Senior Year Reminders

  • Senior Summer Checklist:

    • Research possible colleges
    • Visit college campuses
    • Request college applications
    • Keep a file of college information
    • Create an activity resume
    • Parents complete "brag sheet"

    When you return to school in September, it is going to seem like a whirlwind.  You will be meeting with your counselor, applying to college or making other post-secondary plans, adjusting to your new classes and teachers, as well as searching for scholarships, working, and participating in extracurricular activities and athletics.  Below is an outline of what you should be doing when.

    September/October

    • Challenge yourself.  Be sure you are taking the most rigorous courseload you can 
    • Update your resume/activities sheet containing your education, extracurriculars, community service, leadership and accomplishments and work experience
    • Meet with your counselor for your Senior Interview.  At this meeting you will discuss graduation requirements, post-secondary plans and other pertinent topics. 
    • If you are considering applying Early Decision, make your Senior Interview early to discuss this option and how to proceed. 
    • Read the Counseling Connection for important events, dates and scholarships
    • Take the SAT and/or ACT if you have not already done so or if you think you need to improve your test scores
    • If you have not done so, request application materials from the colleges to which you want to apply
    • Make sure you know what information is required of you on each application
    • Become familiar with RHSHS Counseling Center application procedures (see below)
    • Attend visits with college admissions representatives at the school
    • Attend the Marketplace Mall College Fair
    • Request recommendation letters from teachers who will write you a supportive letter.  Provide them with addressed (to each college), stamped envelopes at least 3 weeks in advance of the deadline

    November

    • Attempt to finish all college applications before the Thanksgiving Recess
    • Submit your applications to the Counseling Center at least 10 SCHOOL DAYS in advance of the college application deadline
    • Investigate sources of Financial Aid (See /webpages/LTabone/links.cfm)
    • Take the SAT and/or ACT if you have not already done so or if you thinkg ou need to improve your test scores
    • Make arrangements to have your test scores sent if the college requires them directly from the testing agency
    • Academic Progress Checks after Q1 - Keep focused on your academics

    December

    • Attend Financial Aid Night on 12/3/09 at 7 p.m. in the SHS Auditorium
    • If colleges you are applying to have a January 1 application, get you materials submitting no later than December 1.  Remember we need 10 school days for processing applications
    • Have your family begin gathering information for the FAFSA for mailing after January 1.  You will need to apply online at www.fafsa.ed.gov

    January

    • As soon after January 1 as possible, complete your FAFSA online.
    • If a portfolio or audition is required for admission, make arrangements for this ASAP 
    • Prepare for mid-year exams.  Semester 1 grades will be sent to the colleges you have applied to
    • Check the Counseling Connection for potential scholarship opportunites 
    • Academic Progress Checks after Q2 - Keep focused on your academics

    February/March

    • Continue to investigate and apply for scholarships
    • Visit colleges during February Recess if you haven't already done so
    • If intersted in the military, meet with the various branches during their lunchtime visits

    April

    • If you can't decide between schools that have accepted you, plan to visit the schools again
    • Make sure to meet all deadlines for acceptance, deposits, housing etc.
    • Once you have decided which college you will be attending, let the college know
    • Academic Progress Checks after Q3

    May

    • Make your college choice and put your deposit down at that college
    • Inform your counselor of your final decision
    • AP exams - prepare well for these as your score will play a role in whether or not your receive college credit for this

    June

    • Request that your final transcript be sent to the college you plan to attend
    • Have a safe and enjoyable graduation.  Be proud of all you have accomplished

    July/August

    • Make an appointment to make your schedule for the fall semester
    • Request transcripts from MCC/UR/RIT if you took any classes there or earned any dual credit.  It is not up to RH to send this information

    The process to obtain scholarships begins now!

    Use any of these websites to get started:

     

    www.college-scholarships.com

    www.fastweb.com

    www.collegenet.com/mach25/app

    www.collegeanswer.com

    www.scholarshipanswer.com

     

    Mrs. Beattie in the College and Career Center maintains a database every two weeks that lists general scholarships. Find this information in the Counseling Connection!

     

    Nomination scholarships for RH run through a committee. If I have an updated resume, I can represent you on this committee. Please contact me for further details!

     

    College Application Process

    Request applications and determine what information is required and when it must reach the college. Consider using the Common or SUNY applications, as these can be used to apply to multiple schools at once. However, there will be application fees for each. Certain students may meet criteria for fee waivers. Make sure application materials look professional (i.e. legible if handwritten, accurate spelling,  appropriate email addresses).            

     

    Step 1:

    Set and keep a SENIOR APPOINTMENT with me to discuss college options, decisions and progress!

     

    Step2:

    Complete necessary application documents. These include: Green Sheet (authorizes release of information), application with check, personal essay if required, resume and letter(s) of recommendation. Make a copy of this packet for your personal records. Some applications may also require portfolios, musical tapes, supplements.

     

    Step 3:

    Submit this packet to Mrs. Roland in the Counseling Center. I will then provide a school profile, transcript, ACT/SAT scores, AP scores, report cards, postage and a recommendation letter (if you request it). I require both the updated resume and parent brag sheet to write a recommendation letter! 

     

    *** Our senior team will process over 1,000 college and scholarship applications this year!  Please allow 10 school days for processing your application package.***

     

    Additional things to keep in mind:

    • Please allow adequate writing time for those you've asked to provide recommendations letters (teachers, coaches, employers). You may request that they send your letter directly to your college. Please provide them an addressed stamped envelope for each school.
    • Not sure how many schools you should be applying to? You should have at least one target school, which means that your student profile matches the profiles of students accepted to that school last year. You could also have one reach school and one back-up school. We will discuss what this means for you at your senior appointment. Three applications are plenty, more than six may be too many.

    The college application process can feel overwhelming. Please use good time management, know your deadlines and use the resources available to you... Contact me anytime with questions or concerns! We'll work through it together!

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

     

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