As students return from summer break and prepare to begin the school year, August can bring both excitement and stress. With the influx of extracurricular activities, coursework, sports practices, and college admissions prep, the fall can quickly become overwhelming. However, the key to surviving—and thriving—amidst the start of the school year lies in careful strategic planning. Students and parents should take the time early in the month to get organized, set goals, and hit the ground running to stay on track. Whether you’re a rising freshman beginning your high school journey or a rising senior diving into college applications, this is the month to reset, refocus, and get ahead of the curve.
Command Education’s online resources help families do just that—from college applications to back-to-school prep and everything in between, we have the tools to help you start this school year off right. Here are the biggest topics that we’re talking about this month:
#1 The Common App Opens August 1
August 1st marks the official kick-off of admissions season, as the Common App officially opens, allowing students to begin compiling their application materials. The key to crafting winning applications is starting early. Rather than waiting until October to start drafting your essays, get started this August to ensure you have ample time to polish and perfect your personal statement and supplemental essays!
“Admissions committees at top schools aren’t just looking for a well-written story—they want to see sophisticated, nuanced, critical thinking. A standout essay will demonstrate that the applicant is capable of introspection, can reflect on their experiences with honesty and curiosity, and has undergone meaningful personal growth; it should provide the reader with insights into the student’s values, thought process, and how they approach the world around them.” — Kelly, Senior Mentor
For more insider tips on how to craft compelling essays, check out our Q&A with Kelly.
Don’t know where to start? Our comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know to answer every Common App prompt!
#2 Turn Your Summer Internship Into a Standout Letter of Recommendation
Whether you are a senior embarking on the college application process or a sophomore or junior building your admissions profile, your summer internship can provide you with an eyecatching letter of recommendation. But the steps you take to reflect on your internship experience, maintain your professional relationships, and request recommendations with intentionality can have a significant impact on the caliber of your letters. In his Forbes column, Command Education Founder and CEO Christopher Rim explains exactly how students should approach the process.
“Internship supervisors or other professional mentors can offer enriching perspectives for a student’s candidacy as they can speak to their capabilities outside of the classroom—how they collaborate with others, problem-solve, and respond to criticism, and whether they are teachable and open to growth. At the same time, because many students will not have an organic reason to keep up with their supervisors after their summer internship has ended, it’s essential that students approach these relationships with care and foresight if they hope to secure a compelling recommendation once admissions season commences.” —Christopher Rim
#3 Start Your High School Journey Off Right
The college admissions process begins the moment a student steps into high school their freshman year. With the beginning of your high school journey, your grades, extracurriculars, summer plans, and volunteer activities will be reflected on your college application. How can you make sure you’re charting the right course? Our guide to freshman and sophomore years provides students and parents with a breakdown of the most important milestones in the first two years of high school to keep them on track and empower them to build a strong foundation for their applicant profiles.
#4 Register for the September SAT and/or ACT
Are you ready to reach your goal score? There are a number of important testing dates and deadlines upcoming this month:
SAT
- August 23rd Test
- Regular Registration Deadline: August 8th
- Late Registration Deadline: August 12th
- September 13th Test
- Regular Registration Deadline: August 29th
ACT
- September 6th Test
- Regular Registration Deadline: August 1st
- Late Registration Deadline: August 19th
With these testing dates on the horizon, now is the time to finalize your test prep strategy and lock in on those practice tests. Whether you’re aiming to boost a superscore or test for the first time, taking the SAT or ACT in early fall allows you to send strong scores to schools with early deadlines. For all of the information you need about testing strategy, as well as up-to-date information about changes to the SAT and ACT format, check out our guide!
“Test taking is like making a crock pot recipe—it takes time. Cramming the information 72 hours before the test will not allow you to retain the material in either the short or long term. Students who truly excel in the testing process are those who start early—ideally, students should take the diagnostic tests during sophomore year, learn the material over time, and practice for months before taking their first official test.” —Aaron, Director of Tutoring
For more information on how Command Education Senior Tutors help students achieve their goal scores, read our Q&A with Aaron.
#5 Get to Work on Your Hook
Every successful application has a captivating hook—an anchoring interest or passion that serves as an anchor for a student’s overall application narrative. Whether you’re interested in AI, environmental advocacy, creative writing, biomedical research, or public policy, the fall is the perfect time to try out student clubs and organizations, delve deeper into your coursework, and learn about opportunities in your community that might correspond to your guiding interests. Freshmen and sophomores can take advantage of the fall semester to try out a variety of different subjects and clubs, while juniors and seniors should spend their time establishing themselves as leaders in the activities and organizations they’re most passionate about.
→ Learn How to Build Your Hook
Juggling these many responsibilities while seeking to develop an eyecatching applicant profile can be a daunting challenge, and expert support and mentorship can make all the difference. Command Education Senior Mentors provide unlimited, one-on-one support for students as they navigate every aspect of their college admissions journey—starting as early as seventh grade. Whether you’re just starting high school or heading into senior year, start your year off with expert guidance. Schedule your free consult today.
