Application Checklist for Seniors
- Meet with your college guidance counselor early in the first semester. Review your transcript and activities. If you haven’t already, create an activities/honors résumé. Discuss all the colleges you are interested in attending with your college guidance counselor. Refine your list, and decide on the schools to which you will be applying.
- Make sure you have requested information and applications from any institution that doesn’t have a web-based application. Log into the Common Application website and create an account.
- You should obtain two teacher recommendations. Many colleges and universities have their own recommendation forms that must be completed. Using these forms is important. When asking faculty to write your recommendations, make sure that you supply these forms and complete any sections designed for the student to complete.
- Sign up for the October, November, or December SAT, and SAT II if needed. Many of the more selective institutions will require at least two additional SAT IIs. If you’re planning to take the ACT, sign up for the September, October, or December administrations, if needed. International students must also take the TOEFL exam.
- Once you have all your applications, establish a timeline to complete them, adhering to each of their deadlines. You must avoid doing them all at once, however. It is recommended that once your applications are complete you have your college guidance counselor look them over.
- Almost every university, college, or school requires at least one essay, possibly two. These essays are the responsibility of the student alone. We strongly discourage faculty, staff, teachers, and parents from over-editing or rewriting these essays. However, we do encourage students to consult with parents, teachers, and the college counselor regarding the topic, organization, and effectiveness of the writing. You are asked to show your essays to your college guidance counselor early in the process. It is imperative that the essay be the student’s own work.
- Make an appointment with your college guidance counselor to submit your completed applications at least two weeks prior to the application deadline.