Senior Year
The fall of your senior year is when the real work begins in the college admission process. This is the time to finalize your college list and prepare your applications. This is also the time to be working closely with the College Counselor and your peers on these tasks. The more open the lines of communication are, the better the process will be. The following is a college admissions calendar for the senior year. Read it carefully so that you are informed about what to do and what is available to you as you go through the year.
August and September
* Meet with the college counselor to let us know where you are in the process. Come prepared with a list of colleges you have researched and are seriously considering for application.
* Begin to narrow your college list. We recommend you have two to four schools that look likely, have a reach or two (based on objective data), and have a sure bet or two. That rule of thumb has been around for decades because it's based on experience and realism.
* Register for the October and/or November SAT Reasoning or Subject Tests. Consider the ACT as well. You may register at www.collegeboard.com or www.act.org. The college counselor can help you decide which test to take and when.
* Make arrangements to visit the colleges to which you have decided to apply. Arrange for an interview with the admissions office if it is required or recommended. Fall break could be an excellent time to visit schools while they are in session.
* Work on your college essays! Familiarize yourself with what you will need to complete each of your applications.
* Ask your teachers for recommendations. Choose teachers who know you well and can offer anecdotes about your classroom contributions. Ask the counselor if you have questions about who to ask for a recommendation.
* Representatives from colleges will visit ISU during the year. Check the visit schedule regularly and meet with representatives from the colleges that interest you. The list will be posted and announced on this website.
* Most important of all, keep focused on your schoolwork. First semester senior year grades are a very important part of a selective college application.
October
* Take the SAT Reasoning Test again, especially if you are applying under an Early Decision or Early Action program. Take the ACT if colleges you are applying to require it.
* If the colleges on your list recommend or require SAT Subject Tests, the October test date is a good time to take them.
* Continue to narrow and refine your list.
* Work on your applications. Get serious about your essays! The counselor is happy to look at drafts and answer any questions.
* Continue to meet with college representatives visiting ISU. The list of visitors is posted and on this website.
* If you haven't done so, ask your teachers for recommendations.
* Many scholarship deadlines are in November and December. Research scholarship opportunities or visit www.fastweb.com for more information.
November
* Take the SAT Reasoning Test again if you did not take it in October. Or, take the SAT Subject Tests if your school recommends or requires them.
* Continue working on your applications. We STONGLY suggest you complete all of your applications before the Holiday Break.
December
* Finalize your list if you have not done so.
* You can take the SAT Reasoning Test or Subject Tests in December.
* Complete all of your applications. We STRONGLY suggest you complete your applications before the Holiday Break. You'll be very glad you did.
* Prepare well for your final exams. First semester senior year grades are a very important part of a competitive college application.
* Enjoy your break!
January
* After completing all of your college applications, this is the time to relax and wait for the college admission decisions.
* Focus on doing well in the spring semester. Don't let senioritis take over! The colleges' acceptances are conditional upon your successful completion of your senior year at the level at which you were performing when you applied.
* The College Counseling Office will send an updated transcript with first semester senior year grades to every college to which you have applied.
February
* Keep waiting, although some of you will hear decisions in February.
* If you hear from a college, let the college counseling office know!
* If a college requests additional information, let the college counseling office know.
* Keep senioritis at bay. Stay focused on doing well in school.
March
* College decisions will continue to arrive, and you can begin deciding which college you would like to attend from those to which you are admitted. The college counselor is glad to discuss this with you!
* Many colleges will offer admitted student programs on campus. These are helpful if you are unsure about your college choice(s).
April
* Most colleges will notify you of a decision by mid-April. Notify the college counseling office when you hear news from a college.
* Carefully choose your college based on all the information you have gathered throughout this process. If you need someone to talk things over with you, don't hesitate to talk to the college counselor.
* Write a letter of acceptance to the college you choose to attend and enclose the required deposit(s).
* Decline any other offers of admission in writing.
* Don't let senioritis kick in just yet! You're almost there!
May
* May 1st is the deadline for you to notify colleges of your decision. You may place only ONE deposit!
June
* The College Counseling Office will mail a final transcript to the college you are attending. Keep us posted on how things are going your first year in college! We'd like to know how you're doing!
