To-Do List
Programs/Competitions
PSAT/SAT/ACT
College Search
Scholarships
Recs
Review the IB exam schedule, the AP exam schedule, and the late AP exam schedule for conflicts. All morning IB exams begin at 9; all IB afternoon exams begin at 1. Please complete the preliminary conflict form: https://forms.gle/TqjgbspCaJcNPjRDA.
Parchment is a free transcript service that students use to send transcripts to outside entities. Complete the Parchment registration form here immediately. Once you receive the requisite email invite, set up an account. 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.
Consider the endgame for your EE. For example, you could submit your work to the Regeneron Science Talent Search next year or the USI Tri-State Science & Engineering Fair (2025 site here). Is your AP Research project on global health? Consider submitting to the Pre-Collegiate Global Health Review.
All College Interviews should be completed by March 19.
Students complete the Class of 2027 College Questionnaire.
Parents/guardians complete the Class of 2027 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.
SAT
All members of the Class of 2027 will take a school-day SAT on March 5.
Review your PSAT results and use them to prepare. Your PSAT score explained. Be sure to take the career quiz!
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
Horatio Algier Scholarships for current juniors application opens December 1 and is due March 1. Scholarship requirements and amounts vary but are intended for those with demonstrable financial need. Click here to review the criteria for each scholarship. (In general, your family's AGI < = $100,000.)
Bryan Cameron Impact Scholarship early application deadline is May 1 at 12:00 pm PT. There is a regular applicaton deadline of September 3, but do not wait for this since the portal will close when they receive 3000 applications.
This scholarship covers full tuition, fees, and books. There are 15 awarded each year.
Applicants must have a minimum unweighted GPA of 3.7
be full U.S. citizens
show proven excellence in extracurriculars, be motivated leaders with a strong work ethic, demonstrate active participation in community service and or civic/minded arenas and complete all application components.
25% of the applications spots will go to individuals pursuing careers in education, nonprofits, government and/or military and have a stated goal of public service
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.
Register your recommendation request here. Complete the form for each request. Some recommenders like a hard copy.
Complete the Teacher Recommendation Questionnaire. Print a hard copy of the questionnaire for your recommender.
Sign up for Signature School lunchtime college visits through Schoology's Class of 2027 page. All juniors must attend at least one lunchtime college visit.
Interested in attending a Service Academy for a full ride plus room, board, and textbooks? Applications for a congressional nomination to the four Service Academies requiring such a nomination are due on October 1 of senior year. Here is some more information:
Congressman Mark Messmer is accepting applications through this form. He provides a checklist, and a Service Academy fact sheet.
Sign up for College Fairs Online and enter a drawing for a $1000 scholarship. The more you engage, the more chances you earn.
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
Competitions
Bill of Rights Institute MyImpact Challenge submissions are due May 3 (video explanation).
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.
Is your AP Research project on global health? Consider submitting to the Pre-Collegiate Global Health Review.
We the Future Contest for grades 9-12 submissions are due 11:00 p.m. our time, May 31, but early entries are encouraged. The contest is hosted by Hillsdale College.
Submissions might be one of 2 different essay prompts, a song, a survey with a marketing plan to determine knowledge of the U.S. Constitution, a short film on how the Constitution makes the U.S. unique, or a PSA geared to one of 2 prompts about citizenship.
The winner from each category will receive a $1000 scholarship prize (group entries will split the prize money); winners who commit to attend Hillsdale College will also be considered for a one-time $5000 scholarship award.
Programs--No University Affiliation
Future Latino Leaders Summer Law Camp application deadline extended to March 15.
Eligibility: rising sophomores, juniors, seniors, and students graduating in 2026 who have demonstrated an interest in law, community service, and leadership development.
July 19-26, in Washington D.C. Fully funded with transportation scholarships available.
New National Youth Science Camp applications due approximately March 15, some states have later deadlines.
Hosted in Monogahela National Forest, July 11-August 1
Only 2 students per state chosen
Entirely free to provide talented rising STEAM leaders with opportunities to engage with STEAM professionals and participate in exciting outdoor activities
Eligible students
have documented superior academic proficiency in STEAM.
Recognition for notable achievements in STEAM program areas.
Skills and achievements outside of STEAM and academia.
Must demonstrate a curiosity and an eagerness to explore new topics.
Must intend to pursue higher education and a career in a STEAM-related field.
Must be willing and able to participate daily for the entire duration of the NYSCamp program.
Must be fully vaccinated for COVID-19 or willing to test prior to traveling to camp. Official documentation of vaccination status will be requested to be submitted if selected to attend the NYSCamp to determine testing needs.
New Deaconess Hospital Junior Volunteer Program application is due March 20.
Must be 15 by June 1.
Program dates: June 1-July 24, one 8-hour shift per week.
Shifts rotate volunteers through nursing unit, central supply, and gift shop.
American Legion Auxiliary Girls State application due April 1, but apply now to give organizers time secure funding by our local ALA chapters.
There is a $50 registration fee. The program is otherwise fully funded by American Legion chapters.
June 21-27, at Trine University, Angola, IN.
Eligibility: Open to rising seniors interested in government and current events, with high moral character, strong leadership abilities, an above average scholastic standing, and a desire to learn
American Legion's Hoosier Boys State application due before May 15.
There is a $50 registration fee. The program is otherwise fully funded by local American Legion chapters.
June 14-19, at Trine University, Angola, IN.
About: Hoosier Boys State builds important real-world skills and leadership qualities in exceptional young men by creating a functional state government based on Indiana’s political process.
Girls Who Code Free Summer Program early application regular application due April 11 before 11:59 PM PST.
a six-week asynchronous course starting June 29, multiple pathways offered; flyer
Early Decision Application Deadline: February 25
Programs--University-Affiliated
Spring Program Rose-Hulman's Sonia Math Day registration due March 17 or until capacity reached
Open to high school women
A free, day-long event, on March 21, of fun mathematics activities in honor of the first woman to receive her doctorate in mathematics, Sonia Kovalensky
Spring Program Explore Engineering at Purdue applications are open, deadline unclear.
Free program, for all students, and sponsored by Women in Engineering, April 20 with an optional "meet and greet" on April 19 for early arrivers
New Marian Healthcare Camp applications are now accepted!
Located at the Marian University Indianapolis campus
June 1-5
Healthcare mentoring, clinical activities, and medical research skills are program highlights.
Low cost: $100 application fee only with financial assistance available. It
is unclear if staying on campus increases this cost.
Purdue Summer College for High School Students
Many university credit courses offered, both online and in person, both long-term and short-term.
Applications accepted on a rolling basis until April 1, application fee waived for eligible students
Must have a minimum GPA of 3.30, some age restrictions depending on the program chosen
General Link to IU Pre-College Programming, mostly summer, deadlines and costs vary, some programs are online: https://precollege.indiana.edu/programs/index.html. Note: broken links on the page likely indicate that the program is cancelled or the deadline for applying has passed.
Cinema Academy at IU-Bloomington applications accepted on a rolling basis
Game Development Camp at IU-Bloomington applications are accepted on a rolling basis
Many sessions offered for all levels, in person and online
Scholarships available
Interior Design Summer Workshops at Ball State registration now open; space is limited--apply now!
In-person and online options available.
Actuarial and Data Science camps at Lebanon Valley College, in Harrisburg, PA, applications accepted on a rolling basis; cost is $950, but financial aid is available
Computer and Data Science Camp-June 21-26
Ball State's Estopinal College of Architecture and Planning High School Workshops registration now open; space is limited--apply now!
In-person and online options available, programs in interior design, archtecture, and urban planning, both residential and singe-day offerings, scholarships available
Johns Hopkins Global Health Leaders Conference application priority deadline is February 20, but spaces fill up so don't delay.
Online, highly selective program to learn about global health.
Cost is $99.00, but this can be waived if a hardship.
TCU Neeley Analytics Academy app due March 8.
Highly selective program is on TCU's campus, July 21-26; need-based scholarships available
Focus is on data analytics and market research skills.
New West Point's Summer Leader Experience application priority deadline is March 15, final deadline is April 15
Apply here for 1 of 3 sessions: May 30-June 3, June 5-9, and June 11-15
"Try on" cadet life at the U.S. Military Academy with academic classes, STEM labs, fitness regimes, and team-building
Generous need-based scholarships available
Must be a current junior in good standing
Video recap
IU's Kelley Women's Leadership Institute application is due by March 20.
Both virtual and in-person programs available
The program is free, but travel to and from Bloomington is not funded.
In-person programs last all day with sessions on June 12, June 26, July 10, and July 24.
Must have a 3.5 GPA and compelling application essays.
Arabic High School Summer Program at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign due March 29 for early admission, final application deadline May 8
Generous scholarships available to those who apply by March 29
June 14-June 27
Earn 2 college credits
IU's Jim Holland Summer Science Research Program (SSRP) due April 10, July 12–19, 2026, one-week intensive lab research for rising 10th-12th graders (min. 3.2 GPA), focus on underrepresented students in STEM, $125 registration fee (program costs covered).
IU's Jim Holland Research Initiative in STEM Education (RISE) due April 10, June 21–July 3, 2026, two-week residential camp with research and college prep, exclusively for rising 12th graders (min. 3.2 GPA), focus on underrepresented students in STEM, $125 registration fee (program costs covered).
High School Journalism Camp at IU-Bloomington, 2 sessions available in July
The residential workshop is $525; scholarships available for those who apply by April 15.
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.
Valparaiso's Beacon Engineering Academy applicaton is due May 3
for current 10th-11th graders, June 21-27
Projects in bio-nuclear-environmental engineering
partial scholarships available to help with the $800 cost for overnight camp
Butler's Pre-College Program application due May 15.
Tracks available: Exploratory, Business, Healthcare, dates vary
Cost is $1000 for the residential package, but tuition assistance is available to 21st Century Scholars, Free/Reduced Lunch participants, and First Gen students.
Dickinson College's Knowledge for Freedom FREE 2-week seminar application due May 31.
The seminar is organized and run by acclaimed historian and professor Matthew Pinsker. He has assured me that Signature School applicants are welcome. He can't provide travel money, but the program is otherwise free.
July 12-24: Two weeks of free residential college experience at Dickinson College, in Carlisle, PA.
Field trips to Carlisle, Gettysburg, and Washington, DC for a deep dive into our nation's history, especially for rising seniors.
UE's Journey to Justice registration not yet open, deadline unclear.
Join a bus tour to visit key sites in the Civil Rights movement, June 6-12
Open to teachers, community members, and students at least 15 years old
College credit has been available in the past (tuition is $100) and scholarships to help pay the $1400 cost that includes lodging, transportation, museum entry fees, and most meals.
Pre-College Programs are available throughout the year. This list is not exhaustive.