To Do
Scholarship Info
SAT/ACT
College Search
Competitions/Programs
Recommendations
Parchment is a free transcript service that students use to send transcripts to outside entities. During the recent College Process Workday, most students completed the Parchment registration form here and have received the requisite email invite to set up an account. You should do this immediately. Please note that you may complete all of the questions asked if you want to use the Parchment's college search, but you do not have to.
Do you have additions to your PowerSchool Profile? Resubmit the Power School profile questionnaire by January 15 for January data upload.
Are you ready for the new semester?
It's time for college interviews!
Students complete the Class of 2026 College Questionnaire.
Parents/guardians complete the Class of 2026 Parent/Guardian Questionnaire.
You will receive a calendar link to schedule an appointment once both questionnaires are completed. Parents are warmly invited to attend in person or via Zoom, but this is not a requirement.
Review your PSAT results and use them to prepare for the March SAT School Day adminisration, see SAT/ACT news. Your PSAT score explained. Be sure to take the career quiz!
Build your resume.
Look for leadership opportunities through Sig clubs or community organizations.
Keep your CAS page updated.
Review your Power School profile. Do you have changes to make? We will upload again in January.
Consider the endgame for your EE. For example, perhaps next year, you could submit your work to the Regeneron Science Talent Search.
Stay on top of your schoolwork and get help if needed though NHS tutoring (contact Ms. Atkinson) and Mu Alpha Thete math tutoring after school on Wednesdays, in KC 207.
SAT
Fee waiver eligibility information
See Ms. Cirino to obtain a fee waiver
ACT
Fee waiver eligibility and benefits
See Ms. Cirino to obtain a fee waiver
New 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 the requirements for each scholarship.
Explore Scholarship Databases
BigFuture’s Scholarship Search
Financial Aid Information Guide (includes FAFSA info)
Get your website documentation ready. (Example: update your CAS page.)
Obtain your recommender's consent.
After securing the verbal agreement of your recommender, complete the form, linked here.
College App and Search Resources
Sign up for College Fairs Online and enter a drawing for a $1000 scholarship. The more you engage, the more chances you earn.
Click here for the college application overview we discussed at College Information Night, September 24.
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.
Big Future's College Search Guide
Planning a college visit? You must print out and complete the College Visit form.
Competitions & Programs by Deadline
Competitions
New Indiana State Library Letters about Literature Contest submissions are due January 21.
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 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 21, at 4 PM.
New Bill of Rights Institute MyImpact Challenge submissions are due May 18.
Civic engagement contest that rewards student service projects with cash prizes of up to $10,000.
Send a project report of up to 2000 words, an essay of up to 1200 words on how your project upholds one civic virtue and one founding principle, and photo or video documentation.
Entries may be from groups of up to 5 or from individuals. Winning group entries split the prize money.
Academic and Leadership Programs Not Associated with a University
Interested in a career in healthcare? The Deaconess Health Science Institute is a rigorous, two-week long summer program for high-achieving rising seniors or juniors. Applications are due by 12:00 pm CST, on Thursday, January 9. A science teacher letter of recommendation is required. Find out more here or apply directly here. The cost of the program is $1,800, but financial aid is available.
New The Hutton Junior Fisheries Biology Program app due January 19
Paid summer internship, $3,000 for 8 weeks involving aquatics, science, and education, within 45 minutes of your location
Sudents with traditionally excluded backgrounds in fisheries encouraged
Next Gen Latino Leadership Program application due January 31, 2025 at 11:59 pm EST
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute CHCI has an all-expenses paid leadership experience designed just for high school students. Spend a week exploring Washington, D.C., attend civic engagement and leadership workshops, and build life-long friendships. Start your application here. Flyer here.
Fall and Summer Pre-College Study Programs, University-Affiliated
New STARTALK-Swanee Chinese Language Camp deadline extended! Students learn Chinese while exploring Swanee's 13,000 acres of pristine forest. The June 15-29 camp is completely FREE. The deadline was December 1, but they are still accepting applications. Apply immediately if interested.
New Interior Design Summer Workshops at Ball State registration now open; space is limited--apply now!
In-person and online options available.
New Iacooca Global Entrepreneurship Intensive sponsored deadline app due January 15, priority deadline of February 14, and final deadline of March 11.
In-person summer program at Lehigh University, June 23-July 20
Financial aid available for those who apply by February 14
New 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, 2025;
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.
New Pre-College Summer Programs at Carnegie Mellon University, Early Decision applications due February 1, Regular Decision and Scholarship applications due March 1,
New Emory Summer Scholars Research Program application is due February 4.
6-week program, June 9-July 18
Open to juniors and seniors
Accepted scholars receive $2,400 to attend, but there is no housing provided.
New Johns Hopkins Global Health Leaders Conference application priority deadline is February 20, final deadine is March 31.
Online, highly selective program to learn about global health.
New Smith Pre-College app priority deadline is February 1. Program dates and content vary, financial aid available. Selective.
New 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.
New Commonwealth Honors Academy at Murray State (June 7-28) application due March 1.
receive 6 hours of university credit
highly affordable with financial aid available
New TCU Neeley Analytics Academy app opens February 3 and is due April 11.
Highly selective program is on TCU's campus, July 7-12; need-based scholarships available
Focus is on data analytics and market research skills.
New Sewanee, University of the South, Pre-College summer programs in writing, music, Spanish, and the environment application deadline for those seeking financial aid is April 18. Prospective attendees are encouraged to apply as soon as possible, however.
Brown University, summer 2025, both online and in person, fee waivers available. App opens January 15.
William and Mary, online courses in law, entrepreneurship, medicine, and psychology, need-based scholarships available
Multi-length courses available throughout the year.
New Rice University Pre-College Program
online, scholarships available, multi-length courses available throughout the year.
New Wake Forest Online and In-Person Courses in business, medicine, bioscience, and psychology, and criminal law available throughout the year or this summer.
New Columbia Business School programs available new through summer, deadlines vary by program.
New Johns Hopkins Engineering Innovation Pre-College Summer Programs in person and online available, deadlines vary.
New Georgetown Pre-College Online Program application open; many programs of varying length available; both college credit and enrichment courses available; financial aid available. The website also has links to in-person summer options.
New Northwestern's Pre-College Online Program application open; scholarships available. The website also has links to in-person summer options.