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Senior Year

Education Timeline San Antonio

Finishing Senior Year and Graduating from High School

Senior year of high school is an exciting and busy year. Many students finalize college applications during their senior year, while others make their career plans. Above all, students are finishing graduation requirements.

In addition to school-related activities, many twelfth graders spend time working and socializing.

Senior year includes sports banquets, prom, graduation, and senior trips. Some seniors look forward to high school graduation gifts and senior class rings. Similarly, some might look forward to crafting those brilliant senior yearbook quotes.

In conclusion, while senior year can be hectic, it is a time to enjoy the moment and make memories.

Get ready for graduation and plan for the future – a monthly guide

June-August

  • Visit colleges/universities.
  • Think about college application essay topics. Create an outline.
  • Work on Brag Sheet.

September

  • Meet with a guidance counselor to check high school graduation requirements.
  • Create a calendar of admission and financial aid deadlines.
  • Register for test dates if you plan to retake the SAT or ACT.
  • Request teacher recommendations and send Brag Sheets.
  • Draft application essay.
  • Work on application resume.

October 

  • Complete financial aid forms.
  • Polish college application essay.
  • Finalize list of schools.

November

  • Prepare to submit applications in advance of deadlines.  
  • Clean up social media accounts.
  • Apply for scholarships for high school seniors.

December 

  • Follow up with teachers and counselors regarding recommendations.
  • Send test scores and transcripts to colleges.
  • Submit all college applications before winter break.
  • Confirm all schools have received transcripts, test scores, recommendations, and financial aid forms.

January 

  • Send applications to colleges with late deadlines.

February 

  • Continue to apply for scholarships.

March

  • Start searching for a job or internship for the summer.
  • Think about graduation party ideas.
  • Select and order graduation announcements/invitations.
  • Order cap and gown.

April

  • Choose colleges.
  • Mail graduation announcements and/or graduation party invitations.

May

  • Connect with those who provided you with recommendations and send a thank-you note.
  • Write thank-you notes as graduation gifts arrive.
  • Research housing options for the fall.
Download Senior Monthly Guide

What is a Brag Sheet?

A senior brag sheet is a tool to showcase accomplishments. In addition, the brag sheet explains unique qualities. Once completed, provide the brag sheet to people writing letters of recommendation. In short, the brag sheet’s information makes the writing process easier for your recommender.

To sum up, the brag sheet can help you:

  • Complete the Common Application
  • Give to teachers, counselors, advisors, and coaches writing your recommendations
  • Complement a job or internship application
  • Support a scholarship application
  • Provide to the interviewer at an alumni or college admission interview

Brag Sheet Template and Outline 

  • Name, address, phone number, email address
  • GPA and class rank 
  • Test scores (PSAT, SAT, ACT, AP)
  • Awards and achievements
  • Extracurricular activities 
  • Top school choices
  • Possible majors
  • Potential careers
  • Employment, internships, volunteer work
  • Any additional notes 

 

 What to Put in a Brag Sheet– Road2College

College Application Essay Tips for Seniors

1. Research college essay examples. Compare different styles and tones to decide which direction you want to follow.

2. Write about something that’s important to you. It could be an experience, a hobby, a person, a book—anything that has had an impact on your life. The college essay is a thoughtful story that gives insight into who you are as a person.

3. Reflect and Describe: Remember to give more than a play-by-play or itinerary. Describe your experience in a way that shows what you learned or how you changed because of it.

4. Include humor. You can try to use humor to make your college essay more memorable to an admissions officer, but be cautious.  Your use of humor should be clever and tasteful. Avoid one-liners or limericks. 

5. Start early and write multiple drafts. Write your first draft early.  Allow for plenty of time to review, edit, re-write, and review.  Ask yourself these questions: Is my essay interesting? Do my ideas flow logically? What insight am I giving about myself?

6. Avoid repeating information: Do not include information in your essay that you have listed elsewhere in your application.  Essays should not include lists of your test scores, awards, or achievements.

7. Answer the prompt appropriately. Make sure you read and understand the question, and answer accordingly.  Stay on topic. Don’t reuse an answer to a similar question from another application.

8. Have at least one other person proofread and edit your essay. Your school counselor or teacher can help edit your essay and give you feedback.  You should also always double-check for spelling and grammar errors.

(Source: The Princeton Review) (2)

Download College Essay Application Tips

Applying for College - Student Tips and Advice- Top Things to Remember When Filling out Your Application

First and foremost, read directions and fill out every blank on your application. Answer every question, including optional ones. Secondly, don’t rely on parents. Parents should not fill out your applications. They also should not write your essay or communicate with school officials on your behalf.

Furthermore, keep your resume short. Experts advise that you keep your resume to only one page. You might need to narrow your information to highlight only the top achievements and extracurriculars.

First, remember to proofread your work and your application. Second, use tools like Spellcheck or Grammarly. Ask someone you trust to proofread it as well. Finally, don’t delay any steps. Know your college’s admissions deadlines for early action, early decision, and regular decision. Apply as early as possible. (US News) (3)

Do I Need to Send a High School Resume?

A high school resume provides an opportunity for you to highlight things that you didn’t write about in your application essays. Send your resume if the college you are applying to accepts them. Some Common Application schools do not accept college resumes. Some schools outside the Common Application system might ask you to submit one.

When should I submit my high school resume?

Submit your resume along with your application materials. Subsequently, do not send a resume if the college does not ask for one. In addition, bring your resume with you to college interviews.  And finally, provide copies of your resume to your teachers and counselors to assist them in writing your recommendation letters. (1)

Sources and Resources for Senior Year

EXPLORE THE EDUCATION TIMELINE

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Elementary School

Middle School
Freshman
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Junior
Senior

Financial Aid Guide

We Go Public’s Education Timeline is the ultimate parent guide for navigating Pre-K through graduation. The purpose is to help parents know what to expect at each grade level and provide guidance on all that is offered in a public education. A huge benefit of public schools are the resources that support a student. The Education Timeline serves as a compass for navigating those resources. Each phase will also have helpful information, guides, and checklists.

The Timeline was researched and compiled from multiple sources cited throughout each phase. Refer to the timeline graphic below for the featured grade level. Click on each icon to learn more about what to expect and how to prepare.

We Go Public content producer and parent of two public school students, Trina Pruitt, developed the Education Timeline to help herself and other parents learn what to expect at each phase of a child’s journey in school.

“The goal is to help parents know what to expect ahead of time so that important steps in the process aren’t missed. I love the fact that my daughters receive a public education. And, by using the Education Timeline, I’m confident that I’m not missing any opportunities along the way."
Trina Pruitt
Content Producer

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