The Road to College
 

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12th-Grade Timeline

You will need to reach several very important benchmarks by the end of your senior year. This section will introduce you to these benchmarks and help you plan for them over the course of the year.

12th-Grade Benchmarks

Every senior

  • earns at least two credits in each core subject area, including math and science
  • earns at least 11 total credits
  • has at least 92 percent attendance and earns at least 80 percent in all core classes
  • passes the additional advanced Regents in math and science, as well as a foreign language Regents OR completes a sequence of career-themed courses
  • completes the financial aid form (FAFSA) by Feb. 28
  • completes the online CUNY application by Dec. 25
  • applies to at least six colleges, including: a “safety,” a “probable” and a “dream” school
  • if eligible, takes a College Now course or CTE course/course toward industry certification
  • creates a transition plan with a guidance counselor.

 

Planning Your Senior Year

September

  • Know the dates for your SAT, ACT, CLEP and TOEFL exams for the fall.
  • Register for any SAT subject tests you plan to take in October.
  • Study hard and get good grades. Colleges like to see strong grades in the first semester of the senior year.

 

Meet regularly with your college adviser. This is an important year to:

  • Review your college application list.
  • Make sure your list includes “dream,” “probable” and “safety” schools.
  • Ask your high school guidance counselor about early decision or early action applications. This route allows you to apply and learn the admissions decision on an early schedule. However, it’s not the right choice for everyone, so be sure to do your research.
  • Think of one or two teachers who could write great letters of recommendation for you. And don’t forget to ask your high school guidance counselor or employers from after-school and summer activities for letters.
  • Register for College Now and Advanced Placement classes.
  • Write first drafts of your essays for college and scholarship applications.
  • English language learners: Register for the TOEFL.

October

  • Take the October SAT or SAT subject tests if you are registered.
  • Finalize your list of six to eight colleges.
  • Ask your high school guidance counselor if you qualify for financial aid programs like HEOP/EOP, SEEK or College Discovery. 
  • Give recommendation forms to your college adviser, teachers, employers or others. Include addressed, stamped envelopes to make it easier for them to mail the letters. 
  • Meet early decision and early action deadlines. Make copies of your applications before you mail them.
  • Work on your essay drafts. Get feedback from teachers or your college adviser.
  • Polish your portfolio and audition presentation if you are applying to a visual or performing arts school. 
  • Begin to apply for scholarships.
  • Attend college fairs and continue to visit college campuses.

November

  • Take the November SAT if you are registered.
  • Begin filling out your college applications. Most regular admissions deadlines range from late December to early March.
  • Attend a financial aid workshop with your parents/guardians.
  • Remind teachers, college advisers and others to mail your recommendation forms.
  • Schedule college interviews or auditions, if necessary.
  • If you have a learning or physical disability, contact colleges and ask about support services that are available for students with special needs.
  • Revise your essays and ask for final feedback from teachers or your guidance counselor.
  • Collect information about your family’s household finances, which will be required for the FAFSA form.
  • Apply for a PIN for your TAP (Tuition Assistance Programs) and FAFSA applications, which can be submitted after January 1 online or through the mail.

December

  • Take the December SAT or ACT if you are registered.
  • Give applications with mid-January deadlines to your college adviser to complete questions on class rank and academic history.
  • Give your guidance counselor a list of colleges and scholarship organizations that require an official transcript.
  • Finalize your essays.
  • If you applied for early decision or early action, keep an eye out for decision letters.
  • Prepare for January Regents.
  • Send out all scholarship applications before the end of December.

January and February

  • January is a very popular month for application deadlines. Make copies of your applications before you send them in.
  • Ask your parents/guardians to work on their tax return estimates so you can complete the FAFSA as soon as possible after Jan. 1 and get the financial aid you need.
  • Complete your TAP application using either the online or paper version.
  • Complete the CSS/PROFILE and other financial aid forms. 
  • Attend financial aid workshops with your parents/guardians at high schools, college access programs and the Department of Education.

 

Meet with your high school guidance counselor to:

  • Evaluate whether you are on track for graduation.
  • Identify which, if any, Regents exams do you need to take in June.
  • Register for College Now classes if you haven’t already.
  • Make sure your applications are complete.
  • Check with your teachers, high school guidance counselors or employers to make sure your letters of recommendation and transcripts are mailed.

March

  • Mail applications to colleges that have open or rolling admissions.
  • Quickly complete and return HEOP/EOP forms that you receive from colleges. 
  • Keep an eye on the mail for your SAR (Student Aid Report), which will have the information that you included on your FAFSA. Review your SAR carefully and send any changes by mail.
  • Contact colleges to verify that your application folder is complete.

April

  • Check the mail for decision letters. Colleges are supposed to let you know their decisions this month.
  • Financial aid letters are sent separately by each college that accepts you, and these usually arrive later.
  • If you do not apply for TAP online but have completed your FAFSA application, HESC will mail you an express TAP application (called an ETA) to review, sign and return.

May and June

  • Once you have chosen the school you plan to attend, notify the college before the deadline — usually May 1.
  • Review all of your financial aid forms and check off the financial aid you accept. Sign and return the form to the college financial aid office. If applicable, sign and return loan promissory notes.
  • If you need more financial aid, contact the college’s financial aid office.
  • Mail your tuition deposit.
  • If you plan to live on campus, you will receive information on dormitories. Complete and return the questionnaire on personal lifestyle, interests and habits.
  • Mail your room and board deposit.
  • Notify all other colleges that you do not plan to accept their offers of admission.
  • If you are accepted through HEOP, review information on mandatory summer orientation and class schedule. 
  • Students accepted for regular admission should review the orientation and registration schedule. 
  • If your college is away from home, begin planning transportation and the luggage you will take.

 

Finish high school!

  • If you are registered, take AP test(s). Scoring well can earn you credits in college.
  • Keep on top of your classes so you do not jeopardize your high school graduation.
  • Prepare for and take final exams.
  • Breathe a big sigh of relief! Congratulations — you made it!