Fall is in the air (at least in most parts of the country) and seniors are gearing up for a busy year of college-related activities. To help parents and students stay organized and on top of the college to-do-lists, I’m sharing my senior list from my Parents Countdown to College Toolkit and Parents Crash Course.

My good friend and colleague Paul Hemphill has another take on the senior “to-do-list” (3 Things High Seniors should do early) that you will also want to share with your college-bound teens.

FALL

• Continue to follow a rigorous program of study and verify that your course plan is consistent with college admissions criteria. Keep tabs on your GPA and your class rank; double check your transcript for any errors.
• Start collecting recommendation letters. Gather any that were done over the summer and if you need to add additional ones, ask for them early when school begins.
• If you need to take admissions tests again, register for and take the SAT and/or ACT and SAT Subject tests. Fill in the proper codes for each college to assure they receive your test scores.
• Lock in your college choices and visit any on your list that you haven’t already checked out.
• If you are applying to a military academy make sure your file is current and in the possession of the person from whom you are seeking the nomination.
• If you are seeking an athletic scholarship, send a copy of your game schedule to the appropriate coaches; ask your high school coaches to help with contact names.
• Finalize portfolios, audition tapes, writing samples, or other evidence of talent to send with your college admissions application.
• If you are going to apply for early decision or early action, be sure to submit application materials by the deadline.

WINTER

• Gather all the data for the FAFSA and encourage your parents to complete income tax returns early so that you can file in January. Complete the CSS/Profile as well if necessary.
• Continue your scholarship search process focusing on those for 12^th grade students. Request any college specific scholarship applications and apply.
• Apply to the colleges that you have chosen and assure proper completion of each application package.
• Verify that your mid-year transcript has been sent to the colleges to which you have applied. This is EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. Follow up and verify that the colleges receive the transcript.
• Review your SAR Report for accuracy and submit corrections if necessary.
• If any college requests additional materials or forms send them promptly and verify they are received.
• Apply for State Financial aid which may require additional forms.

SPRING

• Plan to take AP Exams. Check with your colleges and verify that once the tests are taken you will receive college credit.
• Compare college award letters and financial aid packages. Contact the school’s financial aid office if you have questions about your award. If you would like to dispute your award due to extenuating circumstances, follow the guidelines outlined in the toolkit.
• Visit colleges that have invited you to enroll and talk with students, professors and admissions advisers to help you make your final decision.
• Complete any loan paperwork if you will need to take out parent or student loans.
• Make your final decision and notify the college you will be attending, along with the colleges you will be declining admission. (Remember: there are students on wait lists that will be waiting for spots to open. So be respectful and notify ALL schools of your decision).
• Accept or decline your financial aid awards in writing. You have the option to accept all or part of the aid awarded.

SUMMER.

• Attend Freshman Orientation and gather information regarding your course offerings to begin searching for textbook offers and deals.
• Write thank you notes to the people who recommended you and thank them for taking the time to write those recommendation letters.
• Apply for a summer job and save that money for college expenses.
• If Federal Work Study is part of your package it’s your responsibility to secure a job and follow up with the financial aid office when you arrive on campus.

Print the list–email it to your teenager–post it on the frig for easy reference. It will help remind YOU and your college-bound teen that senior year is NOT the time for senioritis to kick in.