Before you know it, fall will be turning to winter and 2024 will be turning to 2025! With the end of the year coming up fast, make sure you and your students are prepared for everything college admission related before they start making holiday plans and checking out for the semester. There are scholarships to apply for and early admission deadlines to meet—and as a counselor, you can help ensure everyone is prepared with some smart and intentional college prep. Happy planning!
General monthly planning
- 9th grade: If they haven’t already, new high school students should meet with their school counselor to plan a course schedule for the coming years that will set them up for college success later.
- 10th grade: Sophomores should use this time to join more extracurricular activities if they didn’t discover their niche last year. The upcoming holiday season is also a great time to get a part-time job and earn some extra money!
- 11th grade: National Scholarship Month is the perfect time for high school juniors to apply for scholarship awards. They’ll be super busy with college applications next year, so better to research or secure funds now while they have more time!
- 12th grade: Any seniors applying to college Early Action or Early Decision should be finalizing their applications before the deadlines sneak up. If they’re applying Regular Decision, now is a great time to check in with their recommendation writers to make sure they’re on track to submit their letters on time.
Month-long observances and celebrations
- National Scholarship Month: Help students search and apply for free money for college by sharing our Scholarship Search tool and checking out our featured scholarships.
- Career Development Month: Teach students about the importance of career prep this month to help them prepare for a bright future.
- Native American Heritage Month: Educate and celebrate Native American communities this month by visiting NativeAmericanHeritageMonth.gov or sharing our Native American Heritage Month content.
- National Entrepreneurship Month: A lot of students have an interest in starting their own business. This month is a great opportunity to start preparing for their future as an entrepreneur.
- National Novel Writing Month: November is the perfect month for aspiring student authors to brush up on their writing skills and bust out that novel they have within them.
Friday, November 1
New CollegeXpress easy monthly scholarship opens
In honor of the rapidly approaching Election Day, we’re offering a new easy scholarship contest all about leadership. Starting on November 1, students can register on CollegeXpress (or sign back in) to enter our Future Leaders Scholarship and answer our burning question: What’s one word you would use to describe a great leader?
Día de los Muertos (All Saints’ Day)
The Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday to honor and remember loved ones who have passed on.
National Author’s Day
Break out your favorite books today to honor your favorite authors! If you’re looking for your next favorite author, we have plenty of book recommendations to find them.
SAT prep start date
It’s recommended for students planning to take the SAT on March 8, 2025 to start studying and preparing this month to be ready come test day.
Saturday, November 2
SAT test date
Today is an SAT test date for students across the country.
Free ACT prep class
Kaplan is offering ample opportunities to join one of their usual monthly ACT Live Online Trial Classes to help students prepare for the standardized test. The first of five free sessions planned for this month takes place on Saturday the 2nd from 2:00–4:00 pm ET.
Sunday, November 3
Daylight Saving Time ends
Don’t forget to set your clocks back one hour before you go to sleep on Saturday night!
Free scholarship and digital SAT webinar for parents
Prep Expert’s Dr. Shaan Patel is offering his revamped free parents webinar on strategies to help teens win college scholarships and ace the new digital SAT. The webinar will take place on November 3 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, November 4
Free ACT prep class
Catch another ACT free trial class from Kaplan just a couple days later on Monday the 4th from 7:00–9:00 pm ET.
Free SAT prep class
Students can prep for upcoming SAT test dates by signing up for a Digital SAT Online Trial Class with Kaplan taking place on Monday the 4th from 6:00–8:00 pm ET.
Tuesday, November 5
US Election Day
Encourage students who are eligible to get out there and vote today! This election is a big one and participation is more important than ever.
- 5 Reasons Why Young Adults Should Vote This Year (and Every Year): If your students are on the fence about voting, share these five good reasons to show up to the polls.
Free SAT prep class
Students who can’t make Kaplan's Digital SAT Online Trial Class on the 4th can sign up for another session taking place on Tuesday the 5th from 6:30–8:30 pm ET.
ACT scores released
Scores for the October 26 ACT test date will be released between November 5–December 20.
Wednesday, November 6
National Stress Awareness Day
Make sure your students have the tools they need to combat stress today and every day with these great articles on stress management and reduction:
- How to Manage Your Stress for Better Health as a Student
- 8 Healthy Stress Management Tips for Students
- 3 Ways to Manage Stress During Your College Search
Thursday, November 7
Free ACT prep class
Kaplan is consistent with their ACT free trial class offerings leading up to Thanksgiving. The next session will take place on Thursday the 7th from 8:00–10:00 pm ET.
Friday, November 8
Regular ACT registration deadline
Today is the regular registration deadline for the December 14 ACT test date.
National STEM Day
Today celebrates all things science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. Encourage your students to hone relevant skills in the field with our article What Makes a Great STEM Student? 5 Ways to Become One.
Monday, November 11
Veterans Day
This is a US federal holiday honoring our military veterans. Most banks, schools, post offices, and government offices will be closed on Monday the 11th in recognition.
Free ACT prep class
Students can make their day off productive with another ACT free trial class from Kaplan taking place on Monday the 11th from 7:00–9:00 pm ET.
Start of National Young Readers Week
Remember all those book recommendations we gave you for National Authors Day? Time to break them back out for a little reading marathon during National Young Readers Week, including National Young Readers Day on November 12!
Wednesday, November 13
World Kindness Day
Celebrate and inspire kindness today and every day!
Friday, November 15
SAT scores release date
Scores for the November 2 SAT test date should be released today and will be sent to colleges within 10 days.
America Recycles Day
Help our planet by learning more about recycling and how you can really make an impact within your own community. In fact, as of September 2024, the EPA is offering three new funding opportunities for recycling and waste prevention programs.
National Philanthropy Day
November is filled with many service days! Get in the spirit by teaching students how to get involved in community service in both high school and college by sharing the following:
- How to Get Involved in Community Service in High School
- Becoming a Volunteer in College: 7 Important Areas of Service
Saturday, November 16
International Day for Tolerance
As designated by the UN, International Day for Tolerance was established to “foster mutual understanding among cultures and peoples.”
Sunday, November 17
Start of Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week
November is the start of the season of giving! Encourage your students to learn more about important social issues and ways they can volunteer their time to help end hunger and homelessness in their communities.
- Give the Gift of Volunteering: 7 Opportunities for Winter Break: Start researching humanitarian ways to spend your vacation days with this advice.
Monday, November 18
Start of American Education Week
Recognizing the efforts of the American public school system and everyone—including school counselors—at the heart of it, American Education Week 2024 promotes the belief of working “Together for safe, just, and equitable schools.”
Free ACT prep class
The last ACT free trial class by Kaplan of the month will take place from 7:00–9:00 pm ET on Monday the 18th.
Friday, November 22
Regular SAT registration deadline
Today is the regular registration deadline for the December 7 SAT test date.
Late ACT registration deadline
Today is the late registration deadline for the December 14 ACT test date (additional fees apply).
Saturday, November 23
National Family Volunteer Day
Another great opportunity for students to earn their volunteer hours—and this time with family! Get out there and do some good today.
Tuesday, November 26
Late SAT registration deadline
Today is the deadline for changes, cancellations, and late registration for the December 7 SAT test date (additional fees apply).
Thursday, November 28
American Thanksgiving
Eat some turkey, take a long nap, and—of course—give thanks. Happy Thanksgiving!
Friday, November 29
Native American Heritage Day
This day honors Native American heritage, history, and contributions as the first people of our country. Read our Native American Heroes of History series to celebrate and learn the stories of some amazing Indigenous individuals.
Saturday, November 30
CollegeXpress Future Leaders Scholarship deadline
We’re giving away $1,500 in honor of election month and the importance of leadership! All students have to do to win our easy Future Leaders Scholarship is make sure they’re registered on CollegeXpress and tell us one word that defines a great leader. Don’t let your students miss the deadline on November 30!
The academic year is only going to get busier. Encourage your students to save time by easily connecting with colleges and applying for scholarships right here on CollegeXpress!
