Senior Year

1. Applications should be sent out as soon as you and our Guidance Counselor, School Principal, or Curriculum Director has thoroughly discussed all of the implications of your specific applications for admission, scholarships, etc. There is no magic moment as long as your applications meet the minimum deadlines. The best rule of thumb for college applications is to apply during October, November, or December.
2. Review your college plans with your Guidance Counselor in August or September of senior year;
3. Take and/or re-take SAT I, SAT II (Subject Matter) or ACT in October, November or December, if necessary.
4. Visit colleges to which you are applying sometime during junior or senior year (preferably while classes are in session); if at all possible, a student should make a point to personally visit any college before he ultimately enrolls there.
5. October 1 is the deadline for National Merit Semifinalists to give the completed application for Finalist standing to their Guidance Counselor.
6. Check to see if your Guidance Counselor has all of your teacher recommendations.
7. Perfect your personal statement or self description and your resume/list of activities, honors, etc.
8. November 1 is application deadline for certain university programs, “Early Decision” schools, etc…
9. Some colleges require students who are applying for financial aid to submit the CSS Profile in the fall. Check each specific college’s directions regarding financial aid application(s).
10. Make sure you and your Guidance Counselor are in sync about when you and he/she will be sending out your respective packets of the college application materials; remember: the Guidance Counselor, or Principal, or Coordinator of Student Life sends your transcript, secondary school report, senior-year schedule, and recommendations.
11. Make sure you visit with college reps that come to Tennessee Christian Preparatory School in the fall.
12. Read carefully any handouts from the guidance office about available scholarships, and other important college notices. Take these handouts or announcements home for your parents to read.
13. December 1 is deadline when Secondary School Reports (Guidance Counselor forms) and Teacher Recommendation Forms, for schools which have a January 1 application deadline, must be given to Guidance Counselor or teachers.
14. January 1 – February 15: submit the FAFSA to appropriate agency; some colleges also require filing the CSS Profile as well. Check each specific college’s directions regarding financial aid application (s).
15. February 10: deadline for sending “Mid-Year” or first semester grades to those colleges which request them. Continue to work hard and do well during senior year.  For some students, first semester grades can be critical – admissions decisions can hinge on your first semester performance.
16. May 1: traditional reply date when you must notify your college that you will be attending there the next fall.

Next…College!