- Streamwood High School
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- Senior Year Checklist
Senior Year Checklist
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September
- Review graduation requirements, GPA and class rank.
- Finalize the list of colleges/trade schools to which you want to apply.
- Check the daily bulletin, calendar of events on our school's Guidance website and Guidance display case for college and trade school representatives who will be visiting.
- Sign up to take the ACT or SAT if you have not done so or if you have not achieved the score you wish.
- File an early graduation form with your counselor if you plan to graduate early.
- Start preparing for the application process by completing your senior information sheet and requesting catalogs and applications.
- Prepare materials for the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (the FAFSA) by getting your state and federal tax information in order.
- FAFSA is often required for scholarships so complete it even if you doubt you’ll qualify for federal funds.
- Students must be a citizen of the US with a valid social security number to submit the FAFSA, but there are some scholarship applications that do not require completion of the FAFSA- see your counselor.
October
- Attend college night at Elgin Community College if you have not selected a college/trade school.
- Request recommendations and give teachers and counselors the forms.
- File early-action and early-decision applications.
- If not applying early, file applications for schools with early deadlines.
- Fill out a request for transcript form in the Guidance office.
- Complete the FAFSA and other required forms. Send it as soon after October 1 as possible.
- We will host a FAFSA night at Streamwood High School, or you can visit us in the career center for help completing the form. Your parents may also attend.
- If you haven't already visitied colleges/trade schools, take advantage of upcoming holidays to do so.
November
- Begin to research scholarships. Check the daily bulletin and scholarship websites.
- Write and polish any required essays
December
- Take the SAT if its required by your college.
- If you are planning on attending Elgin Community College come to the Guidance Office to learn how to access their catalog online.
- Turn in all applications to your Guidance counselor and make sure transcripts are sent.
January
- Be sure that all forms, recommendations and test scores are on file at the institutions to which you'd like to be considered for admission. Continue to watch for local scholarships.
February
- Send mid-year grade reports to college/trade school that have requested them.
- Keep your grades up. College acceptance is only conditional and based on continued good performance.
- Make sure that you have submitted the financial aid form that your college requires.
March
- Expect to hear from colleges/trade schools that have requested them.
- If you plan to attend Elgin Community College, attend the field trip.
- Take the placement tests required by Elgin Community College.
April
- Review college/trade school acceptance and compare financial aid offers.
- Decide which school to attend, send in your deposit and notify other colleges/trade schools of your decision.
- If you have not done so, attend the career fair at Elgin Community College.
May
- Take advantage of the orientation and registration program at Elgin Community College if you plan to attend
- Fill out the appropriate form with the Guidance or Main Office secretary to have your final transcript sent to the college/trade school you plan to attend next fall.