Calendar, Halloween decorations with CX logo and students studying, playing horn

College Planning Calendar: October 2024

Nothing is spookier than not being ready for college! Use our October College Planning Calendar to beat the admission season scaries with your students.

Whether you’re a counselor or a student, everyone loves fall! ’Tis the season for cozy sweaters, warm drinks, apple picking, Halloween costumes, and more. But while there’s a lot of fun to be had, there are also a lot of exciting life changes on the horizon for students who still need to plan for college and stay on top of their studies. Work these college planning to-do’s into your fall plans and help your students set themselves up for success as we head toward the end of the calendar year.

General college prep and planning

Month-long observances and events

Tuesday, October 1

New CollegeXpress easy monthly scholarship opens

A new month means a new easy scholarship giveaway from CX with our Werewolf vs. Vampire Scholarship Contest! Starting October 1, students can register on CollegeXpress (or log back in) and tell us if a werewolf or a vampire would win in a fight for a chance to win $1,300.

World Vegetarian Day

Today’s the day to celebrate and educate others on the vegetarian way of life. 

International Coffee Day

It’s no secret that a lot of students (and counselors) love coffee. Celebrate the beverage that keeps us going by sharing 10 of the Best Colleges and Universities for Coffee Lovers.

Animated gif in style of Adventure Time of coffee mug and to-go cup fist-bumping with words Coffee Time
@hoppip via GIPHY

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 Tuesday the 1st from 7:30–9:30 pm ET.

Wednesday, October 2

Start of Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah is the celebration of the Jewish New Year that lasts two days and leads up to Yom Kippur on Friday the 11th. Shanah tovah (have a good year)! 

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. Be sure to check out all his offerings for counselors, parents, and students this month, and encourage those from low-income households to inquire about pay-what-you-can options.

Friday, October 4

World Animal Day

Learn more about this animal welfare movement and find ways to help all the other creatures that live on our planet with this year’s World Animal Day theme, “The world is their home too”!

Gif of cheetah mom hugging and cuddling two cubs
@pbsnature via GIPHY

Saturday, October 5

SAT test date

Today is an SAT test date for students across the country. 

World Teachers’ Day

Sponsored by UNESCO and Education International, World Teachers’ Day is observed to help the world better understand the role of educators in the development of students and our society overall. Make sure your students wish a Happy Teachers’ Day to their faves ahead of the weekend!

Sunday, October 6

Start of Get Organized (GO) Week

Observed since 1991, this week is the time to stop putting off those projects you’ve been meaning to do and get organized!

Start of Fire Prevention Week

Fire safety is important for us all, especially with the extreme regional weather changes we’re all witnessing. Help the National Fire Protection Association spread awareness through their campaign, “Smoke alarms: Make them work for you!”

Start of Customer Service Week

This week celebrates the important role customer service workers play in our daily lives. Drop a worker some extra kindness (and maybe an extra tip) this week!

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 two free sessions planned for this month takes place on Sunday the 6th from 6:00–8:00 pm ET.

Monday, October 7

ACT late registration deadline

Today is the late registration deadline for the October 26 ACT test date (additional fees apply).

Tuesday, October 8

Ada Lovelace Day

Named after the English mathematician and writer, Ada Lovelace Day (ALD) is an international celebration of the achievements of women in STEM!

Animated gif of female symbol, atom, and words Women in Stem moving in circles
@IntoAction via GIPHY

College Admissions Secret to Success webinar (part 1)

Write Track Admissions is hosting a free college admission webinar featuring CEO Hamada Zahawi, who has over 16 years of consulting experience and a proven track record of helping students navigate competitive admission processes. This session will focus on the current admission landscape, preparing your profile and assembling your applications, plus letters of recommendation, standardized tests, and financial aid. Register now to attend on Tuesday the 8th from 1:00–2:00 pm ET.

Wednesday, October 9

Digital SAT webinar for parents

Kaplan is also connecting with parents this month to help them master their role in standardized testing with a webinar called Gaining the Advantage: A Parent’s Guide to the Digital SAT taking place on Wednesday the 9th from 8:00–9:00 pm ET.

Thursday, October 10

World Mental Health Day

Let’s draw attention to the importance of mental health and facilitate conversations with students on how to improve theirs. With this year’s theme of “Mental health is a universal human right” in mind, here are some Great Mental Health Habits for Students to Establish.

College Admissions Secret to Success webinar (part 2)

Write Track Admissions is hosting another free college admission information session for students on October 10 from 1:00–2:00 pm ET. This one covers crafting your story and personal statements, submitting your applications, and timeline strategies.

Friday, October 11

National Coming Out Day

Coming out as gay, lesbian, bisexual, trans, queer, or however you identify can be hard and scary. Let’s support students together to help them find comfort and confidence in their identities while sharing them with the world! 

Animated gif of rainbow and words Out & Proud
@IntoAction via GIPHY

Sunday, October 13

Start of Earth Science Week

Celebrate and promote Earth science education this week! The theme for 2024 is “Celebrate Science Everywhere.”

Free scholarship and digital SAT 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 October 13 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, October 14

Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Today celebrates and honors Native Americans while commemorating their histories and cultures.

Canadian Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to our neighbors to the North! 

Free ACT prep class

The last chance for students to prep for the ACT with Kaplan this month will be on Monday, October 14 from 7:30–9:30 pm ET.

Friday, October 18

Regular SAT registration deadline

Today is the regular registration deadline for the November 2 SAT test date. 

SAT scores released

Scores for the October 5 SAT test date should be released today and will be sent to colleges within 10 days.

Sunday, October 20

National Day on Writing

As designated by the National Council of Teachers of English, today celebrates the beauty of writing and all the ways we engage with it in our lives. It’s the perfect day to encourage your students to start (or finish) writing their college application essays!

Start of National Chemistry Week

Chemistry is an incredibly interesting and important subject students should consider pursuing in college. They can learn more about National Chemistry Week and this year’s theme of “Photographing and Imaging” through the American Chemical Society.

Gif of Dachshund with lab glasses and coat on doing science expiraments
@Crusoegifs via GIPHY

Tuesday, October 22

SAT late registration deadline

Today is the deadline for changes, cancellations, and late registration for the November 2 SAT test date (additional fees apply).

College application webinar

Students who want 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 Tuesday the 22nd from 7:00–8:00 pm ET.

Thursday, October 24

United Nations Day

Today celebrates the 1948 founding of the United Nations, an organization dedicated to world peace and the protection of human rights.

Saturday, October 26

ACT test date

Today is an ACT test date at centers across the country.

Monday, October 28

National Immigrants Day

Immigrants make up an important percentage of our population, making the US the melting pot that it is. Acknowledge the day by learning specific tips for the college search for undocumented students.

Thursday, October 31

Halloween

Happy Halloween from the CollegeXpress Team!

Animated gif of yawning Black cat on shelf with skull and Stephen King books
@catchmaj via GIPHY

CollegeXpress Werewolf vs. Vampire Scholarship deadline

Today is the deadline for our Werewolf vs. Vampire Scholarship Contest! Make sure your students don’t miss this easy opportunity by answering the question before midnight on Halloween night for a chance to win $1,300.

Even as the academic year gets busier, every student 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!

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