Checklist For Seniors - Class of 2009
www.mcintoshhigh.com
July – September
ü Register on-line to take the SAT and/or ACT. Both are recommended.
SAT = www.collegeboard.com ACT = www.act.org
Test dates and registration:
SAT National Test Dates Schedule 2008-09 ACT National Test Date Schedule 2008-09
SAT I – Reasoning
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SAT Test Date
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Registration
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Late Reg.
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ACT Test Date
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Registration
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Late Reg.
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October 4, 2008
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Sept. 9
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Check info.
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Sept. 13, 2008
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August 12
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August 13-22
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November 1, 2008
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Sept. 26
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online
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October 25, 2008
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September 19
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Sept. 20-Oct. 3
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December 6, 2008
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November 5
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Dec. 13, 2008
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November 7
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November 8-20
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January 24, 2009
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December 26
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February 7, 2009
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January 6
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January 7-16
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March 14, 2009
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February 10
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April 4, 2009
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February 27
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Feb. 28-Mar. 13
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May 2, 2009
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March 31
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June 13, 2009
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May 8
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May 9-22
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June 6, 2009
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May 5
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ü Check for SAT/ACT requirements for each school. Some schools will only accept scores sent directly to them from the testing service.
ü Start thinking about career interests and goals. Websites with on-line career inventories include: www.mapping-your-future.org, www.khake.com , www.collegeboard.com, www.gcic.edu (userid = mcintosh; password = gcis1146), and www.college411.org.
ü Attend the PROBE Fair at Sandy Creek High School on September 23 from 6:30-8:30 pm, the website for other locations is www.gaprobe.org
ü Begin college selections. Request applications, brochures, and financial aid information. The best way to search is on-line. College and financial aid information can be found at www.fastweb.com as well as many other sites. See attached list of websites.
ü Narrow your list to 3 – 5 schools. Become familiar with their entrance requirements via on-line information. Make sure that you have one or two “hip-pocket” schools, one “pie in the sky” school, and one or two “realistic” schools.
ü Begin to look on the McIntosh website for scholarship offerings that come through our offices. Information is clearly laid out. See list of websites for other scholarship opportunities.
ü Visit schools that you are interested in. Be sure to schedule an admission interview, tour and meet with financial aid officer.
**Seniors can take two college visits without attendance penalty. Forms can be obtained from the Attendance Office and must be completed prior to the scheduled visit. Remember the week long break at Thanksgiving and the staff development day in October as good times to plan college visits.
October – November
ü Think about which teachers, counselors, coaches and other mentors you’ll ask to write recommendation letters. Be sure to give each person you ask a minimum 3 week notice and copy of your student data form.
ü Work on application essays. See your counselor and/or English teacher if you need help.
ü Send in early decision and early action applications. Be very neat!! Use black ink.
ü Read the Junior –Senior memo regularly for information on scholarships, grants, loans and/or local scholarships that match your interests. It can also be found at the McIntosh website under Guidance. www.mcintoshhigh.com. It is YOUR responsibility to keep track of deadlines!!
ü Male students must register with the Selective Service when they turn 18.
ü Request transcripts. Stop by Guidance and request an order form. All transcripts are $3 payable when ordered. Eighteen year old students must request their own transcripts; parents cannot order for them. Transcripts include all your classes and grades made in each class, over all GPA, class rank, SAT/ACT test scores and a school profile. Three working days must be allowed for these to be completed. Transcripts must be picked up by the student who ordered them. The sealed envelope should not be opened and should be mailed with the application. Transcripts can now be ordered on line at www.GAcollege411.org. Log on or create an account, click on “My 411”, choose “My Transcripts” on the left menu. Verify or update information, click “Update info and continue” button. Select destination schools (use CTRL and click to select multiple schools if you choose to send to more than one). Enable automatic release of future versions. Click “Release Transcript” button. A confirmation will be presented. Recipient Post Secondary Institution(s) will be listed with release date. After the Post Secondary Institution downloads the transcript, a date will be displayed. Log off.
December
ü Focus on 1st semester exams.
ü Class schedules for 2nd semester should be adjusted with counselor to reflect any failed classes from 1st semester.
ü Request mid-term reports to be sent to colleges if necessary. You are responsible for sending them directly to the college.
ü Enjoy your Winter Break!
January – March
ü Most regular decision applications are due in January or February. Be sure to request transcripts well before the deadline.
ü Submit the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) as soon as possible after January 1st. It can be completed on-line at www.fafsa.ed.gov.
ü Colleges still look at 2nd semester grades, so avoid Senioritis!
ü Continue to look for scholarships both on-line and locally.
April – May
ü Look for summer opportunities – jobs, internships or volunteer positions.
ü Most admission decisions and financial aid award letters arrive in April. Read carefully and note deadlines.
ü If you are deferred by a school, contact the admissions director to stress your interest in attending the school.
ü If you are not admitted to any of the schools to which you applied, see your counselor immediately!
ü Study for May AP exams which are administered the first two weeks in May.
ü Send thank-you notes to teachers and others who wrote recommendations.
ü Complete a request for a final transcript to be sent to the school of your choice and/or NCAA by completing the form in the Guidance Office and paying $3 for each.
ü GRADUATION!!!
June – August
ü Finalize summer plans.
ü Send thank you notes to scholarship programs that have given you aid.
ü Notify the financial aid office about any scholarships you have been offered.
ü Spend time with your family. Thank them for all the support they have provided.
ü Start packing!