Congratulations on deciding where you’re attending college this fall! Now that you’ve made your decision, there are still a few important tasks to take care of this summer to ensure that you have a smooth transition to college. To make sure you’re on the right track, we created a complete summer before college checklist - follow the steps below!

Set up your college email

You will receive all of your important information in college - from professors, advisors, and classmates - via email, so it’s important to set up your college email account ASAP! If you haven’t already, contact your college’s admissions office to receive access to your email account and student portal. Once you have access to both, be sure to check them regularly this summer to find important information about registering for classes, meeting your academic advisor, orientation, and more.

Check the status of your financial aid

Some schools may not let you register for classes or orientation if your financial aid for the year isn’t sorted, so be sure to check in with your school’s financial aid office to ensure you’re good to go. They can answer any questions you have about tuition, scholarships, and more. If you’re in need of extra financial aid, we recommend filling out a change in circumstances form to request that your school’s financial aid office re-evaluate your financial aid award and adjust it accordingly. This is also a good time to check your tuition bill to see what you owe after financial aid and if you can set up a payment plan.

Register for orientation

Orientation is an important element of transitioning into college! During orientation you’ll learn more about the school you’re attending, find important study and support resources on campus, and meet lots of new people. Check your college email or student portal to learn more about orientation - like key dates, times, and how to register.

Lock down your housing plans

Whether you want to live on or off campus, be sure to lock down your housing plans for the fall. There are a few different housing options to choose from, so be sure to do your research early in the summer to decide which one works best for you. If you plan to live on campus, you will need to submit housing forms and materials, like a roommate survey, a housing deposit, or completing a final acceptance of your housing placement. Each form might have different deadlines to submit, so if you’re not sure where to find these forms, check your online student portal or call your school’s admissions office. If you plan to live off-campus, be sure to lock down a house or apartment, which might entail signing a lease or sublease form, arranging to move in, and calculating the cost of rent, utilities, and other living expenses.

Complete your placement tests

Some schools (especially community colleges) might require you to take placement tests before registering for classes. These tests, which are usually divided into math, reading, and writing sections, are used to determine which classes you will be placed into, to ensure that you’re not wasting your time or money on unnecessary classes. Learn more about the purpose of placement tests as well as how to study for them here.

Check your college's health care policy

Some schools or states require students to have healthcare while attending college. Some states, on the other hand, like Washington, do not require students to have healthcare while they’re enrolled in college or university, but highly recommend it. Check in with your school’s admissions office to learn whether or not having insurance is a requirement to be enrolled. If you’re on a family health insurance plan, you can stay on until you’re 26. If you don’t have health insurance, your school might have a campus health insurance plan that you can enroll in. Talk to your parent/guardian, as well as your school’s admissions office and health services center to explore your options so that you can make the best decision for your situation.

Send your final high school transcript and proof of immunizations

Be sure to submit any and all other required paperwork and documentation to your college. This can include forms like proof of immunization and final high school transcripts. These forms are usually mandatory to submit before you start classes, so try to take care of this ASAP!

Contact your new college counselor or advisor

The summer is a great time to introduce yourself to your college counselor or advisor (if you’ve already been assigned to one)! They can help you finalize documents, register for events such as orientation, and ensure you meet all necessary deadlines to have a smooth start to college.

Have any questions? Text us! Send #Hello or #College to 33-55-77 to speak to one of our College Advisors!