To Do
Programs
Competitions
PSAT/SAT/ACT News
College Search
Scholarships
Recs
Complete the short survey regarding CS 4565 and Financial Literacy: https://forms.gle/uyEAPV78cAGuGGJd9
Create your AP and Sig Finals testing plan using the testing calendars:
Set up your Parchment (a free, official transcript-sending platform) account using the link in the email you received on 4/27. Here are some how-to videos for requesting a transcript. Order a transcript for "Self-View."
Complete the Power School profile questionnaire today! You'll be able to revise in the fall. Profiles can be viewed in PowerSchool reports, desktop version only. Be sure to include your summer activities either in your Activities Section or your personal statement.
Activities guidance (Note: you must include 5 or more activities.)
CAS considerations and resources
Don't start the year with a deficit. Complete community service hours. Questions? Contact Ms. Atkinson at erin.atkinson@signature.edu.
CAS summer assignment: 10 hours, at most, of CAS due at the start of the school year
10 of C, A, or S or 5 of a combination of two of the strands
CAS Coaches will provide details and guidance at the end-of-year sophomore meeting
Extended Essay considerations and resources
More than "just an EE"
A chance to showcase the depth or breadth of your interests
Doing science (or math or social science)? Create an EE appropriatae for the Regeneron Science Talent Search or to the Tri-State Science and Engineering Fair.
Start exploring scholarships this summer! See Scholarship and Financial Aid Information below.
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.
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.
PSAT/NMSQT
Best preparation for junior-year PSAT?
2024 Student Guide, still relevant
Free skills practice through Khan Academy
Free PSAT full-length exams through College Board's Bluebook
SAT
All members of the Class of 2028 will take a school-day SAT, likely in March, 2027 (junior year). This is free, and the school will register you.
You may take the SAT independently before or after that date.
See Ms. Cirino to obtain a fee waiver
ACT
Fee waiver eligibility and benefits
See Ms. Cirino to obtain a fee waiver
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
Coolidge Scholarship application (including letters of reference) was due last year on Wednesday, December 11. Stay tuned for the 2026-2027 application to go live in the fall of 2026!
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)
Obtain your recommender's consent.
After securing the verbal agreement of your recommender, complete the form, linked here.
Spring and Summer Programs Not Associated with a University
Spring and Summer Programs, University-Affiliated
Miami University of Ohio's Summer Scholar's Program application due May 1
2 sessions with many subjects offered from video production to biomechanical engineering: 7/5-7/10 and 7/12-7/17.
The program is meant for high-achieving rising juniors and seniors and has a selective application process.
The total cost is $1080, but there are full scholarships available
"As a Summer Scholar alumnus, when you apply for undergraduate admission to Miami, your application fee is waived and you'll receive priority consideration for admission and selective programs."
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
UE's Journey to Justice registration open, deadline unclear.
Join a bus tour to visit key sites in the Civil Rights movement, June 7-13
Open to teachers, community members, and students at least 15 years old
College credit is available (tuition is $100) as are scholarships to help pay the $1400 cost that includes lodging, transportation, museum entry fees, and most meals.
Cinema Academy at IU-Bloomington applications accepted on a rolling basis
Game Development Camp at IU-Bloomington applications are accepted on a rolling bases
Many sessions offered for all levels, in person and online
Scholarships available
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.
Valparaiso's Beacon Engineering Academy applicaton is due May 4
for current 10th-11th graders, June 22-28
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 (waitlist only), Business, Healthcare (waitlist only), 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.
New University of Michigan's Joy of Coding online courses application due May 31. Courses begin June 17 and are open to students 13+ who enjoy math, creative problem solving, and are willing to ask for help when stuck. The cost is $149 + tax per course; need-based financial aid is available.
Pick from Intro to Coding and Computational Thinking, Intro to Data Visualisation and AI, and Intro to Training, Evaluating, and Fine-Tuning an IA
Ms. Hughes would be happy to nominate you, but nominations are not required.
Dartmouth's Precollege program offers online and in-person courses both throughout the year and over the summer; need-based aid is available; deadlines and course content vary by program
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.
Rice University Pre-College Program
online, scholarships available, multi-length courses available throughout 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.
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.
Northwestern's Pre-College Online Program application open; scholarships available. The website also has links to in-person summer options.
University of Chicago's Pre-College Summer Session program applications now open. Deadlines depend on the option chosen. Financial aid available.
Notre Dame's Pre-College Online Programs; various courses offered throughout the year; scholarships available