ABCDEFGHIJK
1
August/September
2
Be sure that you have a schedule with courses of rigor and do not become overcommitted (i.e., too many clubs, sports, jobs, etc.).
3
Continue researching your Top 10 colleges with the purpose of narrowing down to a Top 3–5.
4
Visit colleges of interest and attend college fairs.
5
Fill out college applications early! Some colleges need applications in by October 1st for certain housing and scholarship options. You will need 3 completed for the AVID Final!
6
Narrow your list of potential colleges to 1–2 “stretch schools” where you might be on the lower GPA and SAT®/ACT® score average, 1–2 “strong match schools” where you meet the schools’ average GPA and SAT/ACT average, and 1 “fallback school” that you are certain you will get into.
7
Examine college applications and record application deadlines in your agenda/planner.
8
Determine application options (early decision, early action, or regular decision).
9
Update résumé.
10
Ask the office for an unofficial transcript to send to colleges you have applied to.
11
Be sure you send official transcripts from Odessa College
12
Ask select teachers/counselors/others to write letters of recommendation.
13
Keep your grades up and stay in challenging courses! 75% of revoked acceptances are because seniors do poorly in classes or take too light of a load!
14
15
October
16
Students and parents apply for their FAFSA ID
17
Complete the FAFSA application and worksheet, and submit FAFSA beginning October 1st!
18
Revise college essays for submission.
19
Request fee waivers from your counselor (if applicable).
20
Submit public college applications online. ApplyTexas and/or Common App
21
Submit applications if applying “early decision.”
22
Be sure you include courses you’ve taken at Odessa College on your applications.
23
Continue filling out scholarships, with a minimum of 5 scholarship for the month of October.
24
Study for the final SAT/ACT test.
25
Take the SAT October 14th
26
27
November/December
28
Submit applications for private colleges/universities, with three completed for the AVID Final
29
Research financial aid requirements and deadlines.
30
Continue filling out scholarships, with a minimum of 10 scholarships in November and December.
31
Keep those grades up! Reach out for help if you feel like you are falling behind.
32
33
January
34
Make sure all test scores (SAT, ACT, AP®) have been submitted to colleges/universities where you have applied.
35
Continue filling out scholarships, with a minimum of 5 scholarships for the month of January.
36
Be sure to contact colleges early if there were unexpected changes to your class schedule.
37
38
February/March
39
Continue applying for scholarships, with a minimum of 10 scholarships for February and March.
40
Research dorm applications and deadlines.
41
At the end of March, follow up with colleges that you haven’t heard from to be sure they have everything they need (transcript, SAT/ACT scores, essays, fee waiver, etc.).
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April
44
Study for upcoming exams.
45
Continue applying for scholarships, with a minimum of 5 scholarships for April. (Look into scholarships at the college/university that you plan to attend.)
46
Be sure to submit your housing application to the school that you plan to attend.
47
Research the placement tests that you will need to take (and pass) at the college that you plan to attend.
48
Were you denied admission? Don’t give up, contact the admissions office, and ask if there is an appeal process.
49
Don’t slack! Finish strong. A drop in grades is the number one reason that colleges revoke admissions (over 50%).
50
51
May/June
52
Take exams.
53
Look into taking college courses at a local community college
54
Continue applying for scholarships, with a minimum of 5 scholarships for May. (Look into scholarships at the college/university that you plan to attend.)
55
Complete AVID Senior Data.
56
Apply to be an AVID tutor next year.
57
See your physician to get a meningitis shot, as you will need this to attend college.
58
Submit shot records to college(s) you plan to attend
59
Write thank-you notes to teachers and your counselor for helping you through the process.
60
Take a day to celebrate the fact that you graduated and are one step closer to your dreams of college.