Dear Senior,

You are beginning one of the most memorable years of your life. The suggestions presented to you on this handout are designed to advance your development as a human being and student. For too often, many seniors waste much of their senior year instead of using it to prepare for the next stage of their life. Not only are you about the graduate from high school, you are becoming a young adult. It is expected that you make mature decisions. Each day you are one day closer to your graduation ceremony: commencement. Here is something to think about - commencement literally means a beginning. Thus you are ending one stage of your life and about to begin another: a job, vocational school, college or a stint in the military.

1. Establish a good rapport and working relationship with your school counselor.

2. Begin the process of selecting a school. Narrow your choices to 3-5 ASAP. Meet with the school and college recruiters as they visit your high school. Apply to schools that fit your interests, personality, values, and have the program you want to study.

3. Research entrance requirements and application deadlines for each school.

4. Compare the following: 1) programs and courses, 2) transportation, 3) student life, 4) financial aid and scholarships, 5) housing options; and 6) food services.

5. Develop a good, well-organized and informative résumé.

6. Request letters of recommendation.

7. If necessary, develop or polish your personal essay for use with admissions and/or scholarship applications.

8. Make arrangements to take the school's entrance exam or placement test. If you are college bound, re-take the ACT or SAT. Get a fee waiver from your school counselor. Make sure to check the deadlines for registering for these tests.

9. Attend a College Fair and do campus visits if possible. If you missed the College Fair, you can attend a college fair online: www.nacacnet.org

10. Write or e-mail questions to the contact person of the schools you are considering, your school counselor or the UNM-Taos representative.

11. Submit applications with all the required documents (i.e. transcript, personal statement, CSS Profile, etc.) Give your counselor ample time to copy and send your transcript.

12. Conduct scholarship searches and begin applying for scholarships. Inquire if schools require a separate scholarship application or if you are considered for a scholarship when you submit your application for admission.

13. Find out how to enhance your scholarship applications so as to gain the competitive edge.

14. Find out how your school counselor announces scholarships and campus visits by recruiters.

15. Discuss your financial aid application with your parents and others. Begin or organize the information you will need to complete the FAFSA.

16. A good senior year won't happen by accident. You have to make it happen! Study hard and earn good grades. The best grades on your transcript should be the ones you earned your senior year. Take courses that will prepare you for your future. Avoid the disease that will be spreading around you: "senioritis." Continue positive self-development and build a solid reputation.

Plan and organize: "Failing to plan is planning to fail."

Prepared by Ben L. Vásquez
UNMTPrep@aol.com