Counseling Department » Senior Year

Senior Year

August

  • Create/update your College List
  • University of California (UC) applications opens
  • Common Application opens
  • Create calendar of college applications deadlines
  • Save your college application passwords
  • Apply for scholarships

September

  • Request teacher recommendations
  • Work on your UC applications at apply.universityofcalifornia.edu
  • Work on your Common Application at commonapp.org
  • Draft common applications essays
  • Draft Personal Insight Questions (PIQs) responses
  • Apply for scholarships

October

  • Begin filling out CSU Applications at calstate.edu/apply
  • Continue working on UC Applications at apply.universityofcalifornia.edu
  • Continue working on your Common Application at commonapp.org
  • Have a teacher/staff review your common applications essays and PIQs

November

  • Deadline for CSU & UC applications is November 30th
  • Submit your applications for Early Decision/Early Action for Private Schools.

December

  • Make sure colleges have received your application materials
  • Look for Early Decision replies from colleges. If you receive one, pay attention to deadlines, paperwork, etc.
  • Create student portals for all colleges you applied to and check your emails often.
  • Submit your applications for regular decision for Private schools
  • Financial Aid Applications opens (FAFSA/CADA)

January

  • Check to see if colleges have received your application materials
  • Send your official transcripts to colleges that request it from you.

February

  • Start applying to Community Colleges for Fall 2024
  • Make sure colleges have received your mid-year transcripts, test scores, financial aid information, and other needed documents

March

  • Look for Admissions Decisions in your college portals and share your acceptance letters with your counselor

April

  • Submit your Financial Aid Application (FAFSA/CADA)
  • Decide which college to attend and provide them with any extra information that is required

May/June

  • Create an account for the Cal Grant at mygrantinfo.csac.ca.gov
  • Stay on top of deadlines and paperwork
  • Request your final transcript to be sent to your college
  • Submit your intent to register to the college you chose
  • Submit all housing paperwork
  • Begin planning the big move to college
  • Make sure to update the “college of attendance” on your Cal Grant 
  • Graduation!