This timeline provides a very brief overview of the process of college application and financial aid. If you have any questions or want more information about a specific step, contact your Guidance Counselor.
August/September:
October/November:
December/Janaury:
February/March:
August/September:
- Finalize the list of colleges that you will apply to.
- Register for October or November SATs
- Organize your deadlines and determine what materials each school requires (transcript, letters of recommendation, personal essay, etc.)
- Make requests for letters of recommendation to the appropriate teachers or counselors.
- Work on any essays to be included with your college applications.
- Complete applications for early action, early admission, or schools with early deadlines (this may not apply to all students).
October/November:
- Take SAT or ACT tests. If necessary, register for December or January SAT or SAT Subject tests.
- Complete applications in order of the earliest deadlines or in order of preference (in other words, apply to your top choice first)
- Stop in Guidance to request transcripts be sent as you apply. We have no way of knowing you have applied somewhere unless you tell us and a missing high school transcript will delay your application.
December/Janaury:
- Submit any final college applications and request transcripts from Guidance.
- If you have taken the SAT or ACT again since applying, make sure your official test scores are sent directly to the college (go to www.collegeboard.com to have scores sent).
- Attend the annual SWHS Financial Aid Information Program and FAFSA Completion Workshop.
- Complete the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as early as possible after January 1st (available online at: www.fafsa.ed.gov).
- If any schools you have applied to request mid-year grades or an updated transcript, stop into the Guidance Office and let us know.
- Research scholarship opportunities. (Check out www.swguidance.edublogs.org for tips, tricks, and a list of local scholarships)
February/March:
- After completing the FAFSA, you will receive your Student Aid Report (SAR). If necessary, make corrections and return.
- Continue researching scholarships and filling out scholarship applications.
- As you begin to hear back from colleges, compare acceptance letters, financial aid, and scholarship offers from schools that have accepted you. If you need help understanding anything that you receive, either contact the school directly or make an appointment to go over it with your Counselor.
- Take AP exams for any AP subjects you studied during your senior year.
- Make a decision (by May 1) as to which college you will be attending and notify the school by mailing your deposit check.
- If you were placed on a Wait List and have decided to wait for an opening at that school, contact the admissions office and let them know you are still very interested.
- Continue researching and applying for scholarships.
- Have the Guidance office send your final transcript to the college you will be attending.