Graduation Information

College Planning

• Attend college information nights in your community. 
• Check college websites for applications, deadlines, financial aid and housing information.
• Ask your counselor to evaluate your transcript for high school graduation and college eligibility.
• Register to take or retake college entrance exams.
• Discover if you need to take an ACT or SAT. Several colleges are test optional–check the FairTest website for the most comprehensive list
• SAT, with optional essay
• ACT, with optional writing section
• Keep your test scores, resume, and transcript organized to help in completing college applications
• Ask teachers or counselors for letters of recommendation
• Finalize portfolios, audition materials or writing samples if required as part of the application
• Get feedback from a college advisor, teacher or parent/guardian and complete revisions of all applications and essays

Financial Aid

• Review the financial aid application process and timeline required by the colleges on your list
• Register for an FSA ID, which serves as your FAFSA e-signature; student’s parents/guardians must also register for an FSA ID
• File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), which opens on October 1
• Information from the 2021 tax year will be used for the entering class of 2023 as they apply for financial aid for the 2023-2024 academic year
• Attend financial aid workshops in your community for help completing the FAFSA
• Be aware that private colleges may require additional financial information from the CSS Profile
• Check your state financial aid websites for more information about in-state financial aid opportunities for undocumented, DREAMer and DACA students
• Search and apply for scholarships
• Review your Student Aid Report (SAR) once FAFSA has been processed and make any needed corrections

College Application Follow-Up

• Check your email frequently for additional information colleges might request within their timeline
• Send your mid-year transcript to colleges that request them
• Continue scholarship searches over winter break and continue to submit applications

 

Academics

• Keep up your grades—college admissions are conditional and can be rescinded if you do not continue academic excellence
• Check with the colleges where you have applied before considering dropping a senior year class; colleges expect you to complete all of the high school courses you listed as "in progress" on your admissions application
• Take your Advanced Placement (AP) exams

College Decision

• Check your email or college admissions portal for admission decision notification
• Visit campuses that most interest you
• Carefully review your financial aid offer for each college where you have been accepted and compare offers; contact financial aid offices to answer questions or update them on any changes to your family’s financial situation
• Finalize your financial aid; accept your financial aid offer or work with the college's financial aid office to adjust it
• If you’ll be attending a four-year college, notify and place a deposit at the college of your choice by National College Decision Day (May 1)

College Admissions Follow-Up

• Sign into your college portal and review your task list and deadlines
• Check your email for correspondence and deadline reminders
• Request your final transcript be sent to your college choice from your high school registrar before the deadline
• Request AP scores be submitted to your college choice
• Ask about college placement tests–some colleges require them for certain subjects, such as English and math; make sure to register in time and study beforehand
• Sign up for summer and/or fall orientation; some are mandatory and some have a cost
• Figure out housing—if living on campus, complete any roommate survey forms, sign the housing contract and submit a housing deposit to make sure you have a reserved room

Orientation

• Attend orientation; at orientation, you will register for your classes; you may also take English, math or foreign language assessments

Paperwork and Payments

• Check your college email account and log into your college’s student portal every few days for important notices for new students
• Download your college’s health forms and see your doctor; colleges may require evidence of immunizations, including the COVID-19 vaccine
• Most four-year colleges require students to have health insurance, so you may see it on your fall bill; if you don’t want it, you must opt out
• Tuition payments are due at the beginning of the term so research payment options beforehand
• Search your student portal for “FERPA waiver” if you want your parents/guardians to access your student account (bill, grades, etc.)
• Ask your high school to send your final transcript to your college

College Finances

• Work and save money for college
• Make a budget with your parents/guardians
• View your class syllabus for required textbooks; consider buying used textbooks, which cost less than new; you may also be able to save money by shopping for books online, downloading PDFs, buying e-books or renting books

Living on Campus

• Check out a sample packing list and start packing
• Consider creating a roommate agreement
• Set expectations on how and when you will communicate with your family while away at college
• Make any necessary travel arrangements; buy travel tickets (plane, train, bus) and make hotel reservations early (if necessary)

Living at Home

• Develop boundaries with your family and let them know that your first obligation is your studies, so you’re not available while at school
• Identify a study space at home

Support

• Search your college website for “academic advising” or “counseling services;” you’ll have access to these free services; Active Minds is another free resource for you to help yourself or your friends
• Check your student portal or college website so you don’t miss out on any virtual or local welcome events for students before classes start
• Send thank-you notes to everyone who helped in your college process, such as counselors and teachers who wrote letters of recommendation and scholarship providers who provided you funding for college

View 2024 Senior Picture Information and scroll down for Yearbook Ordering Information (yearbooks ordered online only).

2024 Senior Picture Information

Cap & Gown pick up: May 9 & 10

Open the document below to view the honor cord criteria. 

Honor Cord Criteria 

Open the document below to view the honor cord recipient student list. 

2024 Honor Cord Recipient list

Every school year, there are 7 national ACT test dates and 7 national SAT test dates that students throughout the United States can sign up for and take. 

It’s important to note that the ACT and SAT test dates listed below are open registration exams which means that anyone can sign up to take them. While many high schools volunteer their campuses as official testing sites on these national test dates, your child’s school might not be listed as a testing site on the dates listed. That’s ok!

Learn More

2024SeniorClassFlierSpan_Eng1.pdf