Home
Senior Guidelines
Senior Calendar
Junior Guidelines
Junior Calendar
Financial Aid Vocabulary
Financial Aid Sources
Applying for Financial Aid
MCPS Scholarships
NCAA Eligibility

PLANNING GUIDELINES FOR SENIOR YEAR

Senior year is extremely important in planning for post-secondary options. Particularly, colleges want to see that seniors are continuing to challenge themselves with their curriculum and that they continue to perform well academically. Not only do first semester grades get reported to colleges, final grades are sent to the school you plan to attend. Colleges can and will revoke acceptances for a substandard senior year. Modifying senior course schedule during the senior year can result in reversal of a college’s decision or result in inadequate preparation for the workforce or military. All career pathways demand that seniors have a meaningful year long course of study. Applications for financial aid, military service, apprenticeship, entrepreneur opportunities, jobs, technical schools, and all colleges are extremely important. Completing applications accurately and on time is critical.

The following is a suggested plan for the senior year:

  • Meet with your counselor to discuss college/career plans.

  • Be aware of and adhere to all deadlines.

  • Attend college fair/college night programs in the fall.

  • Meet with college/military/technical school representatives

  • Visit schools to determine which ones work best for you.

  • Finalize your application list. Typically a student applies to four to seven schools.

  • Request applications or check to see if applications are available on the Internet.

  • Continue scholarship search and apply for all applicable scholarships.

  • Take the appropriate tests (SAT I, ACT, SAT II, ASVAB, assessments) during the fall of senior year.

  • Request that transcripts be sent to all colleges you are considering. Allow ample processing time for this.

  • Request letters of recommendation from teachers and counselor. Provide each person with your resume and a stamped, addressed envelope.

  • Schedule interviews or auditions, if necessary.

  • Attend a financial aid workshop to gain insight into filing the necessary forms.

  • Complete applications in advance of the deadlines.

  • Complete financial aid applications in a timely manner. Be aware of deadlines.

  • Complete NCAA Clearinghouse forms, if applicable.

  • Avoid senior slump. Maintaining consistent grades throughout senior year is critical.

  • Take AP, or certification exams, if applicable.

  • Notify colleges and your counselor when you have made a decision. Adhere to the May 1st common reply date.

  • Consider summer opportunities.

  • Prepare a resume.

  • Consider participating in career experiences to further explore interests, abilities, and course of study.