Planning tips for high school seniors
Summer: Tips for incoming seniors or recent graduates.
TIPS FOR INCOMING SENIORS
Clean up your MySpace profile.
Increasingly college admissions staff and prospective employers are visiting the MySpace Web site for a more complete picture of their applicants. This site is public, and there is nothing unethical about their doing so. If you have a page on myspace.com, make certain that it is appropriate and does not contain any material you would not want an admissions staff person or employer to see.
Search for colleges.
Start the college search and application process before you find yourself inundated by school requirements, homework, activities, after-school employment, and the other demands of senior year.
- Visit VT Guidance Central and search for schools in the “School Planner” section of "Choices Planner."
- Use VSAC's College Selection Process: Factors to Consider handout (PDF) as you start thinking about factors important to you in a college/university.
- Use the tools and Web sites on VSAC's College Exploration and Beyond pathfinder to help you search for colleges.
- Visit the Web sites of colleges and universities that interest you, and call the admissions offices for their catalogues and brochures.
- Call admissions offices to arrange college visits. Use VSAC's Visiting a College handout (PDF) for advice on arranging the visit, questions to ask, and what to see on campus.
Register for standardized tests.
- Learn about the SAT and the ACT, and find out if the schools to which you want to apply prefer one or the other. Visit the College Board Web site for information on the SAT, registration instructions, and registration deadlines. For similar information on the ACT, go to the ACT Web site.
- Check out VSAC’s SAT vs. ACT handout (PDF) for a quick side-by-side comparison of the two tests.
Review your senior year class schedule.
Make sure that your course load for senior year fulfills your high school's graduation requirements. Call your school counseling office before the school year begins and make an appointment to go over your schedule.
TIPS FOR RECENT GRADUATES
Prepare for college.
- Make a packing list and look for back-to-college deals. (Don’t forget things like extension cords, hangers, laundry quarters, desk supplies, alarm clock, address book, and shower flip flops!)
- Call your roommate, introduce yourself, and discuss sharing big appliances such as TV, microwave, stereo, and more.
- Contact the financial aid office to make sure your financial aid is finalized. Arrange work-study details, if necessary.
Explore possible career paths whether or not you are going to college.
- Research careers on VT Guidance Central. Using either the "Choices Explorer" or the "Choices Planner" section, you can find the job responsibilities, employment outlooks, salaries, and training requirements for hundreds of jobs.
- Use the tools and Web sites on VSAC's Career Exploration for HS Students pathfinder to help you research careers.
- Use VSAC's Alternatives to College/Gap Year Options pathfinder to explore careers through volunteering, working abroad, and other options.
- Explore other avenues of education and training such as apprenticeships, career and technical centers, and internships.
September | October | November | December | January | February | March | April | May | summer
September: Senior year is a busy time of taking tests, meeting deadlines, filing applications, and managing stress! These tips may help.
Register for the ACT and/or the SAT.
Visit the ACT Web site and the College Board’s SAT Web site to register and prepare for the ACT and the SAT in the fall.
Request teacher recommendations.
Talk to a senior- or junior-year teacher who knows you well, and ask for a college recommendation. This time of year, teachers get swamped with requests for recommendations, so approach them as early as you can!
Attend a VSAC Paying for College presentation.
These presentations help students and their families understand the financial aid process. Ask your school counselor when VSAC is coming to your high school or check out the Paying for College presentation schedule.
Meet with your school counselor.
Early in September, meet with your school counselor to discuss the following:
- Course schedule — make sure you’re on track to graduate.
- Transcript and college application procedures — find out how your school handles the college application process.
- College fairs — find out where and when college representatives will be visiting. Ask whether your school is planning to provide transportation and/or excuse absences for college fairs.
Get organized.
You will receive a blizzard of paper during the school year.
- Keep important documents — such as applications and financial aid forms — where you and your parents can find them easily.
- Schedule all important deadlines on the VSAC Planning Calendar. It is full of important dates, including registration and test dates for the ACT and SAT, and open house dates for Vermont colleges. E-mail info@vsac.org for a copy. Help us route your message to the right area by including the topic in the subject line of your message.
October: Get ready for college applications.
Register for the ACT and/or the SAT.
Visit the ACT Web site and the College Board’s SAT Web site to register and prepare for the ACT and the SAT this fall.
Attend a VSAC workshop.
VSAC offers several FREE workshops on everything from the financial aid process to test preparation for the SAT and the ACT.
- Ask your school's counseling office for the date of VSAC’s Paying for College night at your high school, or view the Paying for College schedule.
- Check out the list of VSAC Resource Center workshops.
Visit colleges.
The teacher in-service days in October are an ideal time for college visits. College students will likely be on campus, so you can ask them questions about their schools and see what campuses are like during regular session. Check out more tips on campus visits.
Request recommendation letters.
Now is the time to approach current and previous year teachers for college recommendation letters.
- Check to see how many recommendations each college requires and from whom.
- Choose people who will write positive recommendations and do them well. Allow them plenty of time and advance notice.
- Provide recommendation writers with deadlines and check in with them to keep them on track.
- Say thank-you!
Start writing the college application essay.
- Pick a topic that answers the application essay question and reveals something important about you as a person.
- Essays should be creative, interesting, and upbeat; you should be relaxed and natural when writing.
- Write, rewrite, and proofread, then have an English teacher or another skilled person review the essay.
November: Keep working on college applications.
Request your transcript.
- Check with your school counseling office on the procedure for sending transcripts to colleges.
- Follow all deadlines to make sure your transcript arrives on time.
- Ask whether your transcript contains your SAT and ACT test scores. If so, find out if the colleges you’re applying to accept transcript-provided test scores. (They might require official score reports from the College Board or the ACT.)
Follow up on recommendations.
Talk to the teachers and counselors from whom you’ve requested college recommendation letters. Remind them of your deadlines and ask if they need additional information from you.
Prepare for financial aid paperwork.
- Though you cannot file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) until after January 1, you can obtain your personal identification number (PIN) now. The PIN is used as an electronic signature on the online FAFSA, and your family will need two — one for you and one for your parents. Go to www.fafsa.ed.gov to obtain your PIN now (it will save you time later!).
- Some colleges require the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE®. Ask your target colleges whether they need it, and if so, fill it out online at www.profileonline.collegeboard.com. Fill out the PROFILE only if your target colleges require it, since the PROFILE, unlike the FAFSA, requires a fee.
Attend a VSAC workshop.
VSAC offers several FREE workshops on everything from finding careers to completing the financial aid process.
- Ask your school counseling office for the date of VSAC’s Paying for College night at your high school. If you’ve missed the presentation at your local school, consider attending one in a nearby community. View the statewide Paying for College presentation schedule.
- Check out the list of VSAC Resource Center workshops.
Research scholarships.
Check with VSAC, your school counselor, the local library, town officials, churches, community groups and lodges, and owners of local businesses. Check out VSAC’s Scholarships booklet (available December 1), which contains information on more than 150 individual scholarships available to Vermont residents. Once you’ve exhausted these local resources, expand your search to include regional and national organizations.
December: Keep an eye on deadlines.
Prepare financial aid paperwork.
You can begin filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on January 1st. This application is required by colleges to determine your eligibility for many types of financial aid. You will need to gather several financial documents from your parents’ records and your own. Visit the FAFSA Web site for a list of required financial documents.
- Go to www.pin.ed.gov to obtain a personal identification number (PIN) now — it will save you time later. The PIN is used as an electronic signature on the online FAFSA, and your family will need two — one for you and one for your parents.
- Some colleges require the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE®. Ask your target colleges whether they need it, and if so, fill it out online at www.collegeboard.com. Fill out the PROFILE only if your target colleges require it, since the PROFILE, unlike the FAFSA, requires a fee.
Continue working on application essays.
The college application essay helps admissions officers learn who you are as a person — beyond grades, test scores, and activities. Make sure your essay communicates something essential about you. For help as you write your essay:
- Call or visit the VSAC Resource Center to request our packet called “Writing an Effective College Admissions Essay.”
- Ask your English teachers to help you organize your essay and proofread it.
- The library in the VSAC Resource Center in Winooski has several helpful books on writing college admissions essays. You can borrow any of these either in person or through an interlibrary loan request with your school library.
Write thank-you notes.
Teachers, counselors, coaches, and community leaders work hard to write thoughtful recommendation letters each year. Send a sincere thank-you note to everyone who wrote you a recommendation letter.
January: Keep on top of deadlines.
Complete financial aid paperwork ASAP.
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You can begin filing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) on January 1. This application is required by colleges to determine your eligibility for many types of financial aid. You will need to gather several financial documents from your parents’ records and your own. Visit the FAFSA Web site for a list of required financial documents.
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Go to www.pin.ed.gov to obtain a personal identification number (PIN) now — it will save you time later. The PIN is used as an electronic signature on the online FAFSA, and your family will need two — one for you and one for your parents.
-
Some colleges require the CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE®. Ask your target colleges whether they need it, and if so, fill it out online at www.collegeboard.com. Fill out the PROFILE only if your target colleges require it, since the PROFILE, unlike the FAFSA, requires a fee.
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Obtain a VSAC Scholarships booklet (PDF) online or from your high school counseling office. This booklet is a great financial aid tool, containing information on more than 150 VSAC-assisted scholarships.
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Complete the Vermont Incentive Grant application. Any Vermonter who plans to attend college in Vermont or out-of-state, and doesn’t already have a bachelor’s degree, is eligible to apply for the Vermont Incentive Grant.
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Keep copies of everything you submit!
Check in with your school counseling office.
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The application packets for many colleges and universities require a high school transcript, complete with first semester grades. Arrange with your school counseling office to have your transcript sent to your target schools.
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Check to make sure that you are following your high school’s guidelines for recommendation letters and application materials.
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If you are taking any AP courses, ask about registration for AP tests and make sure you understand the ID requirements for exam admittance.
Write thank-you notes.
Teachers, counselors, coaches, and community leaders work hard to write thoughtful recommendation letters each year. Send a sincere thank-you note to everyone who wrote you a recommendation letter.
February: Stay on track.
Keep on top of financial aid paperwork.
- If you have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you should soon receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) from the Federal Student Aid Programs by mail or e-mail. Review your SAR for accuracy and follow all instructions. If you need to make corrections, submit them on the FAFSA Web site at www.fafsa.ed.gov or on paper.
- Update your FAFSA as soon as your family has completed its 2007 taxes.
- Respond promptly to all requests from colleges and VSAC for additional information. Remember to make copies of all correspondence for your files.
- Continue to apply for scholarships.
- Monitor your applications to be sure that all materials are complete, and have been sent and received on time.
Check in with your school counseling office.
- The application packets for many colleges and universities require a high school transcript, complete with first semester grades. Arrange with your school counseling office to have your transcript sent to your target schools.
- Check to make sure you are following your high school’s guidelines for recommendation letters and application materials.
- If you are taking any AP courses, ask about registration for AP tests and make sure you understand the ID requirements for exam admittance.
Don’t get senioritis.
Don’t allow your grades to plummet once you’ve been accepted at a college. Colleges want to see strong second-half grades, and colleges may reverse their acceptance decisions if they see a dramatic change in your second semester performance.
March: Plan ahead.
Think summer!
Don’t let your summer become boring! With a little planning now, you can enjoy one or more amazing opportunities designed specially for high school students. Opportunities include:
- Green Mountain Club — Volunteer on the trail or in the office to help maintain the natural beauty of Vermont.
- Volunteers for Peace — Join an international volunteer work camp in the United States or abroad.
- Putney School Summer Programs — Pursue your interest in visual and performing arts, writing, or ESL in an independent and creative environment in Putney, VT.
Learn more about summer opportunities for Vermont students.
Look for financial aid award letters.
Mid-spring, each college will send you a financial aid award letter/e-mail (also called an award notification) detailing your financial aid package at that school. No two awards are alike; it’s important to compare them carefully to determine the offer that best meets your needs.
- Call the college’s financial aid office if you have any questions about the types of aid or the amounts awarded.
- Use VSAC’s Award Letter Comparison Tool.
- If you need additional help comparing award letters, call VSAC’s Customer Relations Department or stop by the VSAC Resource Center in downtown Winooski.
Keep on top of financial aid paperwork.
- If you have completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), you should soon receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) from the Federal Student Aid Programs by mail or e-mail. Review your SAR for accuracy and follow all instructions. If you need to make corrections, submit them on the FAFSA Web site at www.fafsa.ed.gov or on paper.
- Update your FAFSA as soon as your family has completed its 2007 taxes.
- Respond promptly to all requests from colleges and VSAC for additional information. Remember to make copies of all correspondence for your files.
- Continue to apply for scholarships.
- Monitor your applications to be sure that all materials are complete, and have been sent and received on time.
Don’t get senioritis.
Don’t allow your grades to plummet once you’ve been accepted at a college. Your college will want to see strong second-half grades, and the admissions office can reverse its acceptance decision if there is a dramatic change in your second semester performance.
April: The future fast approaches.
Think summer (and beyond)!
The months between high school graduation and the start of college classes present many opportunities. Use your time wisely by considering some of the following options:
- Summer Opportunities — Don’t let your summer become boring! With a little planning now, you can enjoy one or more amazing opportunities, including:
- Green Mountain Club — Volunteer on the trail or in the office to help maintain the natural beauty of Vermont.
- Lake Champlain Maritime Museum — Enjoy learning opportunities and sailing expeditions.
- Volunteers for Peace — Join an international volunteer work camp in the United States or abroad.
Learn more about summer opportunities in Vermont.
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Gap Year Programs — Gap-year students take a year-long break between high school graduation and college to pursue growth and learning opportunities such as volunteer work in foreign countries, internships, and experiential learning trips. There are hundreds of opportunities available around the world. To learn more, check out VSAC’s Alternatives to College/Gap Year Options pathfinder.
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Summer Employment — Many colleges expect that students will use money earned during the summer to help pay for miscellaneous college expenses and books. To learn more about career exploration, including tips for résumé, interviews, and more, check out VSAC’s Career Exploration for High School Students pathfinder.
Prepare for AP Exams.
If you are enrolled in any Advanced Placement (AP) courses, now is the time to gear up for AP exams. Learn more about the tests, including ID requirements and testing locations, at the College Board’s Web site: www.collegeboard.com/student/testing/ap/about.html.
Compare financial aid award letters.
In mid-spring you will begin to receive financial aid award notifications from the colleges to which you’ve been accepted. Each school will contact you with details regarding its individual award. No two awards are alike, so compare them carefully to determine which offer best meets your needs. Make sure you understand all the obligations associated with each type of offer. Call the school’s financial aid office or a VSAC representative if you have any questions. Use VSAC’s Award Letter Comparison Tool (XLS) to help compare your award letters.
May: Time to continue planning for your future.
Think ahead to summer!
Students are expected to work during the summer after high school graduation to help meet college expenses. If you plan to get a summer job, start thinking now about what you might want to do with your summer.
- Check out VSAC’s Career Exploration for High School Students pathfinder for a wealth of information on jobs, job searches, and finding a job that's right for you.
- Look through the classified ads in local newspapers.
- Check your school counseling office. The staff may have notices of openings, since employers often contact high schools when they’re looking for summer help. Check the bulletin board or talk with a counselor.
Finalize financial aid and college arrangements.
- Once you’ve chosen a college, notify that college’s admissions office and send back all required documents, including a signed financial aid award letter, if applicable.
- Look for your Vermont Grant eligibility notification to arrive this month. Make sure to notify your college if you’ve received Vermont Grant money.
- Make loan arrangements. If your college suggests a lender other than VSAC, contact VSAC first to find out about our money-saving loan options. We offer federal Stafford loans for students, federal PLUS loans for parents, private education loans that can supplement other forms of financial aid, and some of the best borrower benefits in the nation. VSAC loans can be used at Vermont and out-of-state institutions.
- If you were not admitted at any of the colleges to which you applied, talk to your school counselor immediately to discuss alternate plans.
Consider a gap-year program.
Gap years, though common in Europe, have only recently gained popularity in the United States. Gap-year students take a year off between high school graduation and college to pursue growth and learning opportunities that include volunteer work in foreign countries, internships, and experiential learning trips. There are hundreds of opportunities available around the world. To learn more, visit VSAC’s Alternatives to College/Gap Year Options pathfinder.
