Tips for Seniors

Fall

  • First semester grades are very important in the college admission process. Seniors should get off to a strong start in the Fall Semester.
  • Seniors should continue to go on college visits, especially overnight visits, and attend open houses. Additionally, seniors should try to have at least one college interview at this point.
  • College admission representatives will be visiting Wayland throughout the fall. Seniors should see them, especially those representatives from schools of interest. It is important to remember that colleges and universities use the number of contacts students make as an indication of their interest level.
  • There will be additional opportunities to take the SAT I and SAT II in October, November, and December and opportunities to take the ACT in October and December. Seniors should keep track of registration deadlines. If scores on one test are unsatisfactory, it is prudent to take the other test; it is possible that a student’s strengths are better demonstrated on one test versus the other. Colleges usually convert all scores to the same scale and take the highest. Click here for a conversion chart that shows how SAT scores compare to ACT scores.
  • Fall athletes who want to be recruited should make a highlight tape of their best games or moments, or put together a sheet of statistics and/or best times.
  • College essays are critically important and must be completed during the early months of senior year. Seniors should have begun work on this essay during the summer.
  • Seniors should be in close contact with their Wayland college counselor, especially with regard to college visits and other communications. Students should begin narrowing down their lists of possible college choices.
  • Early Admission and Early Decision. Seniors should be aware of all deadlines pertaining to either option; most of them are in November. If neither is an option because of financial reasons (a student needs to apply to many schools to compare financial aid awards), students should alert their favored schools. They might be able to give an estimate of the financial award. Furthermore, even if a student elects not to choose Early Admission and Early Decision, the school will have a record of the conversation, which indicates the student’s high level of interest.
  • Seniors should use the common application.
  • It is a good idea to investigate online applications.
  • In addition to admissions applications, seniors need to research scholarship opportunities and get applications for them completed and mailed.
  • Seniors should speak with the teachers who will be writing their recommendations, and give them a copy of each application form along with a list of the deadlines and a brief resume or list of activities.
  • Artists and musicians should put together portfolios or tapes of their work.
  • Applications should be mailed as soon as possible, especially if they are for schools with rolling admission or priority deadlines.

Winter

  • The regular decision deadline for most schools is in January. All applications MUST be in by that time. Some schools also have a second round of early decision in January.
  • Seniors and their families need fill out and mail the FAFSA and PROFILE forms as soon after January 1 as possible, in order to qualify for financial aid from colleges and universities.
  • If an application for Early Admission and Early Decision was deferred, seniors should be sure to inform the school of any updates. It is best for students to reaffirm their commitment to the school in writing.
  • Seniors should also continue to research and apply for scholarships.

Spring

  • Students can now expect to begin receiving acceptance letters.
  • The college decision is now in the hands of each individual student. Students should carefully weigh the pros and cons of each school and come to an informed decision.
  • Students should continue to communicate the results of their college applications with Wayland's college counseling office. The college counseling office needs to track each school’s decision.
  • Many schools have visit-days for students who have been accepted. This is a great opportunity to see the school and meet other students. This is especially helpful when choosing between schools.
  • Seniors should notify colleges of their enrollment decisions by May 1. They should also alert the Wayland college counseling office of such decisions.
  • Students should take Advanced Placement exams during spring semester.
  • If a student has been waitlisted at a college or university, he or she should request to stay on or be removed from the list. If a student has a high interest in a school by which they have been waitlisted, informing the school of this interest in writing could help improve the odds of admission. Finally, students should keep the school updated with any changes or new information -- but don't be a pest.
  • REMEMBER: Wayland mails final grades to colleges. Admission officers don't look kindly on senior slumps or student who dropped difficult classes after being accepted. Each student is admitted based on the classes and grades he or she had upon application, but a college’s decision is provisional and can be revoked.
  • Lastly, seniors should enjoy their senior year and have a great summer!