College Timeline for High School Seniors

Quick Access: September-October, November, December, January-May

Overview

• Take challenging courses and continue to work toward your goals. It is not unheard of for colleges to revoke acceptance based on senior year academic performance. If you have been accepted to a college or university your acceptance may be conditionally based on your senior year class schedule. You need to maintain good grades and complete a full class schedule.
   

• Attend your senior meeting with your school counselor! Double-check you have the credits and courses you need to graduate on time. Make decisions about college, military, apprenticeships, etc. and begin the process of application.
   

• Apply for financial aid. All students, regardless of financial need, should complete the Free Applications for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA can now be completed as early as October 1st of your senior year. Contact the Financial Aid Office of the school you plan to attend, or your school counselor with questions.
   

• Apply to a Wisconsin Technical College on the Wisconsin Technical Colleges website. The Wisconsin Technical College System offers many degrees and training programs that lead to meaningful and excellent paying jobs! Moraine Park Technical College offers many programs including Nursing, Electrical Power Distribution, Welding, and Paramedic Technician, just to name a few.
   
• Apply to a University of Wisconsin school on the University of Wisconsin System Apply Now web page. Each campus sets its own priority dates and deadline. Generally, priority deadlines are set for the middle of November. You can use UWHelp: Your Guide to the College Process as a reference and to access the University of Wisconsin Online Application form.
  • You will be able to self-report your need for an application fee waiver immediately after you submit your application.
  • ACT Scores are optional in the admissions process.
     
• Apply to a Wisconsin Private College on the Wisconsin's Private Colleges website. Wisconsin's Private Colleges are nationally recognized, offer a wide variety of college majors, and a unique college experience.
   
• Regardless of what school you are applying to, CHECK CAREFULLY! Do you have all the necessary forms? Are you sure of the application deadlines? Are you required to write an essay? Submit transcript and test scores. Need help? Contact your school counselor.
   
• Request your transcripts be sent to the school(s) which you have applied. Students at Dodgeland High School use Parchment Digital Credential Service to order official transcript and have them sent to colleges and universities. Be sure to send a final transcript, at the end of senior year, if required to do so. If you have questions about sending transcripts, ask your school counselor.
   
• Begin a scholarship search. Check the scholarship information on the website of the school you plan to attend, check your Dodgeland student email regularly for scholarships received by the school counseling office, and utilize free internet scholarship search tools such as FastWeb Scholarships and Scholarships.com. The Dodgeland Dollars for Scholars and the Dodgeland Local Scholarship Program applications will become available in March - April of the current school year.
   
• Make final decisions. If you are not planning on attending college or technical school, what steps do you need to take to reach your goals? Have you inquired about apprenticeship programs or military options?
   
• If you are not going to college, trade or technical school, you are not starting an apprenticeship program, and you are not enlisting in the military, what will you do?
   
• If you are going to college, and have received an acceptance letter, confirm your decision with the school. Be sure to decline any other offers you receive.

September-October

• Start sending in college applications. If applying to a University of Wisconsin school, use the UW System online portal to complete and submit applications. Technical college bound students may complete an application through the Wisconsin Technical College online portal. Be sure to determine priority dates.
   
• Request letters of recommendation from teachers, counselors, and others who can assist in your application process. Plan ahead and request letters of recommendation at least 1-2 weeks in advance. Use the Online Letter of Recommendation Request form.
   
• Attend the virtual Wisconsin Education Fair(WEF). Traditionally an in-person event, the WEF is now virtual. Students can meet with approximately 100 professional admission representatives from all over the region, learn about requirements, academic programs, financial aid, scholarships, housing, and more. The fair will run from 3 p.m. - 5 p.m. followed by an interactive financial aid and scholarships presentation, along with a variety of other information sessions to choose from 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.

  • Wednesday, October 7, 2020 from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

  • Sunday, November 8, 2020 from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

  • Wednesday, February 10, 2021 from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

  • Wednesday, March 10, 2021 from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

  • Sunday, April 11, 2021 from 3 p.m. - 6 p.m.

• Attend Moraine Park's Discover Moraine Park event. Discover Moraine Park is an opportunity to tour the campus, meet with program instructors and students, complete and submit an application and receive an application fee waiver for attending ($30.00 value). Register for Discover Moraine Park on the Moraine Park Technical College website.

  • MPTC Beaver Dam: Wednesday, October 7 - 4 p.m. OR 5 p.m.

  • MPTC Fond du Lac: Wednesday, October 14 - 4 p.m. OR 5 p.m.

  • MPTC West Bend: Wednesday, October 28 - 4 p.m. OR 5 p.m.

  • MPTC Virtual Option: Wednesday, November 11 - 5 p.m. - 6 p.m.

• Plan to visit as many of your "top choice" colleges as possible. Make appointments for campus tours. If possible, visit on weekdays and ask for permission to sit in on a few classes. Check out the list of UW System preview days and campus tours. Moraine Park Technical College offers very similar options to tour their campus.
   
• Begin a scholarship search. Check the scholarship information on the website of the school you plan to attend, check your Dodgeland student email regularly for scholarships received by the school counseling office, and utilize free internet scholarship search tools such as FastWeb Scholarships and Scholarships.com. The Dodgeland Dollars for Scholars and the Dodgeland Local Scholarship Program applications will become available in March - April of the current school year.
   
• Apply for financial aid. All students, regardless of financial need, should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA can now be completed as early as October 1st of the current school year. Contact the Financial Aid Office of the school you plan to attend, or your school counselor, with questions.
   
• Attend a College Goal Wisconsin event to receive assistance with the completion of financial aid forms. College Goal Wisconsin workshops assists high school seniors, parents, and adults returning to college with completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). College Goal Wisconsin will take place virtually, in early October through November.
   
• Retake the ACT if you want to improve your score. Due to the global pandemic, many colleges are"test optional" for admissions. Even when ACT scores are not required for admission to college, they may still be important for course placement and scholarship consideration. ACT registration materials and information is available from your counselor. Students receiving free or reduced lunch should see their school counselor for a fee waiver.
   
• Use the career and college resources at Dodgeland High School. Use your student account on the Xello website. To log in, enter your student email and password. Dodgeland students can use Xello at any time to research specific colleges, technical schools, careers, and majors of study. If you have general questions about Xello, contact your school counselor.

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November

• Attend the Dodgeland High School Financial Aid Information Night. This year's Financial Aid Information Night will be virtual, date and time to be determined. A college financial aid advisor will present information and be available to answer questions. Whether attending a 4 year, 2 year or technical college, all students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid. If you have specific questions, or are seeking additional information, this event is for you.
   
• Plan to submit all college applications before Thanksgiving. DOUBLE CHECK deadlines in case applications are due sooner. Use UWHelp: Your Guide to the College Process to determine priority dates and the UW System portal to apply online. Technical college bound students may complete an application at the Wisconsin Technical College online portal. Be sure to determine priority dates.
   
• Students who sent in applications earlier in the fall may begin receiving acceptance letters.
   
• Apply for financial aid. All students, regardless of financial need, should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The FAFSA can now be completed as early as October 1st of the current school year. Contact the Financial Aid Office of the school you plan to attend, or your school counselor, with questions.

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December

• Consider taking the Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery (ASVAB). The ASVAB is the most widely used "career interest" tool in the world. The ASVAB provides valuable information on vocational aptitudes and career interest for undecided students. It is also the assessment used to determine your eligibility for specific military occupations. You can take the ASVAB and have your results interpreted without releasing them to recruiters. The ASVAB will be offered at Dodgeland High School at a date to be determined in December. The ASVAB is free and available to sophomores, juniors, and seniors.
   
• Continue your scholarship search. Check the scholarship information on the Web site of the school you plan to attend, check your Dodgeland student email regularly for scholarships received by the school counseling office, and utilize free internet scholarship search tools such as FastWeb Scholarships and Scholarships.com. The Dodgeland Dollars for Scholars and the Dodgeland Local Scholarship Program applications will become available in March - April of the current school year.

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January-February-March-April-May

• If your college requests a first semester transcript, students at Dodgeland High School must use Parchment Digital Credential Service to order official transcripts and have them sent to colleges and universities.
   
• Ideally, by this time, you should have received your college acceptance or rejection letters. Notify your school counselor on the action taken on your application.
   
• Return housing contracts immediately. Student housing fills quickly and is limited at some schools. Timely completion and return of housing contracts is important!
   
• Compare financial aid packages that you were offered from the various colleges where you were accepted. Look at your costs, estimated contributions and how much money you have been offered in grants, loans and scholarships. Remember, grants and scholarships do not have to be paid back, as long as you remain eligible. Each loan has different terms.
   
• Watch for announcements regarding the Dodgeland Dollars for Scholars and the Dodgeland Local Scholarship Program. Expect these applications to become available in March or early April.
   
• Let your school counselor know which college you will be attending and if you received any scholarships.
   
• If you are in Advanced Placement (AP) classes, prepare for the AP Exam associated with the course. All students at Dodgeland High School, participating in an AP course, will take the associated AP exam at no cost.
   
• Request that your final high school transcript is sent to the school you plan to attend.

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