Advice for Twelfth Graders
Twelfth grade should be your year to follow through and hit the ground running.
~ Continue to challenge yourself academically: Your course load should reflect your commitment to academic excellence!
~ Be a leader: Stay active as a role model at your school!
~ Register for the SATs and/or ACTs: Click here for SAT registration information, or here for ACT registration information!
~ Re -take your SAT and/or ACT exam(s) in the fall: Relax and do your best! (Colleges and universities will accept any scores up to and including the December administration.)
~ Manage your time effectively: Be aware of dates and deadlines, and don't spread yourself too thin!
~ Stay organized: Keep close track of all your college and university materials and create a system of organization that works for you!
~ Participate in College Exploration Day in mid-October: Explore local colleges and universities with your classmates!
~ Attend college and university presentations: Meet the college and university representatives who will be reviewing your application and welcome them to Milken!
Seniors now take a hands-on approach to their college and university application process. They meet regularly in a series of group sessions that take place twice a month and address such topics as the college essay, teacher recommendations, the UC and CSU applications, sending test scores to colleges and universities, communicating with colleges and universities, and dealing with the stress of the application process. Special events scheduled in the senior year include Senior Family College Counseling Night, UC Information Night, Financial Aid Workshops, and College Exploration Day. Students are encouraged to make an individual appointment with their counselor early in the senior year to further discuss their college list and application strategy. Time management becomes increasingly important for a first-semester senior with the added pressure of completing applications, interviews, college essays, and deadlines. (Remember, this is in addition to your rigorous courses, leadership, community service, and extra-curricular activities.) The application process culminates in January with the final submission of applications and financial aid documents. Colleges and universities typically release decisions beginning in mid-March. Students must decide where they are attending and notify the college or university by May 1. Final transcripts will be sent to colleges and universities by the end of June in time for you to schedule your courses during your institution's orientation program.
Twelfth Grade College Counseling Group Session Handouts and Assignments
Review the list of college and university representative visits and our policy for meeting with representatives.
Class #1
Check out your Senior Syllabus to find out what will be discussed in your group sessions.
Take a look at the Senior College Counseling Calendar for a month by month overview of important milestones in the college counseling process.
Stay on top of senior activities by reading the Senior-Year Key Events.
Complete your Senior Questionnaire and turn it into your counselor.
Download and complete your College Campus Visit Request Form well before you visit a campus.
Class #2
Make sure to hand in all the Secondary School Report Forms and other admission materials to your college counselor as soon as possible. Remember to attach an Application Cover Sheet with each document.
If you are applying as an Early Decision or Early Action candidate, or to a college or university with a rolling admission plan, use this checklist to organize yourself.
If you are applying as an Early Decision or Early Action candidate, download and complete Milken's ED/EA Contract.
Class #3
Prepare for your college essay by using the College Essay Brainstorming Form.
College Exploration Day is approacing. Make sure to turn in your Fall 09 College Exploration Day Options form as soon as possible.
Get additional essay insights by reading Admin Officers Speak Out About Your College Essay.
Class #4
No handouts.
Class #5
UC Application Workshop. No handouts.
Class #6
Make sure to hand in all the Secondary School Report Forms and other admission materials to your college counselor as soon as possible. Remember to attach an Application Cover Sheet with each document.
Stay on top of things by using the Application Processing Checklist and the Student Application Checklist.
Make sure to sign and turn in your College Application Contract by November 13, 2009.
Remember to follow up your initial conversation with a teacher regarding a recamendation letter in writing. Here is a handy template: Teacher Recommentaion Cover Letter.