Senior Timeline - Canyon Creek Christian Academy

Timeline for Seniors

Continue to pray for God to give you clarity and direction about your future.
Throughout the school year, excel academically. Be a better student than you think is possible raising your GPA/numerical average as much as possible
Be aware of preview days offered by your top choice institutions and plan to attend.
If you have not taken the SAT/ACT or SAT Subject Test (if required) or, if you desire to retake them, register immediately for the fall examinations. Click on the ACT/SAT Test Dates & Preps link on the CCCA website.
Register for the TSI test if attending a Texas public institution or if you are planning on majoring in education at Texas private institution. However, an SAT score of 1070 with a minimum of 500 in both verbal and math or an ACT score of 23 with at least a 19 in both English and math is exempt from taking the TSI.

Beginning September 1, you may submit applications to the colleges of your choice.
Narrow your list of college choices to the top 5 in which you are most interested.
Analyze application instructions to see what information is required and all due dates. (e.g., SAT/ACT test scores, essays, recommendations, housing and financial aid deadlines, etc.)
To receive financial aid, you must apply for it! Be sure and consult your academic advisor on the various sources of financial aid/scholarships. All students applying for need-based aid will also have to fill out the FAFSA after January 1 of their senior year.

If you have not visited the colleges you are interested in or set up admissions interviews (if appropriate), do so immediately! When you ask someone to write a recommendation, be sure to provide an addressed and stamped envelope with appropriate forms. Give your recommenders two or three weeks of time to complete your recommendation.
Register to take or retake the November SAT Reasoning Test, SAT Subject Tests, or the December ACT.
Ideally, submit all applications for colleges of interest to you before Thanksgiving.

November 1 – Early decision deadline for admission at many private colleges/universities. Students are usually notified by December 15.
If you haven't already done so, be sure to check out scholarship opportunities from your own employer.
Continue to visit colleges.

Your family should complete required financial aid forms this month for mailing or electronic submission on, or as close to January 1 as possible.
If you are applying for special assistance from the state of Texas, make sure you know application deadlines and resources available.
Give your advisor or principal sufficient time to fill out the "Secondary School Report" section of the application (two weeks minimum).
December 15-February 1 – This is the usual regular deadline period to apply to many selective colleges. Be sure you apply on time to colleges you have selected.
Continue to visit colleges.

January 1: Submit your financial aid application as soon as possible after this date. Texas has special tuition assistance plans whose deadlines vary. Inquire from state education agencies. Make certain your forms are in by the stated deadlines of the colleges

Men who are 18 years or over must prove draft registration in order to receive Federal Financial Aid. Inquire at the local post office.
Before you decide on your final choice – spend one or two nights in the dorm and attend classes for a day. This is absolutely critical!

DO NOT LOSE FOCUS! Be faithful to the end in your high school academic career. Colleges have been known to rescind scholarship offers or admissions based on poor performance or unwise behavior.
Most selective colleges announce their decisions this month. If you are accepted at more than one college, you must decide early which one is best for you. If a college has requested a non-refundable deposit before you have heard from other colleges, ask your advisor for advice. You have the right to wait until May 1st to make your final choice regarding admission and financial aid.
Students should write a polite letter declining scholarships and admission to colleges where they have been accepted but will not be attending.
If you have been wait-listed or rejected by your first choice college, consult your advisor to see if there is anything he/she may be able to do for you. If you are "wait-listed" by a college and intend to enroll if accepted, call, visit, or write to the Director of Admissions to state your intention and to see how you might strengthen your application.