Your September College Checklist
Read on for this month’s tips on managing the college process.
Welcome to September’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 September, some parents will celebrate their students’ return to learning while others mourn the loss of summer’s adventures; regardless of your perspective, anticipation weighs heavy this month as students start their first classes, first practices, first auditions, and first games. As parents, take advantage of the opportunities to go back to school yourselves to attend the teacher meet-and-greets and curriculum-orientation events so that you can support your students when they have questions and point them in the right direction.
Last updated: September 2023
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Freshmen
Your freshmen once again embark on a new school year—but this time, it counts. While your first-time high-schoolers are learning to navigate their new social arena, they must also enhance their academic self-management skills and rise to the increased levels of rigor in their courses. Students who breezed through middle school might find new demands on their time for studying and preparing assignments, so a conversation about the necessary changes in work habits is always wise before that first round of exams.
Freshman Checklist
- September: Learn how to make the most of high school academics
- Learn more
In order to be successful at the high school level, students must be prepared for the 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.
- Watch our webinar on how to make the most of high school
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- September: Join student groups, clubs, and community activities that allow you to explore and develop career interests and extracurricular passions
- Learn more
Paired with academic classes, extracurricular experiences allow students the opportunity to explore their strengths and interests and increase their communication and problem-solving skills. These roles not only enhance their college applications but also offer rich experiences through which they can learn, grow, and mature.
- Watch our webinar on building your college application narrative
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- September: Begin a Passion Project to help differentiate yourself from other applicants in your class
- Learn more
The aim of this project is to empower students to enact the change they wish to see in the world through pro-social action. The project allows them to develop passions into community impact and address pain points with which they possess a personal connection.
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- September: 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.
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Sophomores
Sophomores are moving into higher-level classes, possibly APs, so they will begin to take part in increasingly intellectual conversations and deepen their understanding of the world. This offers a great opportunity for you to stimulate conversation yourself, discussing current events, financial markets, medical advancements, or global politics. These discussions might even make their way back into the classroom, continuing the cycle of critical thinking and increasing communication skills.
Sophomore Checklist
- September: Learn how to make the most of high school academics
- Learn more
In order to be successful at the high school level, students must be prepared for the 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.
- Watch our webinar on how to make the most of high school
-
- September: Join student groups, clubs, and community activities that allow you to explore and develop career interests and extracurricular passions
- Learn more
Paired with academic classes, extracurricular experiences allow students the opportunity to explore their strengths and interests and increase their communication and problem-solving skills. These roles not only enhance their college applications but also offer rich experiences through which they can learn, grow, and mature. Set yourself up now to take over leadership positions in your extracurricular activities (both in and outside of school) during your junior and senior year.
- Watch our webinar on building your college application narrative
-
- September: Begin a Passion Project to help differentiate yourself from other applicants in your class
- Learn more
The aim of this project is to empower students to enact the change they wish to see in the world through pro-social action. The project allows them to develop passions into community impact and address pain points with which they possess a personal connection.
-
- September: 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.
-
Juniors
Junior-year grades are some of the most important on your high-schooler’s transcript—the gateway to admission at their dream school. It is incredibly important for them to jump right into academics, making a good first impression with their teachers who will be asked to write letters of recommendation in the future. AP loads have probably increased for your students, so be aware of signs of struggle and emphasize the role of study groups and after-school sessions.
Junior Checklist
- September: Learn how to make the most of high school academics
- Learn more
In order to be successful at the high school level, students must be prepared for the 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.
- Watch our webinar on how to make the most of high school
-
- September: Join student groups, clubs, and community activities that allow you to explore and develop career interests and extracurricular passions
- Learn more
Paired with academic classes, extracurricular experiences allow students the opportunity to explore their strengths and interests and increase their communication and problem-solving skills. These roles not only enhance their college applications but also offer rich experiences through which they can learn, grow, and mature. Set yourself up now to take over leadership positions in your extracurricular activities (both in and outside of school) during your junior and senior year.
- Watch our webinar on building your college application narrative
-
- September: Begin a Passion Project to help differentiate yourself from other applicants in your class
- Learn more
The aim of this project is to empower students to enact the change they wish to see in the world through pro-social action. The project allows them to develop passions into community impact and address pain points with which they possess a personal connection.
-
- September: 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.
-
- September: Create a plan for preparation and testing based on the results of your SAT vs. ACT Diagnostic Exam
- September 8: Registration deadline for the October 7 SAT
- September 9: September ACT
- September 22: Registration deadline for the October 28 ACT
Seniors
Your seniors are busy writing personal statements for the Common App and creating their final school lists, narrowing down top choices for Early Decision and Early Action and writing their supplemental essays. Most Early Decision due dates are November 1; these are binding admissions, so be sure to schedule final trips to campuses if the decision is not yet certain. With the current competitive nature of college admissions, it is wise to take advantage of Early Decision and Early Action options.
Senior Checklist
- September: Complete the Common App
- Learn more
It is important for students to complete a large portion of their Common Application during the summer, especially the multiple essays, so that they can focus on maintaining academic excellence once school begins in the fall. Students spend an estimated 40+ hours completing successful college applications.
- Watch our webinar on how to navigate the Common App
- Watch our webinar on writing stand-out college essays
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- September: Make the most of high school academics
- Learn more
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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- September: Continue or expand your extracurricular leadership
- Learn more
Senior-year extracurricular activities will strengthen your application, especially if you are deferred in the Early Decision/Early Action round.
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- September: 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.
-
- September 8: Registration deadline for the October 7 SAT
- September 9: September ACT
- September 22: Registration deadline for the October 28 ACT