Senior Year

• Filling out college applications? Click here for the proper procedure!
• Need a recommendation letter? Click here for the student information sheet that must be given to your counselor.
• When senior males turn 18, they must register with Selective Service. Visit www.sss.gov to register!

September

• Finalize your list of reasonable choices. Include at least one “long shot”, one “target”, and one “safe” school. Your first choice might very well be a school to which you are a likely candidate for admission. However, each one of you should include at least one safe choice on your list of colleges.
• Once you have narrowed your list of colleges to a recommended maximum of six, you should begin applying. Most colleges prefer students to apply online.
• Attend meetings with college representatives who visit RHS. Keep in mind that the representatives who visit us will more than likely be the ones to present your case to the admissions team at their college: MAKE A GOOD IMPRESSION!
• Register for the September/October ACT or November SAT if you have not taken the test or want to retest. Obtain packets in Guidance or register on-line. (see our testing page for links)
• Complete and turn in to your counselor the Senior Data Form or your resume before you ask her to write a recommendation.
• Begin work on application essays. Most senior English classes include work on an essay.
• Remember that the grades you make this semester will be an important ingredient in the way college admissions committees view your academic seriousness. Your first semester grades will be the last ones they see before deciding whether to admit you to their school.
• Decide how you will actually apply: paper application, or applying online at the school’s website. Also consider using the common application which will save you time. Just make sure your school accepts the common application.
• Keep your commitment to take challenging courses! Your senior year matters!

October

• Please do not push deadlines. It is to your advantage to file your application early. Most colleges admit that early applications automatically receive more attention because they demonstrate the student’s sincere interest in a school.
• Early decision deadlines and scholarship deadlines may be as early as October 15. Do not allow lack of planning on your part to create an emergency on our part. Submit your Transcript Requests two weeks before the deadline.
• The college to which you are applying may require official copies of your test scores. Some schools require test scores submitted directly from ACT/SAT. Check the websites of the colleges to see what they require.
• Attend Williamson County College Fair on October 1.
• Notify your counselor if you would like to be nominated for a scholarship at the colleges you are applying.
• Complete a Transcript Request form for each application you submit. Your transcript includes ACT and SAT scores, your grades and the school profile which explains the grading system.

November

• Use your college visiting days well. RHS allows a maximum of 2 days which will be counted against your exemption, but will be excused if pre-approved. Request the visit day with Student Services two weeks beforehand and bring a letter from the college for proof of your visit.
• Teacher Recommendations - If the colleges to which you are applying require a recommendation from a teacher, choose and ask a teacher who you feel knows you the best and will represent you well. Give your teacher a copy of your senior data form. ALLOW AT LEAST 2 WEEKS TO COMPLETE A RECOMMENDATION FORM.
• Provide an addressed and stamped envelope with the appropriate college forms and a copy of your senior data sheet attached.
• This will be your last chance to sign up for and take the SAT or ACT in this year’s admission pool.

December

• All college applications and transcript requests which need to be sent out before winter break are due in the Guidance Center by December 4, 2009. Applications that have a February 1 deadline should also be processed in December.
• Since we do not return until January 4th, all Transcript Requests submitted after the deadline will be sent out in late January. Please remember that Counselor Reports will be processed in the order they are received…not in the order of urgency for you.
• Attend Financial Aid Night – December 7th at 7:00.
• If you expect your counselor to write an effective recommendation for you, then allow sufficient time to process your recommendation.
• Ace your mid-year exams—they matter!
• Request Mid-Year transcripts to be mailed to the colleges to which you are applying.
• Pick up financial aid forms in the Guidance Center. The FAFSA is the federal financial form, needed for both public and private schools, and the Profile is for private schools only. Remember, the lottery scholarships require the FAFSA!
• Don’t ask to drop challenging courses. Colleges could withdraw their offer!

January

• Complete and file your FAFSA as soon as possible. Aid is distributed on a first come, first served basis. FAFSA’s web site is http://www.fafsa.ed.gov.

February

• If you haven’t already done so, visit schools to which you applied.
• Wait.

March

• SPRING BREAK --- ENJOY!

April

• By April 15, you should hear from all colleges. Use the two weeks before May 1 to make your final decision.
• Register for Advanced Placement exams if necessary.
• Notify all colleges which have accepted you of your final decision.
• Notify colleges who have put you on their waiting list if you wish to remain on it.
• Don’t go develop Senioritis! All college acceptances are conditional pending receipt of final grades in June.

May

• Reply to the college you choose. Do not place a deposit with more than one college: it is unethical and you can be dropped by both colleges if discovered.
• Fill out a Final Transcript Request for the college you will attend. You must make this request in writing to release your transcript.