DALLAS HIGH SCHOOL

 

12TH GRADE TIME LINE

 

DEVELOPING A COLLEGE TIME LINE

Summer

·       Register for the ACT (American College Test), if desired.
Register online at www.act.org


FALL

 

·        You and your student must fill out a transcript release form by mid September and return it to the Guidance Office.  This form will allow the guidance office to release your student information.

·        Your student should have a completed resume, which must be submitted to the Guidance Office as soon as possible.  If the student wishes to update their resume during the year they may do so.  Make sure they change the date on their resume so we will make sure the most current one is sent out with any additional requests.

·        Have your student develop a final college application list.

·        If your student’s previous SAT I/ACT scores are low, have them register to take the October/November/December SAT I again.  Also some colleges/universities require you take SAT II: Subject Tests. 

·        Your student should begin work on college admission applications, including the essay.  Have them make rough drafts of their essays and have them reviewed by their teachers/parents.

·        Have your student apply for all possible scholarships.

·        Most Early Action/Decision applications are due by November 1-15.  Make sure all application materials are forwarded to the college well in advance of the deadline date.

·        Have your student complete applications for regular admissions.  Applications may be sent as follows: via the Internet, by direct mail from you, during a college visit or you may send them through the Guidance Office.  If sending the applications through the Guidance Office, make sure to fill out an admissions cover letter for each college.  Apply only to schools of interest but include one or two “safeties”(schools that the student would most likely be accepted to and one “reach”(school that would be difficult for a student to be accepted to).  Please allow at least ten school days for the Guidance Office to process your request.  Pay attention to deadlines!  Apply for financial aid at the same time, if applicable.

·        Your student should request transcripts, counselor recommendations, teacher recommendations, and other supporting data to be sent to colleges.  Most colleges are now requesting the student’s senior class schedule.  Please keep in mind once the senior class schedule is sent to a college, the student is expected to take and pass the courses scheduled.

 

WINTER

·        If your student has not already done so, they should apply for scholarships, grants, and other financial aid sources now.  The number of application deadlines that have passes increases after February.

·        You and your student should complete the appropriate financial aid applications and send to the appropriate source. (Note: Be sure to make a copy of every document for your file.  It will save you time, money and grief if your application is lost.)

·        In January/February, your student should check with the admission office to see if their application is complete, and that they have received all of your pertinent information necessary to make an evaluation on your behalf.

SPRING

·        Make choices based on colleges where your student has been accepted.  If necessary, visit those colleges again to be sure of your decision.

·        Have your student send an acceptance letter and deposit to the college of their choice and write polite letters of refusal to the other colleges that they were accepted to but will not be attending.

·        Your student should also write thank you letters to all persons that wrote recommendations on their behalf.