August 2024 Checklists

Establishing your fall semester presence.

At a glance… 

Upcoming ACT deadlines:

• 8/9 registration deadline for 9/14 test

• 9/20 registration deadline for 10/26 test

Upcoming SAT deadlines:

• 8/9 registration deadline for 8/24 test

• 9/20 registration deadline for 10/5 test

Other:

• PSAT/NMSQT: This test isn’t just good practice for the SAT! The dates are (most likely) Saturday, October 12, 2024, or Saturday, October 26, 2024 - check to see if your school offers this!

• Upcoming webinar on supplemental essays: Tuesday, August 13th at 3:00 PM EST. Stay tuned for more info!

• 📢 The Common App, Coalition App, UC portal, etc. are open as of yesterday!

Critical topics:

• Finalizing college lists

• Planning for leadership

• Getting organized and setting goals

9th graders

If you’re a rising freshman, then your jobs this month are:

• Complete Summer Reading: Stay ahead of the game and complete any lingering summer reading, projects, or assignments. 

• Explore Interests: Review clubs, sports, or activities your school offers and devise a plan to get involved in those that pique your interest. Approach your freshman year with the intention of trying all sorts of new things to hone in on your interests and strengths by sophomore year.

• Monitor Registration Dates: Check to see if your school has upcoming deadlines for clubs or sports you want to join, orientation, and so on. 

• Set Goals: Before the school year starts, check in with yourself and what you’d like to accomplish over your freshman year. Better organization? New friends? New activities? Make a list of 5 goals for your first month, 5 for the first semester, and 5 for the whole year.

Parents of rising 9th graders:

• Encourage Exploration: Freshman year is the perfect time for students to try new things. Encourage your child to explore beyond their comfort zone and try diverse, new activities. 

• Double Check School Orientation: Complete and submit any required school forms, including health, club, activity, emergency contact, transportation forms, etc. 

• Stay Informed: Sign up for school newsletters, email lists, or parent portals to stay updated on school events and announcements.

• Encourage Independence: Help your child develop a plan for managing their time and responsibilities, offering guidance but encouraging self-sufficiency.

• Tech and Safety: Ensure your child has access to any necessary technology, such as a computer or tablet, and that it is set up for school use. Review and discuss online safety and appropriate use of technology with your child.