Make Your Senior Year Count

Senior year is an exciting time filled with important decisions and opportunities. Whether you plan to attend a four-year college, community college, trade or technical school, enter the military, begin an apprenticeship, or enter the workforce, your senior year is the time to make a plan for what comes next.

Use this page as a guide to help you stay organized, meet important deadlines, and finish high school strong.

Your Senior Year Checklist

August–September

Start the year organized and focused.

  • Meet with your school counselor or academic advisor to review your graduation requirements.
  • Make sure you are enrolled in the courses you need to graduate.
  • Create a calendar of important college, scholarship, financial aid, and application deadlines.
  • If you are applying to college, create a list of schools and programs that interest you.
  • Review admission requirements for the schools or programs you are considering.
  • Register for or plan any needed college entrance exams.
  • Create or update your resume.
  • Begin gathering information for college and scholarship applications.
  • Ask teachers, counselors, coaches, or employers about letters of recommendation if you will need them.
  • Visit college campuses or attend virtual college and career events.
  • Explore career pathways, apprenticeships, military opportunities, and technical programs if those are part of your plans.
  • Continue to attend class regularly and maintain strong grades.

October–November

Begin completing applications and financial aid requirements.

  • Complete college applications according to each school's deadline.
  • Submit required test scores, transcripts, recommendations, essays, and other application materials.
  • Complete applications for community colleges, trade schools, technical programs, apprenticeships, or other post-secondary opportunities.
  • Complete the FAFSA when it becomes available and follow up on any required information.
  • Search and apply for scholarships.
  • Review scholarship requirements and deadlines carefully.
  • Continue monitoring your school email and application portals.
  • Meet with your counselor if you have questions about applications, financial aid, or your plans after graduation.
  • Keep your grades up. Colleges and other programs may review your final transcript.

December–January

Check your progress and follow up.

  • Confirm that applications have been submitted and received.
  • Check college and scholarship portals regularly for updates or requests for additional information.
  • Make sure your FAFSA or other financial aid applications are complete.
  • Continue applying for scholarships.
  • Review admission and financial aid offers as they arrive.
  • If you have not yet made a post-secondary plan, meet with your counselor or advisor.
  • Review your graduation status and make sure you are on track to complete all requirements.

February–April

Make informed decisions about your next step.

  • Continue searching and applying for scholarships.
  • Compare college, career, technical school, apprenticeship, military, and employment opportunities.
  • Review financial aid offers carefully.
  • Attend admitted-student events, career fairs, or program information sessions.
  • Visit campuses or programs when possible.
  • Meet with your counselor to discuss your options.
  • Complete housing applications or other required enrollment steps if applicable.
  • Submit enrollment deposits by the appropriate deadlines.
  • Notify schools or programs of your decision according to their deadlines.
  • If you plan to enter the workforce, finalize your resume and begin applying for jobs.
  • If you plan to attend a trade or technical program, apprenticeship, or military program, make sure you have completed all required steps.

May–Graduation

Finish strong and prepare for your next chapter.

  • Complete all assignments and final exams.
  • Make sure you have met all graduation requirements.
  • Submit final transcripts or other required documents to your college, employer, military branch, or program.
  • Complete any required placement tests or orientation programs.
  • Finalize housing, transportation, registration, or employment arrangements.
  • Thank the teachers, counselors, coaches, mentors, and others who have supported you.
  • Attend graduation practices and complete all required senior activities.
  • Celebrate your accomplishments!
  • Keep your school email and contact information up to date in case you need to receive important information after graduation.

College Planning

If college is part of your plan, be sure to:

  • Research schools and programs that fit your academic and career interests.
  • Review admission requirements and deadlines.
  • Complete applications early whenever possible.
  • Request transcripts and recommendations with adequate notice.
  • Complete required essays and supplemental materials.
  • Monitor application portals and email.
  • Apply for financial aid and scholarships.
  • Compare financial aid offers and total costs.
  • Complete enrollment and housing requirements by the appropriate deadlines.

Career & Workforce Planning

College is not the only path after high school. Students can pursue many different options, including:

  • Full-time or part-time employment
  • Apprenticeships
  • Career and technical education
  • Community college
  • Trade or technical school
  • Military service
  • Public service
  • Entrepreneurship
  • Industry certifications
  • On-the-job training

If you are entering the workforce, use senior year to build your resume, practice interviewing, develop workplace skills, and explore opportunities in careers that interest you.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Pay close attention to financial aid and scholarship deadlines.

Be sure to:

  • Complete the FAFSA when available.
  • Review financial aid information from colleges and other programs.
  • Search for local, state, school, community, and national scholarships.
  • Keep track of scholarship deadlines and requirements.
  • Never pay a fee simply to apply for a scholarship without first verifying that the opportunity is legitimate.
  • Keep copies of applications and important financial aid documents.

Check with the Academic Advising Office for scholarship opportunities and additional financial aid resources.

Graduation Requirements

Before graduation, make sure you have completed all required coursework and other graduation requirements.

Meet with your school counselor or academic advisor to confirm:

  • Required credits
  • Required courses
  • State or district requirements
  • Testing requirements, if applicable
  • Attendance requirements
  • Senior-specific requirements
  • Any outstanding obligations

Do not assume that you are on track to graduate. Review your graduation status with your counselor.

Important Senior-Year Habits

Check your school email.

Important information about scholarships, applications, graduation, deadlines, and events may be sent to your school email.

Keep a deadline calendar.

Record application, scholarship, financial aid, enrollment, housing, and graduation deadlines in one place.

Ask questions.

Your counselor, teachers, advisors, and other trusted adults are available to help you navigate your options.

Keep copies of important documents.

Save copies of applications, resumes, scholarship materials, financial aid documents, acceptance letters, and other important records.

Finish strong.

Your senior year grades still matter. Continue attending class, completing assignments, and preparing for final exams.