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Welcome to November’s CATES College Checklist!

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

In November, fall’s frenzy slows, so take a moment to breathe in the autumn air. Your students will be experiencing the same sense of calm as they settle into the semester. Remind them that this season of thanks includes the gift of knowledge, which is sometimes lost in the immediacy of assignments and assessments.

Last updated: November 2024

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Freshmen

The lull in the fall calendar allows your freshman to focus on outside endeavors, like a passion project, developing interests into community impact and pro-social action. Demonstrating vision and initiative will make your student stand out as a future college applicant—and more importantly, a passion project will enhance empathy and understanding.

Freshman Checklist

Academics

  • November: Invest in a diverse array of outside reading material
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      Independent reading—whether formally assigned or personally chosen—is an excellent way for students to develop their intellectual and academic engagement. Research shows that children who connect with meaningful reading material experience greater reading achievement, and as reading skills improve, students are better prepared to comprehend other classroom reading materials and subjects.

Admissions

  • November: Research summer opportunities to further develop your passions

Sophomores

Your sophomores have reached working age and might consider an after-school job to increase competencies like responsibility and flexibility and soft skills like communication and collaboration. These skills will help them succeed in the workplace and the classroom—and boost their resumes.

Sophomore Checklist

Academics

  • November: Invest in a diverse array of outside reading material
    • Learn more

      Independent reading—whether formally assigned or personally chosen—is an excellent way for students to develop their intellectual and academic engagement. Research shows that children who connect with meaningful reading material experience greater reading achievement, and as reading skills improve, students are better prepared to comprehend other classroom reading materials and subjects.

Admissions

  • November: Research summer opportunities to further develop your passions

Juniors

It is important for your juniors to invest heavily in their academics this year. The most impactful letters of recommendation for college typically come from junior-year teachers, and admissions committees lean on junior-year transcripts to assess whether applicants are serious and interested students—the kind that will continue to do good work on their campus.

Junior Checklist

Academics

Admissions

Testing

Seniors

November 1st is here, and with it, a major deadline for Early Decision and Early Action applications. Once your seniors hit the submit button, doubt may begin to creep in, so encourage their confidence by reminding them that they put forth the strongest application package they could—then train their focus on the next EA dates on the 5th or the 15th.

Senior Checklist

Academics

  • November: Make the most of high school academics
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      Remember: senior-year grades still count! Seniors must be prepared to continue managing their classes’ advanced rigor, depth of inquiry, and expectations for higher-order thinking. Solid executive functioning, time management, and study skills lay the foundation for that success. Consider tutoring to help maintain academic excellence throughout the application process.

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Admissions

  • November: Continue to follow through on ED/REA/EA plans, and complete remaining supplemental essays
  • November: Confirm that teachers, counselors, and other recommenders have submitted their materials before relevant ED/REA/EA deadlines
  • November: Follow up on any emails directing students to school portals that will confirm receipt of all application materials or require additional action

Testing

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