Are there certain steps that need to be taken by certain times in the senior year as far as applying to colleges? Before the senior year? What are those steps and when should we take them?
There are several steps you need to take during the senior year. The first is probably to make a list of the colleges you plan to apply to and mark their admission deadlines on your calendar. You also will want to sign up (and take) the SAT and/or ACT in early fall. Ideally, this should first be taken in the spring of the junior year, allowing for retesting as a senior. You also want to schedule on-campus visits to the schools on your list. Finally, the very important financial aid form known as the FAFSA should be filed after January 1 of the senior year and before March 10 for state of Indiana grant eligibility.
Don't forget to check out our Next Steps to a College Education--A High School Timeline document. This will help you put into perspective what all you need to do throughout high school and when to do it.
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