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. We are here to help!
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 add other colleges if needed. Come with questions you have about scholarships, financial aid, standardized testing, etc.
- Pay close attention to announcements in the Junior/Senior Bulletin, which will be mailed to your home and distributed in advisory groups. The bulletin will announce visits by college admission representatives to Lovett, evening programs in the Atlanta area, scholarship deadlines, helpful hints, and other important information. This bulleting is also available on the College Counseling website.
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Completed applications should be turned into your counselor by the deadline dates. The completed application and fee along with the high school transcript and recommendation forms are then sent to the college directly from the College Counseling Office.
- Make arrangements to visit the colleges to which you have decided to apply. Arrange for an interview with the admission office if it is required or recommended.
- Attend Senior College Night. This is a mandatory meeting for seniors and at least one parent.
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Attend the Lovett College Day in mid-September.
- Confirm that you are registered for standardized testing for the fall if you plan to do any more testing. You may confirm or register at http://www.collegeboard.com/ or www.act.org.
- Continue or begin working on your college essays. Many senior English classes assign college essay projects. See your college counselor if you need help with ideas.
October
- Take the SAT Reasoning Test again, especially if you are applying under an Early Decision or Early Action plan. Take the ACT if your counselor has suggested you take it.
- Concentrate on doing well in your classes. First semester senior year grades are important to colleges.
- Prepare applications for your colleges. An ideal list includes four to six colleges: one to two each of a reach school, a target school, and a likely school.
- Many scholarship deadlines are in November and December. Check the Scholarship Database or the Scholarship link on the website for deadlines and application information. See your counselor if you have scholarship questions that have not been addressed.
- Continue to attend meetings with college admission representatives visiting Lovett as announced in the Junior/Senior Bulletin.
November
December
- Take the SAT Reasoning Test again if you are still dissatisfied with your scores. Take the SAT Subject Tests if they are required for admission to the colleges to which you are applying and you have not taken SAT Subject Tests yet. Take the ACT test if your counselor has suggested you take it.
- Research financial aid options. We recommend you look at the financial aid forms even if you think you will not qualify for financial aid. You will be sure to miss out on financial aid if you do not apply. Check the financial aid link on this website 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! Don't 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 college's admission decisions.
- Focus on doing well this semester. Don't 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. Colleges require that we send a midyear transcript and a final transcript at the end of the school year, so don't be tempted to let up on your efforts in school.
- You may take SAT Subject Tests if they are required for placement purposes at a college to which you've applied. We recommend, however, that if the test is used for placement purposes only that you take the test as late as possible (April) as you will have more instruction to rely upon at that time.
- The College Counseling Office will send an updated transcript with first semester senior grades to every college to which you have applied.
February
- Many of you will receive college decisions letters. Remember to bring copies of all decision letters to the College Counseling Office.
- 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!
- If you've been deferred by an early decision or an early action school, talk to your counselor about sending an update letter in early February.
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 counselors are glad to discuss this with you!
- Bring a copy of your decision letter (no matter the outcome) to the College Counseling Office for our records.
- Colleges will offer visitation programs for admitted seniors. Keep the Lovett College Visit Policy in mind as you plan your campus visits.
April
- By April 20, you should have a decision from each of your colleges.
- Bring a copy of your decision letter (no matter the outcome) to the College Counseling Office for our records.
- Carefully choose your college based on all the information you have gathered through this process. Consult your college counselor if you need help with this important decision.
- Write a letter of acceptance to the college you plan to attend and enclose required deposits.
- Decline any other offers of admission in writing so that colleges may admit other qualified candidates.
- You may take the SAT Subject Tests now if they are needed for placement purposes at your college.
May
- May 1, is the deadline for you to notify colleges of your decision. You may place only ONE deposit.
- Take the Advanced Placement tests. The counselors handle registration and administration of these tests. You will receive your scores in mid-July.
- Time to graduate!
Congratulations on your graduation! Best wishes!
June
- The College Counseling Office will send your final transcript to the college you are attending.
August/September
- Email your college counselor with your initial impressions of your new school. We will share this information with students who are interested in your college or university. We would love to hear from you!