YOUR WORKSPACE
Mark the early-senior items
Set your checkpoint details, mark one item at a time, then copy the family record.
Temporary entries
Copy before you leave
Start your checkpoint
Your answer determines whether the visit-before-ED item belongs in this checkpoint. The date is optional.
You can return to these details at any time.
Item 1 of 8
0 of 8 required items marked
Mark whether Early Decision is on the table and complete all 8 core items before copy turns on. FAFSA preparation can be Not applicable when the family is not using FAFSA.
College list lock
Has your student locked a working list that is honest enough to start applications?
You state family constraints. Your student owns the names on the list.
Copy the checkpoint
Paste this into a shared note. If an item is Missing, the next step is a parent-watched reminder, not taking the keyboard. Entries are temporary and disappear if you reload or leave this page. Copy your worksheet before closing it.
Mark whether Early Decision is on the table and complete all 8 core items before copy turns on. FAFSA preparation can be Not applicable when the family is not using FAFSA.
How to use this worksheet
Use this page in late summer or early fall, before applications go out, when you want a calm read on whether your student is ready enough to open the season. Mark each item Ready, In motion, Missing, or Not yet, then copy the checkpoint.
Entries are temporary and disappear if you reload or leave this page. Copy your worksheet before closing it.
This is not the junior-year watch list on the parent junior-year on-track checklist. It is not the already-slipping triage in what parents should do when a student falls behind. If the file is already late, use that post instead of this sheet.
| This checkpoint | Not this checkpoint |
|---|---|
| Early senior, before applications go out: list lock, family ED/EA status, essay start (not a parent draft), testing stop or sit, recs asked by your student, applicable Family-section readiness, and visit-before-ED if ED is in play. | Junior-year on-track items, or a crisis plan after the process is already late. |
| You leave with a completed Ready / In motion / Missing / Not yet record you can paste into a shared note. | You write the essays, email the teachers, or take the student logins. Standing owners live on the responsibility map. |
Set the Early Decision gate
The visit row appears only when Early Decision is on the table. For binding money risk, read Early Decision and financial aid. Your student can check strategy on the Early Action strategy quiz. This page only records the family status.
Mark the early-senior items
Ready means the item is settled enough to open applications. In motion means work has started. Missing means it should already exist. Not yet means the window has not opened. If the list is a live fight, use the college-list disagreement protocol. Household facts themselves live on the Common App parent household worksheet. Testing spend and score-talk rules live on parent testing support boundaries. Parent essay comments stay on the parent college essay feedback protocol.
For who does which task, see how parents can help without taking over. A mixed execution list for later in the season is the college application checklist. If you want a hosted conversation about whether support would help this year, start at parent college application support.