A Monthly To-Do List For High School Seniors

Narrow down your wish list of colleges

If you haven’t already done so or plan to retake them, register for the SAT or ACT

Research various scholarship and financial aid opportunities

Get involved—join clubs and groups, volunteer, and take on leadership roles where possible

Finalize your list of schools and be aware of their admission requirements and application deadlines

Research scholarships at the colleges on your list 

Acquire letters of recommendations from your teachers 

Retake the ACT/SAT (if necessary)

Make sure you’re on target for your colleges’ application deadlines,

Take SAT Subject Tests (if necessary)

Research outside scholarships

Complete all college applications

Start working with your parents on your FAFSA 

Schedule visits to the colleges on your wish list

Be sure to keep up with your current academic and extracurricular activities 

Complete the College Scholarship Service Profile and the FAFSA

Continue to research/apply for scholarships

Visit schools on your finalized wish list 

Work with your parents to make sure the FAFSA and other financial aid documents are submitted on time 

Continue to research/apply for scholarships

Meet with your high school counselor and make sure you are on track for graduation

If you’ve already been accepted to a college(s), make plans to visit your potential new school(s)

Review any financial aid scholarship offers you’ve received; continue to research/apply for scholarships

If you’ve already been admitted to a school, submit your enrollment and housing forms/deposits

Apply for student loans 

Be sure to send in your enrollment and housing deposits by the deadlines 

Once you select a college, notify any others you were accepted to

Start to think about a summer job or taking a summer class

Make a to-do list of everything you need to do/complete for your chosen college, i.e., submitting housing forms, registering for orientation and classes, etc. 

Secure a summer job or internship, or register for a summer class

 Have your final high school transcript sent to your chosen school

Make sure you’re submitting all the necessary forms/info to your college

Register for the orientation program

Find out who your roommate is and make contact with them

Start making a list of all the things you’ll need to buy/pack for your dorm

Have fun with your high school friends! Believe it or not, but this may be the last time you see many of them for years. Embrace this time and reflect on the past four years. But don’t worry—the next four years are sure to be amazing!