Senior Year Checklist
Seniors: This is a month-by-month checklist for preparing for college applications.
September
❏ ORGANIZE! Develop a file system for your college materials. Be sure you know what your colleges will require for their
applications (check their websites).
❏ Use college websites and MaiaLearning to narrow down college choices. Try to keep your list to 9 colleges or fewer, and
include a safety school you would be happy to attend. Add these colleges to your Applying List in MaiaLearning.
❏ Attend college rep visits. Sign up through MaiaLearning.
❏ Sync your Common App account with MaiaLearning.
❏ Decide whether or not to apply early decision/early action to your first choice college. If applying early decision or early
action, you need to contact your counselor by the 1st week of October!
❏ Check the Request Transcript box for schools on your Applying List in MaiaLearning at least 2 weeks prior to your
deadline.
❏ If applying to private colleges, at least 3 weeks before your deadline, fill out the Student Survey for Counselor Letter of
Recommendation on MaiaLearning. Ask your parent/guardian to fill out their survey.
❏ If your college requires letters of recommendation, ask your teachers at least 3 weeks in advance. Request them through
MaiaLearning (NOT the CommonApp). Make sure to write thank you notes to your teachers!
❏ Continue to work on college application essay(s).
❏ Ask the CCC (College & Career Center) for personalized help with college applications and financial aid questions.
❏ Register for the Oct. & Nov. SAT/ACT Tests, if needed.
October
❏ Create an FSA ID at https://studentaid.gov/fsa-id/create-account/launch.
❏ Attend a NACAC College Fair (nacacfairs.org).
❏ KNOW YOUR APPLICATION DEADLINES!
❏ Fill out and send the CSS Profile/Financial Aid Application if required by colleges.
❏ Send SAT/ACT scores to colleges, if required. Tests must ordered directly from the testing organization.
November
❏ Nov 15th is the deadline for University of Washington (Seattle campus). Nov 30th is the deadline for University of California and California State University system.
❏ Begin the OSAC Scholarship application (oregonstudentaid.gov) due April 1. Several Cleveland scholarships, including the Alumni Scholarship, require the OSAC application.
December
❏ Fill out the FAFSA (opens December 31).
❏ If accepted to a university under a binding early decision plan, withdraw all other applications.
❏ Search for and apply for appropriate scholarships. Note: Legitimate scholarship opportunities are FREE. You should never pay to apply for scholarships.
❏ Many universities automatically consider you for eligible scholarships when you apply. Check college websites for
additional scholarship opportunities.
March
❏ Use Spring Break to visit college campuses if trying to make a decision.
❏ Write thank you notes to teachers who wrote your recommendations.
April
❏ Compare the financial aid packages you receive from colleges side by side to see your total out of pocket costs.
❏ Decide which college to accept.
May
❏ Send acceptance letter and a deposit to the college you plan to attend. Inform your counselor.
❏ Fill out Senior Survey from SSC and indicate your college decision on MaiaLearning.
June
❏ Your final transcript will be sent to the college you have listed on your senior survey. Your transcript will not be sent
if senior survey is not turned in to the SSC.