Summer is in full swing, and everyone is enjoying their well-deserved break! But there are still some important dates, events, resources, and deadlines that students, parents, and counselors should be aware of. Check out what’s happening in July with this month’s College Planning Calendar, and feel free to share it with your network. Then log off, get outside, and enjoy some fun in the sun!
General college prep and planning
- 9th grade: Soon-to-be high school students can get ahead of college prep with these Smart Summer College Planning Steps for All High School Grades. This is a resource to return to year after year!
- 10th grade: Rising sophomores are in a unique position this summer to utilize some of their newfound high school independence to pursue part-time jobs. They can check out these 4 Flexible Summer Jobs to Get Paid and Take a Break to make some money and still enjoy themselves this month.
- 11th grade: Junior year is an important one, so using summer break to boost future college applications is just smart. Encourage your students to consider any of these 4 Summer Activities That Will Impress Colleges!
- 12th grade: This year is going to be busy for rising seniors. They can get a head start in July with these Top College Planning Tips for the Summer Before Senior Year.
Month-long observances and events
- Start studying for the SAT: If your students plan to take the SAT in November this year, the experts at the College Board recommend to start studying this month to feel properly prepared.
- National Culinary Arts Month: How many students do you know who love to cook? Encourage them to consider this as a career path by helping them discover their higher education options, like these Colleges With Strong Culinary/Cooking Programs.
- Park and Recreation Month: Public parks and other natural spaces are so important to communities! Do your students know they could make a living in national park management and recreation? During Park and Recreation Month, facilitate conversations about this viable option with students who want to work to strengthen their communities.
Saturday, July 1
Canada Day
Today honors the day the three separate colonies of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada were united into the single country of Canada. Happy Canada Day to our friends to the north!
Start of Clean Beaches Week
Get walking on the beach to pick up trash along the shore. Get involved and do your part to keep our planet healthy during Clean Beaches Week!
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 Saturday 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 July 1.
International Joke Day
If pilgrims traveled on the Mayflower, what do college students travel on? Scholar-ships. Tell someone a good joke today and spread the laughter!
- Alma Maters of Comedians: Find out where some of your favorite comedians went to college with this fun(ny) list.
Tuesday, July 4
Independence Day
Happy 4th of July! Did you know July is also National Hot Dog Month? Throw some of those on the grill and have a wonderful day celebrating the nation’s birthday and enjoying time with friends and family.
Wednesday, July 5
SAT Live Online Trial Class
Kaplan is offering two free SAT Live Online Trial webinars this month. The first will take place on Wednesday the 5th from 9:00–11:00 am ET.
Thursday, July 6
How to Apply to College video courses
Ethan Sawyer, the College Essay Guy, is hosting four weeks of webinars for students from July 6–27 on How to Write the College Application + Supplemental Essays. Sessions will run from 1:00–2:30 pm and 7:00–8:30 pm ET every Tuesday of the month. Topics in weekly order include brainstorming, activities lists and the “Why us?” essay, supplemental essays, and reviewing the whole application. Courses aren’t free, but students can submit a pay-what-you-can request if needed.
Saturday, July 8
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 Saturday the 8th from 7:00–8:00 pm ET.
SAT Live Online Trial Class
Kaplan is offering two free SAT Live Online Trial webinars this month. The second will take place on Saturday the 8th from 3:00–5:00 pm ET.
Tuesday, July 11
World Population Day
World Population Day is a day of recognition to raise global awareness on demographic issues such as poverty, gender equality, maternal health, disease, warfare, and human rights. Learn how you can get involved in helping the people of the world!
Live course for college counselors and educators
The College Essay Guy is offering a live course specifically for counselors and educators this month as well. Consisting of three sessions, Practice Coaching Strategies for the Average Student Writer will help you guide students through college essays and writing development. The sessions will take place from 7:00–9:00 pm ET on the 11th, 18th, and 25th.
Wednesday, July 12
UC Personal Insight Questions boot camp
The College Essay Guy is hosting another three days of webinars on How to Write the UC Personal Insight Questions for students planning to apply to schools in the University of California system. Covering everything they need to know about following UC’s specific essay requirements, sessions will run from 1:00–2:30 pm and 7:00–8:30 pm ET on July 10, 12, and 14. These courses aren’t free, but students can submit a pay-what-you-can request if needed.
Saturday, July 15
ACT test date
Today is an ACT test date at centers around the country except New York State.
- SAT & ACT Date Wheel: Find other upcoming standardized test dates and deadlines with our recently updated calendar.
Tuesday, July 18
Nelson Mandela International Day
Happy birthday to the late, great Nelson Mandela! To honor him and the causes he cared about, the Nelson Mandela Foundation urges people to get involved in the community and help others as he always tried to do.
Wednesday, July 19
Free SAT/ACT score webinar for parents
Prep Expert’s Dr. Shaan Patel is offering a free parents webinar on 10 secrets to raising standardized test scores and winning big scholarships to top colleges. Parents can sign up for this one that starts at 6:00 pm ET on Wednesday the 19th.
Application iQ Camp
Moon Prep’s featured webinar of the month is their Application iQ Camp, which helps BS/MD candidates get a head start on their college applications this summer. The event will take place on July 19 from 7:00–8:30 pm ET. While the boot camp is free, students must be registered with Moon Prep to attend.
Thursday, July 20
Moon Day
Today celebrates the 54th anniversary of Neil Armstrong landing on the moon!
- Women's History Month Spotlight: Peggy Whitson: Encourage your students to learn about not only the firsts but all the greats by sharing this article on the life of influential astronaut Peggy Whitson.
Saturday, July 22
College application webinar
Moon Prep is offering another free webinar this month to help students with their college applications. They can register for Crash Course: A Step-by-Step Guide for Applying to College taking place on Saturday the 22nd from 7:00–8:00 pm ET.
Monday, July 24
Amelia Earhart Day
Today honors the birthday of Amelia Earhart, the first female aviator to fly across the Atlantic Ocean. Students interested in this career path should check out this list of Colleges With Excellent Programs for Aviation and Flying.
Friday, July 28
SAT Regular registration deadline
Today is the Regular registration deadline for the August 26 SAT test date.
Sunday, July 30
International Day of Friendship
Celebrate your friends both near and far today on the International Day of Friendship!
- How to Team Up With Your Friends on the College Search: Working with friends can make the college process a lot less daunting and more fun! Share this article on how to navigate the search together, be supportive, and avoid conflict.
Supplemental essays webinar
Moon Prep’s last free webinar of the month walks students through a Crash Course on How to Write Supplemental Essays for college admission. It will be available starting July 30 from 7:00–8:00 pm ET.
Monday, July 31
UC Personal Insight Questions boot camp, round two
If students miss the first UC Personal Insight Questions webinar at the beginning of the month, they can sign up for the second set of sessions that start on Monday the 31st and go into August (same timeframes). As with the College Essay Guy’s other online events, students can submit a pay-what-you-can request if needed.
CollegeXpress iPad Summer Giveaway deadline
Today is the last day to enter our iPad Summer Giveaway! From July 1–31, students can create a free CollegeXpress account (or log back in) and answer an easy question for a chance to win a 10th Generation iPad. This month we’re asking: Which phone app do you use the most and why?
Have your students joined the CollegeXpress community yet? Refer them here! You’ll be entered to win our $500 Refer-a-Friend contest, and after they create a free account through your unique link, they’ll have a chance to win not only our easy monthly scholarships but our annual $10,000 scholarship contest as well.
