Senior Year

August/September

• Complete a transcript review in your senior advisory to make sure you are on track to graduate and fulfill college entrance requirements.
• Be sure your senior year mix of classes still includes challenging college preparatory courses.
• Narrow your college list. Consider visiting your top choice schools or overnight stays. Visit any schools on your list that you have not already seen. Many Arizona schools offer great and informative parent weekends and events.
• Make sure you know application requirements and admission deadlines.
• If you are applying to a four-year college, register for one last shot at the SAT or ACT if you aren't happy with your earlier scores. Ask a counselor for a fee waiver if you qualify. Don’t forget to send scores to all schools you are still considering. Be sure to take the SAT subject tests if the schools you are considering requires them.
• Begin asking teachers, school counselors, and employers for letters of recommendation to include with your college and scholarship applications.
• Meet with admissions representatives who are visiting MUHS.

October/November

• Attend the MUHS College and Career Fair to collect information and speak with representatives from your preferred colleges. Talk to career representatives to explore any options you had not yet considered.
• If you have to write a college admissions essay, you should be in the final draft about now. Be sure to edit and proofread (or ask a family member or teacher/counselor).
• Submit your applications to colleges and post-secondary schools. Use Parchment to request a transcript from Mingus Union High School to the schools to which you are applying.
• Complete the free application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). To apply for most financial aid, you will need to complete the FAFSA beginning on October 1.
• If you're considering a career in the military, take the ASVAB test. Sign up in the Counseling office!
• Are you a contender for the Flinn or Dorrance Scholarship? Check if you are and consider applying.
• Attend all college fairs and financial aid nights.

December/January

• Stay focused on your grades all year long. Remember that your college of choice can still rescind your acceptance/scholarships if your senior year grades are not acceptable!
• Continue to apply for outside funding or scholarships. Check the Mingus Union High School online scholarship listing frequently for new scholarships and updates!
• Are you connected with outside scholarship websites? Check out BigFuture, Fastweb, or Niche.com.
• Have you completed your FAFSA? Do you need to add in parent information? Check your FAFSA status.

February/March

• If you applied to colleges, their decision emails/letters should begin arriving. Celebrate your acceptances, decide about your wait lists, and deal positively with your rejections.
• Finalize financial aid applications and continue applying for grants/scholarships.
• Continue to work hard in your classes. Now is not the time to let your grades slide! Remember that the colleges that have accepted you can still rescind your acceptance/scholarships if your senior year grades are not acceptable!
• Log in to your college student information system (MYASU, LOUIE, UACCESS) to check your next steps for college admissions and financial aid.
• Check your FAFSA. Do you need to provide verification of income? Ask your counselor if are unsure.
• Review your financial aid awards and choose the aid package that’s best for you and your family. Be sure to note what you have to do to continue receiving scholarships and reapply for financial aid from year to year.

April/May

• Take AP exams if appropriate. A successful score can earn you credit and may be critical to reducing your load in college.
• Log in to your college student information system (MYASU, LOUIE, UACCESS) to check your next steps for college admissions and financial aid.
• Pay enrollment deposit to the college of your choice. Many schools have a May 1 deadline. This indicates to the school that you are committing to enrolling there.
• Register for a new student orientation at the college you plan on attending.
• If you are heading to YC you should make an appointment with an academic advisor to select the correct major for your classes and complete placement testing.
• Be sure to send ALL transcripts to the college you are attending. This includes your final high school transcript and any YC transcripts if you took dual-enrollment courses.
• Congratulations on your graduation! Celebrate your accomplishments safely!