Summer is in full swing, and we hope everyone—students and counselors alike—is enjoying their well-deserved break! But there are still some important dates, events, resources, and deadlines that you should be aware of ahead of a new school year in the fall. 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
- For all students: Wherever students are in their high school journey, these Smart Summer College Planning Steps for All High School Grades will help them get ready for the upcoming fall—plus, it’s a resource to return to if they’re not graduating this coming year.
- For the search process: Students who are just starting or continuing to explore their schools of interest should take some time this month to solidify a good college list. And we have so many ways to help them on CollegeXpress! Students can research by their own criteria using our College Search tool, get immediately connected to the schools on our featured college lists, visit schools online with our virtual tours list, search by location with our College Search map, and more.
- For the admission process: The college application process is going to quickly feel overwhelming for rising seniors who are applying early. Get ahead of the anxiety and responsibilities with The Essential Step-by-Step Guide to College Admission and Applications.
- For SAT test takers: If your students plan to take the SAT in November, the experts at the College Board recommend starting to study this month to feel properly prepared.
Month-long observances and events
- National Culinary Arts Month: Do you have any students who love to cook? Encourage them to turn their passion into a career path and help them discover different higher education options, like these Colleges With Strong Culinary/Cooking Programs.
- Park and Recreation Month: Public parks and natural spaces are so important to every community! Do your students know they could make a living in park management and recreation? Park and Recreation Month is a great time to facilitate conversations about this viable option with students who want to work to strengthen their communities and enhance local environments.
- National Ice Cream Month: President Ronald Reagan had his priorities straight in 1984 when he chose July to be the official month to celebrate ice cream; he also declared the third Sunday of the month as National Ice Cream Day. We encourage everyone to enjoy a dish or cone and check out The Best Ice Cream Shops in College Towns Across the Country!
Monday, July 1
CollegeXpress easy monthly scholarship opens
A new month means a new easy scholarship contest from CX! This time, we’re asking students which Olympics game they’re most excited about with our 2024 Summer Olympics Scholarship. Starting June 1, students can register on CollegeXpress (or log back in) to let us know their answer for a chance to win $2,000.
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
From walking on the beach to picking up trash along the shore, get involved and do your part to keep our planet healthy during Clean Beaches Week!
- Great Colleges If You Want to Live by the Beach: Students can live the beach life all school year long if they choose to attend one of these featured universities near the shore.
SAT prep start date
The College Board recommends students who are planning to take the SAT in November to start prepping and studying this month! Make it more bearable with these Easy Ways to Make Studying for Standardized Tests Fun.
Free SAT prep class
One way to start prepping for the SAT this month is with Kaplan’s free Digital SAT Live Online Trial Classes. Students can learn more about the new digital SAT format and sign up for the first session on Monday the 1st from 9:00–11:00 am ET.
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 share and check out all his resources for counselors, parents, and students!
International Joke Day
Did you know a lot of students are starting to major in Gravity? It must be because it’s a really attractive field. 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.
Thursday, July 4
Independence Day
Happy birthday, America! Did you know July is also National Hot Dog Month? Throw some on the grill and have a wonderful day celebrating and enjoying time with friends and family.
Saturday, July 6
Free SAT prep class
If they missed the first one, the next Digital SAT Live Online Trial Class that students can sign up for is on Saturday the 6th from 3:00–5:00 pm ET.
Monday, July 8
Free SAT prep class
Kaplan is giving students plenty of opportunities to prepare for the Digital SAT before November with another free trial class on Monday the 8th from 1:30–3:30 pm ET.
Tuesday, July 9
Free SAT prep class
If your students are busy, they have another chance to catch a Digital SAT Online Trial Class with Kaplan on Tuesday the 9th from 5:30–7:30 pm ET.
Thursday, July 11
World Population Day
World Population Day aims 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 and help the people of the world today!
Saturday, July 13
ACT test date
Today is an ACT test date for students across the country, except New York State. (For future planning, there is typically never any scheduled testing centers in New York in the month of July each year.)
Sunday, July 14
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 14 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!
Tuesday, July 16
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 this month takes place on Tuesday the 16th from 3:00–5:00 pm ET.
Thursday, 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.
Saturday, July 20
National Moon Day
Today celebrates the 55th 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. Space could be their next great academic adventure!
Monday, July 22
College application webinar
Moon Prep is offering a free webinar this month to help students with their college applications. They can register now for Crash Course: A Step-by-Step Guide for Applying to College taking place on Monday the 22nd from 7:00–8:00 pm ET.
Free ACT prep class
If students miss the first session, Kaplan’s second ACT Live Online Trial Class for this month takes place on Monday the 22nd from 11:00 am–1:00 pm ET.
Wednesday, 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 exciting career path should check out this list of Colleges With Excellent Programs for Aviation and Flying.
Friday, July 26
The 2024 Summer Olympics begin
The Games of the XXXIII Olympiad begin today! Be sure to catch the opening ceremony live from France on Friday the 26th at 1:30 pm ET (7:30 pm Paris time) and watch your favorite events until they close on Sunday, August 11.
- Gold-Medal Colleges for Summer Olympic Sports: If students get inspired by Simone Biles on the beam or Caeleb Dressel in the pool, they should check out this collection of lists featuring colleges that offer the athletics they want to compete in.
Tuesday, July 30
International Day of Friendship
Celebrate your friends both near and far today on the International Day of Friendship! Friends are an important part of any student’s support system before, during, and after college. Check out the “friends” tag on CollegeXpress for a ton of advice on making friends, appreciating them, working together, and more.
Wednesday, July 31
CollegeXpress easy monthly scholarship deadline
Today is the last day to enter our 2024 Summer Olympics Scholarship for a chance to win $2,000! Students just have to log back in or create a free CollegeXpress account and answer our easy question to be entered into the drawing. Make sure they finish registration and don’t miss the deadline on this great opportunity!
Even though school has paused for the summer, the scholarship search shouldn't! Help your students over vacation by sharing our big list of scholarships with deadlines in July.
