To Do
Scholarship Info
PSAT/SAT/ACT News
College Search
Rec Procedures
Programs
New Review the 2024 AP and IB Exam Schedule. Once you have ensured that your name is listed everywhere it should be and nowhere that it shouldn't, complete the form linked here: https://forms.gle/smHJniNDQKEJQhzu9
New Set up your College Kickstart account when you receive the email invitation and be on the lookout for lunchtime help sessions on using the program.
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
Export your Scoir Profile (Personal Details, Personal Bio, Activities and Achievements) as a Resume and save.
Search for colleges and begin your college list on Scoir.
Follow colleges on Scoir to communicate interest. Here's how.
SAT
Get ready for the March 7 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
Taking the May 4 or June 1 SAT? Sign up for a free 4-week SAT Bootcamp!
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
New Congressman Bucshon is hosting a Service Academy Day this Saturday, Februrary 24, 9-12.
Students attending our nation's service academies receive full tuition, room and board, and books at no cost.
4 of these 5 academies--U.S. Naval, U.S. Miliarty, U.S. Air Force, and US. Merchant Marine--require a congressional nomination.
New Interested in attending Stetson University, a top-ranked private liberal arts college, in Florida? Apply to be nominated for the John B. Stetson Award, a $35,000 scholarship. Email Ms. Hughes for a nomination by March 15 if you think you qualify. The committee is looking for high school juniors who show dedication to excellence both academically and personally, a generous spirit that uplifts others, a creative approach to problem solving, and the grit to covercome adversity. Only 3 nominations are allowed per school.
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.
New Cameron Impact Scholarship applications are now open. The early application deadline is May 22, and the regular application deadline is September 5. However, the window closes as soon as the commiteee received 3,000 complete applications. Do not put this off if interested.
Highly selective, 4-year, full tuition scholarship to your chosen school
15 scholarships available
Must have an unweighted GPA of 3.7 or better
Must be a U.S. citizen
Must demonstrate integrity, intelligence, motivation, work ethic, and a willingness to serve others
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 started 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
Girls Who Code AI4FinancialGood Challenge projects due by March 1, 11:59 pm ET.
New NPR Student Podcast Challenge entries are due May 3. Winning entries are featured on national NPR programs, both online and on air. Visit the website for resources and sign up for the newsletter!
Academic and Leadership Programs Not Associated with a University
New The Indiana Latino Institute will host a virtual workshop, "Leveraging LinkedIn," Friday, February 23, 2-3. The program is free and open to all high school and college students. Register here.
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).
New Veterinary Medicine Careers Exploration Virtual Workshop, sponsored by the Humane Rescue Alliance, will be on Saturday, March 9, 9-11. Register here. There is a $25.00 fee, but this may be waived by emailing education@humanrescuealliance.org.
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
New Princeton Summer Journalism Program application deadline extended to February 27.
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.
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..
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
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.
Ball State High School Camps and Workshops in Interior Design, Architecture, and Urban Planning: in person and online options available. Apply soon since spaces fill up. Note: financial aid is unclear.
New Cornell University Precollege Studies Online Program applications due May 5, but the financial aid application is due April 7. Courses vary in subject and length; college credit is offered.
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.