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TN Path to College Events

TN College Application & Exploration Month

As you begin to plan your College Application and Exploration Month, tailor the events to the needs of your school. From the timing of events to the location, work with your school’s administrators and teachers to plan an event that works best for your school and students.

2025-2026 College App & Exp Month Survey
students writing on a banner
Overview

September is Tennessee’s official TN College Application & Exploration Month, a statewide initiative that encourages college and career exploration, builds awareness of the college application process at every grade level, and ensures every senior has the opportunity to apply to college.

This year also marks an exciting milestone with the statewide launch of Direct Admissions for the Class of 2027. Throughout September, schools will build momentum toward Claim Your Spot TN Week, a new annual celebration taking place during the fourth week of the month.

For elementary and middle school students, the focus should be on engaging, age-appropriate college and career exploration activities. TN Path to College resources are available to help schools plan activities throughout the month.

Below is a recommended September activity schedule designed to help your school community build excitement and prepare for Claim Your Spot TN Week.

2026-2027 Dates

August 17 Priority Deadline – For students to be included in the first wave of Direct Admissions letters, their TN Promise application must be submitted, and 6th semester GPAs must be uploaded. 

  • Week 1 (Aug. 31-Sept. 4): Intro to College Week – Human Bingo, College Conversations (teachers, school counselors, and school administrators share their college experience), College Visits (invite local reps in during this week to visit and kick-off TN College Application & Exploration Month).
  • Week 2 (Sept. 7-11): Exploration of College Week – College Finder, Career Finder, Lifestyle Calculator, and Next Guides. 
  • Week 3 (Sept. 14-18): Why Apply Week – Jeans and College T-shirt for #WhyApply Day, September 18
  • Week 4 (Sept. 21-25): Claim Your Spot TN Week – Students will claim their spot using the Direct Admissions letter or logging into the THEC student portal. If a DA letter was not received in the first wave, students are still encouraged to submit college applications during this week. After students claim their spot or apply, have them sign the included “I’m Going to College” banner to be displayed. From that point forward, every student that applies or claims their spot can return to sign the banner.
  • Week 5 (Sept. 28-Oct. 2): What’s Next Week – After your student has claimed their spot or applied, remind them to apply for additional institutional scholarships, complete their FAFSA. Counselors remember to submit transcripts so colleges can process applications. Use the “Now That I’ve Applied, What’s Next” document.

 

Why Apply Day is Friday, September 18th

On Friday, September 18, 2026, THEC encourages everyone to wear college gear (t-shirt, hats, pins, etc.) and share why they believe students should apply to college and/or why they applied to college, using the hashtags #WhyApply and #TNCollegeAppMonth. We love seeing your posts across all social media platforms. 

Not sure what to post? You might:

  • Print off the WHY APPLY Template, write a reason students should apply to college, and post a photo of you holding it
  • Type a short response in your status
  • Make a video of yourself, your kids, or your students answering the question
  • Draw a picture depicting your reasons
  • Share an image or photo with your reason

Event Resources

Social Media and Outreach

Reaching out to local media is a wonderful way to increase community awareness of and involvement in college access work. Path to College events are a positive reflection of work happening in your community and inviting the media will shine a spotlight on the work you’re doing through the program. Likewise, social media outlets will allow you to spread the word about your events quickly at no cost.

LOGOS

CollegeforTN Logo

CollegeforTN Horizontal Logo

TN Direct Admissions Logo

TN Direct Admissions Horizontal Logo

Volunteer Engagement

Volunteers provide several benefits to your Path to College Events. They can ensure that students sign in to your event, that students and families are directed to the correct locations, and help support students in key tasks like filling out a college application or a FAFSA. In addition to manpower, volunteer involvement provides your students and families with a sense of community support that is a key ingredient to a thriving college-going culture. When students see a volunteer from a local business or higher education institution who is taking time from their day to help with a Path to College event, it sends a message that the community cares about student success.

 

College App Month Social Media Toolkit

We have put together ready-made social media posts and captions to make College Application and Exploration Month outreach easy for your school! Feel free to use these posts on your school’s social media pages, email communications, and school websites. 

College App Month Social Media Toolkit