Senior Year College Planning Guide
(Modified from the ACT and SAT College Planning Checklists)
August – September

Visit with your school counselor to make sure you are on track to graduate and fulfill college
admission requirements

Narrow your list of colleges to five to 10. Meet with your counselor and, if you’ve not yet
done so, download college applications and financial aid forms. Plan to visit as many of these
colleges as possible.

Sign up for the ACT or SAT (if you didn't take it as a junior, or if you aren't satisfied with your
score, or if you've learned a lot since you first took it.) RBHS School Code: 260728
o View the Guidance Website for information about ACT and SAT test prep
o Students interested in Division I or Division II athletics must select NCAA Eligibility
Center Code 9999 for ACT scores to be sent directly to the NCAA Eligibility Center

Take the COMPASS or ASVAB if your post-secondary institution requires one of these tests
instead of the ACT or SAT. Click here for information about the COMPASS and ASVAB
exams.
August – December

Attend a college fair

Visit with admissions counselors and recruiters who come to your high school –see the
College Visit Calendar on the Guidance website for a list of which schools will have reps at
Rock Bridge!

Begin your college or scholarship essay(s)

Try to finalize your college choices and start filling out applications to the colleges you’ve
chosen. Complete at least one college application by Thanksgiving.
o Avoid common college application mistakes

Ask for references from teachers, school counselors, or employers early in the year or at least
two weeks before application deadlines. Be sure to have the Student Information Form for
Letters of Recommendation completed and provide a copy to each person who you would like
to write a letter of rec.

Prepare Early Decision, Early Action or rolling admissions applications as soon as possible.
Nov. 1st -15th: For Early Decision admissions, colleges may require test scores and
applications between these dates.

Applications to MU have a December 1 deadline if you are to be considered for priority
scholarships. Be sure to complete both the admissions and scholarship applications!

As you finish and send your applications and essays, be sure to keep copies

Find out if you qualify for scholarships at each college you have applied to

Visit the Scholarships page and the Scholarship Calendar on the Guidance website and
see your school counselor for help finding financial aid and scholarships
January – May

Keep working hard all year; second semester grades can affect scholarship eligibility

Ask your guidance office in January to send mid-year reports to schools where you applied. In
May, you will need to request your final transcript to be sent to the college you will attend.

If you need it, get help completing the FAFSA- click here for information about financial aid
and FAFSA.

Watch the mail for your Student Aid Report (SAR)—it should arrive four weeks after the
FAFSA is filed

Keep track of important financial aid and scholarship deadlines and continue to look for
scholarship opportunities

Apply for Community Scholarships- counselors will visit senior English classes to provide
information about available scholarships and the application process in February.

Compare financial aid packages from different schools

You should receive acceptance letters and financial aid offers by mid-April. If you’ve not done
so yet, visit your final college before accepting. As soon as you decide, notify your counselor
of your choice

If you have questions about housing offers, talk to your counselor or call the college.

Decide which college to attend, and notify the school of your decision. Be sure to notify
schools you will not attend of your decision also

Take AP exams

Request your final transcript to be sent to chosen college/program

Sign and send in a promissory note if you are borrowing money

Notify your college about any outside scholarships you received

Keep track of and observe deadlines for sending in all required fees and paperwork

Prepare for final exams- remember, colleges will see your final transcript and GPA!