To Do
Programs
Competitions
PSAT/SAT/ACT News
College Search
Scholarships
Recs
Deadline extended to 10/8, at noon due to technical difficulties. Complete the Power School profile questionnaire for the fall upload! You'll be able to revise in time for the spring semester. Profiles can be viewed in PowerSchool reports, desktop version only. Consider including your summer activities either in your Activities Section or your personal statement.
Activities guidance (Note: you must include 5 or more activities.)
Get ready for the October PSAT (the 16th), see PSAT/SAT/ACT news below
Talk to your parents about
registering for a Big Future Live Parent Night, college application support events held 10/14, 10/28, 11/10.
Taking IB exams this May? You must register during the College Process Workdays, October 6 or October 8. If you are absent, see Ms. Hughes for instructions.
Once we register you in IBIS, you will receive an email invitation to set up your IBIS account to upload coursework and/or check your exam results in July. Here's a guide to set up your IBIS account.
Set up your Scholar Track account to log required Career Discover meetings (one each year starting your junior year) and to keep track of financial aid information and even scholarships. Here's a guide.
It's time for college interviews!
Students complete the Class of 2028 College Questionnaire.
Parents/guardians complete the Class of 2028 Parent/Guardian Questionnaire.
Once both are complete, submit the Interview Request Form for a link to schedule an appointment. Parents are warmly invited to attend in person or via Zoom, but this is not a requirement.
Extended Essay considerations and resources
More than "just an EE"
75 hours of WBL meets one of the eligibilty requirements for the EHPS
Meets the Academic Honors requirement for PBL
A chance to showcase the depth or breadth of your interests
Doing science (or math or social science)? Create an EE appropriate for the 2027 fall Regeneron Science Talent Search or the 2027 spring Tri-State Science and Engineering Fair.
Create a ScholarTrack account, see details below under Scholarship and Finanical Aid Information.
Coolidge National Tournament Series
Open to high school students competing as a team or individually
Many events held staring with the Fall Online Open, September 19
Possible prize money for those who qualify for the prestigious Coolidge and/or President's Cup
Congressional App Challenge. October 26, 2026. Cost: Free. Hosted by the U.S. House of Representatives, this competition encourages middle and high school students to learn to code and create their own original applications. Students compete against peers in their specific congressional district. Winning apps are eligible to be displayed in the U.S. Capitol and on the House.gov website.
The Patriots of the American Revolution DAR High School Essay Contest submissions are due October 25. Send to shannon.hughes@signature.edu. Only 10 essays are allowed per school. Rules are here. The winning essay will move to the state-level competition.
Congressional App Challenge 2026 due October 26, 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 Creators Awards contest submissions due November 1
Categories: writing, music, science, innovation, art
Winners in each category receive up to $2000.
All submitters must obtain teacher sponsorship.
NASA's TechRise Student Challenge entries due Nov 2, 11:59 PM PT
Get a teacher or school employee sponsor and form a team of up to 4 to develop an experiment idea for the Suborbital Spaceship or a High-Altitude Balloon.
60 winning teams will get their experiment funded and supported; winners will be announced in January.
Register for a student virtual field trip, on Sept 22, 11-12:30 PT, to find out more!
CSforGood: Nextech's Competition projects due November 4
Teams of 2-6 students create a technology project demonstrating how CS and AI can be used to address real-world challenges.
The Kemper Human Rights Education Foundation essay contest entries are due December 10, Human Rights Day.
The question: When if ever do human rights violations by a country against its own citizens justify armed intervention by other countries?
Prizes of $5,000, $2500, and $1250
Note the need for a teacher to verify the authenticity of your work.
John F. Kennedy Profile in Courage Essay Contest submissions due January 11.
Students write an original, creative, 700-1,000-word essay that demonstrates an understanding of political courage as described by John F. Kennedy in Profiles in Courage.
1st place: $10,000; 2nd: $3,000; Three 3rd place awards of $1,000. Fifteen submissions receive honorable mention.
You must name a nominating teacher.
Davidson Fellows Scholarship. Early February 2027. Cost: Free. Awards scholarships up to $50,000 for students who have completed a significant, graduate-level piece of work. Focus areas include STEM, Literature, Philosophy, or Music. Eligibility: Open to students aged 18 or under attending any traditionally accredited public or private high school in the United States.
Obtain your recommender's consent.
After securing the verbal agreement of your recommender, complete the form, linked here.
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)
ScholarTrack is the official platform managed by the Indiana Commission for Higher Education to guide students through the process of planning for and maintaining state-based financial aid. Setting up an account is a necessary step for high school students to manage their college preparation requirements and financial aid eligibility. Here is why you need to create and maintain your account:
Log College and Career Meetings: All Indiana must use ScholarTrack to record a college visit once during your junior year and once during your senior year. For 21st Century Scholars, logging these and other required Student Success activities is mandatory to keep your scholarship.
Check on Financial Aid Forms and Appeal Financial Aid: The portal allows you to monitor the status of your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and view the specific state financial aid you are being offered. If your financial situation changes or you need to correct an issue with your state aid, ScholarTrack serves as the secure, centralized location to submit and review financial aid appeals.
Connect with Indiana Schools: You will be able to use the College Connect tools, which are currently in development, to proactively link with Indiana colleges and universities and explore pre-admission opportunities.
Account set-up tips: do not use your school email address. Be prepared to enter your Social Security number to complete your profile.
Fall and Winter Programs Not Associated with a University
Premed Projects is running Future Doctors Month 2026, 4 free doctor-led online medical experiences for high school students around the world.
Sessions begin Sunday, October 11 and run every Sunday through November 1.
Students can join live or participate via recording.
A certificate is available to those who complete a test.
5,000 spots are available. Register on this page.
Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange (CBYX) application due November 3, 2026 at 11:59 pm PT A cultural exchange and diplomatic immersion program funded by the U.S. Congress and the German Bundestag. It provides a full scholarship for an academic year or summer study in Germany. Start your application here: https://usagermanyscholarship.org/
National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y) application for summer and academic year programs is anticipated to be due in November. It will open soon.
An intensive language immersion program in critical languages such as Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Hindi, Korean, and Russian in various international host countries. Funded by the U.S. Department of State, the program covers all expenses.
Next Gen Latino Leadership Program application due January 15, 2027 at 11:59 pm EST
The Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute CHCI has an all-expenses paid leadership experience designed just for high school sophomores and juniors. Spend a week exploring Washington, D.C., attend civic engagement and leadership workshops, and build life-long friendships. All applications are welcome, but preference is given to individuals with financial need. Start your application here by registering for an applicant account and completing your NextGen Program application. Flyer here.
Fall and Winter Programs, University-Affiliated
Interested in Purdue engineering? Attend the Exploring Engineering at Purdue session, October 19. The program is for parents and students, and there are early-bird sessions starting on October 18. Click the link above to sign up for more information.
Purdue Student Engineering Foundation's Advancing Prospective Engineering Xperiences (APEX) registration due ASAP; space is limited!
The completely free, day-long event takes place November 14, 9:30-3, and is open to any high school student.
Limited to 180 participants who want to learn about engineering industries, participate in hands-on acvities, hear from industry professionals, interact with engineering students. This year's theme is city planning & construction
Particpants will receive lunch and a gift!
MIT's Research Science Institute (RSI) application typically due mid-December (Check website in early October for the exact deadline)
Advanced STEM research program wherein students experience the entire research cycle, from literature review to executing an original research project under the mentorship of scientists. The program is fully funded. Eligibility and other details here.
Princeton Summer Journalism Program (PSJP) application opens in early December (Deadline typically late January to late February) An intensive journalism and college preparation program for students from low-income backgrounds. It involves online workshops and a residential experience on the Princeton campus, covering all costs including transportation, housing, and meals. Check the website in early December to start your application: https://psjp.princeton.edu/
MITES Summer application due February 1, 2027 A six-week, on-campus residential program immersing students in advanced STEM coursework, project-based electives, and college preparation at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). The program is completely free. Review the highly selective eligibilty requirements before starting your application here: https://mites.mit.edu/discover-mites/mites-summer/.
MITES Semester application due February 1, 2027 A six-month, remote program running from June through December of a student's senior year. Students participate in rigorous online STEM courses, weekly webinars, and receive comprehensive college admissions support. The program is completely free and allows students to participate from home. Review the highly selective eligibility requirements before starting your application here: https://mites.mit.edu/discover-mites/mites-semester/
Pre-College Programs are available throughout the year. This list is not exhaustive.
PSAT/NMSQT
Sign up for the BigFuture School Mobile App to access scores easily, find colleges and careers that fit your interests and goals, and explore unique skills and interests to expand postsecondary options.
Best preparation for junior-year PSAT, on October 16?
Free skills practice through Khan Academy
Free PSAT full-length exams through College Board's Bluebook
Free PSAT practice tests and strategy sessions from Princeton Review
Free sessions starting September 9. Enroll here.
Free PSAT practice test from Piqosity
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
Timeline from the fall College Information Night: here (Excel) and here (PDF).
Sign up for Signature School lunchtime college visits through Schoology's Class of 2028 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 is a free video series providing an inside look at over 110 college campuses through the perspective of current students. Use their website to access their complete library and guided search tools that filter featured colleges by state, public or private status, size, and acceptance rate.
Free College Search Classes: Self-guided, 45-minute video courses designed to help you identify what you want in a university. The core class covers four pillars: location, campus culture, college type, and majors. They also offer a dedicated course for first-generation college students.
Big Future's College Search Guide