College Planning Calendar and CX logo over bushes of holly

College Planning Calendar: December 2023

Before we all go into holiday mode, there’s some planning to do for the end of semester and post–winter break. Happy Holidays!

People say we're in for quite a winter this year! Help your students get cozy and ready for college with this month’s College Planning Calendar. We all know there are a ton of holidays to prep for in December, but there's also plenty of college prep work students would be smart to do over winter break. We hope you have the happiest holiday season and a great end to the first semester of the academic year!

General monthly planning

Month-long observances and celebrations

  • Advent: This is the extended observance most Christian denominations follow in preparation for Christmas, the commemoration of the birth of Jesus. Get your Advent calendars ready!
  • Learn a Foreign Language Month: Encourage your students to expand their horizons with these top tips for learning a foreign language.

Friday, December 1

World AIDS Day

First observed in 1988, this day is an opportunity to get educated about HIV and AIDS, plus ways to prevent them.

Free college planning webinars

Moon Prep is hosting a free College Planning: High School Students recorded webinar over Zoom to help high schoolers start the college planning process early. It will take place from 7:00­–8:00 pm ET on Friday the 1st, so encourage them to register ASAP!

If your students are looking for specific admission essay help, Moon Prep’s 8-Day Crash Course: Learn How to Write an Effective Personal Statement webinar will also be available to access starting December 1.

Saturday, December 2

SAT test date

This SAT test date is available to all students around the country. (This is still a paper-based test.)

Digital SAT live online trial class

It’s official—the SAT is going digital. Kaplan wants to ensure students are ready for this transition, so they’re hosting their usual free trial courses but shifting their preparation for the upcoming digital changes. This session will take place on Saturday the 2nd from 9:00–11:00 am ET.

Gif of animated laptop reading "Go digital" on screen
@artsciences via GIPHY

Sunday, December 3

Digital SAT live online trial class

For students who miss the Saturday session, Kaplan is offering another free SAT trial course the same weekend on Sunday the 3rd from 5:00–7:00 pm ET.

Monday, December 4

Computer Science Education Week

Computer science is a great field for students to consider! Encourage their STEM dreams by helping them connect with our featured science and engineering schools.

National Cookie Day

Everyone loves cookies during the holidays! Celebrate by baking and sharing with the ones you love.

Tuesday, December 5

Walt Disney Day

Celebrate all things Disney today in honor of the legendary Imagineer's birthday! Students who really love Disney can even consider joining the Disney College Program as part of their higher education.

Friday, December 8

First day of Hanukkah

We hope the Jewish community has a peaceful and loving eight days of celebrating this year. Happy Hanukkah!

Scholarship search crash course

Moon Prep isn’t just helping students with the college search and applications this month—they’re also sharing their knowledge on scholarships with their free 9-Day Crash Course: The Search for Scholarships webinar. Students can register now for this pre-recorded series starting Friday the 8th from 7:00–8:00 pm ET.

Gif of woman with fans of cash dancing around
@5hourENERGY via GIPHY

Saturday, December 9

ACT test date

This ACT test date is available for all students across the country. 

Sunday, December 10

Human Rights Day

Designated by the UN in 1948, Human Rights Day celebrates the 75th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This year’s theme is “Dignity, Freedom, and Justice for All.”  

Nobel Prize Day

Today awards and honors those who are contributing to the progress and success of fields such as physics, literature, peace, medicine, and more.

Free SAT/ACT score webinar for parents and students

Prep Expert’s Dr. Shaan Patel is offering a free SAT/ACT webinar on 10 secrets to raising standardized test scores and winning big scholarships to top colleges. Parents can sign up now for this session that starts at 6:00 pm ET on Sunday the 10th.

Monday, December 11

CX Gives Back

It’s time for our seventh annual CX Gives Back Giveaway, where we thank our wonderful student community by giving back to them and helping them give back to others! Check out our giveaway page for ways students can enter fun contests every day this week.

Gif of ribbon like arms point opposite directions reading "Give back to move us all forward"
@IntoAction via GIPHY

Friday, December 15

SAT scores released

Scores for the December 2 SAT test date should be released today and sent to colleges within 10 days.

Tuesday, December 19

ACT scores released

Scores for the December 9 ACT test date will be released between today and February 2.

Rising Researchers course

This intensive winter research course from Moon Prep allows students to participate in online research guided by a STEM mentor for eight weeks. Participants should expect to commit to sessions on Tuesdays and Fridays for an hour and a half until January 12. Spots are limited, so students should apply soon if they’re interested! (Please note that this is not a free opportunity.)

Friday, December 22

College application webinar

Students needing more in-depth guidance on college apps can sign up for Moon Prep’s Crash Course: A Step-by-Step Guide for Applying to College taking place on Friday the 22nd from 7:00–8:00 pm ET.

Monday, December 25

Christmas Day

Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate!

Gif of shot spinning around animated Christmas tree as it's magically decorated and surrounded by presents
Hallmark E-Cards via GIPHY

Tuesday, December 26

First day of Kwanzaa

Joyous Kwanzaa to the African and African American community!

Boxing Day

This holiday is celebrated on the second day of Christmastide in Canada, Britain, Australia, New Zealand, and other Commonwealth countries. It’s also known as St. Stephen’s Day in Ireland and the Day of Goodwill in South Africa.

Saturday, December 30

Supplemental essays webinar

This last free recorded webinar for the month from Moon Prep walks students through a Crash Course on How to Write Supplemental Essays for college admission. It will be available starting December 30 from 7:00–8:00 pm ET.

Sunday, December 31

CollegeXpress Winter Break Scholarship deadline

We’re giving away $2,000 this month for our Winter Break Scholarship. From December 1–31, students only have to register on CollegeXpress (or log back in) and answer this question: What’s the best way to spend your time during winter break?

CollegeXpress Scholarship for Students of Color deadline

We have another scholarship deadline on Sunday the 31st. Students of color can apply for this quarterly award by creating a free account or logging back in to CollegeXpress and answering this question in just one sentence: What is your dream career to pursue after high school? They could win $1,500 plus a $500 donation to the charity of their choice!

New Year’s Eve

Where on Earth did 2024 go? Let’s hope things slow down a bit for everyone and we can enjoy an even better 2024!

Gif of tiny wizard shooting fireworks with wand making words Happy New Year
@TinyWizardStudio via GIPHY

Have your students joined the CollegeXpress community yet? Refer them here! You’ll be entered to win our $250 Refer-a-Friend contest after they create a free account through your unique link—plus, they’ll have access to all our helpful resources and be able to enter all our super-easy scholarship contests!

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