Your July College Prep Guide

What to do before August deadlines decide for you.

Standby registration for the July 11 ACT closes on the third and there’s no SAT date this month. Here’s what every student and parent should have in motion before August, by grade level.

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Standardized Testing Dates & Deadlines

ACT

• July 3 — Standby registration window closes

• July 11 — ACT test date

• July 21 — Initial score release for July 11 test

The ACT isn’t offered in New York State in July. Students may test at centers in neighboring states like New Jersey and Connecticut. The next testing date after July 11 is September 19 and the deadline to register is August 14.

SAT

There’s no July SAT testing date. If your student still needs to test or wants to improve their score, August 22 is the next opportunity and the registration window closes August 7.

Topics that should be on your mind in July: personal statement drafts, fall testing strategy, senior college list, summer activity documentation.

Grade-Specific Suggestions for Students and Parents

If you’re a freshman, your job is to:

Reflect before you forget. Freshman year shapes more than your GPA; it sets habits. Before summer fully takes over, think honestly about what worked, what didn’t and what you’d do differently and write it all down.

Start something you can stick with. A summer activity is only valuable if it goes somewhere. Whether it’s volunteering, a job or a skill you’re building, pick something you’d genuinely want to continue in the fall.

Read ahead of the deadline. Summer reading has a way of becoming a September panic. Get it done in July. You’ll retain more and start the year without that weight.

If your child is a freshman, your job is to…