Senior College Counseling Blog | The Dunham School | Private PreK-12 | Baton Rouge, LA

Navigating January: The Essential College Admissions Checklist for High School Seniors

January 2026

January marks a pivotal point in the college admissions journey. As Regular Decision deadlines pass, the focus shifts from applying to confirming, finalizing financial aid, and preparing for the final decision-making phase. Seniors must actively manage their existing applications to ensure a smooth transition toward graduation and college enrollment.

1. Application & Enrollment Confirmation

While the bulk of applications may be submitted, January is a time for crucial follow-up and confirmation tasks:

• Submit Any Remaining Regular Decision (RD) Applications:
  • Ensure all applications, particularly those with deadlines in early to mid-January, are submitted on time.
  • Verify that any unique requirements, such as essays or short answers, are complete and attached.
• Finalize Supplements and Portfolios:
  • If you are applying to specialized programs (e.g., visual arts, music, architecture), confirm that all required portfolios, audition materials, or creative supplements have been uploaded and submitted by the deadline.
• Send Mid-Year Reports Immediately:
  • This is a critical step. High school counselors must send updated transcripts (mid-year reports) showing your first-semester grades to all colleges you have applied to.
  • Action Item: Follow up with your counselor to ensure these documents have been sent, as admission decisions often hinge on this academic update.
• Monitor College Application Portals:
  • Regularly log in to each college's student or applicant portal.
  • Check the status checklist for any missing materials, outstanding forms, or verification requirements the admissions office may need.

2. Financial Aid and Scholarship Finalization

The window for financial aid submission is still open and crucial for determining your college affordability:

• Complete FAFSA and CSS Profile:
  • If you have not yet completed the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and/or the CSS Profile (required by some private colleges), complete them immediately.
  • Prioritize schools whose financial aid deadlines fall in January.
• Promptly Submit Verification Documents:
  • Colleges may "select" your application for verification, requiring you to submit additional documents (e.g., IRS Tax Transcripts, verification worksheets).
  • Submitting these forms promptly is essential to receiving your financial aid package on time.
• Prepare Tax Documentation:
  • Gather your and your parents' most recent tax returns and W-2 forms. This is necessary for both initial financial aid applications and any later verification requests.
• Intensify Private Scholarship Search:
  • Dedicate time each week to apply for local, state, and national private scholarships. Many significant scholarship deadlines occur in the late winter and early spring.

3. Post-Application Management & Planning

With applications submitted, seniors can now focus on managing outcomes and preparing for the final college choice:

• Manage Early Decision (ED) Commitments:
  • If you were accepted and committed to a college under an Early Decision agreement, you must formally notify your high school counselor and then officially withdraw all other pending applications.
• Begin Comparing Early Acceptances:
  • If you received Early Action (EA) or rolling admission offers, start organizing and comparing the schools. Focus on the total estimated Net Price offered by each school.
• Guard Against Senioritis:
  • Colleges review your mid-year and final transcripts. A significant drop in academic performance can lead to a rescinded offer of admission. Maintain high grades and attendance through the end of the school year.
• Plan Final Campus Visits:
  • If you have a select group of schools you are seriously considering but haven't visited, January is a good time to plan a campus visit or engage in virtual tours before making your final decisions in March/April.

January is a month of closing administrative loops. By diligently completing these steps, seniors will be well-positioned to receive and evaluate their admission and financial aid offers in the spring.