accurately.
o Observe all deadlines. Order and send official test scores and transcripts. Make copies of everything you mail.
o If you submitted early decision/action applications, contact the admissions office at those schools to make sure they have everything they need from you.
o Fill out the CSS/Financial Aid Profile (https://profileonline.collegeboard.com) if you applied to any school that requires it for financial aid.
o If a college/university you are interested in is giving a presentation at Granite Hills, you can sign up to listen to them in the guidance center.
o Continue to apply for scholarships.
December
o Take the ACT and/or SAT Reasoning or Subject Tests and send scores to all colleges to which you will apply. (This is the LAST test administration accepted by most colleges.)
o Complete and submit all college applications before deadlines.
o If you have not already done so, send official SAT and ACT test scores to the schools to which you are applying.
o Schedule visits or required interviews. If you have applied to any schools for early decision, you may receive your acceptance during this month. When you decide which school you will attend, you need to notify that school by returning your commitment, and submit the required deposit check. Many schools require this notification letter to be postmarked as early as mid-January for early decision.
o Investigate the financial aid process (www.fafsa.ed.gov) and prepare whatever documents you may need. Granite Hills has a financial aid night in January for parents and we will go into your classroom in January to give a presentation on financial aid.
o If a college/university you are interested in is giving a presentation at Granite Hills, you can sign up to listen to them in the guidance center.
o Continue to apply for scholarships.
January
o Attend our Financial Aid Night and complete the Financial Aid Application (Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) www.fafsa.ed.gov.)
o If you are a male, over 18, you must register with the Selective Service or you will not be eligible for financial aid.
o If your school requires “mid-year reports” and you have not given them to your counselor to send out yet, do so immediately!
o Continue to apply for scholarships.
February
o Some college acceptance letters may arrive. Inform your counselor when you hear from a college!
o If you completed the FAFSA, you should receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) estimating your family’s contribution. Review, make any necessary corrections and return it to the FAFSA processor. If you completed the FAFSA using estimated parent tax information but now your parents have filed IRS forms, the FAFSA must be updated. The schools listed on your application will also receive those results. Review your results and make any necessary corrections.
o Register for AP exams.
o Continue to apply for scholarships, watch due dates.
March
o You must submit your FAFSA application by March 2nd to be eligible for Cal Grants!
o Contact colleges with any new information or if you have had a schedule change or D or F grade.
o Continue to apply for scholarships.
April
o Receive admission decisions from all colleges to which you applied. From the schools that accept you, compare your acceptance letters and your financial aid and scholarship offers.
o Decide where you want to go, by (re)visiting if necessary, reviewing costs, and going to informational meetings.
o If applying to any community college, go to their school’s website to fill out their application and sign up for their community college assessment tests.
o Waitlisted? Write letter of interest and ask for help. Most colleges decide in July.
o CSU and UC campuses will notify you if you must take their placement tests.
o Make your acceptance choice. Find out what deposits you will be required to make to ensure your place is secured.
o When you decide which school to attend, you need to notify that school by your commitment letter, submitting any required deposit checks. Many schools require this notification letter to be postmarked by May 1st.
o Continue to look for scholarships.
May
o Mail in deposit to selected college by May 1st. Sign and return financial award.
o If required, arrange (via the registrar) to have your official transcripts sent to colleges.
o Fill out loan applications.
o If required, UC – Entry Level Writing Exam.
o If required, CSU placement exams.
o Request a final transcript from the registrar to be sent to the school you will be attending.
o Fill out housing forms, if available.
o Start looking for a summer job – you may need the money!
o Take the Advanced Placement exams and/or International Baccalaureate exams, if applicable.
o If you were placed on a waiting list for a particular school, and you decided to wait for an opening, contact that school and let them know you are still interested.
June
o Contact your college to determine when fees for tuition, room, and board are due and how much they are.
o Attend all advising days, open houses, orientation programs, and registration offered by your college.
o Send thank you notes for any scholarships you have received.
o Graduate! |
12th Grade College Calender