Seniors

The beginning of the fall is overwhelming with school and other commitments. In the interest of sanity, we won't bombard you with (too much) paper, but we do want you to keep this document because it clearly outlines what you need to do in any given month. If you can get ahead of the current month, do so because time in late October will be far more precious than it will be in September…difficult though this might be to believe as you wade through the initial swamp of work. -Ali Bhanji/Jan Healy

September

  • Meet with Mr. Bhanji or Ms. Healy at least once.
  • Narrow your list of colleges. (Eventually you want about 8.)
  • Download, write, or call for applications you don't have yet. (Yes, it's getting late.) Early Applicants/Financial Aid: Register for Financial Aid Profile-Come see us.
  • Register for the October and November SAT I/SAT II. Pay attention to deadlines!!!
  • Potential Div I athletes: Register with NCAA clearinghouse.
  • Prospective college athletes should initiate contact with coaches (either yourself or through your coach).
  • Start asking teachers if they will write your recommendations.
  • Unscore-choice SAT II scores that you want on your record.

September – October

  • Visiting colleges: Your teachers have worked hard on your behalf throughout your Potomac career. They will also put in endless hours writing recommendations for you. It would be inconsiderate on your part if you didn't let them know you were missing their class in order to visit a college . Please pick up a VISIT form from Mr. Bhanji or Ms. Healy on which you should get the signatures of the teachers whose classes you will be missing. You should then get our signature as well and hand the signed note to Ms. Bolton. While one or two such visits may be inevitable, missing more days will be detrimental to your academic performance and is therefore discouraged.
  • To attend a college information session at Potomac, ask your teacher(s) at least one day in advance if you can be late for class or miss it if necessary. On occasion, you may have to miss a part of two classes. If you cannot or do not want to miss class, come and say hello to the representative and fill out an information card if s/he offers you one. College representatives schedule visits from mid September -November. We will pass out a list.

October

  • Early applicants: Show Mr. Bhanji or Ms. Healy a draft of your college essay well before mailing your application.
  • Early applicants: Turn in the SSR (Secondary School Report/Transcript) form to Ms. Djorup by second Monday in October.
  • Early applicants: Get scores mailed to your early college about three weeks before the application deadline. If you are taking the October SAT I/II, just send your scores to the early college when you register.
  • Early applicants: Mail in the Profile financial aid information (xerox first).
  • Early applicants: If you haven't already, ask two teachers to write recommendations
  • Take the October SAT I/SAT II.
  • Use long weekend to visit colleges.
  • Register for the December SAT I/ SAT II.
  • All applicants: Do a tentative list of your extracurricular activities. Let it sit for a few days. You'll usually think of something you left out.

November

  • It's now late to be asking teachers for recommendations. Asking after Thanksgiving is inconsiderate! 
  • Give teachers the forms, stamped envelopes, and a cover letter with deadlines.
  • If you are asking "outside" people to write, check with them this month.
  • Regular Decision Applicants - Register for Financial Aid Profile
  • Aim to have someone at the school look at your essay before Thanksgiving. (If you haven't written an application essay by mid-November, write one over Thanksgiving break.)
  • All applicants by Thanksgiving Break: Turn in SSR/Transcript request forms from each of your applications.
  • If you use the Common Application, please include a list of colleges to which you want a transcript sent by Thanksgiving.
  • Take the November SAT I/SAT II.
  • Begin (or continue) filling out your applications.
  • Application deadline for early applicants: Nov. 1st, 10th, 15th-xerox completed app.

December

  • Colleges should mail early decisions by December 15th.
  • Notify Mr. Bhanji/Ms. Healy and the teachers who wrote for you when you learn the decision.
  • If you wrote your essay over Thanksgiving break or just haven't shown it to a teacher yet, make sure someone reads it before winter break.
  • Take the December SAT I/SAT II.
  • ALL: If applying for aid, pick up the FAFSA from Mr. Bhanji/Ms. Healy
  • Finish working on your applications during vacation. Xerox each completed app.
  • Don't miss the deadlines. Most deadlines are January 1st or 15th. (Stanford: Dec. 15th)
  • All applicants: In early December mail scores to colleges that have a Jan. 1st deadline.

January

  • File the 2 major financial aid forms as early as possible. Pay attention to college deadlines. (Xerox forms before you mail them.)
  • Complete applications with February deadlines.
  • Complete any supplementary essays that colleges send to you. This might apply if you used the common application.
  • Maintain your grades. It's not over yet, especially if you are waitlisted!
  • If you have a clear first choice and are certain you will attend a college if admitted, write a letter to let that college know your commitment.

February

  • Hang in there! If you have not mailed your Profile forms, you are probably getting yourself in serious financial aid trouble.

Late March - Mid April

  • College decisions arrive. (Notify Mr. Bhanji/Ms. Healy and the teachers who wrote for you when you learn the decisions.)

April

  • Visit colleges if you need to do so to make a decision.
  • Notify colleges as soon as you definitely know you are going to attend (or not).
  • Discuss financial aid packages with Mr. Bhanji if the packages differ significantly (or if you have questions about them). 
  • Get an additional letter of support if you are staying on a wait list. See us!
  • Send a "YES" reply to one college by the end of the month, even if you are pursuing a wait list. The reply should be in the college office by May 1. 
     

May

  • Some wait list decisions are made this month and others are made in June.

*Remember to look at the bulletin board in the college counseling office to see what college repesentatives will be visiting. 
*Make sure you stop by the office if you have questions. We'd prefer to see you in person, but we're e-mail junkies
so feel free to use that medium of communication as well. 
*Oh, and you MUST stay on top of your own deadlines.