{"id":23279,"date":"2025-02-12T12:47:22","date_gmt":"2025-02-12T17:47:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/xello.world\/?p=23279"},"modified":"2025-05-15T00:46:32","modified_gmt":"2025-05-15T05:46:32","slug":"college-planning-timeline-for-seniors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/xello.world\/en\/resources\/blog-posts\/college-planning-timeline-for-seniors\/","title":{"rendered":"College Planning Timeline for Seniors"},"content":{"rendered":"

College is right around the corner for seniors. Here\u2019s a college planning timeline.<\/strong><\/h2>\n

As high school students reach their senior year, they often feel a mix of excitement and anxiety. While they\u2019re feeling high and mighty at the top of the food chain, they may also be grappling with what comes after graduation. Most of us have been there: Post-secondary planning can be daunting.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Because college planning is a time-consuming and all-encompassing process, we\u2019ve crafted a timeline to help educators and families guide seniors as they navigate college decisions.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Summer (before senior year): Start before the school year<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Remember when summer meant camp, lying by a pool, family vacations, and just plain relaxing? For rising seniors, summer can still encompass those things \u2013 but should also be\u00a0 a continuation of college planning.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fortunately, many districts incorporate college and career planning into curricula well before a student\u2019s senior year, which prevents seniors from entering the fall blind to their post-secondary goals.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That doesn\u2019t mean students need to know exactly what school they want to attend and what their major is. In fact, the summer before senior year gives students ample time to research and reflect on what they want for their future.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

EDUCATOR TIP: <\/b><\/em>Hold a meeting before summer break to remind and encourage rising seniors to take advantage of the time off. Many students and families may not know best practices for preparing for the fall, so it\u2019s helpful to equip them with this information ahead of time.<\/span><\/p>\n

Campus tours<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Oftentimes, students start visiting college campuses before their <\/span>junior year<\/span><\/a>. By the summer of senior year, <\/span>campus visits<\/span><\/a> should be more purposeful.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hopefully students will have narrowed down their college choices by now \u2013 either by size, location, major, price, etc \u2013 so that campus tours are informational and help further the decision process. If time and or money do not permit college visits to distant campuses, families should consider looking into virtual tours.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Research college application requirements<\/strong><\/h4>\n

Many colleges (and the <\/span>Common App<\/span><\/a>) make their applications available on August 1st.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Students should research what every college to which they\u2019re applying requires, such as standardized tests, entrance essays, application fees, and specific courses.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

That way, they can manage their time in the fall to ensure all applications are complete and submitted by the deadline. Note that completing <\/span>college applications<\/span><\/a> can take a while, as they are usually extensive.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Test prep<\/strong><\/h4>\n

It\u2019s recommended that students take both the SAT and ACT their junior year. In fact, some high schools even require it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

If students haven\u2019t achieved a score they\u2019re content with, summer is the perfect time to take practice tests, sign up for a test preparatory course, or take the tests again. It\u2019s advisable to knock this out before the school year begins so they have one less decision on their plate.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But how will students know if their scores are competitive? Enter Xello\u2019s data-based Scattergrams tool, which helps them gain a clear understanding of their admission possibilities based on trends from past applicants. By comparing test scores and GPA against previously accepted, waitlisted, or declined applicants, they can take a strategic approach to their college applications and goals.<\/span><\/p>\n

Fall of senior year: Off to the races<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Fall is a time when it\u2019s all hands on deck for counselors, teachers, administrators, community members, and families. Why? Applying to college often takes a village, and seniors are most likely to look to trusted adults for guidance.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Hold a college application kick-off meeting<\/strong><\/h4>\n

It\u2019s best practice for schools to host grade-level \u201cback to school\u201d assemblies to review rules, expectations, and upcoming dates. For seniors, this meeting should also incorporate post-secondary planning.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Make sure you include the following in your talking points:<\/span><\/p>\n