To Do
Scholarship Info
PSAT/SAT/ACT News
College Search
Rec Procedures
Programs
New Review the IB exam schedule and the AP exam schedule and late AP exam schedule for conflicts. All morning IB exams begin at 9; all IB afteroon exams begin at 1. Please complete the prelimary conflict form: https://forms.gle/TqjgbspCaJcNPjRDA.
New Sign up for your 2024-2025 courses. The digital form and the hard copy form with parent/guardian signature are due at the end of 6th period, on Monday, February 12. Some senior-year course considerations here.
Review your PSAT results and use them to get ready for the March SAT School Day adminisration, see PSAT/SAT/ACT news.
Register for Parchment, a free transcript service, Check your email for the invitiation and registration code. You should use this service anytime you need a transcript or want access to your transcript. Here's a guide.
Prepare for your college interview by completing the Class of 2025 College Questionnaire.
Parents/guardians complete the Class of 2025 Parent/Gauardian Questionnaire.
As soon as both questionnaires are completed, you may schedule your college interview here. Parents are welcome to attend but are not required to be there. Students, if your parents will attend, do not schedule an appointment without their approval.
Look for leadership opportunities through Sig clubs or community organizations.
Keep your CAS page updated.
Be mindful that colleges admit you based on
your 6-semester transcript (includes SAT scores, attendance and other honors)
your work on the AP Capstone Diploma and the IB Extended Essay
Consider the endgame for your EE. For example, perhaps next year you could submit your work to the Regeneron Science Talent Search.
academic consistency or improvement. Stay on top of your schoolwork and get help if needed though NHS tutoring (contact Ms. Atkinson) or STEM Mondays, after school, in the Koch Center.
College search
College Kickstart, Big Future, Common App
Update your Scoir Profile (Personal Details, Personal Bio, Activities and Achievements).
Search for colleges and begin your college list on Scoir.
Follow colleges on Scoir to communicate interest. Here's how.
PSAT scores were released to students in mid-November.
Video overview of score report and how to use your PSAT scores to explore college and career options, scholarship information, academic strengths and suggestions for improvement
SAT
Get ready for the March SAT School Day administration!
No need to register
Best prep? Connect your Khan Academy account to your College Board account and review your PSAT results.
Fee waiver eligibility information
See Ms. Cirino to obtain a fee waiver
Want an SAT tutor? Cael McCullum, 2023 Sig grad, is an experienced tutor. Contact him at cael.mccullum@yale.edu.
ACT
Fee waiver eligibility and benefits
See Ms. Cirino to obtain a fee waiver
Horatio Algier Scholarships for current juniors application opens December 1 and is due March 15. Scholarships requirements and amounts vary but are intended for those with demonstrable financial need. Click here to review requirements for each scholarship.
Explore Scholarship Databases
BigFuture’s Scholarship Search
Financial Aid Information Guide (includes FAFSA info)
College App and Search Resources
Virtual College Fair registration now open through College Fairs Online
Fairs start in January
Registrants are entered to win a $300 scholarship
Admissions Beat, a podcast wherein an Ivy League Dean demystifies the college search and application process
The College Tour, Seasons 1-9 on Amazon Prime, spreadsheet of all episodes here. Free college search classes here.
Planning a college visit? You must print out and complete the College Visit form.
Get your website documentation ready.
Export your Scoir profile as a resume to attach to rec requests.
Update your CAS page.
After securing the verbal agreement of your recommender, and sending an official request form, complete the recommendation questionnaire, linked here.
Competitions and Programs by Deadline
Competitions
Indiana State Library Letters about Literature Contest submissions are due January 19.
Students are asked to read a book, poem, essay, or speech and write to the author (living or deceased) about how the work affected how they see themselves or how they see the world.
Cash prizes and tons of honor go to winning entries.
New Project Constellation Screenwriting competition entries due January 31 (the deadline was just extended); informational video here. Entries should align with this year's theme, "Embracing Change," be 10-12 pages, require no more than 4 actors, and be filmable in your hometown.
Girls Who Code AI4FinancialGood Challenge projects due by March 1, 11:59 pm ET.
MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge registration open!
Many prizes for finalist teams, including a trip to NYC.
Max of 2 teams per school, each consisting of 3-5 students with a coach (minimal role). Only open to juniors and seniors.
Teams must request their free MATLAB license by February 16.
Registration closes on February 23, at 4 PM.
Academic and Leadership Programs Not Associated with a University
New Catapult, a selective, paid summer internship wherein students learn coding fundamentals and develop work place and team work skills; June 3-July 3, 9-4 each day, with additional experiences throughout the 2023-24 school year; application closes on February 13; candidate interviews take place March 7-13. Sign up on Scoir for a January 31 lunch-time info session.
NEXTGEN Latino Leadership Program applications due February 15, website here.
All expenses paid summer trip to Washington, D.C. to explore the city and interact with national leaders;
Must demonstrate interest in civic engagements; preference given to students with financial need.
National Youth Science Camp applications due by February 29
Hosted in Monogahela National Forest, June 29-July 20
Only 2 students per state chosen
Entirely free to provide talented our nationa's rising STEAM leaders with opportunities to engage with STEAM professionals and participate in exciting outdoor activities
Eligible students
have documented superior academic proficiency, including recognition in mathematics or the sciences;
have documented leadership abilities and social maturity through involvement in school or community activities;
have documented skills and achievements outside the realm of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics and outside the realm of academia;
demonstrate a curiosity and an eagerness to explore many and varied topics;
intend to pursue higher education and a career in a science, technology, engineering, or mathematics related field.
A nomination is not required, but if you would like a nomination, just send me an email explaining how you meet the criteria and why you are interested in the program (shannon.hughes@signature.edu).
Girls Who Code 2024 Virtual Summer Programs registration due by March 22
a 2-week immersion program or a 6-week self-paced program, both free, and open to students who identify as girls or non-binary, no prior computer science experience necessary
Fall and Summer Pre-College Study Programs, University-Affiliated
Johns Hopkins Global Health Leaders Conference application priority deadline is January 20, final deadine is March 1.
Online, highly selective program to learn about global health.
MIT Intro to Tech, Engineering, and Science (MITES) Semester applications due February 1
Completely free classes in STEM and College and Career Prep beginning this summer and extending through December, 2024;
Strong academic record and interest in STEM required;
All apps considered; preference given to First Gen, Low Income, African American, Hispanic, Native American, or those from families with no STEM degrees.
Stanford Summer Humanities Institute application due February 1
3-week residential program, financial aid available
Several courses available, all led by Standford faculty
Pre-College Summer Programs at Carnegie Mellon University, Early Decision applications due February 1, Regular Decision and Scholarship applications due March 1; register here for informational webinars in various subjects offered, starting November 29.
Princeton Summer Journalism Program application due February 15
FREE, year-long college prep program for juniors with limited-income backgrounds (income does not exceed $60,000 OR participates in Free and Reduced program OR qualifies for SAT/ACT fee waiver), interested in journalism
Email shannon.hughes@signature.edu if you'd like to be nominated.
Commonwealth Honors Academy at Murray State (June 3-24) application due March 1.
receive 6 hours of university credit
highly affordable with financial aid available
New Stanford Pre-Collegiate Online Summer Institute application due March 29, at 11:59 Pacific Time. 2 summer sessions available with various subjects offered
TCU Neeley Analytics Academy app opens January 16 and is due April 19.
Highly selective program is on TCU's campus, July 7-12; need-based scholarships available
Focus is on data analytics and market research skills.
Interior Design Summer Workshops at Ball State registration now open; space is limited--apply now!
In-person and online options available
New Architecture + Planning Camp through Ball State registration now open; week-long workshop in Indianapolis. Apply now since space is limited.
New Summer at UChicago registration now open. Programs and deadlines vary.
Brown University, summer 2024, both online and in person, fee waivers available
William and Mary, online courses in law, entrepreneurship, medicine, and psychology, need-based scholarships available
Multi-length courses available throughout the year.
Rice University Pre-College Program
online, scholarships available, multi-length courses available through out the year.
Wake Forest Online and In-Person Courses in business, medicine, bioscience, and psychology, and criminal law available throughout the year or this summer.
Columbia Business School programs available new through summer, deadlines vary by program.
Johns Hopkins Engineering Innovation Pre-College Summer Programs in person and online availaible, deadlines vary.