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Welcome to August’s CATES College Checklist!

The CATES College Checklist, our admissions-focused newsletter, brings you the month’s important dates and deadlines along with testing and advising resources relevant to your student’s year in school.

While you may not yet have purchased new school supplies for the fall, anticipation for the impending year is already in the air. Pre-season extracurricular activities begin in the middle of the month, with a return to academics, test prep, and applications soon after, so savor these next two weeks of summer as your families enjoy the remnants of vacation together.

Last updated: August 2025

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Freshmen

As your rising freshmen turn their attention to a new school experience, vacillating between excitement and nerves, they can return to the spirit of academics by investing their time in reading, journaling, or even exploring a foreign language app. It is also an excellent time to revisit end-of-year progress reports from middle school and initiate a conversation about the importance of a strong high school transcript: the gateway to college admissions.

Freshman Checklist

Academics

  • August: Invest in a diverse array of summer reading material
    • Learn more

      Summer reading—whether formally assigned or personally chosen—is an excellent way for your students to remain intellectually and academically engaged over their break. Research shows that children who connect with meaningful reading material experience greater reading achievement; as reading skills improve, students are better prepared to comprehend other classroom reading materials and subjects.

  • Late August: Learn how to make the most of high school academics

Sophomores

As your sophomores reflect on how their summer experiences may have reinforced or dissuaded them from a future career interest, they can begin to look toward their fall academic load and consider how those subjects might also contribute to that understanding. It is important for them to begin honing their interests and increasing their self-awareness so that they have an idea of their future goals and can harness the motivation to achieve them.

Sophomore Checklist

Academics

  • August: Invest in a diverse array of summer reading material
    • Learn more

      Summer reading—whether formally assigned or personally chosen—is an excellent way for your students to remain intellectually and academically engaged over their break. Research shows that children who connect with meaningful reading material experience greater reading achievement; as reading skills improve, students are better prepared to comprehend other classroom reading materials and subjects.

  • Late August: Learn how to make the most of high school academics

Testing

Juniors

The attention of your juniors should soon turn away from the dog days and back to academics. Junior-year grades are perhaps the most important for college admissions, so it is a great time for students to review last year’s textbooks, assignments, and notes to ensure seamless conceptual learning. They might also spend time watching documentaries to prepare for US History or reading non-fiction in preparation for English Language and Composition.

Junior Checklist

Academics

  • August: Invest in a diverse array of summer reading material
    • Learn more

      Summer reading—whether formally assigned or personally chosen—is an excellent way for your students to remain intellectually and academically engaged over their break. Research shows that children who connect with meaningful reading material experience greater reading achievement; as reading skills improve, students are better prepared to comprehend other classroom reading materials and subjects.

  • Late August: Learn how to make the most of high school academics

Admissions

  • August: Capitalize on your summer internships or work experience
    • Learn more

      Summer internships and work experiences offer students career preparation and job shadowing opportunities. In these positions, students have the opportunity to learn from professionals in the field and increase their communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. These positions not only enhance their resumes but also offer rich experiences by which they can learn, grow, and mature.

Testing

Seniors

Your seniors’ time is now preoccupied with creating an impressive Common App. It is crucial for your students to complete their application essays before school starts back so that they do not jeopardize their academic focus during the first quarter. The process might bring strong emotions and even immense anxiety, so be prepared with gestures of comfort and words of reassurance.

Senior Checklist

Admissions

  • August: Capitalize on your summer internships or work experience
    • Learn more

      Summer internships and work experiences offer students career preparation and job shadowing opportunities. In these positions, students have the opportunity to learn from professionals in the field and increase their communication, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills. These positions not only enhance their resumes but also offer rich experiences by which they can learn, grow, and mature.

  • August: Complete the Common App

Testing

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