So many of the stories you have heard and the pieces of wisdom you have collected about applying to college revolve around the senior year. Now is when you decide to what schools you will apply, file applications by a set deadline, and finally write those essays. But remember that for 12th graders, applying to college is more than submitting applications and taking standardized tests. Here are some helpful guidelines for what to do this year.

Review your schedule of classes before the start of the school year to ensure a reasonably rigorous college-prep program.

Make sure that your class schedule demonstrates that you are taking advantage of all that your school offers. Remember that most colleges will want to see that you are taking courses in each of the five major subject areas: English, math, foreign language, social studies, and science. Remember to always sign up from among the most challenging courses that excite you the most. Do not feel pressured to take Honors or Advanced Placement courses just because they are Honors or Advanced Placement Courses. Colleges will want to see that you are pursuing a reasonable load from among the most demanding in your own school context.

Meet with your counselor to plan for the year.

Early in the year, set up an appointment with your guidance or college counselor to prepare for the upcoming year. At this meeting, you will want to share an updated list of the colleges to which you hope to apply, review your academic record from the last grading period of 11th grade, and discuss your academic and nonacademic hopes and goals for the year. If you are considering applying to any school through an early review process, you will want to let your counselor know these plans as well.

Request applications from colleges.

By late summer, most colleges will make applications available to all students who have requested them. If you have access to the Internet, remember that many colleges have online versions of their applications where you can either submit your forms electronically or download the forms to your own computer. Consider the fact that some colleges like the University of Virginia may use the Common Application.

Explore financial aid and scholarship opportunities.

The applications that you request from colleges will have information about required essays, recommendations, and testing. For most students, the financial aid piece of the application is as crucial. For some schools the financial aid application is submitted at the same time as the rest of the application. Most schools will ask that you also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), while many private and independent schools will also ask you to register for the CSS PROFILE. You will want to check if there are early application deadlines for students applying for scholarships. You will also want to speak to your counselors and teachers about how to search for "outside scholarships" that organizations and businesses provide.

Register for the fall dates of the SAT or ACT.

Many students will have already taken the SAT Reasoning Test or ACT before the senior year. If you will be taking these tests for the first time, remember to register early. Check to see if the colleges you are applying to require or recommend the SAT Subject Tests in addition to the SAT Reasoning Test or ACT. Remember that colleges will require that you complete any necessary tests by the application deadline and that it is your responsibility to have official test scores forwarded to each college to which you are applying. Check out this information from SAT and ACT about test fee waivers and ask your high school counselor if you qualify for one.

Attend visits by college representatives to your school or area.

Many colleges will send representatives (usually admission officers or alumni) to visit schools and towns during September and October. These visits might include a presentation at your school or a neighboring school, attendance at a local college fair, or a presentation at a central location such as a nearby hotel or library. Your counselor will know if colleges have planned visits at your school. If no representatives will be visiting your school, call the admission offices at the colleges that most interest you and ask if they will be traveling anywhere near your hometown.

Organize your applications.

Many colleges will ask for similar information, but there are often parts of each application that ask for information that is specific to that particular school. Before you begin any application, you may find it helpful to note the application requirements for each college. Pay careful attention, for example, to which schools want recommendations, if the same essays can be used for each application, what the different application fees are, and when applications must be received. Consult your school counselor about application fee waivers if needed. This information could be written in a notebook with a page for each school or included on a calendar to remind you of deadlines.

Begin your applications early.

Remember that there is no part of your application that is unimportant; if an admission office is asking for recommendations or essays, for example, they will definitely read them. This means that every piece of your application requires careful attention and consideration. Begin brainstorming topics for essays much earlier than you normally would. Your parents, teachers, and counselors may be able to help you decide on a topic, but the direction, content, and voice of the essay must be your own. Remember to request that your transcript be sent to each school to which you re applying. And you'll want to ask your college counselor and your teachers to write recommendations for you very early in the year. College Counselors are writing on behalf of everyone from your school applying to college, and some teachers may limit the number of recommendations they write each year. They will all want to put time and consideration into your letters of recommendation. Make sure your recommenders have copies of your essays and additional information about you, such as why you are interested in a particular school. You want your teachers to spend time on your letter, not on the details that you can take care of for them!

Submit your applications on time.

Check and double-check the deadlines for each of your applications. Note when a college has a submission deadline and make sure you adhere to it.

Note additional instructions.

Often, once the application is submitted, you have nothing to do until your decisions arrive. Sometimes, there are additional requirements to complete, such as scheduling interviews, completing additional financial aid applications, or separate applications for specific scholarships. Remember these deadlines and schedules and keep your teachers and counselors updated if they have anything else to complete for your applications.