Seniors Only! Getting ready for college in 2011

Seniors, in a few short months, you'll be finished with high school forever! If you're going to college and need help figuring out what exactly you need to be doing during these last few months, this is the post for you (just like we promised on p. 16 of the January ec)! 

January

• If you’re taking AP classes, register to take all the tests. Even if you don’t think you’ll do well, you might surprise yourself and end up with several hours of college credit (and several hundred dollars saved). At the very least, you have another testing experience under your belt.
• Schedule another college day to visit your desired school. This time make appointments with admissions counselors, and interview at least one professor in your desired field of study.
• Choose a teacher, employer, student minister, or club sponsor to write your letters of recommendation. Research exactly what your school requires and go ahead and contact your references. Be sure to send them a thank you note for recommending you.
• Finish filling out all applications and apply for scholarships.
• Apply for financial aid (FAFSA). You may start applying as early as January 1. This application will determine your eligibility for loans, work study, and grants. It’s a lengthy process and must be completed by March 1, so start now.

February

• Talk to someone a year older than you who received scholarships. Ask for help on applying for specific scholarships, writing letters, and standing out from other applicants.
• Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) and double check for accuracy. You receive a SAR when you apply for financial aid. It includes your expected family contribution and lists how much government assistance you’ll be receiving, so review carefully.  

March

• Visit a friend in college and spend the night with him/her. If possible attend a class, eat on campus, and sleep in a dorm to get the whole college experience.
• Request your transcript be sent to your prospective colleges and verify its arrival.

April

• Choose your school and celebrate!
• Send in your acceptance letter to the university. Mail in all required deposits. Notify the schools you don’t plan to attend by sending an e-mail to the admissions counselor.
• Attend a financial aid workshop with your parents.

May

• Apply for housing. Don’t hesitate to make special requests like ceiling fan, lower floor, and so forth. You'll never know if you don't try! Also if you’ve visited a few times and want to request a specific room, even better. The worst they can say is “no.”
• Get with your advisor and plan your schedule. Yes, freshmen usually get the last pick of classes, but you can be first of the freshmen! Don’t overload your schedule. Take anywhere from 12-16 hours depending on the difficulty of the classes.

June

• Attend summer orientation with your parents. Meet other students (They’re all nervous).
• Visit several churches in the area. Look for a ministry that offers worship for college students, mission trips, small groups and opportunities to serve locally. A strong community is essential for your spiritual growth. Don’t wait until your first Sunday on campus to look for a church. Even if you live too far away to visit, check out websites and Facebook groups.  E-mail the college minister/ leaders and introduce yourself.
• Get move-in day on your family’s calendar. It might seem like a tiny dorm room couldn’t possibly be hard to move into, but trust me it takes longer than you think. Plus you’ll be fighting several hundred other freshmen and their stuff. You will need as many extra hands as possible, so invite the whole fam.

July

• Shop for college. Pick up last-minute supplies and start packing!
• Meet your roommate. If you went potluck and don’t know your future roomie, consider scheduling a lunch meeting or phone call. (Or skype your first conversation.) Get to know each other and discuss who will contribute what to the new place.
• Review your orientation documents.

August

• As soon as you receive a syllabus for class, buy your textbooks. Look online for great deals on used books and order early.
• Shop tax free weekend for a computer and printer.
• Plan a going away party and celebrate this new chapter of life!
• Expect mixed emotions from you and your parents. Some days your mom will be fine. Other days she might not let you out of her sight. This is normal.
• Decide how long you will stay on campus before your first trip home. It is great if you can last one month, because it forces you to make friends and spend a few weekends on campus.