Month-by-Month College Application Checklist

September	✓ Create College List based on GPA match Submit your draft College List to your College Counselor for feedback ASAP! Resources to research colleges and average GPA: College Board “Big Future” website Slate.org College Research website CUNY Admissions Profile SUNY General Admissions Profile EOP Profile ✓ Create a list of Supplemental Essays required by the colleges on your College List ✓ Write draft of Personal Statement Share your drafts with your College Counselor ASAP! ✓ Ask teachers for recommendations Do this via email, so you have a record of your request ✓ Gather information needed to complete the FAFSA You will need (at least): Your SSN Your custodial parent’s federal tax return from last year. ✓ Attend College Fairs Questions to ask at a college fair
October	✓ Apply to CUNY by mid-October ✓ See if you qualify for SUNY EOP Programs ✓ Decide whether you want to apply “Early Action/Early Decision” or Regular Admissions ✓ Finalize Personal Statement Ask your College Counselor for feedback ✓ Complete FAFSA/TAP/CSS Profile Create your FSA ID first, then follow the steps to complete your FAFSA, then TAP ✓ Check Student Aid Report (SAR) and make corrections if necessary
November	✓ Apply to SUNY by mid-November (including supplemental applications when necessary) Tips for SUNY Application SUNY General Admissions Profile ✓ Finalize Personal Statement Make sure your College Counselor approves your Personal Statement! ✓ Macaulay Honors application due November 16 ✓ Submit Early Action/Early Decision Applications ✓ Follow up to make sure teachers have written and sent their letters of recommendation.
December	✓ Submit all applications by end of the month (if not earlier, depending on application deadlines) ✓ Identify scholarships ✓ Check your email daily for updates regarding applications, Opportunity Programs, and supplemental forms
January	✓ Check your email daily for additional information requests from colleges ✓ Re-take ELA or Math Regents for College Ready score (if applicable)
February	✓ Prepare for CUNY Assessment Tests (if applicable) ✓ Search and apply for scholarships using scholarship search engines (review the list of search engines at the bottom of this link)
March	✓ Check your email daily for responses from colleges ✓ Take college placement tests (if applicable) ✓ Meet with your College Counselor to review and compare financial aid packages ✓ Follow-up with special opportunity programs and attend CUNY ASAP meetings (if applicable)
April	✓ Meet with your College Counselor to review and compare financial aid packages ✓ Select college ✓ Accept financial aid award ✓ Take placement tests (if necessary) ✓ Notify the Admissions Office of intent to enroll ✓ Review matriculation guides/steps to enroll ✓ Conduct transition meeting to Unity’s Alumni Success Program ✓ Send thank you notes to teachers/others who submitted letters of recommendation for you ✓ Prepare College Signing Day speech ✓ Contact college you will enroll in regarding required opportunity program paperwork (if applicable)
May	✓ Pay tuition deposit or submit waiver before deadline ✓ Complete Financial Aid entrance interview ✓ Complete Loan Application and sign Master Promissory Note (if applicable) ✓ Submit housing forms and pay deposit (if applicable) Access Residency Certificate for students enrolling ✓ Students should consider which colleges they will inform they are not attending
June	✓ Request Final Transcript be sent to College ✓ Ensure all graduation requirements are met (Regents Exams, etc.)