Dear class of 2024,

As you are approaching the closing chapter of your high school journey, your year is intensified with excitement but becomes wildly busy. From high school academics, extracurricular activities, dances, graduation, and the college admissions process, it is easy to become overwhelmed. Here is a friendly checklist to help guide you on where you should strive to be before the upcoming new year.

A keynote is there are two major deadlines with the application process. As well as an insight into the financial aid process (scroll down).

Early decision: application deadline is early to mid-November

Regular decision: application deadline is early January to mid-February

With this in mind, research the college of interest to you, determine their given deadlines and gain an insight into their specific application process. Don’t procrastinate as deadlines are fast approaching.

Senior College Checklist 

• Log into your Naviance account https://id.naviance.com/ (where full instructions are provided on the CMW website at https://cmhs.ss18.sharpschool.com/Counseling_Department/seniors__post-_secondary_resources)
• Narrow down the top colleges you plan to apply to, this is urgent as deadlines are approaching.
• Make note of the advised deadlines. Each college varies when it comes to deadlines. Make sure to indicate in Naviance which deadline you choose for the chosen colleges.
•  Add colleges to your “Colleges I’m Applying To” list within Naviance.
• If you are using the Common App for any of your schools, you must match Common App account with Naviance account.
• Request the INITIAL transcript through Naviance. You and your parent/guardian must complete the Transcript Release Form before anything is sent to the College.
• Complete Brag Sheet located in Naviance (initial bubble > Surveys for your school). This assists teachers and counselors to develop more comprehensive letters.
• Letters of Recommendation: speak to teachers in person before requesting a letter through Naviance, giving them at least two weeks’ notice before the earliest college deadline.
• Research if your college requires an SAT score. If they do you must send those scores directly from College Board (https://www.collegeboard.org/).
• If help is needed, reach out to your provided counselors who are more than happy to take part in this process for your future.

Financial Aid 

The financial process can always be a key stressor when it comes to the college application process but take a moment to relax as the counselors have provided methods to seek assistance. First let’s gain an understanding of the several different types of aid out there.

Loans: must be paid back, typically starting 6 months after graduation, or you stop attending college full-time. These can come from the Federal Government or private lenders.

Grants: money that does not have to be pain back. Grants are given through the Federal Government, the state of Maryland, and each college.

Scholarships: these do not have to be paid back and typically have an application process. Scholarships come through the community of each college.

All types of aid require you and your family to complete the FAFSA application. This is the Fee Application for Federal Student Aid. This opens DECEMBER 1st  and can be found at https://studentaid.gov/h/apply-for-aid/fafsa

Students who plan to attend a college or university within the state of Maryland should register with the Maryland Higher Education Commission at https://mhec.maryland.gov/preparing/Pages/default.aspx

Come on Mustangs! Keep those grades up with colleges making their 1st semester checkup. Mid-year GPA is what matters. You got this.