HELLO SENIORS!

Important Information for Seniors Graduating in 2023:

Common App Information:

Senior Meeting Slides, 2022-2023:

NCAA Eligibility Requirements for Student-Athletes

College Application Timeline:

​September
  • Work on Common App
  • Curate your college list
  • Ask for counselor letter, if required
  • Ask teachers for recommendation letters (See "Recommendation Letter Guidelines" below.)
  • Visit campuses virtually or in-person

October
  • Start the FAFSA with your family
  • Draft essays and ask for writing critiques
  • Continue your Common App
  • Know your deadlines

November
  • Submit by November 1 for most early action schools (early DECISION is legally binding, early ACTION is not)
  • Submit by November 15 for many early decisions (early DECISION is legally binding, early ACTION is not)
  • Try to complete all applications by Thanksgiving break

College Board Application Timeline (Fall-Spring) 

​Recommendation Letter Guidelines:

​Check to see if your schools REQUIRE letters. If so, follow these guidelines:
  • Keep in mind that a recommendation letter is a GIFT, not an expectation or requirement. Request a letter AT LEAST two weeks before the application deadline. (NOTE: Teachers typically spend several hours on each letter, so give them as much time as possible to fit it into their schedule.)
  • Ask your teacher in person or by email BEFORE you submit the request in Common App.
  • Only submit what the colleges ask for; admissions folks do NOT like extra materials.
  • Pick two ACADEMIC teachers (i.e. English, math, social studies, science) UNLESS you are going to a music or arts school, then choose your music or art teacher. Do not ask your forum leader for an academic letter unless they were an actual academic teacher for you.
  • Ask teachers in different departments (e.g. don't ask two English or two science teachers).
  • The counselor letter is a great way to include a professor, forum leader, or CR teacher without using one of your full letter spots.