Make certain you are enrolled in courses meeting Westmont’s entry requirements:
English 4 years
Science 3 years (two years of laboratory science)
Mathematics 3 years (including at least second-year algebra)* (Algebra I taken in the 8th grade is acceptable)
Foreign language 2 years of one language (3 years recommended)
(American Sign Language not accepted unless verified by required documentation)
Social Science 2 years (history, government, sociology, political science, economics, psychology, civilization, geography)
Strong academic electives
If you have not taken the SAT/ACT or SAT II (if required), or if you desire to retake them, register immediately for the fall examinations. See your counselor for materials or visit the College Board web site at www.collegeboard.com.
September
If you do not have viewbooks, catalogs, applications, and financial aid/scholarship information from colleges that interest you, use college home pages to request materials.
Be organized! Narrow your list of college choices to a manageable number (around 1-5 colleges).
Write practice essays.
Review application instructions to see what information is required and make note of all due dates (e.g., SAT/ACT test scores, SAT II scores, application deadlines, essays, recommendations, housing and financial aid deadlines, etc).
Attend College Planning / Financial Aid programs locally.
Schedule an appointment with your counselor to discuss current plans and progress.
If you will need to request an application fee waiver before filing your college applications, see your high school counselor.
Attend Christian College Fairs. More information is available at www.naccap.org.
Register online for Westmont College Preview Days #1, October 11-12, 2007. Register on-line!
October
If you are planning on applying for Early Action to Westmont, your application is due by November 1st. (to be considered for the Monroe Full-Tuition Scholarship competition, you must apply Early Action)
Preview Days #1, October 11-12, 2007
Register online for Westmont Preview Days #2, November 8-9, 2007.
November
Early Action deadline at Westmont, November 1 (required for Monroe Full-Tuition Scholarship consideration).
Preview Days #2, November 8-9, 2007
Obtain the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) from your school counselor (note: cannot submit until after January 1).
Have parents begin collecting tax return information for FAFSA.
Continue to visit colleges.
SATs/ACT administered.
December
Your family should complete the FAFSA and any other required financial aid forms this month for mailing on, or soon after, January 1st.
Give your teachers or counselor sufficient time to complete any letters of recommendation (two weeks minimum).
December 20th - Westmont Early Action decision notifications are mailed.
January
January 1 - Mail the FAFSA as soon as possible after this date. Some states have 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. Cal Grant Deadlines are March 2nd for California residents. GPA Verification Form must also be submitted by March 2nd. High school counselor verifies. Give them plenty of time to do!
Register online for Westmont Preview Day #3, March 2008.
February
Men who are 18 years old or over must register with Selective Service in order to receive Federal financial aid. Inquire at your local post office.
Before you make your final college choice, spend a night in the dorm and attend classes for a day. This is absolutely critical!!!
Westmont Monroe Scholar’s competition - to be announced to candidates
February 20 - Priority application filing deadline for Westmont Regular Decision.
March 2 - Deadline for Cal Grant is around the corner!!!
March
Attend Westmont College Preview Day #3, March 6-7, 2008.
March 2 - Deadline for Cal Grant!!! Absolutely no exceptions. (Remember GPA Verification!)
March 15 - Westmont Regular Decision notifications are mailed - notifications mailed on a rolling basis thereafter.
Application process should be completed. Make sure you keep copies of everything.
April
Admitted Student’s Day at Westmont! Register online.
If a college has requested a non-refundable deposit before you have heard from other colleges, ask your counselor for advice.
Students should write a polite note declining admission to colleges where they have been accepted but will not be attending. Colleges appreciate this.
If you have been “wait-listed” or “rejected” by your first-choice college consult your counselor to see if there is anything he/she may be able to do for you.
May-June
May 1 - Candidates National Reply Date. Your $500 confirmation deposit to hold your space at Westmont is due, postmarked by May 1. Deposits postmarked after this date may be held due to enrollment limits.
Graduation - Attend and enjoy all your graduation activities. This should be a wonderful, well-deserved rite of passage.
Avoiding Senoritis
Senioritis is an understandable component of the last days of high school. Seniors who compensate by taking steps to maintain their productivity will be well served. The end of your senior year is an important time from the standpoint of your academic preparation for college.
If there is a significant slump in your academic performance, or if you drop a number of challenging courses, you may be asked to explain.
Find ways to make your studies more interesting, such as forming study groups, working on an independent study project or doing research off-campus. Practice time-management skills. You will appreciate this in college!
Improve reading and writing skills. Skills in writing research term papers are especially useful.
