December
- Make sure applications have been received by your colleges. If you haven’t received confirmation online or through the U.S. mail from your colleges, CALL EACH ADMISSIONS OFFICE to verify all application materials have been received.
- Watch for decision letters from the colleges and universities you applied to in November to arrive this month. They may arrive via your personal e-mail account, U.S. mail, or through college websites using a login ID and password.
- Consider applying to additional colleges using the regular admission process (if you missed submitting early applications in November). Regular Admission deadlines are usually between January 15 and March 1.
- If you are deferred for admission by your top choice college and really want to attend that school, contact the college admissions office within a few days of being notified of your deferral. If you’re flat-out rejected by your top choice college and you really want to attend that school, one last attempt to get accepted can be made by writing a Letter of Appeal.
- Print and fill out the FAFSA Worksheet. The FAFSA Worksheet should be completed by hand BEFORE January 1.
- Make sure your parents complete the CSS/PROFILE® financial aid application as soon as possible if it's required by the colleges and universities you've been accepted to (or applied to).
- Students - Minimize money in your bank accounts. Colleges and universities expect you (the student) to use virtually your entire savings to help pay for college. Consider using your money to purchase items for college (i.e., laptop computer) before applying for financial aid. Be aware that any money held in a student's name will reduce that student’s eligibility for need-based scholarships.
- Visit with college freshmen who graduated from your high school that are home on winter break. Hear what they have to say about their first semester in college. What advice do they have for you?
