To Do
Programs
Competitions
PSAT/SAT/ACT News
College Search
Scholarships
Recs
Understand what you have undertaken.
This form is due September 30. It affirms 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.
Complete the Power School profile questionnaire by September 30 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
attending College Information Night for current juniors, in the KC Commons on Thursday, September 24, 5:30-6:30. Parents and students are encouraged to attend. RSVP here.
registering for a Big Future Live Parent Night, college application support events held 9/16, 9/29. 10/14, 10/28, 11/10
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.
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 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.
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.
Revised 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.
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.
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 1-16 with Season 17
Big Future's College Search Guide
Obtain your recommender's consent.
After securing the verbal agreement of your recommender, complete the form, linked here.
Fall and Winter Programs Not Associated with a University
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.
Pre-College Programs are available throughout the year. This list is not exhaustive.
PSAT/NMSQT
Best preparation for junior-year PSAT?
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
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)