This is an email I sent out to my seniors recently (I adjusted some of the checklist items to be more general and not specifically for my school). Enjoy!
Dear Parents,
If your wondering what your senior should be doing during these next couple months for college applications, please check out the Senior Calendar. The Senior Calendar is a monthly checklist of items for seniors to be mindful of throughout the process. It was handed out during the Senior English classes during the College Guidance visit in August and is available on the Resource page of the College and Career Website. Of course not all items may reflect your son or daughter’s individual journey, but it is a wonderful general guidance for college applications. Please check out the months of October and November below:
October
¨ Early Applicants: Complete all materials needed in order to request letters of recommendations from your teachers (if you are applying early deadlines will be sooner) Check with your counselor and your teachers.
¨ Attend a local college fair and attend a college representative visit hosted at your school.
¨ Complete all ED, EA, REA applications and submit by or prior to November 1 (sign any Early Decision agreements needed in Naviance/Common App)
¨ Start your CSU application online at www.csumentor.org, available on October 1. Try to complete and submit it in October.
¨ Continue to revise, update and work on UC application online; cannot submit until November.
¨ Retake SAT or ACT exams if needed; register for December SAT or ACT if needed.
¨ Complete all requests for letters of recommendation and school forms for Regular Decision applications.
¨ Reflect on Financial Aid workshop from September, remind your parents to gather financial records for upcoming applications.
¨ Register for CSS Profile (financial aid form for private schools) on www.collegeboard.com for schools that require it.
November
¨ Regular Decision Applicants: Complete all materials needed in order to request letters of recommendations from your teachers (if you are applying early deadlines will be sooner) Check with your counselor and your teachers.
¨ Continue to work on college applications (especially UC and CSU applications!) and essays.
¨ Submit CSU and UC applications by November 30. Do it earlier!
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Keep in mind that some colleges will have earlier applications deadlines for students to qualify for scholarships. Here are a few examples (it is best to check on your college’s individual website) and don’t forget National Scholarships as well!
USC – Scholarship consideration, complete application by December 1, 2015
Clemson University – Lyceum Scholars Program for the study of capitalism (A program dedicated to exploring the moral, political and economic foundations of a free society) $10,000 scholarships, Scholarship consideration by December 8, 2015
California Association of Collectors Educational Scholarship Foundation Awarded to California seniors who will be attending an accredited public or private university as a full-time student. Essay required, please visit www.cacesf.org or see Ms. Rowley for the application. Due January 20, 2016.
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Looking for schools still?
Test Optional Schools Did you know there are colleges that are test optional (no SAT/ACT required) and review students on a holistic basis! Check out Fair Test: The National Center for Fair and Open Testing for a list of participating schools.
Western Undergraduate Exchange California students may qualify for a reduced tuition rate (quite a hefty reduction!) for out-of-state schools, which allows for more opportunity (and sometimes cheaper) options for out-of-state universities. For a list of participating schools and more information visit wue.wiche.edu
Barneson Counseling 
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