Just for Seniors!

This page is designed to provide information necessary for seniors to navigate the college application process. It is not meant to replace the interaction that seniors should have with their college counselors. Rather, think of this as a complement to the student-counselor relationship. As the FCDS College Counseling Staff discovers new information for seniors, we will put it here for your use.

The Princeton Review’s research: Who Wants What Test?

The menu of links under "College Counseling" on the left side of this page will help to get to the information you need. Below is a month-by-month overview of the application process:

September

Attend College Night Program for seniors and their parents on September 10, 7:00 - 9:00 pm.

Note all registration deadlines for SAT, SAT Subject Tests, and ACT testing and complete registration promptly. Read your applications carefully to determine which if any SAT Subject Tests are required for admission or placement.
Test date for ACT (September 15). The registration deadline is August 10.
Registration deadline for October 6 SAT and SAT Subject Tests (September 10)
Registration deadline for October 27 ACT (September 21)
Senior College Visit Day-Seniors are excused from classes (September 24)
See your college counselor to update final list of college choices and set a schedule for completion of the applications. Many applications are available in the college counseling office.
Give Secondary School Report Forms to your college counselor.
Request teacher, advisor, coach or other adult recommendations. Provide any necessary forms or information the recommender will need to complete the forms and allow a few weeks for completion. Let the recommender know the deadlines you establish with your college counselor. Teachers will give completed recommendations to the college counselor.
Attend sessions with college admission representatives who visit Forsyth Country Day. Make plans to attend sessions with those colleges to which you will apply. Introduce yourself to the representative as an applicant and stay after the session to ask specific questions or comment on your impressions of the school. As in your junior year, you should check with teachers prior to attending college presentations to discuss arrangements for make-up work.

October

Registration deadline for November 3 SAT and SAT Subject Tests (October 2)
Test date for SAT and SAT Subject Tests (October 6)
Test date for ACT (October 27)
Registration deadline for December 1 SAT and SAT Subject Tests (October 30)
Attend College Fair for Forsyth County students at the Benton Convention Center (October 1). This is a good place to pick up any applications you have not received and to speak with admission representatives from a variety of schools in and out of the southern region.
Make final choices regarding Early Decision and Early Action deadlines. Meet all deadlines established with your college counselor.
As rough drafts are completed, allow your college counselor to approve them before completing final drafts.
All student sections of the completed college application are given to your college counselor who will add your transcript, the secondary school form, the counselor’s recommendation and any teacher recommendations requested. Include your application fee. The college counseling office will mail your applications.
If you plan to seek financial aid and are applying to private colleges and selective state universities, complete the CSS/Profile and call in your registration as soon as possible. Profile registration may be submitted before federal forms and gives an early read on students’ eligibility for financial aid.
Many competitive scholarships have deadlines this month. Consult with your college counselor as you complete the application requirements and be sure all recommendations are complete by the required deadline.
Take advantage of Open House Weekends offered by colleges. These will be held throughout the fall and are designed for seniors. You will receive notice of these special visit days if you are on a college’s mailing list.

November

Test date for SAT and SAT Subject Tests (November 3)
Registration deadline for December 8 ACT (November 2)
Continue to complete regular decision and rolling applications. If you are waiting for fall SAT scores and first quarter grades before applying, now is a good time to finalize the applications since this information will be available this month.
Submit all November 15 or December 1 Early Decision and Early Action applications to your college counselor.

December

Test date for SAT and SAT Subject Tests (December 1)
Registration deadline for January 26 SAT and SAT Subject Tests (December 26)
Test date for ACT (December 8)
Devote appropriate time and energy to prepare for your first semester exams. Attend review sessions scheduled prior to exams.
Complete the student section of your Mid-Year Report Forms and give these to your college counselor. Colleges require your first semester grades and these are included with the Mid-Year Report. If a college does not provide a Mid-Year report form, transcripts will be sent with a cover letter from your college counselor. The college counseling office keeps records of all applications mailed and mid-year grades are submitted for each student. If you make application after first semester, the transcript will reflect your first semester grades and no additional form is necessary.
It is recommended that all college applications be completed before first semester exams. All January 1 deadline applications must be submitted before exams, by December 3, as the college counseling office closes during December holidays. (Exception: If a student is denied or deferred from an Early Decision deadline and has not completed other applications due January 1, school reports will be mailed prior to the holiday and the student may use the two-week vacation to complete and mail other applications from home. Discuss this exception as it becomes necessary with your college counselor.)
Pick up the federal financial aid form, FAFSA, from the college counseling office if you intend to apply for financial aid or complete the form at www.fafsa.gov.

January

Test date for SAT and SAT Subject Tests (January 26)
Registration deadline for February 9 ACT (January 4)
Registration deadline for March 1 SAT only; no SAT Subject Tests are offered. (January 29)
Note financial aid application deadlines and complete FAFSA as soon as W-2 forms are available from the previous calendar year. All colleges recommend submitting the forms as soon as possible but not before January 1.
Complete all rolling applications and February 1 deadlines this month.
Complete all scholarship applications that have not been submitted.

February

Test date for ACT (February 9)
Winter Break may be a good time to visit colleges you have not found time to tour.

March

Test date for SAT only; no SAT Subject Tests are offered this date.(March 1)
Registration deadline for May 3 SAT only; no SAT Subject Tests (April 1)
Colleges begin notifying students of admission decisions. Notification begins in early March and continues through April 15. Notify your college counselor of all decisions received. If you are placed on a waiting list for admission, additional information to update and support your application may be sent at this time. Showing strong interest by staying in touch with your admission contact and making another visit to the school often helps wait list candidates.
If the college you are likely to attend requires a SAT Subject Test for placement in a senior year course, register to take the test in May or June.

April

Registration deadline for May 3SAT and SAT Subject Tests (April 1).
Registration deadline for June 7 SAT and SAT Subject Tests (May 6). This is the last chance to take SAT Subject Tests for college placement!
Attend special days and weekends planned for accepted students to visit colleges. These visits will help with your final decisions.
Final admission notification letters are received. Notify the college you will attend prior to May 1. Contact other colleges who accepted you and inform them of your decision not to attend. This helps colleges predict their yield and make decisions relating to wait list candidates.
Contact the financial aid office at the college you will attend with questions concerning your financial aid package.

May

Test date for SAT and SAT Subject Tests (May 3)
Registration deadline for June 7 SAT and SAT Subject Tests (May 6). This is the last chance to take SAT Subject Tests for college placement!
Prepare for AP exams to be held in early May.
Attend a workshop offered by the college counseling office concerning the transition from high school to college.
Attend pre-graduation festivities planned for you and your classmates.

June

Test date for SAT and SAT Subject Tests (June 7). This is the last chance to take SAT Subject Tests for college placement!
Congratulations on your graduation from Forsyth Country Day School!
Enjoy the summer. You are going to college!