Make Senior Year Count
Senior year is when years of preparation come together. Throughout senior year, students should focus on three priorities: completing thoughtful college applications, making a plan to pay for college, and choosing the right school for you.
A Note from Our Founder
Take ownership of your story, and let your applications reflect who you are with clarity and confidence. Poison isn't dangerous if you leave it in the bottle – don't internalize the negativity and anxiety all around you. Give yourself credit for how far you have come and stay open to the possibilities ahead. Your worth is already established.
— Keith Wilkerson, CEO and Founder
This Year's Priorities
Three priorities for senior year
Tell Your Story Through Your Applications
- Finalize a balanced college list.
- Draft and revise your personal statement and supplemental essays.
- Request teacher recommendations and provide any helpful background materials.
- Complete and proofread applications before submitting them.
- Confirm that each college has received all required materials.
Make a Plan for College Costs
- Discuss your family's budget and financial expectations.
- Complete the FAFSA and any required financial aid forms.
- Research scholarships and their application requirements.
- Learn how to compare grants, scholarships, work-study, and loans.
- Keep track of financial aid offers and outstanding requirements.
Find the Right College for You
- Research academic programs, campus culture, location, and student support.
- Attend admitted-student events or visit campuses when possible.
- Compare admission offers and estimated out-of-pocket costs.
- Discuss the pros and cons of your options with trusted people.
- Choose your college and complete enrollment requirements by the deadline.
Free Essay Guide
Ready to Put These Priorities Into Action?
Finishing up the supplemental essays can be the most time consuming part of the application process. We've put together an essential guide to help you understand the questions and formulate strong answers. Click below to claim your copy!
Make Supplemental Essays Count
How We Help 12th Graders
The CollegeThoughts Approach
Ready to finish high school strong? Contact us!
CollegeThoughts works with students and families to identify their needs, prioritize next steps, and navigate the college application process with greater clarity and confidence. We'll evaluate where your student stands and create a customized plan to ensure success.
For seniors, we start by helping students understand application requirements, review materials, and approach submissions carefully and thoughtfully. We also help them break the process into manageable steps, prioritize tasks, and stay on track with applications and other important requirements.
As the college list grows, we help families identify important financial aid steps, understand the questions to ask, and think through the factors involved in comparing college options.
Senior year is an important transition, but it doesn't have to be defined by application stress. With clear priorities, an organized plan, and thoughtful decision-making, students can move through the college process while still enjoying their final year of high school.
Questions From Families
Frequently Asked Questions
Not necessarily! The best next step depends on your student's timeline, application deadlines, and current progress. Whether they need help with essays, refining their college list, or organizing outstanding applications, targeted support can help them move forward.
There's no magic number. The goal is to build a balanced list of colleges that fit your student's academic profile, interests, preferences, and family's financial circumstances. Consider a range of likely, target, and reach schools, and make sure every college is one your student would genuinely consider attending.
Start by identifying upcoming deadlines and prioritizing the applications with the earliest due dates. Review each college's requirements, create a realistic timeline, and break essays and applications into manageable tasks. If you're unsure where to begin, a college planning professional can help you determine the most important next steps.
Explore Other Years