Senior Responsibilities
True or False: If you're passing all of your classes, attendance no longer matters because you're a senior.
False. Senior status does not eliminate attendance expectations. You are still expected to attend school, arrive on time, and meet school requirements. Do not allow senioritis to create problems during your final year.
What DEPSA platform will you use to organize your college list and support your college planning?
Overgrad. Overgrad should become one of your senior-year tools. Use it to organize your college planning and keep track of the work you need to complete.
What does FAFSA stand for?
Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
FAFSA is one of the most important financial aid steps for students planning to attend college or another eligible postsecondary program. Completing a college application does not automatically complete the financial aid process.
True or False: Paying senior dues means you can ignore deadlines related to senior activities.
False. Paying senior dues does not eliminate other responsibilities. You still need to pay attention to deadlines, permission forms, event requirements, behavior expectations, and communications.
True or False: Being classified as a 12th grader automatically means you have met all graduation requirements.
False. Being a senior and being graduation-ready are not the same thing. You still have to successfully complete all required coursework and other graduation requirements.
Your teacher gives you a deadline, but you have a college application due the same week. Who is responsible for managing both deadlines?
The student. One of the biggest changes during senior year is that several things happen at the same time: schoolwork, applications, scholarships, senior events, and deadlines. You have to manage your calendar and ask for help before a deadline passes.
What are the three categories DEPSA wants you to consider when creating a balanced college list?
Safety, Match, and Reach. Do not build a college list based only on schools you recognize or your dream school. You need options. Your list should include schools where your academic profile gives you different levels of admission likelihood.
True or False: Scholarships are only for students with a 4.0 GPA.
False. Scholarships can be based on academics, community service, leadership, talents, career interests, essays, financial need, activities, and many other criteria. Do not eliminate yourself before you apply.
Name THREE major senior-year events or milestones you may experience before graduation.
Senior trip, prom, Decision Day, cap and gown pictures, graduation rehearsal, graduation, college acceptance, FAFSA completion, or senior activities, etc.
There are a lot of exciting things coming this year. Enjoy them, but do not let the fun parts cause you to forget the responsibilities that make graduation possible.
If you realize you may be missing a graduation requirement, when is the best time to talk to your counselor?
Immediately. Do not wait until May. If something does not look right or you have a question about your graduation status, ask early. Problems are easier to solve when there is time to address them.
True or False: Being a senior automatically guarantees that you can participate in every senior activity.
False. Senior activities are privileges. School expectations still apply. Academic standing, behavior, attendance, deadlines, payment requirements, and specific event expectations may affect participation.
Name TWO things you should check before submitting a college application.
Application deadline, admission requirements, essay requirements, recommendation requirements, transcript requirements, application fee, intended major/program, or financial aid requirements.
Every college is different. Do not assume that because one application required something, another one will be exactly the same. Read the requirements.
You receive a $10,000 scholarship offer from one college and a $20,000 scholarship offer from another. Which college is automatically cheaper?
You cannot tell from the scholarship amount alone. A larger scholarship does not automatically mean a lower cost. Compare the total cost of attendance and the complete financial aid package.
Your friend says, 'I don't read school emails. Somebody will tell me if it's important.' What's wrong with that strategy?
Seniors are responsible for monitoring official communications and deadlines themselves. Do not rely on friends for important information. Read school communications, check announcements, and pay attention to deadlines. Missing information because you did not read it does not necessarily change the deadline.
After graduation, what document will colleges, employers, or other programs sometimes request to verify that you completed high school?
Final high school transcript. Your final transcript matters. Colleges may review final grades even after you have been accepted. Finishing senior year academically strong still matters.