To-Do List
Programs/Competitions
PSAT/SAT/ACT
College Search
Scholarships
Recs
Select your senior year courses
Course Registration Jotform is due Feb 19, at 10:05 am.
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). New: Is your AP Research project on global health? Consider submitting to the Pre-Collegiate Global Health Review.
It's time for college interviews! Don't delay. Interviews will end in March.
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.
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
MathWorks Math Modeling Challenge registration open!
Many prizes for finalist teams, including a trip to NYC.
Teams of 3-5 students with a coach (minimal role). Only open to juniors and seniors.
Teams must request their free MATLAB license by February 24.
Registration closes on February 20, at 4 PM.
Challenge Weekend: February 27-March 2. (Don't miss school for this.)
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.
Summer Programs--No University Affiliation
Catapult, a selective, paid summer internship wherein students learn coding fundamentals and develop workplace and teamwork skills; June 2-July 2, 9-4 each day, with additional experiences throughout the 2025-26 school year; application opens on January 14 and closes on February 13. Do not delay if interested.
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
Summer Programs--University-Affiliated
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
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
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.
Emory Summer Scholars Research Program application is due February 6.
6-week program, June 8-July 17
Open to juniors and seniors
Accepted scholars receive $2,400 to attend, but there is no housing provided.
New this year is a virtual option, no stipend.
Iacooca Global Entrepreneurship Intensive sponsored deadline app due February 15.
In-person summer program at Lehigh University, July 5-25.
Financial aid available.
IU's Jim Holland Summer Science Programs seeks to attract students from "varied backgrounds" for summer enrichment and summer research experiences, often free. See here for more information. Application deadline for all programs: Friday, April 10
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.
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
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.
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.