College Counseling - 12th Grade

SENIOR YEAR CHECKLIST

FALL (AUG - DEC) OF SENIOR YEAR

September:

Check your transcripts to make sure you have all the credits you need to get into the college. This should be done by checking with your counselors or college advisers. If you're not sure what classes fulfill A-G requirements, look in our Course Catalog.
Register for the SAT/ACT: Many seniors retake the SAT/ACT in the fall. The additional course work since your last test could help you boost your performance. Plus, you already know what to expect on test day when you take it for the second time. Check to see if SAT Subject Tests are required by the colleges and/or the major you are pursuing.
Be sure to have your SAT/ACT scores sent to the colleges you’re applying to.
- Scores should be sent to CSUs and UCs by December 15.
Write your college application essays. Have a good time with the essays. Don't procrastinate.
Retake any A-G college requirement class in which you earned a D or F.
Sign up for NCAA Clearing House
- This applies to students interested in DI, DII, or DIII Athletics

October:

California State University (CSU)
- Applications open October 1
University of California (UC)
- Applications open October 1
FAFSA/Dream Act
- Applications open October 1
- More information about resources for college is available on our Financial Aid & Scholarships page
Private colleges vary, so check with the individual college
Take the SAT/ACT

November:

Fill out and complete your college applications
Submit your college applications before the deadlines
- Have an advisor/counselor review your application before you submit
- CSU & UC applications are due by Nov. 30
Visit the College Center to see about scholarship opportunities. Work on your scholarship applications and submit them before the deadlines.
- Always have an advisor/counselor review any scholarship essay and application before you submit
- More scholarship information is available on our Financial Aid & Scholarships page
Check with the financial aid office at the colleges you apply to for specific information and costs for tuition, room & board, and any additional financial aid information they require.

December:

Keep working on scholarship applications
- Always have an advisor/counselor review any scholarship essay and application before you submit
- More scholarship information is available on our Financial Aid & Scholarships page
Check your email regularly for communication from colleges and scholarships

SPRING (JAN - JUNE) OF SENIOR YEAR

January:

Complete and submit your Financial Aid application, FAFSA or California Dream Act
- Preferably between January 1 and February 15
- You will need your parents/guardians' tax information to do so
  - Encourage your parents/guardians to complete their income tax forms before you submit your application
  - If your parents/guardians have not completed their taxes or you have a special circumstance, see an advisor or counselor for additional support
Contact the admissions office of the colleges to which you have applied to make sure that your information has been received and confirm that no further documentation is required.
Keep an eye out for financial aid workshops and seminars.
Check your email regularly for communication from colleges and scholarships

February:

If you completed your FAFSA you should receive your Student Aid Report via email within four weeks. Make any corrections if you have incorrect information and submit corrections to the FAFSA processor.
Complete more scholarship applications
- Always have an advisor/counselor review any scholarship essay and application before you submit
- More scholarship information is available on our Financial Aid & Scholarships page
Start receiving acceptance letters from colleges that you applied to.
Check your email regularly. Most colleges will send you instructions to create a college portal account.
- Most CSUs send portal instructions through email.
  - CSU Long Beach does not
  - CSU Dominguez Hills sends information about setting up your portal account by regular mail
- Some UCs use portals, but not all
- Portals will give you access to your admission decision, to do lists, financial aid award letters, orientation sign-ups, and housing applications

March - May:

You should get an admission decision by April 15.
- Compare acceptance letters, financial aid and scholarship offers.
When you choose a college you will have to pay a nonrefundable admission deposit to hold your place in the entering freshman class. Price varies by college
- Some students who qualify for financial aid will be able to get this payment waived
You need have decided on a college and notify them of your acceptance by the May 1 deadline. Mail your commitment deposit check or you pay online by the deadline.
Activate your Cal Grant portal
Pay for Orientation
Submit a housing application (if you plan to live on campus)
Most community college applications will open now.
Pass all your high school A-G courses with a C or higher.

June:

Celebrate high school graduation!
Send final transcripts to the college you will attend.
- You must create an account on Parchment, and fill in the appropriate school information, to have your high school transcript submitted (you should review all information on Aeries before making the request, including verifying that your college classes match what your college transcript shows)
- Request transcripts from El Camino College on this site
- Use this form to request transcripts from Compton College; submit the form via email to Admissions@compton.edu
- All UCs want your final transcript by July 1
- All CSUs want your final transcript by July 15
Contact the college (or use your portal account) to find out when fees are due, when financial aid posts, and how much you will owe.

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