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SAT, <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://plexuss.com/news/article/how-to-prepare-for-the-act">ACT, <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://plexuss.com/news/article/what-are-sat-subject-tests-how-do-i-prepare">SAT Subject Tests</a>, <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://plexuss.com/news/article/how-to-study-for-ap-exams-prep-tips">AP Exams</a>, IB exams</li>
<li>Send in all test scores</li>
<li>Ask for <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://plexuss.com/news/article/good-college-recommendation-letters-tips">recommendation letters</a></li>
<li>Thank your recommendation writers</li>
<li>Write a draft of the <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://plexuss.com/news/article/how-to-write-your-college-admission-essay">admissions essay</a></li>
<li>Have a teacher or tutor look over the essay</li>
<li>Make edits and check spelling and grammar</li>
<li><a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://plexuss.com/news/article/how-to-prepare-for-a-college-interview-tips">Interview on-campus</a> and/or with an alumnus if required</li>
<li>Write down financial aid deadlines</li>
<li><a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://plexuss.com/news/article/filing-the-fafsa-everything-you-need-to-know">File the FAFSA</a> before the deadline—the sooner the better</li>
<li><a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://plexuss.com/news/article/what-is-css-profile">Submit a CSS Profile application</a> if required—the sooner the better</li>
<li>Finish your college application</li>
<li>Make copies of your application materials</li>
<li>Pay for and send in the application</li>
<li>Fill out additional school or state financial aid forms if required</li>
<li>Review decision letter</li>
<li><a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://plexuss.com/news/article/comparing-financial-aid-packages">Review financial aid offer</a></li>
<li><a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://plexuss.com/news/article/how-to-decide-what-college-to-go-to">Decline admission or accept admission</a> before the deadline and send in a deposit</li>
</ul>
<p><img src=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://s3-us-west-2.amazonaws.com/asset.plexuss.com/news/images/step-by-step-college-application-process.jpg" alt="Step-by-step College Application Process" width="400" height="250" /></p>
<h2>What Do I Need to Do to Apply to College?</h2>
<p>Everything covered on the sample college application checklist for seniors is your responsibility. A few items require the assistance of other people, but it’s still on you to make sure everything gets done.</p>
<p>Keep reading to learn what some of the major checklist items require.</p>
<h3>Mark Down Application Deadlines</h3>
<p>As soon as you’re serious about a college, write down its application deadlines. Mark the date down for regular applications and early applications. Applying earlier could give you a better shot at getting into your top choice academic program.</p>
<h3>Request High School Transcripts</h3>
<p>Find out what you need to do to have transcripts sent to the college. Your high school might use an online portal or have a form to fill out in the guidance office. Request transcripts as soon as possible to give your school enough time to send them in.</p>
<p>Follow up with your school at least two weeks before the application deadline to confirm that your transcripts were sent in.</p>
<h3>Request Mid-Year Grade Report</h3>
<p>Colleges might want to see your senior mid-year grades. Those won’t be ready until December or January but request them far in advance.</p>
<p>Follow up with your school after mid-year grades come up to confirm that your grades were sent in.</p>
<h3>Send Test Scores</h3>
<p>If you didn’t already send your SAT, ACT, SAT Subject Tests, IB, and/or AP exam scores to the college, you’ll need to do that. Colleges need official scores.</p>
<p>Log into College Board to send <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://apstudents.collegeboard.org/sending-scores/online">AP test</a>, <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat/scores/sending-scores">SAT, and <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://collegereadiness.collegeboard.org/sat-subject-tests/scores/sending-scores">SAT Subject Test</a> scores.</p>
<p>Sign into ACT.org to <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://www.act.org/content/act/en/products-and-services/the-act/scores/sending-your-scores.html">send ACT test scores</a>.</p>
<p>Log into ibo.org to request a transcript of your <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://ibo.org/programmes/diploma-programme/assessment-and-exams/requesting-transcripts/">IB results</a>.</p>
<h3>Ask for Recommendation Letters</h3>
<p>Write down the type of recommendation letters you need. Some colleges might require a letter from one teacher and one guidance counselor. <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://plexuss.com/news/article/reasons-consider-religious-christian-colleges">Religious institutions</a> might ask for those two letters plus one from a spiritual mentor.</p>
<p>Ask each of the people on your list for a recommendation letter. Provide a copy of your <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://plexuss.com/news/article/student-brag-sheet-for-college-recommendation-letters">student brag sheet</a> to make the process easier. Review other tips for getting a good college recommendation letter <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://plexuss.com/news/article/good-college-recommendation-letters-tips">here.
<p>Follow up with your recommendation letter writers at least two weeks before the application deadline.</p>
<h3>Draft & Finish Your Essay</h3>
<p>College essays play a big role in the college admissions process. In fact, a <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://www.nacacnet.org/globalassets/documents/publications/research/2018_soca/soca18_ch3.pdf">2018 study</a> conducted by the National Association for College Admissions Counselor found that your essay or writing simple is the fourth <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://plexuss.com/news/article/what-do-college-admissions-counselors-look-for">most important factor in college admissions decision</a>.</p>
<p>Start your essay as soon as you can. Some college essay topics require a lot of thought. At selective schools, your essay is truly what makes you stand out, so don’t rush it. <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://plexuss.com/news/article/how-to-write-your-college-admission-essay">Write a draft</a> and then have a teacher or tutor look over it. Make revisions until you’re satisfied with the result.</p>
<h3>Do Any Interviews</h3>
<p>If the school requires an interview, make sure to schedule one. The interview might be with an alumnus or with someone from the college. Colleges might interview for admissions, honors program entry, academic program entry, or scholarship awards.</p>
<p>Before your interview, review some <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://plexuss.com/news/article/how-to-prepare-for-a-college-interview-tips">college interview tips</a>.</p>
<h3>File the FAFSA</h3>
<p>Contrary to what you might think, you can file the FAFSA before receiving an acceptance letter. In fact, it’s best that you do. Some financial aid is awarded on a first-come, first-serve basis. Learn more about filing the FAFSA <a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://plexuss.com/news/article/filing-the-fafsa-everything-you-need-to-know">here.
<h3>Submit a CSS Profile</h3>
<p><a href=https://plexuss.com/n/"https://plexuss.com/news/article/what-is-css-profile">CSS Profile</a> lets you apply for institutional aid at participating colleges. This includes need-based scholarships, grants, and institution-sponsored work study programs. Check the college’s website or reach out to an admissions counselor to see if you need to apply.</p>
<h3>Complete the Application</h3>
<p>Finish filling out your application. This might include demographic information and additional open-ended questions. Review all your responses to check spelling and accuracy.</p>
<p>Send in Your Application</p>
<p>Before you send in the application, make copies of all your application materials.</p>
<p>Then, pay the application fee (if applicable), sign the application, and send in the application. Most of this can be done online through the CommonApp or the college’s website.</p>
<h3>Check Your Application Status</h3>
<p>Most colleges send an email confirming receipt of your application within a few days of you sending it off. The email likely contains important information about how to check your application status.</p>
<p>Check the status every so often to see which parts of your application have come in and which haven’t. This includes transcripts, test scores, and recommendation letters. If a couple weeks pass and your application isn’t complete yet, follow up with the school. They can tell you what they still need.</p>
<h3>Make a Decision</h3>
<p>If you’re accepted, congrats! Review the acceptance letter and your financial aid award. Compare it to your other offers.</p>
<p>If you want to attend, accept admission and send in a deposit.</p>
<p>If you do not want to attend, notify the college.</p>
<h2>Final Thoughts on College Application Checklist for Seniors</h2>
<p>Now it’s time to put together your own college application process checklist. You’ll need to create a list for each school that you apply to. Make the list as specific as possible to guarantee that you won’t miss a deadline.</p>"/>
