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Overview
College Timeline for High School Seniors
September
November
December
January
February-March-April-May
Overview
- Take challenging courses and continue to work toward your goals. It is not unheard of for colleges to revoke acceptance based on senior year academic performance. If you have been accepted to a college or university, your acceptance may be conditionally based on your senior year class schedule. You need to maintain good grades and complete full class schedule.
- Double-check with your school counselor to make sure that you have the credits and courses you need to graduate on time. Make decisions about college, military, apprenticeships, etc. and begin the process of application.
- You can apply to a University of Wisconsin school after September 15th. Each campus sets its own priority dates and deadline. Generally, priority deadlines are set for the middle of November. You can use the UW-HELP website as a reference. CHECK CAREFULLY. Do you have all the necessary forms? Are you sure of the application deadlines? Are you required to write an essay? Obtain application forms. Observe deadlines. Submit transcript and test scores.
- Begin a scholarship search. Use the resources available in the School Counseling Office and online to assist in your search.
- Make final decisions. If you are not planning on attending college or technical school, what steps do you need to take to reach your goals? Have you inquired about apprenticeship programs or military options? Have you met the deadlines and requirements to begin your training program? If you are not going to college, trade or technical school, you are not starting an apprenticeship program, and you are not enlisting in the military, what will you do?
- If you are going to college, and have received an acceptance letter, you must confirm your decision with the school. Make sure that you decline any other offers you received.
College Timeline for High School Seniors
September-November .
- Use the career and college resources at Kewaskum High School. You can open a student account on the WISCareers Web site. Kewaskum students and their parents can use WISCareers at any time to research specific colleges, technical schools, careers, and majors of study. WISCareers also provides links to apprenticeship opportunities and employers in specific career fields. Students who have not used the site before will need to create a user account. When prompted, enter the registration code "khs-c076." If you have questions about setting up a user account, or general questions about WISCareers, contact your guidance counselor. The Web address is http://wiscareers.wisc.edu.
- Start sending in college applications. Use the UW Help Web site to determine priority dates and to apply online. The Web address is http://uwhelp.wisconsin.edu
- Request letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors and others who can assist in your application process. Plan ahead and request letters of recommendation at least one week in advance. You may use the online Letter of Recommendation Request Form to request letters from Kewaskum High School teachers. The form is available here.
- Begin looking for scholarships. Be sure you know the deadline for each scholarship. Scholarship information is available in the Kewaskum High School Counseling Office and online at the Kewaskum High School Counseling Department Web site.
- Plan to visit as many of your "top choice" colleges as possible. Make appointments for interviews and campus tours. If possible, visit on weekdays and ask for permission to sit in on a few classes. For a list of UW System campus tours and preview days click here.
- Talk with college representatives who visit Kewaskum High School. Periodically check the Kewaskum High School "In-School College Visit Calendar" in the School Counseling Office and online.
- Retake the ACT/SAT if you want to improve your score. ACT and SAT test applications and information is available from your counselor and in School Counseling Office.
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November
- Plan to submit all college applications before Thanksgiving. DOUBLECHECK deadlines in case applications are due sooner. Use the UW Help Web site to determine priority dates and to apply online. The Web address is http://uwhelp.wisconsin.edu/
- Students who sent in applications earlier in the fall may begin receiving acceptance letters.
- Continue to talk with college representatives who visit Kewaskum High School. Periodically check the Kewaskum High School "In-School College Visit Calendar" in the School Counseling Office and online.
December
- By this time all students should have applied to a four-year school, two-year school, apprenticeship program or decided on joining the military.
January
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) forms are available to all seniors. These forms are no longer available in paper format and you must apply online at http://www.fafsa.ed.gov. Contact your school counselor for more information. The completed forms can NOT be submitted prior to January 1st. You need to complete your family’s taxes first, so parents should plan to do them early this year. Estimated tax information can be used. Some colleges and universities may require an additional application specifically for their school.
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February-March-April-May
- Submit your completed Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) form online. You will need information from your family's most recent income tax return.
- If your college requests a Semester I report card, notify your guidance counselor in writing for a copy of your Semester I report card.
- Continue to research scholarship and other financial aid options.
- By this time, you should have received your college acceptance or rejection letters. Notify your school counselor on the action taken on your application.
- Return housing contracts immediately.
- Compare financial aid packages that you were offered from the various colleges where you were accepted. Look at your costs, estimated contributions and how much money you have been offered in grants, loan and scholarships. Remember, grants and scholarships do not have to be paid back, as long as you remain eligible. Each loan has different terms.
- Let your guidance counselor know in writing which college you will be attending and if you received any scholarships.
- If you are in advanced placement classes, register and take advanced placements tests (through your course teacher).
- Continue to make plans for what you will do after high school. Take a summer break? Work full-time? Visit family/travel? Volunteer?
- Double-check with your school counselor to make sure that you have the credits and courses you need to graduate on time. Make decisions about college, military, apprenticeships, etc. and begin the process of application.
- You can apply to a University of Wisconsin school after September 15th. Each campus sets its own priority dates and deadline. Generally, priority deadlines are set for the middle of November. You can use the UW-HELP website as a reference. CHECK CAREFULLY. Do you have all the necessary forms? Are you sure of the application deadlines? Are you required to write an essay? Obtain application forms. Observe deadlines. Submit transcript and test scores.
- Begin a scholarship search. Use the resources available in the School Counseling Office and online to assist in your search.
- If you are going to college, apply for financial aid; consult the financial aid office at your chosen college. You can complete the FAFSA after January 1, but you will need your parent's completed tax information.
- Make final decisions. If you are not planning on attending college or technical school, what steps do you need to take to reach your goals? Have you inquired about apprenticeship programs or military options? Have you met the deadlines and requirements to begin your training program? If you are not going to college, trade or technical school, you are not starting an apprenticeship program, and you are not enlisting in the military, what will you do?
- If you are going to college, and have received an acceptance letter, you must confirm your decision with the school. Make sure that you decline any other offers you received.
- Take challenging courses and continue to work toward your goals. It is not unheard of for colleges to revoke acceptance based on senior year academic performance. If you have been accepted to a college or university, your acceptance may be conditionally based on your senior year class schedule. You need to maintain good grades and complete full class schedule
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