College Planning Calendar for Seniors

Fall

  • Finalize/prioritize college choices and determine application deadlines. Decide if you will apply Early Action (non-binding) or Early Decision (binding) to any schools. Use a spreadsheet to keep track of application information: due dates, supplemental documentation required (recommendations, etc), test scores, fees
  • Update your resume
  • Register for and take/retake the fall SAT / ACT / SAT Subject Tests if needed
  • Prepare college applications early (some deadlines are as early as Oct 15)
  • Ask teachers for recommendations if you haven’t already (give them ample time!)
  • Work on essays; ask for feedback on your writing from teachers/counselor
  • Allow time for transcripts to be prepared (by the LNHS Counseling Center, for out-of-state schools) or sent (by you, to in-state schools via CFNC)
  • Keep copies of everything
  • Review your transcript and meet with your counselor to be sure that you are enrolled for proper credits to meet HS graduation requirements and college admission requirements
  • Make any additional visits to colleges you haven’t seen yet or may need to re-visit to help you decide where to apply. (Two visits are permitted during senior year. In order for your absence to be excused, be sure to bring back a letter from the college admissions office with your name saying you visited)
  • Attend the Senior College Planning session at LNHS in September
  • Attend the College Fair at LNHS in October
  • Athletes: Check NCAA requirements at
  • Continue to survey scholarship opportunities: check websites (such as FastWeb.com) as well as the scholarship list on the LNHS Counseling Department webpage. Some scholarship applications are due in the fall. Do your parents’ places of employment offer college scholarships for children of employees?

Winter

  • Continue to prepare and submit college applications for deadlines coming up
  • Keep track and stay on top of gathering recommendation letters, transcripts, etc
  • After submitting applications, check with colleges to make sure your COMPLETE application has been received
  • Keep your grades up!
  • Attend the Financial Aid Information Night at LNHS in December
  • In early January, complete your FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). It is required in order to receive any need-based financial aid. The application can be found at
  • Check your transcript to be sure that you will meet all graduation requirements
  • Make sure midyear grade reports are sent to colleges, if requested

Spring

  • Keep your grades up!
  • Register for, and take, AP exams, if applicable
  • Many local scholarships have application deadlines in early spring (check the list on the LNHS Counseling Department webpage)
  • As college acceptance letters arrive, compare financial aid offers and visit again if needed before making a decision
  • If you have ruled out any colleges that accepted you, notify them. This is a courtesy to other applicants, and it will help the colleges manage their waitlists and extend the correct number of acceptance letters
  • If waitlisted, learn more about that process and move ahead with other plans
  • Notify your college of choice of your acceptance of their offer by May 1st. Know when your college deposits are due.
  • Make sure your LNHS senior dues are paid
  • In June
  • Send thank you letters to everyone who helped you in the application process. Let your teachers/recommenders/mentors know the results of your college search.
  • Complete the SENIOR SURVEY at graduation time so your final transcript will be sent to the college you are attending
  • Report all scholarships to the LNHS Counseling Center as well as your college
  • Attend senior events, graduation practice, and…..graduate! Congratulations!

Summer

  • Read all mailings from your college carefully. Often, important registration and housing material is sent in the summer
  • Register for freshman orientation and your classes as soon as possible. Classes often fill, and registration is usually on a first-come, first-served basis.