Grade 12 Planning Timeline
Senior year is often an extremely busy time with schoolwork, activities, and special events. Be sure to stay on track with the college admissions process. Get organized, be aware of deadlines, and don’t procrastinate.
Semester 1
Continue to visit schools
Fall is a great time to look at colleges because classes are in session, and you are better able to meet and talk with students and professors. You may even be able to sit in on a class or two.
Finalize your college list
Use the information you’ve gathered from visits, interviews, and your own research to decide to which schools you will apply. It’s okay to apply to colleges that you think will be more difficult to get into. But it’s also important to put a few safe schools (where you’re sure you’ll get in) on your list. Talk to counselors, teachers, and parents about your final choices. In Naviance, add these colleges under the "Colleges I'm Applying to" tab. From there you will be able to request transcripts, unofficial ACT and SAT scores, and etc.
Application preparations
If you plan to apply Early Action to any school, take the time to visit the school again, and make sure you’re willing to commit. If you elect to apply Early Action, you should start working on your application as soon as possible because its deadline will be earlier than others.
Also, decide if you will be using the Common App or directly applying to colleges. The Common App is an undergraduate college admissions application that allows students to complete one application and send to any member school of the Common App. This choice is preferred if you will be applying to more than five colleges.
The UW system also has its own portal to use for applications, except for UW-Madison. This application will allow you to apply to as many UW universities as you would like.
Stay on track with your grades and cocurricular activities
Colleges will look at what you’ve done in your senior year; stay focused on doing well in your classes and maintaining a commitment to other activities at the same time. Colleges can rescind offers of admission due to a drop in grades or courses.
Take standardized tests
Register for and take the ACT as soon as possible, if you haven’t yet taken it. Consider retaking the ACT to improve your score for college admissions or scholarships. Be sure you have requested that your test scores be sent to the college of your choice.
Keep track of deadlines
You’ll be filling out lots of forms this year. It’s important to know what form is due when and where. Make sure to check your email because this is how colleges typically communicate this information.
Ask for letters of recommendation
Give requests for recommendation letters to the teachers and others you have chosen, first verbally followed up with an electronic request via Naviance. Discuss your goals and ambitions with them so they’ll be more prepared to write about you. Ask individuals who can provide differing perspectives of you as a person. The letter from a teacher will typically address your ability as a student while letters from a coach, activity leader, or employer will address your strengths outside of school. Once you have asked, send an electronic request to them via Naviance.
Communicate with the Guidance Department
One-on-one meetings with your counselor can help you stay on track with admissions requirements.
Complete applications
Before submitting your application online, proofread and check carefully for accuracy. The Guidance office will assist you with sending the required documents with your application. Make sure each college received ALL your application materials.
Start your scholarship search
Look at the list of scholarships in Naviance. Apply for scholarships with deadlines in mind, and keep searching for more scholarship and grant opportunities. Ask colleges about what scholarships for which you may qualify. The majority of scholarship application windows open in Semester 2.
Financial Aid (FAFSA)
Examine your family’s financial resources and gather information about financial aid from the schools you’re interested in. High-school sponsored financial aid nights, college financial aid counselors, and the FVL Guidance web page are also good sources of information. Complete your FAFSA online. No matter what your family's income level is, the FAFSA is your main priority for financial aid purposes because it will determine how much you're expected to pay. Submit the information online as soon as possible on or after October 1. Later, review your Student Aid Index (SAI) from the US Department of Education to see if corrections are necessary.
Follow up on your applications
Verify with your counselor that all forms are in order and have been sent out to colleges. Check with the schools to make sure they have received all your information, including test scores, transcripts, and recommendations.
Watch for notifications from colleges
If you applied under the regular application process, you should receive an admissions decision within 2-4 weeks. Notifications of financial aid awards, housing, enrollments, deposits, and placement testing should arrive by the end of April. Typically colleges will communicate with students via email, mail, or text message. It’s important to check these regularly so you don’t miss important details.
Semester 2
Act on the results of Early Action applications
If you applied for Early Action, you’ll soon find out if you were accepted. If you get in, you likely have to withdraw your applications from other schools. If not, keep your other applications out there, and focus on those colleges.
Watch your mail for notifications from colleges
If you applied under the regular application process, you should receive an admissions decision within 2-4 weeks. Notifications of financial aid awards, housing, enrollment deposits, and placement testing should arrive by the end of April. Typically colleges will communicate with students via email, mail, or text message. It’s important to check these regularly so you don’t miss important deadlines. Be sure to complete all required paperwork by the appropriate deadlines.
Compare financial aid packages
Make sure to consider each financial aid award carefully. There are tools online to compare and calculate any unmet needs for each school. If you have questions, don’t hesitate to contact the financial aid office of the college to get more information. Financial aid is a key factor in deciding where you will attend and includes scholarships and grants, work-study, and loans.
Communicate early credits to college
If you have taken an AP (advanced placement) test, dual credit, or placement test to earn college credits, you will want to communicate that as you receive the results. You will need to request your dual credit transcripts from WLC or UW-Oshkosh.
Make your final college decision
Notify all schools of your intent by May 31. If you’re not sure which offer to accept, make one more campus visit to the schools you’re considering. Make sure to send your deposit to your chosen school and request your final transcript via Naviance.
Congratulations! You’ve finished high school and are about to embark on an exciting new phase of life. Be confident that God will continue to guide and guard you in all your ways!