COLLEGE ADMISSIONS TIMELINES

We are excited that you are interested in Wartburg College!

Preparing for college is fun and exciting. However, we understand that it can be a little overwhelming too. Take the stress out of the college search process by following these guidelines. At any point please contact your Admission Counselor for more information!

For High School Juniors

ALL YEAR

• KEEP YOUR GRADES UP. It is important to put forth your best effort; a lot of colleges and universities base their scholarships off of academic achievement.
• STAY INVOLVED! Gain a variety of experiences throughout your high school career from music, art, athletics, volunteering, speech, plays, and other community activities.

FALL

• MEET WITH YOUR HIGH SCHOOL COUNSELOR. They will be able to work with you to set goals and make plans that will assist you in reaching those goals
• Talk about future plans–career, college, or life goals
• Get to know yourself–what do you like? What are your values?
• Talk about AP and college credit options.
• START DEVELOPING A RESUME. This will help you start to think about all of you jobs, school activities, and community service events that you have participated in over your time. Continue to update your resume throughout your junior and senior year!
• SIGN-UP FOR A NEW CLUB OR ACTIVITY. It is not too late to try something new or take on leadership roles in your current activities!
• TAKE THE PSAT–most likely you will take this at your high school. This will give you a projected score for the SAT and ACT.
• RESEARCH COLLEGES. Start to research colleges you are interested in–utilize websites, talk to counselors at College Fairs, request information, or call your admissions counselor.
• CREATE A PROFESSIONAL EMAIL ADDRESS. Say goodbye to softballlover05@gmail.com and say hello to lastname.firstname@gmail.com!

WINTER AND SPRING

• REGISTER FOR A SPRING ACT or SAT. Show up early–bring your ID, Registration form, basic calculator, pencils, and a sweatshirt (it sometimes gets cold). Wartburg will accept both ACT and SAT scores; the majority of our students take the ACT (www.act.org).  
• ACT code: 1364
• SAT code: 6926
• RESEARCH ADMISSIONS REQUIREMENTS. Keep track of your tops schools’ admissions requirements.
• Wartburg Requirements (www.wartburg.edu/admissions )
• Admission: 19 ACT; 2.5 GPA; Top 50% of class
• Regents/Presidential Scholarships: 23 ACT; 3.5 GPA; Top 25% of class
• CONTINUE BUILDING A LIST OF COLLEGES–focusing on schools that you want to learn more about through an on-campus visit.
• FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH WAYS TO PAY FOR COLLEGE. Start learning about the different types of loans, scholarships, and grants that may be available to you.
• You can check out the Wartburg College Financial Aid site at www.wartburg.edu/financial-aid/
• START VISITING COLLEGES! Spring Break is a great time to start visiting. Take a tour of campus, meet with faculty, talk with coaches or music directors, eat lunch on campus, and meet with your Admissions Counselor.
• To set up your individualized visit to Wartburg at www.wartburg.edu/visit
• It is important that you take notes on your visits. That way you can remember what you liked, disliked, or what questions you still have about each college.
• PARTICIPATE IN COLLEGE SUMMER CAMPS. Look for ways you can participate in activities during the summer at college campuses. Summer camps are a great way to be on campus and get a taste for what it is like to be a college student. To check out our summer camps, use the following links!
• Music: https://www.wartburg.edu/camps/
• Sports: Multiple camps take place for each sport–check out the www.go-knights.net for specific dates.
• Leadership: https://www.wartburg.edu/lss

SUMMER

• IDENTIFY INDIVIDUALS TO WRITE LETTERS OF RECOMMENDATIONS. Start a list of teachers, counselors, employers, or other adults whom you could ask to write letters of recommendations for you. Wartburg does not require letters of recommendation, but other schools and scholarships may require these letters.
• VISIT MORE COLLEGES–Even though classes are not in session, it is a great way to get a snapshot of each college campus.
• Wartburg has individual visits available all summer and we also participate in a summer visit day www.wartburg.edu/visit.
• WHERE ARE YOU GOING TO APPLY? Begin thinking about the schools that you are going to apply to. Wartburg’s application becomes available during the first week of August. www.wartburg.edu/apply

For High School Seniors

FALL

• SCHEDULE YOUR ACT. If you have not taken the ACT/SAT or are planning on retaking it, register to take the test in the fall (www.act.org). .
• START COMPLETING YOUR COLLEGE APPLICATIONS. Wartburg’s application can be completed online at www.wartburg.edu/apply. You will also need to request your transcripts from your high school counselor and send Wartburg your official ACT/ SAT scores.
• MEET WITH YOUR SCHOOL COUNSELOR. Talk about taking local university or community college credits during your senior year to help you prepare for college courses.
• GET TO KNOW YOUR COLLEGES OF INTEREST. Meet with your college admissions counselor when they are at your school, at a college fair, or when you are on-campus for a visit.
• CHECK SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES.
• Academic Scholarship Days: https://www.wartburg.edu/scholarships/
• Music Scholarship auditions: https://www.wartburg.edu/audition/
• Academic Visit Days: www.wartburg.edu/visit
• FILE THE FAFSA. You and your family will be able to start filing the FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) on October 1st. Never pay to file the FAFSA! Use the following website: https://fafsa.ed.gov
• Depending on other Scholarship opportunities you are participating in, you may not receive your final Financial Aid award until March.
• It is very important to be in communication with your Admissions Counselor while reviewing your financial aid. We are here to walk you through and advocate for you and your family!

WINTER/SPRING

• COMPLETE THE FAFSA.
• RESEARCH SCHOLARSHIP OPPORTUNITIES. Talk to your high school counselor, admissions counselor, and any other civic or religious groups about scholarship opportunities. Check out some of these scholarship websites: https://www.wartburg.edu/scholarships. Never pay for your scholarship information.
• CHECK AP AND COLLEGE CREDITS. Your admissions counselor will be able tell you how these credits will count toward your Wartburg degree.
• VISIT YOUR TOP SCHOOLS AGAIN. Consider completing an overnight. This is a great opportunity to get a feel for campus life, classes, dining options, and residence halls. To schedule a visit or overnight at Wartburg, use the following link: www.wartburg.edu/visit.
• TALK WITH WARTBURG ABOUT YOUR FINANCIAL AID AWARD. Your admissions counselor and the Financial Aid Office will be able to talk about other options to pay for your remaining balance after scholarships and financial aid.
• COMMIT TO WARTBURG. If you know that Wartburg is the place for you, fill out the Enrollment Form and pay the $250 Enrollment Fee (www.wartburg.edu/enroll). Wartburg makes housing decisions based on the date that students submit their Enrollment Form.
• MAY 1st IS NATIONAL DECISION DAY. However, we know that everyone is ready to make their decisions at different times. If you are ready to commit to Wartburg before or after this ‘deadline’, we are happy to welcome you to the Wartburg Family!
• SIGN-UP FOR SOAR DAY. On SOAR (Summer Orientation, Advising, and Registration) day you will register for classes, sign-up for housing, complete campus employment forms, meet your advisor, and get to know other Wartburg College students. https://www.wartburg.edu/soar

SUMMER

• ATTEND A SOAR (Summer Orientation, Advising, and Registration) DAY.
• ROOMMATE ASSIGNMENT.In Mid-July you will be assigned your roommate and residence hall for the year! Utilize the rest of the summer to get to know your roommate and prepare to move in.
• REQUIRED READING.This book is a vital part to Orange Excelleration (orientation) and your IS course.
• ENJOY YOUR SUMMER!Take time to relax before you start your first year of college! We are excited for you to be a Knight!