To-Do List
Programs/Competitions
PSAT/SAT/ACT
College Search
Scholarships
Recs
Understand what you have undertaken.
Submit form by August 29, affirming that you and your parents have read the IB General Regulations.
AP Capstone Diploma and the IB Extended Essay
Be mindful of the laws governing Indiana transcripts
SAT score (or scores if superscoring)
Attendance
Sig includes other College Board Recognitions and ACT scores if they are better than your SAT scores.
Build your resume.
Look for leadership opportunities through Sig clubs or community organizations.
Keep your CAS page updated.
Complete the Power School profile questionnaire by August 29.
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).
Talk to your parents about attending College Information Night for current juniors, Thursday, September 11, 5:30-6:30, in the KC Commons. Parents and students are encouraged to attend. Let us know if you can or cannot attend here. Here is the guide for last year's juniors to give you an idea of the agenda.
Stay on top of your schoolwork and get help if needed through NHS tutoring (contact Ms. Grant) and Mu Alpha Theta math tutoring after school on Wednesdays.
Get ready for the October PSAT, see PSAT/SAT/ACT news at top right.
Competitions
The Coolidge Foundation Student Essay Contest entries are due September 10. Finalists will receive money, a trip to Washington D.C, and an opportunity to compete for even more money! This year's topic is Protectionism: the Jones Act.
Congressional App Challenge 2025 due October 30, but you should complete your registration and set up your account now.
Winning apps may be displayed on the Capitol Building in Washington D.C.
Bennington Young Writers Awards contest submissions due November 1, application opens early September.
Categories: poetry, fiction, nonfiction
Winners in each category receive up to $1000.
All submitters must obtain teacher sponsorship.
Programs
Indiana University Honors Program in Foreign Languages application opens in September with an evening informational session at Signature School, also in September. Stay tuned for details.
Pre-College Programs are available throughout the year. This list is not exhaustive.
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.
New 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 are some resources:
Senator Todd Young is hosting a Service Academy Day on August 18, at 4:30 p.m. Central Time, at the War Memorial in Indianapolis. Register by emailing Academy_Nominations@Young.Senate.gov.
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
PSAT/NMSQT
Review your 10th grade PSAT score report. Here's a guide.
Best preparation for junior-year PSAT, on October 23?
Review your 10th grade PSAT score report. Here's a guide.
2024 Student Guide, still relevant
Free skills practice through Khan Academy
(Math and Reading and Writing skills)
Free PSAT full-length exams through College Board's Bluebook
Free PSAT practice tests and strategy sessions from Princeton Review
Free sessions from August 25-September 29. Enroll here.
SAT
All members of the Class of 2027 will take a school-day SAT, likely in March 2026.
Consider taking a full-length SAT before then
Upcoming sessions: 9/13-register by 8/29, 10/4-register by 9/19, 11/8-register by 10/24, 12/6-register by 11/21
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
Coolidge Scholarship application (including letters of reference) was due last year on Wednesday, December 11. Stay tuned for the 2025-2026 application to go live soon!
highly selective and meant for students whose scholarly interests take them well beyond the classroom, who have records of interest in public policy and of humility and service;
full-ride at any U.S. college;
a complex application--get started now if interested.
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.