10 Mar Road Map for March: Seniors

One of the best parts of working with students is hearing from them as offers of admission roll in.  By April 1, most students will receive all remaining decisions, and the deadline to commit is May 1. Be sure to check your college portals to confirm that mid-year reports have been received and follow up with your school counselor if needed.

This is a time of big decisions, and I encourage you to take advantage of admitted student events you’ll be invited to, which can be tremendously helpful as you finalize your college choice. Unfortunately, along with exciting news there may be some disappointments as well; psychologist Lisa Damour offers advice here for families with seniors who might be coping with denials.

For most of the families I work with, financial aid is a consideration in the enrollment decision. When reviewing financial aid packages, focus on what you’ll actually have to pay rather than just the amount awarded. A school may offer you a significant sum, but you need to compare out-of-pocket costs and loan amounts across schools to get a clear picture of affordability. If you need additional aid, reach out to the school’s financial aid office to discuss an appeal.  This is especially important for families whose financial situation may have changed since submitting the FAFSA and CSS Profile.  In addition, the Department of Education is in the midst of significant staff cuts, and it’s unclear how this may impact student aid. My advice: if you haven’t submitted the FAFSA but there’s a chance you’ll need aid—including student loans—for the 2025-26 school year, I recommend completing the form as soon as possible. It will be easier to send a completed FAFSA to colleges if needed than to complete an application you haven’t started.

If you’re thinking about taking a gap year, this is the time to plan it to make sure it’s time well-spent. The Gap Year Association has created this planning guide, including goal-setting, logistical and financial considerations in designing your “year on.” I’m also available for one-on-one gap year advising; to schedule an appointment, please e-mail me.

Keep in mind as you navigate these final steps that you have to complete your senior year successfully. Even after acceptance, the college where you enroll will review your final grades, so don’t let senioritis jeopardize your admission. And be sure to enjoy the fun milestones along the way; my students in Washington DC are scheduling their senior portraits around the cherry blossoms’ peak bloom dates.