College applications are about much more than grades. Applying for college is about presenting yourself as a valuable part of the campus community and being ready to earn the college degree that you choose. When going through the process of applying for college, you should keep that mind.
First, some dos and don'ts for your senior year of high school:
Do continue to do well in your classes. Although grades aren't the sole requirement for admission, they are a very important segment of the admission process. If you're home schooled, take the time to speak with the schools you are considering and check to see what they are going to need as certification for passing classes such as Chemistry and Civics.
Do take the time to think through the list of universities or colleges you would like to attend. Include safe schools, as well as academic challenge colleges and reach colleges. Do some research and obtain as much university information about the school that you want to apply to. You shouldn't ever be afraid to go for the ivy league or top end universities. There is little to lose by filling out an application. Buy a planner or calendar and write down the application deadlines for each school.
If you are signed up to take Advanced Placement or AP classes, make sure you schedule a time to take the AP exams. If you can take AP exams apart from the class, the money spent on them is inconsequential, and worth the risk. Likewise, taking a CLEP exam can help get you accepted to the college of your choice and save you tuition money.
Make it a point to take your SAT and ACT exams at the beginning of the school year. Particularly, if you don't feel like you did well, give yourself time to take them a second time in January. These college and career tests are extremely important in deciding which school you'll be able to attend. Some schools also will require that you send them your end-of-first-semester grades to check up on your process for application.
Start perfecting your essay for admissions early. This admissions essay is the only opportunity you will get to state, in your own words, the reasons you should attend this college. Use the essay to talk about two to three things you've done that you are proud of, and relate those things to the ways you'd interact in the university or college community. Feature what you're bringing to the school, beyond a tuition check. Make sure your admission essay gets gone over numerous times, prior to mailing it off. Include any open recommendation letters from your instructors and advisors. Ultimately, the admissions essay is your job interview for being a college student, so take time to make it as perfect as it can possibly be.
Do look into the financial aid that is available to you at the college you are thinking about attending. It may be the perfect school for you, but are you going to be able to afford it? Determine what type of student loans you could qualify for and start going after it as early as possible. Are there scholarships available to you? Educational grants? Or should you consider applying for student loans in an effort to pay for school?
Get recommendation letters from your guidance counselor at high school, your teachers, your employers, and anybody you do extracurricular or after school activities for. Be certain you provide you with a good deal of time to write your letter, and keep in mind that letters of recommendation aren't the easiest things in the world to write. Make sure to provide them with a stamped, addressed envelope to send them along.
And now, the don'ts. Do not be tempted by senioritis. Make sure you attend all of your classes in your final semester of high school; this is something college admission boards screen for, because students that get senioritis in high school frequently become lazy college students as well.
Don't get discouraged if something does not work out like you think it should. Leave yourself time to try things again. The only thing that you can't do over is mail out an application once the deadline has passed. So, do not forget about submission deadlines.