August means it’s time for students and counselors to gear up for another academic year—and whether that makes you happy or sad, there is a lot to look forward to! Seniors will be starting the college admission process in earnest, juniors have important AP classes and standardized tests to prepare for, sophomores can up their academic and extracurricular game, and ninth graders are embarking on a brand-new journey starting high school. The end of the summer is a perfect time for students in all grades to set a solid college prep plan for success—and our College Planning Calendar is the perfect tool to help them map everything out.
General college prep and planning
- 9th grade: It’s almost time for an exciting new academic adventure! Make sure incoming freshmen are prepared with Our Best Advice for Your First Year of High School, covering everything from clubs to grades to early college prep and more.
- 10th grade: Sophomores can also prepare for the year with their own survival guide, Our Best Advice for Sophomore Year of High School, featuring tips on avoiding the sophomore slump, studying for the PSAT, starting the scholarship search, and more.
- 11th grade: Junior year is when the college process starts to get real. Help your students think about standardized tests, brainstorm college essay ideas, and formulate a list of colleges they’d like to visit with Our Best Advice for Junior Year of High School.
- 12th grade: This is it—the last year of high school and when your students will hopefully make it into their dream colleges! Our Best Advice for Senior Year of High School walks students through applications, essays, scholarships, standardized tests, and so much more to help them prepare for their next academic journey.
Month-long observances and events
- National Family Fun Month: Before getting too wrapped up in back-to-school planning, students should take some time to have fun with their families before everyone gets busy again.
- National Back to School Month: We’ve already been talking about it—but August is officially National Back to School Month! It’s the perfect time for students to start getting ready for a new academic year and all the excitement and challenges ahead.
Thursday, August 1
New CollegeXpress easy monthly scholarship opens
A new month means a new easy scholarship contest from CX! This time, we’re offering four back-to-school prizes—one for a student in each high school grade—and asking: If you could have any celebrity or influencer visit your school, who would it be? Starting August 1, students can register on CollegeXpress (or log back in) to let us know their answer for a chance to win $500.
Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon via GIPHY
Start prepping for the SAT
Today is the recommended date to begin studying for the December 7 SAT test.
Free SAT prep class
Students can prep for the SAT test date coming up at the end of the month by signing up for a Digital SAT Online Trial Class with Kaplan on Thursday the 1st from 8:00–10:00 pm ET.
Saturday, August 3
Free ACT prep class
Kaplan is offering their usual monthly ACT Live Online Trial Classes to help students prepare for the standardized test. The first of four free sessions planned this month takes place on Saturday the 3rd from 12:00–2:00 pm ET.
Sunday, August 4
National US Coast Guard Day
Happy National Coast Guard Day! If your students are interested in spending their lives on the sea, they should check out schools that can help get them there with our article on Maritime Colleges: A Valuable Road Less Traveled.
Tuesday, August 6
College Essay Guy webinars
Each month, the College Essay Guy (Ethan Sawyer) packs his calendar full of webinars and events on everything from personal statement writing to skill building to understanding college finances. Offerings on Tuesday the 6th include two sessions on How to Create a Compelling College Application & Supplemental Essays. Be sure to share and check out all his resources for counselors, parents, and students, and encourage those from low-income households to inquire about pay-what-you-can options.
Wednesday, August 7
Free ACT prep class
The next ACT Live Online Trial Class students can sign up for is on Wednesday the 7th from 6:00–8:00 pm ET.
Thursday, August 8
SAT registration deadline
Today is the deadline for domestic students to register for the August 24 SAT test date.
Scholarship search crash course
Moon Prep is helping students find scholarships this month with their free 9-Day Crash Course: The Search for Scholarships webinar. Students can register now for this pre-recorded series that starts Thursday the 8th from 7:00–8:00 pm ET.
National Video Game Day
Now is the time for all those student gamers to take advantage and get some play hours in before school starts.
- Top Questions About eSports and College, Answered: It’s also be a great time to learn more about pursuing eSports in college, if that’s something your students are interested in!
Friday, August 9
ACT regular registration deadline
Today is the regular registration deadline for the September 14 ACT test date.
National Book Lovers Day
If you too are a book lover, share your passion with your students by giving them some awesome reading suggestions under our “book recommendations” tag (and take some time to browse them yourself as well)!
Saturday, August 10
Qixi Festival
Also known as the Qiqiao Festival, the Qixi Festival honors Chinese mythology through worship of natural astrology.
National S’mores Day
Summer break is almost over, but you can still squeeze in some classic summer fun with a (safe) fire and some s’mores.
Tuesday, August 13
SAT late registration deadline
Today is the deadline for changes, cancellation, and late registration for all students (US and international) taking the August 24 SAT test date.
Free ACT prep class
Kaplan is ensuring students have access to lots of free test prep this month with another ACT Live Online Trial Class on August 13 from 8:00–10:00 pm ET.
Left Handers Day
Big shoutout to all our southpaw friends! Did you know there’s even an official Left Handers Club and scholarships for left-handers?
Saturday, August 17
National Honey Bee Day
Today celebrates the important pollinator while promoting beekeeping and educating the public about environmental concerns. Save the bees and save the planet!
Sunday, August 18
Free SAT/ACT scores webinar for parents
Like usual, Prep Expert’s Dr. Shaan Patel is offering a revamped free parents webinar on strategies to help teens win college scholarships and ace the new digital SAT. The event will take place on Sunday, July 18 at 5:00 pm ET. Be sure to share this opportunity to help parents and students who are still familiarizing themselves with the new test format!
Monday, August 19
National Aviation Day
This day is celebrated to honor aviation pioneer Orville Wright’s birthday! If you know students who are considering aviation engineering as a career, they can start searching for and connecting with great schools on our lists of featured science colleges.
Free ACT prep class
Today is the last call for students to take an ACT Live Online Trial Class with Kaplan this month. This session will take place from 7:30–9:30 pm ET on Monday the 19th.
Saturday, August 24
SAT test date
Today is an SAT test date for students around the country and internationally.
Sunday, August 25
ACT late registration deadline
Today is the late registration deadline for the September 14 ACT test date (late fees apply).
Monday, August 26
Women’s Equality Day
Today commemorates women gaining the right to vote in the US in August 1920 when the Nineteenth Amendment was ratified.
Friday, August 30
National College Colors Day
Celebrate your alma mater and encourage students to get excited about their future college by repping school colors today! Learn more on the College Colors Day website.
Saturday, August 31
CollegeXpress easy monthly scholarship deadline
Today is the last day to enter our Back-to-School Scholarships for each grade level! Encourage your students to log back in or create a free CollegeXpress account and answer the easy question to be entered into the $500 drawings. Make sure they finish registration and don’t miss the deadline on this great opportunity!
As a new school year kicks off, one thing is for sure: All students should be taking the time to research colleges and apply for scholarships—easy things to do right here on CollegeXpress when you register or log back in!
