The fall of your senior year is the time to finalize your college list and prepare your applications. This is the time to work closely with your college counselor on making your application list appropriate for you and your goals. The more information you share with your counselor, the more help your counselor can give you in this process.
The following is a college admissions calendar for the senior year. Read it carefully so that you are informed about what to do and what is available to you as you go through the application process.
September
Schedule a meeting with your college counselor. Your parents are welcomed and encouraged to attend this meeting. Come prepared with a list of colleges you have researched and are seriously considering for application. Your counselor will go over this list with you and possibly offer other suggestions. Come with any questions you may have about the admission process. scholarships or other matters that concern you.
Pay close attention to the intercom announcements, postings on the bulletin boards outside of the Guidance Office, as well as information on the Briarcrest website under College Planning and in the "Recent Announcements" section. The Banner also has pertinent college details that may interest you, such as evening programs in the Memphis area, scholarship deadlines, helpful hints, and other important information.
Completed applications should be submitted to colleges by the deadline dates. Briarcrest's college counselor recommends students meet a preferred deadline of November 1. The completed application and fee are sent directly to colleges by the student, while the high school transcript is sent to the college directly from the College Counseling Office. Students must complete a Transcipt Release Form and Reply Card in the Guidance office, but there is no fee required.
Make arrangements to visit the colleges to which you have decided to apply by calling the college admission office. Arrange to meet with an admission counselor for more information about the college, and take a campus tour if possible. Check out the housing facilities, cafeteria/food courts, heath/exercise facilities, and walk through the academic buildings associated with your college major, academic interests.
Register (or register) to take the SAT I or ACT at www.collegeboard.com or www.actstudent.org. You may take these tests more than once. Multiple tests scores could be adventageous for an ACT "super score." You do not have to take both of these college entrance tests, but some students score better on one test than the other. Most college and universities accept either test, but some of the more selective colleges may prefer or require the SAT. Also, the SAT II's (formerly known as the subject tests) are required by some very selective schools. The SAT I and II's cannot be taken on the same test date. (Check the test requirements on the college websites or ask your college counselor.)
Write your college admissions essay(s). Your Briarcrest senior English teachers will offer essay guidelines and suggestions through class assignments in August or early September. Your college counselor will also be glad to help you with ideas.
October
Attend College Night at the Agricenter, which is usually scheduled for the third Monday night in October. (The specific date and time of this important event will be listed on the Briarcrest calendar each year.) Admission and parking are free, and sophomores, juniors and seniors, along with parents are encouraged to attend.
Concentrate on doing well in your classes. First semester senior year grades are important to colleges, and many require the 7th semester grades to be sent to them.
Prepare applications for your colleges. An ideal list includes four to six colleges: one to two each of "reach" schools, "possible" schools, and a "reasonable or likely" schools.
Many scholarship deadlines are in October, November and December. Check the Scholarship link on the college websites for deadlines and application information. See your counselor if you have scholarship questions that have not been addressed or answered.
Continue to talk with college admission representatives visiting Briarcrest during activity periods on Tuesdays and Thursdays. These reps are often the ones that will be reading your college applications, essays and helping you gain scholarships.
November
Register to take the SAT I again if you need to. In many cases, the senior year SAT I score is higher than the junior year score. Take the SAT II subject tests if they are required for admission to the colleges to which you are applying.
Consult the application deadline dates to determine when your transcripts, test scores, counselor recommendations forms, teacher letters of recommendation are due to the colleges. Please allow a minimum of two weeks for all of these things to be processed, so that they can be mailed on time and meet the college deadlines.
December
Research financial aid options. It is recommend that you complete the financial aid forms, even if you think you will not qualify for financial aid. (Some scholarships and grants are a part of financial aid, as well as student loans and work study programs.) The FAFSA form is required by most colleges and universities as a financial need assessment. However, some of the more selective colleges also require the CSS Profile form. You could miss out on financial aid money if you do not apply. Check the college websites financial aid link for more information.
If you are admitted to a college under the Early Decision program, you must withdraw all your other applications by writing to the colleges. You are honor bound to do this. Your college could rescind its offer of admission if you do not withdraw your applications to other schools.
Keep your grades up! Dont let senioritis take over! If you have been admitted to a college by this time, remember that your admission is conditional on your first and second semester senior grades being at or above the level at which they stood when you were admitted.
Enjoy having a break from school!
January
After completing all your college applications, this is the time to relax and wait for the colleges admission decisions. However, continue to search and apply for scholarships.
Focus on doing well this semester. Dont let senioritis take over! The colleges acceptances are conditional upon your successful completion of your senior year at the level at which you were performing when you applied. All colleges require students to have their final transcript, including grades from the end of the senior year, be sent to them. Therefore, dont be tempted to let up on your efforts in school.
Some colleges and universities require a Mid-Year Report be sent to their admissions office. You must take the form to your college counselor and request a 7th semester transcript be sent with it. Colleges usually want this Mid-Year Report around January 15. Again, remember to allow a few days for processing.
February
Many of you will receive decisions from various colleges.
Notify your college counselor if a college requests additional information in order to make a decision (e.g., updated grades, honors, etc.).
Keep senioritis at bay. Stay focused on doing well in school!
March
College decisions will continue to arrive, and you should begin deciding which college you would like to attend from those to which you are admitted. The college counselor is glad to discuss this with you!
Colleges will offer visitation programs for admitted seniors. Keep the Briarcrest College Visit Policy in mind as you plan your campus visits. (Refer to the BCHS Student Agenda.)
April
On or before the middle of April, you should have a decision from all of the colleges you applied to.
Carefully choose your college based on all the information you have gathered through the search and application process. Discuss your choices with your family and determine what will be best for you. Your college counselor is here to help and advise you, but the decision is up to you and your family. Most of all, PRAY for the Lord to guide you and give you peace in this important decision.
Notify the college you plan to attend and send the required deposits. Do this as soon as you have arrived at your decision, and definitely before May 1, which is the national notification date for most if not all colleges and universities.
Decline any other offers of admission in writing, (email is acceptable) so that colleges may admit other qualified candidates.
May
Remember, as stated above, May 1 is the deadline for you to notify colleges of your decision. Otherwise, you could lose your place in the fall freshmen class.
Take the Advanced Placement tests. The counselors handle registration and administration of these tests.
Time to graduate!
June
The College Counseling Office will send your final transcript to the college you will attend. You must request it by completing a form in the Guidance Office anytime between May1 and Graduation. There is no fee for the final transcript to be sent if it is requested before graduation. (A fee of $3.00 is charged after that time for any transcripts to be sent.)
August/September
E-mail the college counselor with your initial impressions of your new school. It is always good to hear from our graduates! Tell us some things that you would like for us to share with other students who may be considering your college or university.
May God keep you safe and richly bless you in your future endeavors.