Senior Timeline
MAGNOLIA HIGH SCHOOL SENIOR TIMELINE
SEPTEMBER
- Narrow your list of colleges to which you will be applying to three to five.
o If you have not done so, visit the website of each school.
o Plan to tour as many of these colleges as possible.
- Create a planning calendar that includes:
o Tests you will take and their fees, dates and registration deadlines.
o College application due dates. Try to apply by the Scholarship deadline.
o Financial aid application forms required and their deadlines. ( Note: Scholarship and/or financial aid applications may be due before college admission applications .)
o Other materials you might need (recommendations, resume, etc.)
o Your high school’s own application processing deadlines.
- Start working on your college applications.
- Continue to work on your college essays
- Complete College Application Checklist for each college that you are applying.
- Confer with military recruiters if interested in the military.
- Student athletes planning to continue playing a sport in college, register with NCAA Eligibility Center (https://web3.ncaa.org/ecwr3/)
- If you have used a SAT or ACT fee waiver, you may be eligible for an application fee waiver or a fee waiver from the NCCA if needed – see your counselor for details.
OCTOBER
- Attend a FAFSA FRIDAY at MHS.
- Apply for a FSA ID (Personal identification number) for both student and parent.
- Complete the FAFSA online at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
- Certain private colleges require additional financial information through the CSS Profile.
o This College Board product opens October 1st at www.css.collegeboard.org
- Prepare Early Action applications as soon as possible.
- Submit requests for counselor and teacher recommendations if you need them.
- If you are submitting essays, write first drafts and ask the College and Career Center to review them.
- Many colleges consider students for merit scholarships based on their admissions application when submitted early. Try to submit by November 1.
o Consult the college website to determine scholarship deadlines and procedures.
- Remember to start other college paperwork such as housing or honors program applications.
NOVEMBER
- Be aware of early decision deadlines.
o Some colleges have application deadlines during November; others may consider applicants for merit scholarships with applications submitted in November.
- Submit as many college applications as possible before Thanksgiving.
o Check your application status at the colleges for updates.
- Request that your transcripts be sent to the colleges of your choice.
- WATCH APPLICATION DEADLINES!
DECEMBER
- Keep copies of everything you submit.
o Read and save all emails from your prospective colleges.
- Prepare for final exams.
JANUARY
- Check your college application status to make sure your application is complete.
- Continue to research and apply for scholarships
- Attend Scholarship Spotlight on Date TBD in the MHS Library for Local Scholarship Opportunities. Make sure your Resume is ready to hand to Scholarship Donors.
- Turn in requests for Mid-Year Reports if required by your college to College and Career Center.
FEBRUARY
- Maintain strong academic grades. Colleges will review spring semester grades!
- Continue to research and apply for scholarships.
- Watch the scholarship list as many scholarships have deadlines in February and March.
MARCH
- Carefully evaluate college admissions decisions as they come in.
o Revisit the campus if necessary.
- Register to take TSI test if required for your two year or four year public Texas college.
o Students with certain credentials may be exempt from the TSI. Consult with your college for details.
o Refer to the college’s website on requirements or confer with your counselor if you have questions.
- Continue to research and apply for scholarships.
- Remember to notify Dr. .McCusker of your college admissions decisions.
- You should receive admission decision and financial aid offers by April.
o Contact the college financial aid office(s) with questions.
APRIL
- If you have not yet done so, if possible visit your final college before accepting an offer of admissions.
o Many colleges have “admitted students’ weekends” for this purpose.
- Work with the financial aid office at your college to resolve any financial aid problems.
- Contact your college if you have questions about housing.
- Get your bacterial meningitis vaccination.
o Send a COPY of the immunization to your college (if required).
- Report all scholarships you are accepting to Dr. McCusker in the Zone.
MAY
- Notify colleges of your intention to enroll by May 1st.
o Make sure you pay the required deposits.
o Send enrollment deposit only to the ONE college you will attend.
- Complete the Final Transcript Request page in the Zone.
- Attend the Senior Awards Ceremony to celebrate your accomplishments and scholarships.
- Schedule orientation, CLEP, TSI exams or other requirements as directed by your college.
- If you were enrolled in Dual-Credit classes, request your college transcript from Lone Star College to be sent to the college you will be attending in the fall.
JUNE
- Pack and get ready for college.
- Make sure you have AP score information ready to give to your college at orientation.
- Update your high school if you have changed your college destination since graduation (final transcript).
- Attend freshman orientation at your college.