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    AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 

    • Review the accuracy of your transcript  

    • Make sure you have taken all the required courses you need to graduate 

    • Review your career plans and decide which type of postsecondary education is right for you 

    • Register for SAT, SAT Subject Tests and/or ACT, if necessary 

    • Find out about and attend local college fairs. Get more information from different schools you think you might be interested, and talk to the admissions officers at the fair. 

    • Sign up for and attend the college admission officer visits scheduled through the College & Career Center. Look for more information and listings on colleges that will be visiting MHS. You can view the list through your Naviance account or on the high school website under “Guidance & Counseling.” 

    • Begin organizer for each college; start a calendar of important dates and deadlines 

    • Create a common app account (commonapp.org) 

    • Begin draft of essay 

    • Get off to a good start academically 

    • Ask teachers for recommendations, if needed 

    • Finalize college list 

    • Make sure you can access your Naviance account; if you can’t see your counselor immediately 

    • List colleges as “Colleges I’m applying to” on Naviance 

    • Consider carefully your responsibilities if applying for Early Decision or Early Action; check deadlines 

    • Plan college visits and interviews 

    • Sign up for the Common Application and record your user name and password somewhere safe 

    • Request your PIN for financial aid 

    OCTOBER 

    • Sign up to take the SAT or ACT and send your scores 

    • Work on college essays 

    • Plan college visits and interviews (remember thank you letter) 

    • Check for and attend local college fairs and visits 

    • Begin filling out applications  

    • If you apply Early Action or Early Decision, be aware of deadlines, some are in October 

    • Attend college rep visits 

    • Complete the FERPA permission form on Naviance 

    • Submit secondary school/counselor forms at least 2 weeks before your first deadline 

    • If you are considering playing Division I or II collegiate athletics, complete a NCAA application and send your SAT scores through your Collegeboard account 

     

    NOVEMBER 

    • Take SAT or ACT if needed and send your scores 

    • Send Early Decision or Early Action applications  

    • Submit secondary school/counselor forms at least 2 weeks before your first deadline 

    • Keep track of your college applications (what you’ve sent and when) 

    • Check colleges’ online portals to check all required documents are at each college 

    • Remind your parents to attend Financial Aid Night 

    • Create profile for Dollars for Scholars  

    • Research sources of private outside scholarships throughout the year 

    • Continue working hard in your classes 

    DECEMBER 

    • Take SAT or ACT if needed and send your scores 

    • Attend Financial Aid Night 

    • Finish all applications and essays for colleges; go over with counselor, teacher and/or parent 

    • Check all application deadlines 

    • Submit secondary school/counselor forms at least 2 weeks before your first deadline 

    • Check colleges’ online portals to check all required documents are at each college 

    • Talk with MHS graduates who are home from college  

    • File FAFSA or other appropriate financial aid forms beginning December; make sure you have received your FAFSA acknowledgement/Student Aid Report (SAR) after submitting FAFSA 

    JANUARY 

    • Submit mid-year grade forms to guidance office 

    • Finish and submit college applications 

    • Check colleges’ online portals to make sure all the required documents are there 

    • Attend Massachusetts FAFSA Day to get help with college financial aid paperwork 

    • Check colleges’ online portals to check all required documents are at each college 

     

    FEBRUARY 

    • Verify your midyear grades have been sent (after February vacation) 

    • Check/apply for private outside scholarships 

    • Make sure all financial aid forms have been submitted 

    MARCH 

    • Send any new material to colleges which may help your application process 

    • Continue to work hard in all your classes – offers of admission can be rescinded for poor grades 

    • Attend accepted students days 

     

    APRIL 

    • Review your college responses and aid offers 

    • Attend our “After the Acceptance” presentation to review financial aid offers 

    • Attend accepted students days 

    • Write withdrawal letters to colleges you will not attend 

    • Make final decision – send deposit in time for the May 1 deadline 

     

    MAY/JUNE 

    • Study to do well on your AP exams; request your AP scores be sent 

    • Fill out dorm and meal plan forms 

    • Get status of wait list, if necessary 

    • Check arrangements for loans 

    • Sign up for New Student Orientation 

    • Graduation 

    • Have a great summer!  

     

    CONGRATULATIONS AND GOOD LUCK!