Meet 1-on-1 with Helen to go over your college plan. Schedule a “Senior College Check-in” from the booking appointments page.
Mark your calendar for required senior workshops with STEMsub! Topics will include: Financial Aid, College Applications, Scholarship Applications.
Meet 1-on-1 with STEMsub staff to go over your FAFSA and make sure everything is correct before submitting it.
Finalize the list of colleges you will apply to. Keep track of their deadlines and requirements. Make sure they are listed on your FAFSA.
Finalize your personal statement (meet with Helen if you need help!) and write any additional essays that are required.
Request letters of recommendation as soon as you know you will need them. You should give recommenders two weeks to write your letter.
Winter of senior year
Keep track of deadlines and continue applying for colleges!
Apply for scholarships – We will have a scholarship workshop in January, but you will need to spend time on your own as well. Remember to ask for letters of recommendation early.
Stay focused in school and don’t slack off in classes. No Senioritis!!
Toward the end of winter and into the spring you will start to hear back from colleges about whether you have been admitted (sometimes called an “offer of admission”). Once you are admitted, colleges will also send financial aid awards. When you are ready to choose a college, meet with Helen to discuss the college enrollment steps!
Spring of senior year
Attend UW STEMsub “Seniors Financial Literacy” workshop. This workshop will help you understand the basics of the financial aid packages you’ve received from each college.
Meet with Helen to go over your financial aid and individual cost calculator. This spreadsheet will help you plan your college budget.
Keep looking for more scholarships to apply for. The more you apply to, the more money you may end up receiving for the upcoming 4-5 years of college.
Check your email daily and submit any info requested by colleges or financial aid offices ASAP.
Respond to each college’s admission offer by May 1st! Tell each college whether you accept or reject their offer of admission to save your spot, or give it to someone on the waitlist. Colleges are required to give you until May 1st to decide.
Once you have confirmed the college you are attending, make sure to send your confirmation deposit to that college only. You can also defer your confirmation deposit so that you can pay it using financial aid money. If you are unsure how to defer your deposit, ask for help!
MOST IMPORTANT: Continue doing well in your classes and don’t make any big schedule changes. Finish the end of the year strong! Colleges double check your final transcript and could un-admit you.
Tell your counselor which college you chose, so they can send your final transcript. This is important to be able to register for classes.
If you are waitlisted at a college you want to attend, contact your admissions representative to ask if there is any other information you can provide. NOTE: It is uncommon to get accepted from a waitlist.