"Finish Strong!" should be every senior’s motto this year. This year is often an extremely busy time with schoolwork, activities, and special events. Be sure to stay on track with the college admissions process and be organized. Be aware of deadlines, and don’t procrastinate. This is it--your last year in high school! (Feel free to download the entire High School Student Timeline by clicking here: College Timeline PDF.)

AUGUST/SEPTEMBER:

• Check Graduation Requirements: Meet with your Guidance Counselor in early fall to review college options and make sure that you are set to graduate with all requirements being fulfilled. Verify graduation credits and college entrance requirements. Submit necessary information for graduation ceremonies.  Not sure who your Guidance Counselor is? Click here to find out!

• Check College Deadlines: Review your college choices and be aware of all college application and scholarship deadlines and requirements. Put them on your monthly calendar. Beware of wording such as "received by" or "postmarked by"; these are two vastly different deadlines!

• Request Recommendations: Start requesting teacher and counselor recommendations; give them at least 3 weeks to write them.  Give specific directions and deadlines for these letters. If your teacher needs direction on what to say or how to write them, come by the Guidance Office and grab the Tips for Teacher Recommendations form located on the info wall.

• Apply Now: If you’re thinking about applying for Early Action/Decision deadlines, prepare your application, because it’s due soon!  If you might be borderline on being accepted by a school, you face better odds by applying earlier rather than later.

• Register for Tests: FCA requires all students to take the ACT in order to graduate. If you’ve taken the ACT or SAT test and are considering re-taking it, do it!  It’ll never hurt–it could mean an extra couple thousand dollars in scholarship if you raise the scores enough. Additionally, some colleges will take the best score of each test section or the higher composite score.  Since testing agencies take 4--8 weeks to send official results, register for early tests in the fall.  Remember to write the correct college codes where you want scores to be sent and Faith Christian Academy's CEEB code 060 414 so the high school can also receive your scores directly.  Doing this will help speed up your college application process.

• Meet Reps: Meet with college representatives who visit FCA. A list of visiting colleges is available online under "upcoming events" and in the daily announcements.  This is a great time to ask questions and let them put your face with your name.  Schedule a visit through them if you haven't already.  Don't hesitate calling or emailing them with questions or concerns.  They are your most reliable source of information.  Get important information in writing and keep a copy.

• Double Check Deadlines: Contact all colleges on your list or go online and triple-check all of your information. Make sure to gather all the information needed to complete your applications and scholarship paperwork. Missing deadlines can create unpleasant consequences for you. Check on Academy and ROTC deadlines. These are not flexible and may make or break your chances of getting in.

• Visit Colleges: Plan on taking two-college visitation days this semester–they’re free! Get on college campuses and meet with their reps–it’s an invaluable experience. Pick up the College Visitation Form from the Guidance Office or click here to download the pdf version.

• Research Financial Aid Opportunities: Check out the Financial Aid & Scholarship section on the Online Resources page and Scholarships page for a wide array of financial aid resources and websites. Somebody has to win the scholarships–why not you?  Again, beware the wording of the deadline:  "received by" or "postmarked by."

OCTOBER:

• Attend College Fairs: Attend college fairs and discover information about financial aid and a host of schools from around the country.  Check the bulletin board across the hall from the school office and "upcoming events" under "college guidance" at the Faith Christian Academy website. Click here for more information on these specific college fairs and more!

• Check Your Calendar: Become a slave to your calendar of deadlines.  Keep completing those applications for early-decision colleges!  Some scholarship deadlines are Nov. 1, if not earlier.

• Request Transcripts: Request your guidance counselor to send your transcript when you have submitted your application. See our Important Forms web page to check the deadlines for when the Transcript Request Forms need to be turned in. If they are not turned in by our recommended dates, we cannot guarantee that they will make it to the college in time.  Don't procrastinate.

• Research Financial Aid Opportunities: Check out the Financial Aid & Scholarship section on the Online Resources page and Scholarships page for a wide array of financial aid resources and websites. Somebody has to win the scholarships–why not you?  Again, beware the wording of the deadline:  "received by" or "postmarked by."

NOVEMBER:

• Research Financial Aid Opportunities: Check out the Financial Aid & Scholarship section on the Online Resources page and Scholarships page for a wide array of financial aid resources and websites. Somebody has to win the scholarships–why not you?  Again, beware the wording of the deadline:  "received by" or "postmarked by."

• Check Your Calendar: Look for deadlines of applications and scholarships.

DECEMBER:

• Research Financial Aid Opportunities: Check out the Financial Aid & Scholarship section on the Online Resources page and Scholarships page for a wide array of financial aid resources and websites. Somebody has to win the scholarships–why not you?  Again, beware the wording of the deadline:  "received by" or "postmarked by."

• FAFSA: Check out last year's FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) on the FAFSA website. Use it as a practice form and see what you need in order to fill out the FAFSA. It will rarely ever change in detail. However, don’t use it as your official FAFSA. The new FAFSA comes out every year on January 1.  You can discover an approximation of your Estimated Family Contribution at www.fafsa4caster.ed.gov.

• Stamp It or Submit It: Whether you’re turning in your application for college via mail or online, make sure to get it in before the colleges go on Christmas break. Applications turned in after mid-December will most likely not be processed until after January 1.

• Worship: Don’t forget to sit back, relax, and worship our Savior with your family!

JANUARY/FEBRUARY:

• Parents: Complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form as early as possible. Make sure you’re aware of the due dates for the colleges to which your senior is applying.  Go to www.pin.ed.gov to obtain a PIN number, then go to www.fafsa.gov.

• Research Financial Aid Opportunities: Check out the Financial Aid & Scholarship section on the Online Resources page and Scholarships page for a wide array of financial aid resources and websites. Somebody has to win the scholarships–why not you?  Again, beware the wording of the deadline:  "received by" or "postmarked by."

• Keep Working: Continue completing college applications, transcript and teacher recommendation requests and make sure you’re aware of anything else the colleges need from you to complete their application process (new test scores, first semester senior grades, etc.).

• Register Now: Make sure you register for the ACT or SAT test if you have not done so yet.  This is your last chance and don't forget, the ACT test is required to graduate from Faith Christian Academy in May.

• Check Your Email and Snail Mail: You may start receiving replies and acceptance letters from colleges during this time period.  If you have already decided to enroll at a college, it is a courtesy to tell other schools of your decision so they can stop communicating with you and direct their energy toward other students.

MARCH/APRIL/MAY:

• Visit: Make sure to get on campus. Make final campus visits if needed. Pick up the College Visitation Form from the Guidance Office or click here to download the pdf version. For contact information to all 2-Year and 4-Year colleges in Colorado click here: 2-Year Colleges in Colorado or 4-Year Colleges in Colorado.

• Decide: Once you know which college is the one you want to attend, send your confirmation and housing deposits. This will lock in your spot and in most circumstances give you priority in registering for classes. Also, be aware of the college’s non-refundable deadline, in case you change your mind.

• Be Courteous: Notify colleges of your decision to attend or not. If you know you’re not going to attend a specific college you’ve been accepted to, inform them. You may free up a spot for someone else. However, be sure you don’t want to attend that college; you may not be able to get your spot back.

• Inform FCA: Stop by the Guidance Office and notify your Guidance Counselor of your plans after school. Where are you attending? How many scholarship dollars have you been awarded? What activities will you be involved in?

• Take AP Tests: Take AP exams if enrolled in AP classes. Remember, all this work is worth it. Your tests may get you out of more college courses than you think. You’re saving many dollars by taking these tests in high school.  Request that your AP scores be sent to the college you plan to attend.

• Pay Debts: Make sure to return all your textbooks, equipment, and uniforms to school personnel and pay fines. These may hinder your graduating or receiving your diploma!

• Send Final Transcript: Fill out a transcript request form and give it to your guidance counselor so your final transcript and verification of graduation is sent to the college you plan to attend. They need it to process your final high school paperwork.

• Congratulations! You’ve finished high school and are about to embark on an exciting new chapter in life. May God bless you to continue growing in Him and to be a blessing to others!