College Planning & Selection Timeline: A Checklist for Upper School Students
Senior Year (12th Grade)
August/September
 Attend College Kickstart from 10am to 1pm in Loft on Friday before first day of classes
(lunch included).
 Build a list of colleges and research these schools online, through mailed materials and
college guides.
 Brainstorm essay topics and begin rough draft; review Common Application for topics.
 Update your extracurricular activities list/resume in preparation for completing
applications.
 Complete and turn in draft copy of the online Common Application by the first school
day after Labor Day.
 Attend College Night program for students and parents on first Wednesday after Labor
Day, 6-8pm in Loft.
 Register for the fall SAT, SAT Subject Tests and/or ACT Test(s).
 Take September ACT test, if applicable.
 Schedule an appointment with your college counselor for a senior meeting.
 Attend the meetings with college representatives visiting SRS (students only).
 Follow up with teachers from whom you requested letters of recommendation last spring.
 Plan and make final college visits, with interviews when available.
 Research scholarship and financial aid options.
October
 For Early Decision/Action, submit required information to SRS College Counseling
Office.
 Share college essay(s) with your college counselor for suggestions and editing assistance.
 Continue to prepare for fall standardized testing.
 Take the SAT or SAT Subject Tests and/or ACT, if applicable.
 WORK ON APPLICATIONS!! Pay close attention to financial aid deadlines for ED/EA.
November
 For Regular Decision colleges, submit required information to SRS College Counseling
Office ASAP.
 Complete UC and CSU applications, if applicable – must be submitted online by
November 30th.
 Take the SAT or SAT Subject Tests, if applicable.
 Register for the January SAT, if desired.
December
 Submit all remaining information to SRS College Counseling Office to finalize your
college list.
 Take the SAT, SAT Subject Tests and/or ACT, if applicable.
 Receive Early Decision/Action notifications; if applicable, withdraw other applications and mail
your deposit.
 Plan to finish applications BEFORE the holiday break!!
January
 First semester grades are sent to colleges by SRS (if required).
 Continue the same level of effort and commitment to your academics – avoid the senior
slump!
 Complete final SAT or SAT Subject Tests.
 File FAFSA, CSS Profile (if required) and other financial aid paperwork as soon as
possible. Be sure to check each college's financial aid web site to see what additional
forms or information they require.
February – April
 Continue to check your email and postal mail for communication from colleges regarding
missing items or any additional information they may require.
 College decisions should be arriving for Regular Decision applications.
 Visit colleges to finalize your decision.
 Continue the same level of effort and commitment to your academics – avoid the senior
slump! College acceptances are contingent on a strong finish to the year.
May
 May 1st – College Declaration Day! By this date, you must submit your decision and
deposit to the one college of your choice.
 Discuss wait list offers with your college counselor, if applicable.
 Notify all colleges that accepted you, but that you did not select, that you will not enroll.
 Notify the SRS College Counseling Office of your decision and let us celebrate with you!
 GRADUATION!
Post-Graduation: Your final transcript is sent to your college of choice – then, get ready to go!