Spring Checklist

Your application is completed and your FAFSA is submitted.  Hopefully, you have received your admissions decision and are waiting for your financial aid award.  What should you be doing now?

Look for outside scholarships.  College is an investment in your future, but money is still an important factor in your decision.  While you are waiting to hear of your financial aid package, you should apply for any available outside scholarships.  There are numerous outside scholarships available, sponsored every year by companies, government offices/officials, and corporations.  Our financial aid office maintains a list of available outside scholarships and additional scholarship resources.  Find more information here.  Remember, every dollar helps!

Remain in contact with your admissions counselor.  Although you may already be admitted to multiple schools, be sure to remain in contact with your admissions counselor.  Your counselor is still your advocate throughout the financial aid process, so keep her updated on how things are going.  If you ever have questions or concerns, your counselor should be your first point of contact!

Visit your schools again.  Visiting campus as an accepted student allows you to really ask the question, "Can I picture myself here for four years?"  Many schools, including Notre Dame, offer events just for accepted students to see the campus once more and meet potential classmates.  Make every effort to attend those events in order to determine which school really is the best fit for you.

Keep up with your schoolwork.  Colleges receive and look at your final transcript.  Occasionally, students’ acceptances are revoked because of poor performance during their senior year.  Although this is rare, don’t take any chances.  Make sure you continue to study, complete your homework, and pay attention in class.  Additionally, if you are enrolled in AP or IB courses, your success in those courses can mean earning college credit even before you leave high school!

Remember to enjoy your senior year.  Maintaining your schoolwork is important, but so is having some fun!  There are lots of things that you have the opportunity to enjoy only as a senior, such as prom and recognition ceremonies.  You will remember high school for the rest of your life, so be sure to make the most of it!