SENIOR CALENDAR 2010-11

 

SEPTEMBER:  1.  Senior meeting with Counselor 

2.  Review your credits

3.  Sign up for October ACT if you need to improve your score, or take it for the first time. (Sept 17 deadline)  Register online at www.actstudent.org

 

4.  Review schedule for Graduation requirements:  52 total

a.       Do I have the extra English credit that is college admissions-acceptable?

b.      Do I have my sixth social studies credit for college admissions?

c.       Am I counting HERO as only four credits rather than six?

 

5.  Estimate your RAI at www2.state.ia.us/regents/rai

 

6.  Go to www.ICANsucceed.org to get updates and tips for college planning

 

7.      Athletes, go to www.ncaaclearinghouse.net to begin the eligibility process for D-1 and D-2 schools.

8.      Check Scholarship board outside Career Center for local scholarship opportunities (Do this at least once a week the remainder of the school year through April!)

 

OCTOBER:         1. Take ACT test (Oct. 23) if you signed up for it.

2. Go to www.fastweb.com to do a FREE national scholarship search

                                    3. Make college visits if you have not done so.

                                    4. Choose your references for resumes and letters.

5. Begin building academic resume for scholarships and college applications. 

  (Go to www.instantresumetemplates.com/category/academic for a great resource)

6. Attend college fairs : The Golden Circle College Fair is Sunday, Oct. 3, at the Polk County Convention Complex (501 Grand Avenue, Des Moines) from 12:30 - 3 p.m. This is the largest college fair in Iowa, with approximately 150 colleges represented.

 

                       

 

NOVEMBER:    1. Sign up for December ACT to improve score or take it for first time.  Generally, last opportunity to use score for scholarships and admissions.  (Nov.5  deadline)

 

                                    2. Complete academic resume

3. Consider ideas for senior reflection paper (talk with senior advisor)

4. SENIOR PICTURE-  9:00 Nov. 18

5. SENIOR MEETING- 9:30 Nov. 18 (Josten’s)

 

 

DECEMBER:     1. Come to Financial Aid Night  Dec. 9, at 7:00 PM in room 11.

2. Take ACT test (Dec. 11)

                                    3. Limit college choices to three for application process

                                    4. Apply to colleges (by Feb 1 at latest)

 

 

JANUARY:          1. Complete FAFSA (go to www.fafsa.ed.gov)

      Complete by March 1.

                                                Why?  a. Meet priority deadline for most colleges

b. Give time to receive award letter and find money if necessary.

 

                                    2. Begin senior reflection paper

                                    3. Get COLLEGE APPLICATIONS in by FEB. 1!

4. Observe Scholarship deadlines.  January through March is the peak of the scholarship application season

 

 

FEBRUARY:     1. COMPLETE FAFSA for financial aid by March 1!!!

2. Use ITED days to make college visits, job shadow, write reflection papers.

 

 

MARCH:               1. Apply for DOLLARS for SCHOLARS!!!  Use correct form for 2-year or 4-year college.

 

 

APRIL:                   1. SENIOR MEETING (April 7)

2. Senior Exit interviews - TBA

3. Contact college financial aid office if concerned about award letter

 

 

MAY:                       1. SENIOR AWARDS ASSEMBLY  (May 10)

2. Complete reflection papers and resumes for senior exit

3. Request through guidance a FINAL TRANSCRIPT be sent to your college choice

4. Pursue alternative funding for college [make appointment with ICAN in West Des Moines (877)272-4692]