12th Grade

Students

There are a lot of things to accomplish this year, but each step outlined below will get you closer to reaching your goal of going to college.

• Review class schedules with your school counselor to ensure you’re meeting all of your college prep requirements.
• Maintain good grades in all of your classes. This is especially important in your senior year for college admission!
• Consider taking advanced math such as trigonometry or analytic geometry/calculus, English, and other courses required for USNH college/university admission, if they’re available.
• Spend a day with your parents at work or look into other job-shadowing opportunities as a way to learn about different careers.
• Start thinking about what you would put into a college application essay. Draft a practice essay. Ask your school counselor or a teacher to read your draft and make suggestions for improvement. When it’s time for the real thing, you’ll be ready!
• Visit the USNH campuses you’re interested in and meet with admissions representatives.
• Early September :
  • Register for the SAT or American College Testing (ACT) exam. Your school counselor will provide registration forms and information about fee waivers.
  • Request written teacher recommendations to use as part of your college applications. Don’t wait until the last minute to do this!
• October : Begin the USNH college/university application process and be sure to check application deadlines. For information about how to apply, go to www.yourusnh.com or contact the college or university directly for specific up-to-date information (see “USNH Admissions Process”).
• December :
  • Attend a financial aid night, if your high school has one, to gather more information about college costs and financial aid. Experts will present a comprehensive program to help you and your family to understand the financial aid process.
  • Review, proof, and complete your essay before the new year, so it’s ready to send with your applications.
• January : Work with your family to complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Check out www.fafsa.ed.gov for more information and an online application.
• February : Ask your school counselor about local scholarship opportunities. Visit www.nhcf.org, www.nh93.com, and www.fastweb.com to get free scholarship information.
• May : Take Advanced Placement (AP) exams for any AP subjects you may have taken. Scoring well on the tests will give you college credit for these courses.
• June : Congratulations! Your hard work paid off and you reached your goal of graduation!
• Summer : Take part in summer orientation programs for incoming college freshmen at your future college or university campus.
• Fall : See you on campus!

Families

• Visit the USNH campuses your student is interested in and meet with admissions representatives.
• Attend college information programs and talk to college representatives when they visit your student’s high school.
• Check with high school counselors or career center directors for scholarships awarded by schools, local companies, and community groups.
• Call the Center for College Planning at NHHEAF (1-800-525-2577, ext. 119) for help with any questions relating to the college process. Or make a FREE appointment with a college counselor to answer questions or fill out paperwork and visit NHHEAF’s college library.
• October 1 to November 30, very important: Have your student apply to USNH colleges/universities for the next fall during this initial admissions application filing period. Be sure to find out the college or university’s application deadline. For USNH college/university application information, go to www.yourUSNH.com or contact the college or university directly.
• January: Complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Submit the FAFSA to www.fafsa.ed.gov.
• May: Have your student take advanced placement (AP) exams for any AP subjects she/he has taken. Scoring well on the test(s) will give her/him college credit for these courses and save you money!
• June: Work with the financial aid office to determine the best college financing strategy.
• Summer: Make sure your student takes part in summer orientation programs for incoming freshmen.