Student Success > Success Strategies > Senior Year Success Plan

Senior Year Success Plan

The recommendations on this page gives you as a senior year student advice on how to stay on track to earn your degree, gain important skills, and plan for the future.

Questions? Email Academic Continuity and Engagement at ace@depaul.edu.

Academic Resources

Some things you should do as a senior year student:

Continue to check your graduation requirements for major and minor in the Academic Catalog and track your progress using the Degree Progress Report
Meet with an advisor to ensure you’re set to graduate on-time
Learn how to apply for graduation and reserve your cap and gown (optional) for commencement
Maintain at at least a 2.5 GPA
Meet with your instructors during office hours, and take your favorite professor to lunch
Identify faculty and staff to ask to write letters of recommendation or serve as references

Resource	How to use it
Your Advisor	Meet quarterly about course plans, timelines, and on-time graduation.
Student Success	You are here! Web resource for tutoring, mentoring, tips and more to help you succeed at DePaul.
Writing Center	Get feedback on your writing, no matter what stage of the writing process you're in.
Career Center	Connect with a career advisor. Participate in a career fair. Join a career community to explore interests with like-minded peers. The Career Center offers these resources and much more.

Career Preparation

Ensure you’re ready for a competitive job market or further studies. The Career Center is the one-stop shop for on campus job experiences, practice interviews, alumni networking and workshops.

Resource	How to use it
Career Advisor	Start making plans for post-graduation, including graduate school or employment.
Alumni Sharing Knowledge (ASK)	Schedule an informational interview with an alumnus working in your field of interest.
Student Employment	Pursue student employment and internships to gain valuable and relevant skills for your future career.
DePaul Handshake	Handshake is DePaul’s career platform. Find jobs or internships, meet with a career advisor, and more.
Interview Stream	Practice an interview in a mock video system.

Engage with DePaul and Beyond

Are you engaged with any campus groups? Connect with your fellow students by joining a group. Looking to get more involved? Take on a leadership role to help your organization learn and grow.

The Office of Student Involvement is the hub for extracurricular engagement. Questions? Email them at involvement@depaul.edu.

Resource	How to use it
DeHub	DeHub is DePaul’s online student organization management and events list tool. Visit today to learn about our over 350 student organizations and upcoming events.
Identity-specific Cultural and Resource Centers	Cultural resource centers for Latinx, Black, Asian Pacific Islander, and LGBTQIA students.
Intramural and Club Sports	You didn’t make the team, but you still love the sport? Learn about joining an intramural or club sport.
Division of Mission and Ministry	DePaul offers a range of community service opportunities and ways to deepen your religious and spiritual life.
Study Abroad	It is not too late to study abroad! Contact the Study Abroad office and your advisor to know what options you have.

Financial Management

It’s no secret that college is expensive. The following resources can assist you with the financial side of earning your degree.

Resource	How to use it
Apply for the FAFSA	Complete the FAFSA on time each academic year in order to maximize aid. Meet with a DePaul Central Advisor to understand your financial aid package.
DePaul Scholarship Connect	Continuing students can apply for institutional and donor-funded scholarships through DePaul Scholarship Connect.
Financial Fitness	Meet with an advisor from Financial Fitness for help making a budget, establishing credit, and paying for school.

Self-Actualization

College is about growth and self-discovery: identifying your values, building your talents, and developing plans for a future that are purposeful and rewarding. The following resources can assist you on this journey.

Resource	How to use it
DeHub Events	Attend a workshop from Health Promotion and Wellness to master skills like stress management.
SMART Goals	Make 3 to 5 SMART (Specific, Measurable, Attainable, Realistic, and Timely) goals for yourself and work toward meeting them.
Mentorship Opportunities	You have had both time and experience at DePaul. Consider becoming a mentor to other students.