Counseling Center : Senior Timetable

Check with your counselor to be sure you are enrolled in enough credits to graduate.
Double check your schedule for courses colleges recommend for admission.
Check TAKS and THEA requirements.
Register for SAT and ACT if necessary.
Complete senior resume and senior information sheet and give to your counselor (when requesting recommendation letters).
Narrow your college choices and download applications for admission, housing, scholarships and financial aid.
Attend College Night.
Make a list of pros and cons of colleges you are considering.
Fill out a request for your official class rank.
Athletes should register with NCAA Clearinghouse.

Complete college application essays and keep a copy.
Finish making college visits.
Give recommendation forms to teachers and counselors writing recommendations for you (include resume).
Decide on Early Decision or Early Action.
Complete and mail college applications and fees.
Review monthly newsletters for scholarship information.

November 1 - Deadline for most early decision applicants.
Send additional ACT/SAT score reports for colleges if needed.
Begin gathering family income information for tax preparation and completion of financial aid forms.

Make December 1 your deadline goal for completion of all college applications.
December 1 - Absolute DEADLINE for all counselor and teacher recommendations, secondary school reports, and transcript request for any applications that must be mailed by January 15.
Be sure you have compiled all family financial information for completion of FAFSA.
Mail housing applications and deposits.

File FAFSA forms as quickly as possible.
Complete mid-term reports and request mid-term transcripts if necessary.
Check the College/Scholarship file in the counseling center for available scholarships.
Register for any testing which has not been completed (THEA, ACT, SAT, SAT II).
Pick up FAFSA or CSS Financial Aid forms in Counseling office.

Continue filling out scholarship forms!
Investigate the possibility of receiving college credit for high school courses.
Attend Scholarship/Financial Aid Night.

April 15 - Notices of acceptance or rejection from colleges usually arrive by April 15.
Respond promptly - in writing - for action on admissions, scholarship and financial aid applications.
Check the College/Scholarship file in the counseling center.

Admission requirements are becoming more and more competitive. Very often meeting "minimum college requirements" is not enough.
Do not abbreviate on applications unless you are sure that a stranger can understand them.
Check for on-line applications. Neater and easier.
Neatness counts - type or print in black ink.
Make all deadlines - even if you qualify for automatic admission, you must jump through all the hoops!

If a college does not request a recommendation letter, they do not want a letter.
Give teachers and counselors 2 weeks advance notice if you will be asking them to write a recommendation.
Give them a copy of your resume when you ask for a letter so they may be more specific

Give ample time for transcripts to be processed.
No requests for transcripts will be taken over the phone. You must fill out the green form in the PEIMS Office
A personal signature is required.